[RoadTripper]

I just returned from visiting my Aunt who is in a cancer hospice in Denver. She is dying and has maybe 6 months to live. She is 85 and in her day loved in Opera. However, the audio bug never hit her and so she never really listened to it much, except probably on the radio.

I have in mind putting together an iPod system so she can listen to all the Opera, Oratorio and other nice choral music I can fit on it.

I already have all the needed music ripped into FLAC for my Squeezebox. Is there a conversion step I will need to perform to get my FLAC files playable on an iPod? I am pretty sure I want compressed files on the iPod for space reasons. She won't care about the quality, since it will be better than anything she has ever heard to date anyway.

Also, I am not locked into the iPod specifically. Alternatives are fine as well. So I am open to suggestions.

Thanks for the help.

[mcgsxr]

I believe EAC and FLAC can convert your files into a medium playable on the iPod.

I am not clear on what changes to make, but I am sure it is covered in how you setup the compression etc - you might need to create another profile, that turns FLAC into MP3 for example.

[ted_b]

The FLAC front end will decode back to wav.  The use Dameon manager to fool iTunes into thinking the wav file is a cd.  iTunes will recognize the cd and then import using some compressed format like 224 AAC or MP3.

Flac front end
http://members.home.nl/w.speek/flac.htm

Daemon Manager
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php

or skip a step and use Foobar to convert FLAC to mp3 and then ask iTunes to go find the mp3 files
http://www.foobar2000.org/

[Brad]

Which iPod are you looking at?
Will she be able to navigate the interface?

Are you going to plug it into speakers or use the 'phones?

[RoadTripper]

Headphones. She will be able to navigate the interface at least for the forseeable future. I plan on having the nurses teach her how to use it. At present she is mentally 100% all there and able to walk, talk, write etc.

As for which "model" of iPod, I don't know. Does it matter? I was thinking at least 4th generation, maybe.

[ctviggen]

Seminarian, I'd like to know how to do this, too.  I currently burn each CD twice -- once for FLAC/slimserver and once for iTunes.

Also, consider seeing your grandmother as much as possible.  My stepfather went into hospice and passed away a scant few weeks later.  Now, he had an aggressive, incurable cancer, but my mother took him to the hospital assuming he'd be there a few days, and he never made it out.  Also, go see your grandmother early in this process.  I went soon after my stepfather went into the hospital, and he knew exactly who I was and was overjoyed to see me.  I was able to bring a picture of our tiny baby (from my wife's first ultrasound).  I stayed as many days as I could.  After that time, my mother told me that he went downhill quickly, to the point where he could no longer even recognize her.  

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.

[ted_b]

That's a great thing you're doing.  Hopefully some of my links make sense.
I'd find an iPod photo (4th gen)...it's cheaper than new ones, has a great bright colorful screen, and you can get 60 gb for $180 or less on Ebay auctions.  You could put family or memorable photos on it too, for her.
And not to be insensitive but this iPod later on could be modded by vinnie to an iMod; it's his recommended unit.

[Brad]

The only issue with headphones is they might tend to isolate her even more
I don't know her or her personality - sometimes it is fantastic to escape into the music by yourself - sometimes it is better as a shared event.

I think the video version idea is terrific.
Family photos could be quite a comfort - you might even consider a 'digital' picture frame - the pictures would be larger and a lot easier to see.

[RoadTripper]

Thanks for all the ideas and concerns. As for photos, we are currently putting together a "coffee table" book of photos from her heritage and her progeny. (Scanning old photos, repairing them and having a book made). We realize we are running against a clock over which we have no control, so we are in a "hurry up" offense.

However, we are in San Diego and my aunt is in Denver so getting there won't be frequent.

[Brad]

One of the ladies I work with had several carousels of slides scanned to digital and then loaded onto a memory card for use in a digital frame for her mother for Christmas - worked out pretty well.

Let us know how the iPod works out and how she likes it.

[RoadTripper]

I will. I just bought a refurbished 40GB 4G off an Amazon seller for $175.

I should have the project wrapped up in a couple weeks or less.

Thanks.