Alternative (to Itunes) music transfer service for the Ipod Classic that doesn't suck?

January 23, 2008 4:41 AM

Alternative (to Itunes) music transfer service for the Ipod Classic that doesn't suck?

I have a new Ipod Classic 80GB which is replacing my Ipod Photo. I have the same problem with this one that I had with the previous -- Itunes is nearly unusable on Windows XP (i.e., sloooow). I love Mediamonkey but it corrupts the Ipod database when I use it; specifically, when I add new albums using Mediamonkey they transfer fine but then the album art for those new albums overwrites the artwork for albums that are already on the Ipod. Even worse, some of the existing music on the Ipod disappears. I've tried Floola and Yamipod as well, and they both seem to do the same thing.

So, are there any alternative programs for Windows that can transfer music to & from the Ipod Classic without screwing it up?

posted by mattholomew to computers & internet (11 comments total)

I've stuck with Winamp even through the itunes invasion, and while I can't vouch for the ipod interaction personally, I hear nothing but good things about its ml_ipod plugin.
posted by Bun at 5:22 AM on January 23

I put linux on my ipod nano, worked ok. Aparently it works better on ipod classic. I did this because iTunes decided that I was a retard, and treated me like a 70 year old MAC user (yes dad, I mean you).

Essentially it allows you to transfer mp3s to the ipod and just play them. Something iTunes doesn't do.
posted by mattoxic at 5:35 AM on January 23

If you are using iTunes 7.6.0.29 there have been a lot of reports on Apple Discussions about problems with it running very slowly. Might be worth looking for an earlier version (7.5?). The linked thread offers some sites where you can download earlier versions.
posted by worker_bee at 5:36 AM on January 23

Sharepod

I only use it on people's computers when they don't have iTunes, but I've had very pleasant experiences with it (plus it lives on the iPod, so you're never without it, how cool is that?)
posted by mysterious1der at 5:36 AM on January 23

I recently bought a 160 GB classic, upgrading from a 4G 20 GB. I haven't found Itunes 7.6 slower than later versions of 7.5. The original Itunes 7.5 with the original 1.0 firmware was really slow, but that improved with newer Ipod firmware and Itunes versions. My Ipod syncing is always a little slow, as the host computer is a 650 MHz PIII with a USB 1.1 port.

Somewhere on the web I read that the Ipod protocol changed with the Classics, so that the older Ipod plug-ins won't work right. Mediamonkey says that you need their beta 3.0 release for a Classic - you knew that, hopefully !

Apple has just released version 1.1 of the Classic firmware. The earlier firmware versions (before 1.02) were as buggy as Windows 3.0, so you should definitely update. The poor quality of the firmware was quite a shock compared to how good the 4G firmware was.
posted by rfs at 5:59 AM on January 23

I use something called floola occasionally. Its worth a look. I use it mainly to play my iPod (Classic 160 GB) through my laptop speakers when I don't want to use headphones, and because my laptop isn't my primary iTunes library source. I've got it installed right on the iPod hard drive, so it goes with you anywhere.

It claims to handle all iPod library management. It isn't really fast and I have noticed some odd behavior, like making multiple copies of existing playlists, but I haven't noticed any music or art work corruption
posted by hwestiii at 6:21 AM on January 23

Try out this page from lifehacker... There are a couple of idea to help you out...
posted by moocheen at 6:55 AM on January 23

I've used Anapod for years and highly recommend it. You can get it for about $25 from Red Chair Software.
posted by Sufi at 7:39 AM on January 23

I use something called floola occasionally. Its worth a look. I use it mainly to play my iPod (Classic 160 GB) through my laptop speakers when I don't want to use headphones, and because my laptop isn't my primary iTunes library source. I've got it installed right on the iPod hard drive, so it goes with you anywhere.

It claims to handle all iPod library management. It isn't really fast and I have noticed some odd behavior, like making multiple copies of existing playlists, but I haven't noticed any music or art work corruption
posted by hwestiii at 6:21 AM on January 23 [mark as best answer] [+] [!]

I don't want to be rude, but come on, read the question first.
posted by mattholomew at 8:45 AM on January 23

mattoxic, thanks but the website says: "iPodLinux currently works on all iPod generations except on 2nd/3rd generation iPod nanos and 6th generation iPod classics"
posted by mattholomew at 8:47 AM on January 23

Sufi, anapod does not show the Classic in its compatible devices list. But thanks.
posted by mattholomew at 8:50 AM on January 23