Refurbished iPod questions...

In order to fully use the 240 Gb hard drive with lossless files you should start w/ an 80 Gb iPod 5.5 gen. As I understand it the lossless files can not be handled by the ram in the 30 Gb iPods (not enough). Good luck.

I'm about 98% sure you can mod a 4g, 5g or 5.5g iPod. No matter what the capacity. I'm also fairly certain they all use the same DAC chip but don't hold me to that.

There's some basic info on the RedWine Audio site explaining what iPods they mod and why, that might help.

Search for the DIY Mod guide. There's guides to do the DIY mod to 4th gens, 5th gens, 1st gen nanos, and minis, IIRC.

If lossless files are supported by the 30GB 5/5.5G, then they'll work. Changing tracks will be slow(er) and battery life will probably suffer. My 120GB Zune and 30GB Zune played WMA lossless files fine, and they probably had a 32MB buffer (haven't confirmed it, but I'm pretty sure that's what size it is).

You should also consider the CF mod. I just got done doing it to my 80GB 5.5G, and it's awesome. Got a 32GB Kingston card in it. That, and Rockbox. Some 64GB cards work, but they're still way too expensive for me right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo 

As I understand it the lossless files can not be handled by the ram in the 30 Gb iPods (not enough). Good luck.

The 5,5g 30GB Ipods have 64mB of RAM, the same as the 80GB model.

RC
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reima 

The 5,5g 30GB Ipods have 64mB of RAM, the same as the 80GB model.

RC
 

Pretty sure they've just got 32MB. That's why there's two different builds of Rockbox for the 5/5.5G. One for 30GB(32MB) and 60/80(64MB).

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by usf09 

I may do the CF mod to my broken 30GB since I need a hard drive anyway, but I want to keep the 60GB HDD as is, so I can I fit all my music on a portable source...what are the advantages to the CF mod? I'd imagine better battery life and quicker loading of files?

 

And I know this is not the time to be asking this...if I have never picked up a soldering iron before, how difficult is the DIYMOD process? If I can do the logic board part myself, I may just pick up a capped LOD from a builder here...if it's too difficult, I may pay the $150 to get it done for me...anyone know if there's a better price out there for a DIYMOD?

Advantages of the CF mod include faster load times (especially when shuffling through thousands of songs), better battery life (bought a $4 battery for mine, and it lasts ~20 hours; about the same as my Fuze v2), better durability (no moving parts; the logic board will probably break before the CF card), and it's just plain awesome. Definitely worth it. With a 32GB card and CF adaptor, it'll probably cost around $85 or so. If you've got enough money, there's legit 64GB and 128GB cards out there.

I haven't done the DIY mod (yet...), but if you've never soldered before, I'd suggest you hold off and build up some skills. Trying it on a cheap broken iPod first might be a good idea too.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bba1973 

Pretty sure they've just got 32MB. That's why there's two different builds of Rockbox for the 5/5.5G. One for 30GB(32MB) and 60/80(64MB).
 

My 5.5g 30GB Ipod has 64mB RAM, this is easy to check by running the diagnostics. The 5g 30GB has only 32mB RAM that is why there are 2 Rockbox builds.

RC

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reima 

 

My 5.5g 30GB Ipod has 64mB RAM, this is easy to check by running the diagnostics. The 5g 30GB has only 32mB RAM that is why there are 2 Rockbox builds.

RC

 

That's strange. Is it a refurb or something? There are definitely 30GBs with only 32MB though.


 

Quote:

Originally Posted by usf09 

 

Wait, since mine is the 5G, will that only have 32MB RAM, or will it have 64MB because it's the 60GB version?

 

I wish I had the money for the 64GB CF kit, I may just hold off on that for a while...especially if I get the DIYMod done for me...I'm looking at amps also, so I need to actually get that before I do anything with the iPod, otherwise that would just be  fruitless endeavor. I don't want to run the DIYMod off a Fiio E5 or CMOY...
 

It's easy to check. Boot in diagnostic mode (hold select and |<< while booting), go to "manual test," then "NTF," then "AutoTest," then "SDRAMQuickTest." Mine says "64MB SDRAM OK."
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bba1973 

 

There are definitely 30GBs with only 32MB though. 

That's what I said, the 5G 30GB Ipod Video has only 32mB of RAM. The 5.5G has 64mB RAM.

RC

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reima 

That's what I said, the 5G 30GB Ipod Video has only 32mB of RAM. The 5.5G has 64mB RAM.

RC

 

Not sure I'm understanding you here. You're saying that the 5.5G 30GB iPods have 64MB of RAM, and that 5G 30GB iPods have 32MB? That's the first I'm hearing of this. It seems like if this really were the case, there would be two different builds of Rockbox for the 30GB.
 

I'll ask again, is your 30GB 5.5G a refurb, or did you buy it brand new?

I bought it second hand. As far as I know the logic board for all the 5.5G Ipods are the same.

RC