[brutog]

I'm doing a build for a car head unit...mainly because even though the newer generation car head units support FLAC and USB drives, they're just a pain in the ass (file system support, limitations on number of files they'll index, etc.).
 
Since they all seem to have great support for iPods...I figured this is the best way to go.
 
I'd like to go bigger than 1TB if possible as my music collection is larger.Since this is a car install, I don't care about anything fitting in a chassis. I've seen 1.8" adapters to 2.5" and various other adapters that might make this possible. Do you guys think it's possible to power a bigger drive externally and format it to work correctly with an iPod (generation doesn't matter...I'll buy whatever)? 
 
If not, I'll probably settle on a Terapod

 

[Tuncurry]

  I'm doing a build for a car head unit... I'd like to go bigger than 1TB if possible as my music collection is larger. Do you guys think it's possible to power a bigger drive externally and format it to work correctly with an iPod (generation doesn't matter...I'll buy whatever)? 

Hi,
Quite a big challenge !  I used to try a similar built but with an iPad and a Wifi HD. I'm quite sure that an iPod Classic/Video/4/5/6/7th gen won't fit but there is maybe a way with an iPod touch and Wifi/internet. For large collection, you can already try a Touch with Amazon Cloud Player because it accepts 240 000 tracks but it needs an internet connexion in the car as you are still limited by the internal storage anyway.
A save time solution would be to use plug 'n play iTunes like equipments. For instance, i use in my car a Parrot Asteroid receiver which can access to 2.5 SSD Hard Drives and SDXC 128 Gb cards.
Have a look here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmbE6RIHPFk

 

[Tuncurry]

  Bummer.. I read that around page-180 when someone was building terapod. I'm waiting for two oem replacement batteries (480 mAH), to arrive. I have the 240GB BP4, so planning to load them in batches of 8 Gigs (per battery). I also have a spare 5.5g that I picked from ebay for $20, to charge the batteries.

Well, if you have the patience enough, this would work. The issue is always the battery for me and somewhere in the process a hard drive corruption.
Fat32 Format and iPod recovery is ok. Rockbox installation is ok. Even copying some files just after the Rockbox patch is ok.
After i must wait for low batterie to come to life once more, but a this time i've got a functional Rockboxed iPod with some 8-16 Gb on it.
 
Then, problems come... When i put back the iPod on the computer USB, the drive takes a lot of time to mount (2-3 mn). Mostly i can see it but trying to open and copy files end to a computer freeze. I've tried with Mcbook Air 2013 in OSX, in windows 7 with Parallels, on a small Asus win 8 and on a Surface Pro : still the same behavior. I suspect USB3 problems. With an old computer with USB 2 ports, rockboxed drive can be opened and you can copy files on it. The question is how much files before corrupting drive and/or taking down battery life ? 
Taking out the m-ssd and trying to mount it in the computer does'nt work for me (Drive must be formatted). In the end, i think that all matters : The iPod (5.5 gen for me), the msata drive you use (for me it's a 840 EVO with 500 Gb), the msata/zif adapter, the battery, the computer...
 
It's a long way to the top... if you wanna rock 'n' roll we can say....

 

[Tuncurry]

  Can you put the old hard drive in the iPod and charge the battery?

Yes, you can and it works. The other way is to leave the ssd inside and wait for 2/3 hours sometimes more, to get back from the "very low battery" message to the Rockbox menu, but this only works if the SSD drive has not been corrupted, which at this point you never know exactly what is the status.

 

[madoyster]

First things first. Moderators feel free to move this if you see fit. Second... if there is someone else with this idea then awesome I want to see pictures. Now to the idea.

A friend gave me an old but working ipod 5g video 30gb. The batter is horrible so thats getting swapped out for a samsung 2200 battery from a galaxy s3 been charged a handful of times and I know itll work for awhile plus its thin. Now the parts that you'll like. I want to swap to a128gb cf card. Easy and its been done however it takes forever to transfer via usb 2.0. I want to update the system to use usb3.0. I know the ipod cant use the speed however the transfer from computer to ipod would be amazing, especially for you hifi guys. Tarkan has a reliable cf to zif and sd to cf. Using a super fast sd card(90m/s), a sd to cf converter.

Parts list:
super fast sd card 128gb or bigger
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FF90EZM?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1406361680&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1)

Sd to cf
http://www.tarkan.info/20121226/tutorials/ipod-and-sdhc-sdxc-cards

cf to zif
http://www.tarkan.info/20080115/tutorials/iflash-ipod-compact-flash-mk2


Super big battery
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D1HLUP8?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&qid=1406363608&sr=8-9#ref=mp_s_a_1_9
Extended back case
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KM312H0?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1406364101&sr=8-3#ref=mp_s_a_1_3
rockbox for drag and drop ease

female usb 3.0 port
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00890MMG8?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&pi=SS115#ref=pd_aw_sbs_3
Micro sd card reader usb 3.0

 

[Currawong]

@madoyster I've moved your post to our thread about it. Thanks for an awesome first post!

 

[madoyster]

Any time ill get it finished tomorrow well today

 

[dr408517]

Well, if you have the patience enough, this would work. The issue is always the battery for me and somewhere in the process a hard drive corruption.
Fat32 Format and iPod recovery is ok. Rockbox installation is ok. Even copying some files just after the Rockbox patch is ok.
After i must wait for low batterie to come to life once more, but a this time i've got a functional Rockboxed iPod with some 8-16 Gb on it.

Then, problems come... When i put back the iPod on the computer USB, the drive takes a lot of time to mount (2-3 mn). Mostly i can see it but trying to open and copy files end to a computer freeze. I've tried with Mcbook Air 2013 in OSX, in windows 7 with Parallels, on a small Asus win 8 and on a Surface Pro : still the same behavior. I suspect USB3 problems. With an old computer with USB 2 ports, rockboxed drive can be opened and you can copy files on it. The question is how much files before corrupting drive and/or taking down battery life ? 
Taking out the m-ssd and trying to mount it in the computer does'nt work for me (Drive must be formatted). In the end, i think that all matters : The iPod (5.5 gen for me), the msata drive you use (for me it's a 840 EVO with 500 Gb), the msata/zif adapter, the battery, the computer...

It's a long way to the top... if you wanna rock 'n' roll we can say....

When the battery fails the mSata chip becomes write protected and will not read in the ipod. The Windows computer will wantsto format the drive and this is normal behavior. Just attach the chip to the computer, open AEOMI and verify the chip has been recognized. Turn off the computer and remove the chip, put the chip back in the ipod and it should be recognized. No data is lost.

Are you using a USB connection to format the chip or are you connecting directly to the MB?

But I really must stress the importance of using a quality new battery that is fully charged. An old battery will drain too fast, and the same behavior will occur with a bad USB port. Get a new battery- the Miliamp brand has been reliable- and change to a different USB. Look up my posts and you can follow my own adventures in frustration. And elation.

You are using the 500gb EVO- and I am really interested in seeing you succeed with this. I'm not aware anyone has yet posted a successful build with this chip, but it really should work.

Keep us posted.

 

[intopieces]

The batter is horrible so thats getting swapped out for a samsung 2200 battery from a galaxy s3 been charged a handful of times and I know itll work for awhile plus its thin. 

Super big battery
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D1HLUP8?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&qid=1406363608&sr=8-9#ref=mp_s_a_1_9
 

 
 
The battery you link appears to be from the S4, and 2600mAh. Which one will you use? Also, could you comment on the process you'll use to make this work with the iPod? I haven't seen that in this thread (maybe I missed it). 
 
Looks like a sweet set up; that huge battery plus that CF card seems like you'd get incredible battery life.

 

[mathi8vadhanan]

  Thanks for the pointers, Dr. Yes, I had read through your posts in this thread, it helped a lot.
The batteries are new and are OEM replacement 480 mAH. These are rock solid, all the other over-rated batteries (650 mah and 900 mah) went straight to the trash.
 
Link to the batteries- http://www.ebay.com/itm/350836494475
 
Heat doesn't seem to be an issue, I load 10GB chunks at a time (takes 7 minutes to transfer), then let it cool down for 10 minutes. I've loaded 80GB in a little over 2 hrs.
Also, my battery doesn't seem to have discharged during this entire time, It is still showing the fully-charged icon. My iPod is docked in GO-DAP GD-03, which in turn is connected mac via mini-usb. Looks like, go-dap's battery was powering the iPOD. 

 
I filled up another 140GB in 2 hrs today. GO-DAP GD-03, never let the battery drain. Had to pace only for the heat, otherwise the combination worked great.
It's time to enjoy my entire library on the go.

 

[Tuncurry]

Thanks DR !
 
Here some feedbacks : 

Just attach the chip to the computer, open AEOMI and verify the chip has been recognized.

 
Done.  AEOMI sees 3 partitions like this: 

 
To mount the SSD disk to the computer, i am using USB connection method with a "mSata SSD to 2,5 Sata" Taiwan adapter which works good both on OSX and Windows:

 
 
Once back in the iPod, mSata is recognized. Rockbox Home page shows again and Battery starts charging again :

 
I agree with the battery, in five mn i just lost 40% and i must find alternatives. Maybe the 2000mAh battery mentioned by cmarti ?
I am using right now : 
- a 3.7V 900 mAh battery model 616-0229
- a 3.7V 850 mAh battery model 616-0232
 
In Full charge, and still plugged, Rockbox Info says 100% 200H (!?)
Unplugged with 100% Battery, it says 20H
I have already upload 4 Gb of music and played for 3Hours with noticeable loss of battery time.
 
I will continue to upload files and let you know the results.
 
Nice day to all ! 

 

[dr408517]

Here some feedbacks : 

Done.  AEOMI sees 3 partitions like this: 



To mount the SSD disk to the computer, i am using USB connection method with a "mSata SSD to 2,5 Sata" Taiwan adapter which works good both on OSX and Windows:




Once back in the iPod, mSata is recognized. Rockbox Home page shows again and Battery starts charging again :



I agree with the battery, in five mn i just lost 40% and i must find alternatives. Maybe the 2000mAh battery mentioned by cmarti ?
I am using right now : 
- a 3.7V 900 mAh battery model 616-0229
- a 3.7V 850 mAh battery model 616-0232

In Full charge, and still plugged, Rockbox Info says 100% 200H (!?)
Unplugged with 100% Battery, it says 20H
I have already upload 4 Gb of music and played for 3Hours with noticeable loss of battery time.

I will continue to upload files and let you know the results.

Nice day to all ! 

Your battery is toast. I've tried to get the 2000mAh battery into the mSata iPod, and unless you are using a Tarkan adapter (like he is) I really don't know that it can be done. Buy your battery from a reputable seller. I have a dozen "new" batteries that won't keep a charge. Something I've found that seems counter-intuitive: it doesn't matter what mAh rating you use - it just has to be a good battery that will hold a charge. I get about 6 hours out of a thin 650mAh battery. I've not tested it longer than 6 hours. I've also tested 1350mAh batteries that don't last more than 20 min. Quality is the key here.

 

[intopieces]

Your battery is toast. I've tried to get the 2000mAh battery into the mSata iPod, and unless you are using a Tarkan adapter (like he is) I really don't know that it can be done.

 
The 2000mAh certainly won't fit in the thin back, but it will indeed fit in the fat back.

 

[dr408517]

First things first. Moderators feel free to move this if you see fit. Second... if there is someone else with this idea then awesome I want to see pictures. Now to the idea.

A friend gave me an old but working ipod 5g video 30gb. The batter is horrible so thats getting swapped out for a samsung 2200 battery from a galaxy s3 been charged a handful of times and I know itll work for awhile plus its thin. Now the parts that you'll like. I want to swap to a128gb cf card. Easy and its been done however it takes forever to transfer via usb 2.0. I want to update the system to use usb3.0. I know the ipod cant use the speed however the transfer from computer to ipod would be amazing, especially for you hifi guys. Tarkan has a reliable cf to zif and sd to cf. Using a super fast sd card(90m/s), a sd to cf converter.

Parts list:
super fast sd card 128gb or bigger
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FF90EZM?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1406361680&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1)

Sd to cf
http://www.tarkan.info/20121226/tutorials/ipod-and-sdhc-sdxc-cards

cf to zif
http://www.tarkan.info/20080115/tutorials/iflash-ipod-compact-flash-mk2

I tried that battery. It can be wired to power the board but it will not fit inside the iPod.


Super big battery
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D1HLUP8?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&qid=1406363608&sr=8-9#ref=mp_s_a_1_9
Extended back case
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KM312H0?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1406364101&sr=8-3#ref=mp_s_a_1_3
rockbox for drag and drop ease

female usb 3.0 port
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00890MMG8?cache=14b7d8e810163d33c18cc1254f371466&pi=SS115#ref=pd_aw_sbs_3
Micro sd card reader usb 3.0

 

[dr408517]

The 2000mAh certainly won't fit in the thin back, but it will indeed fit in the fat back.

That one won't fit in either. The 2000mAh battery Cmarti has linked will fit. But the Samsung will not.

Let me clarify: the Samsung battery will fit in the back, but once I soldered the protection board and the ribbon cable onto it, I could not get enough space to link everything up. unlike the 2000mAh battery Cmarti has posted about, the samsung is too wide to fit above the input jack mechanism inside the housing. This means the business end of the battery interfers with the connecter jack at the bottom of the iPod. In short, I would not recommend the Samsung 2600mAh battery as an alternative to the 2000mAh battery posted by Cmarti and others.