IPod Stuff / Questions

[Mr_Grieves]

I read that the new iPod classics only work with iTunes.  There is a hack out there to get around it, but Apple is using muscle to get users to be dependent on iTunes. Someone please confirm this - too lazy to google at the moment.

Yes and yes.  Media Monkey's new version will work with the classic.

[super_furry]

I read that the new iPod classics only work with iTunes.  There is a hack out there to get around it, but Apple is using muscle to get users to be dependent on iTunes. Someone please confirm this - too lazy to google at the moment.

[elgoodo]

A friend of mine once said that if Steve Jobs possessed the power of Bill Gates, that Jobs would be even more evil.  I am thorughly convinced that he was right.

[Soshin]

Elgoo, seems like you are not the only one.  I wanted to get a Classic but I guess like all Apple products it's worth waiting until they iron out all the bugs.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/c5mTmeXc5eA" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/c5mTmeXc5eA</a>


Also, anyone see this story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7017660.stm

As much as I love my 5th gen IPOD, Apple are up to some serious douchebaggery..........

[elgoodo]

Sounds like you're running out of patience.  If you're in the mood to pay someone to fix it try Tekserve www.tekserve.com on 23rd St.

I am running out of patience.  I might be in the mood to pay someone if both the G4 and the brand new ipod weren't under fucking warranty.

If I get desperate, and you guarantee results, I might be in touch.

[GrannySmith]

Sounds like you're running out of patience.  If you're in the mood to pay someone to fix it try Tekserve www.tekserve.com on 23rd St.

[AmbushBug]

It is almost as if there is a file that corrupts the ipod and kills it.

This is most likely the case.

This may sound like a huge pain in the ass (cos it is) but I think your solution is to upload your songs in small batches, and take note of what songs are in each batch.

When one batch screws up your iPod, then try loading that batch in smaller batches and see if the problem recurs.

Repeat until you find the corrupted song, or until you're dealing with a small enough group of possible corrupted songs that you can just re-rip them.

Nobody says science is convenient.

[duke_of_earl]

My library is not even up to capacity.  I HAVE had success at synching 93 gigs of the 131 gigs that I have, but
that's hardly the point.  They sold me a 160 gb ipod.

Unfortunately, it appears that you are dealing with a faulty product right now.  And until Apple fixes it, it's better to have a working 93 gigs than the frustration of a crashing 160 gigs.   

That means it will copy the files again, right?  I don't have 260 gigs worth of space to do that.  If I were able to procure a 500 gb drive, and I did this, would this be the equivalant of copyng the files from my father's mirror library of my own and rebuilding my library from that?  If so, I'll try it.

Yes, effectively.  What it does it takes the media from disparate areas such as another drive, directory, CD, or DVD and copies them into the Apple specific directories using their structure.  I've had some for a friend doing this for an unrelated issue.  I mention it as an attempt if you have the time and/or patience as copying and indexing that much data will take a while.

It is almost as if there is a file that corrupts the ipod and kills it.

That's my guess, too. Hence the different speeds, to try to reduce the chance of corruption.  And also, the indexing may be fubar'ed which is why I was thinking about the consolidated library.

doe

[elgoodo]

Thanks for the attempted help, guys.

Have you tried a different cable?

Yeah.

Have you checked to make sure you are synching at maximum speed?

I haven't.

If you are at maximum speed, then have you tried a lower sync speed?

Ok, I'll try that at some point.

I know you will hate it, but have you tried a smaller library?

My library is not even up to capacity.  I HAVE had success at synching 93 gigs of the 131 gigs that I have, but
that's hardly the point.  They sold me a 160 gb ipod.

Have you re-indexed the iTunes library to consolidate all your songs?

That means it will copy the files again, right?  I don't have 260 gigs worth of space to do that.  If I were able to procure a 500 gb drive, and I did this, would this be the equivalant of copyng the files from my father's mirror library of my own and rebuilding my library from that?  If so, I'll try it.

Have you tried a different port on your G4?  Firewire or USB?

Yeah, I've tried a few ports.  I don't think the issue is there.

Have you applied all the updates to your G4?

Yeah, I'm up to date on all software.

Have you taken the G4 and the iPod into the Genius Bar to have them fix the problem?

Oh yeah.  Many times.   They don't want to fix anything.  They just want to give out ipods like candy to get rid of you.  Unfortunately, if you buy an Apple product now, it appears you are on your own with regards to fixing any problems.  I have Apple Care on both the G4 and the ipod.  They don't want to fix anything.  They don't have the time.

Lastly and most probable, I found this interesting thread that shows people synching in smaller batches and having some success.

There might be some truth in this.  As I stated, I successfully did approx 90 gb.   When I attempted to add the additional 40 or so gigs, I was back to square one.  Perhaps if I loaded everything 10 gigs at a time, maybe it might work.  Who knows.  The most frustrating part though is when the ipod basically becomes incapacitated.  This has happened several times.  After I attempted reload the entire library on my most recent ipod, it refused to update any more.  It is almost as if there is a file that corrupts the ipod and kills it.

As I stated before, however, the perplexing thing is that I was able to successfully sync to the mirror duplicate library at least once.  The problem is, that mirror library is not on MY computer.  I am leaning toward trashing all of  my mp3 files in my library and rebuilding the library from the duplicate files on my father's mini mac, which were copied from my harddrive and my G4 (my mp3s are split between the laptop harddrive and an external drive.).

[duke_of_earl]

If you've gone through a bunch of iPods and still have problems, my guess is it's not the iPod.  Maybe something in the configuration of iTunes?  I assume you have the latest version of iTunes (there was an update less than a week ago.)  Anyway, I would post the issue in its entirety over at iLounge.  Apple tech support is really lacking in the brain department.

I agree here for the most  part.  It's obviously not the iPod.  Just some things to try, please do not kill the me as I know you are frustrated... 

• Have you tried a different cable?
• Have you checked to make sure you are synching at maximum speed?
• If you are at maximum speed, then have you tried a lower sync speed?
• I know you will hate it, but have you tried a smaller library?
• Have you re-indexed the iTunes library to consolidate all your songs?
• Have you tried a different port on your G4?  Firewire or USB?
• Have you applied all the updates to your G4?
• Have you taken the G4 and the iPod into the Genius Bar to have them fix the problem?
• Lastly and most probable, I found this interesting thread that shows people synching in smaller batches and having some success.

And you can always trade me for my 15GB one I've had working flawlessly for about 4 years.    Of course, the warranty has been voided in multiple ways...

doe

[Mr_Grieves]

If you've gone through a bunch of iPods and still have problems, my guess is it's not the iPod.  Maybe something in the configuration of iTunes?  I assume you have the latest version of iTunes (there was an update less than a week ago.)  Anyway, I would post the issue in its entirety over at iLounge.  Apple tech support is really lacking in the brain department.

[elgoodo]

You need to check if you have the firmware update.  There's a long discussion on this and other issues over at iLounge.  http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=203994&page=10

[I bought the same one as you... don't faint ...  and no problems (fingers crossed)]

I've read all about that stuff.  Believe me, I wish it was that easy.  I think my problem is much deeper and more complex.

[Mr_Grieves]

You need to check if you have the firmware update.  There's a long discussion on this and other issues over at iLounge.  http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=203994&page=10

[I bought the same one as you... don't faint ...  and no problems (fingers crossed)]

[elgoodo]

Incidentally, my problem is still ongoing.  I almost don't even want to talk about it anymore, because it makes me so angry.

The long and short of it - I've been through 8 or so 160 gb pods (I lost track around the 5th one.)  Rather than actually troubleshoot anything and fix the problem, Apple Store just keeps handing me new ipods like candy.  Constant crashes.  The first few would crash immediately upon first toggle of the clickwheel.  I was told by some online forms to disable artwork until a firmware update, which I did.  Didn't help.  Somewhere around the 3rd or so return/exchange, the ipod began to work SOMEWHAT - it would be relatively stable if I chose a song and played it all the way through, but the second I attempted to search for a different song, it would crash.  At one point, my father attempted to rebuild my library on his Mac mini by copying all of the mp3s.  Shockingly, it appeared to work fine when synced to this alternate mirror library.  I hooked it back up to my G4 Powerbook and attempted to sync again.  BANG! CRASH!  Every time I tried to search while playing anything.  Just like old times.  I then decided to take a smart playlist (about 93 gigs) which amounts to a large subset of my approximately 130 gb (at present) library.  It synced perfectly and worked like a charm.  I load the remainder of the library back on it, and BANG! CRASH!  Over and over.  Then it ceased to respond to any updates.  Completely unresponsive when attempting update the library, or to resync to either the mirror dublicate library or the original one.  I've neglected to mention that THAT has happened previously as well.  I'm on my way back to the Apple Store to exchange it for Lucky No. 9.

I really don't know what to do anymore.  Just when I thought I had this problem licked...

[bdlaw]

Hmm.

My iPod/iTunes refuses to update entirely.  I am getting the same damn never ending "Do Not Disconnect" message on my iPod as elgoodo has reported on his- though mine is an 80 gig and several months old and I haven't gone thru the horrors he has with the new 160.

Basically, I bought some songs, can see/play them in my library, but they never make it to the iPod because it never finishes synchronizing.

Obviously, aborting synchronization is the problem here but what the hell is the fix?

TIA,

Pissed the Eff Off At That Douche Steve Jobs

[RB]

You need a PC interface for the satellite radio, depending on how you want to do it.  I do it with the now defunct XM PCR, but I think there's a SIRIUS equivalent.

Actually, last night I downloaded some free "Hi-Q Recorder" that records live sounds and internet streams. It seems to work from the Sirius online streaming radio. I just wanted to record some talk shows and stuff, so it's fine for what I need. If I were looking to record music with high quality recording I'd probably look for something a bit more sophisticated.

Thanks.

[glx]

Someone, possibly glx, mentioned a while back that you can record satellite radio onto an ipod. Is this true? Can someone explain how this is done?

Thank you in advance.

You need a PC interface for the satellite radio, depending on how you want to do it.  I do it with the now defunct XM PCR, but I think there's a SIRIUS equivalent.

[RB]

Someone, possibly glx, mentioned a while back that you can record satellite radio onto an ipod. Is this true? Can someone explain how this is done?

Thank you in advance.

[RB]

Regarding the TV shows, google for Podcasts and episodes and that should get you going.  Regarding the DVD's, it's a bit trickier but you can.  You will need to first take the DVD over to your computer and then convert it down to a smaller size for use on your iPod.  There are a variety of tools to do both, mostly the process requires patience.

http://sheerboredom.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=65
http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/14/how-to-convert-a-dvd-for-your-ipod-with-video-in-windows/

--DoE

DoE,

Thank you, this is helpful.

RB

[duke_of_earl]

Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer DVDs that I own to itunes?

Also, my friend says there are lots of TV shows and stuff that can be downloaded for free. Does anyone know which shows are free and where to get them?

Regarding the TV shows, google for Podcasts and episodes and that should get you going.  Regarding the DVD's, it's a bit trickier but you can.  You will need to first take the DVD over to your computer and then convert it down to a smaller size for use on your iPod.  There are a variety of tools to do both, mostly the process requires patience.

http://sheerboredom.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=65
http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/14/how-to-convert-a-dvd-for-your-ipod-with-video-in-windows/

--DoE

[duke_of_earl]

Is there any way to have the ratings I apply to the songs on the Ipod, overwrite the ratings that are in iTunes on my computer?  Seems like every time I synch the laptop and iPod, all the ratings revert to what's on the computer...

bdlaw:

This should be a feature of the iPod and iTunes, they should synchronize back and forth from each other using the most recent rating by default.   It's possible that you tinkered with the settings so that it does a one-way sync of updates and you need to change it back.

DoE

[RB]

Forgive me for my stupidity with this stuff. Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer DVDs that I own to itunes?

Also, my friend says there are lots of TV shows and stuff that can be downloaded for free. Does anyone know which shows are free and where to get them?

TIA.

[glx]

Give SongBird a shot.  You can selectively sync in there.

It's free, it's like iTunes without the bloat.

http://www.songbirdnest.com/

[Soshin]

I HATE Itunes.  If you want to free you IPOD I suggest getting 3rd party software, I use anapod exlplorer, it's not free but it was really worth the money asallows you to use your ipod like a poratable hard-drive and it also does a really good job of organising your songs.  You can get it here.....

http://www.redchairsoftware.com/

[bdlaw]

Thanks, AB.

And fuck you, Steve Jobs.