[Scott F.]

Hiya Guys,

Let me first state publicly that I'm a Windoz guy (GASP!...Run Away!) 

OK, for years I've been using the iAudio X5 as my portable player. I chose this primarily because it plays FLAC files natively (is that a word?). Over the weekend when I was cutting the grass my player finally died. The hard drive locked up.

For a while now I've been considering an iPod Classic (160gig) for a couple of reasons. First I've got the iFi chair which has an iPod dock. Next, last fall I installed a new head unit in my car (Pioneer AVH-P5200BT) and on the front face is a USB connection that directly controls an iPod.

Since I really don't want to convert all of my files to mp3 or AAC (I want lossless on my iPod) I considered using RockBox which replaces the iOS on the iPod
http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/IpodFAQ
trouble with that is, I suspect that if I install it, I'm going to loose the interface to my head unit in my car.

So, as I'm doing some more research I find out that there is a FLAC plugin for the iPod
http://hammockdistrict.com/flacplayer-faqs/
It looks pretty promising.

Getting to my questions. Please bare with me as I'm a complete nubie to iTunes and iPods which makes me an iDiot 

1) It looks as if I need to install iTunes first to get the Hammock FLAC Player installed....right?
2) I've seen what the file structure and naming scheme is like in an iPod an it's flippin' awful (or at least it was on the one I saw). Is there any add on program that would simply let me drag and drop entire file folders (with all the songs) without having to go through iTunes yet would still be recognized by the iPod?
3) Have any of you tried the Hammock FLAC player in an iPod? Did it work seamlessly?

Thanks in advance

[bside123]

Hey Scott,

I have an iPod Classic (160g) that doesn't get much use. If you would like to borrow it, so that you can experiment with your set-up, you are welcome to it. I probably have some extra cables, etc. PM or call me sometime if you're interested. I can also tell you about my experience about going from PC to MAC....

Din

[srb]

For a while now I've been considering an iPod Classic (160gig) for a couple of reasons.
.....So, as I'm doing some more research I find out that there is a FLAC plugin for the iPod
http://hammockdistrict.com/flacplayer-faqs/
It looks pretty promising.

The Hammock FLAC Player requires iOS on an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.  It does not run on the OS of the iPod Classic.
 
Steve

[Scott F.]

The Hammock FLAC Player requires iOS on an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.  It does not run on the OS of the iPod Classic.
 
Steve

Well, that sucks. I was really hoping to be able to play FLAC on my iPod. Oh well, mp3s it is I suppose


Din, thanks for the offer. I'll just bite the bullet and install iTunes and play it safe until somebody comes up with a proper FLAC fix for the iPod.

[SLC]

Hi Scott!
                I run Itunes on my PC . All of my files are in lossless AIFF format. I convert the AIFF's to Apple Lossless format when I want to play them on my Ipod, this allows me to get more music on the player with no discernible loss of sound quality. You would have to convert your FLAC's with some kind of software (Audacity works well and it's free) But it could take a while if you have a lot of sound files.
                                        Sam