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Topic: ipod mini SQ with rockbox (Read 7889 times) previous topic - next topic
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ipod mini SQ with rockbox

so my friend is trying to sell his old ipod mini 4gb.  i don't need that much space, i loved my iaudio u2 1gb (got stolen, 512 mb shuffle (it died) and get by on my 256 mb phone (but the quality ain't so hot and most importantly it is slow to transfer).  i've heard bad things about the ipod mini but i've also heard good things about rockbox.

will i be able to overcome the lack of bass with rockbox's EQ settings?  i don't have a headphone amp, just regular koss sport clips and ex-51's (i don't know of they are high or low impedence which i've heard makes a difference which is embaressing as i'm part electrical engineer).  will the bass sound muddy still? will rockbox kill the battery life?  will it die out on me like my shuffle?  or should i just get one of those new shuffles.

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #1 –
Output won't be great with the EX-51s.  I use the 71s and its noticeable, but not enough that I really care.  Have you checked if the EQ works on the Mini?  I don't know if it actually runs in real time on that player, the Ipods in general are pretty slow.

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #2 –
In general Rockbox consumes ~ twice as much power as stock Apple firmware.
The iPod mini first generation uses the PortaPlayer 5020 processor, just like the fourth generation full-size iPod greyscale and color/photo.  Rockbox currently has a problem running on this processor, causing random freezes unless a patch is applied to disable dynamic scaling of the CPU frequency.  Needless to say locking the CPU at max frequency is bad for battery life, though it should cause no other harm.
The iPod mini second generation uses the PortaPlayer 5022 processor, and does not have this problem

The iPod mini generations can be distinguished by the fact the 2nd generation models have the hard drive capacity scribed on the back of the case, and the click-wheel text is colour matched to the body of the player.

You can probably only use one or two bands of Rockbox's EQ before you max-out the CPU and cause skipping, depending on the audio file being played and your WPS (while playing screen) complexity.

The poor bass performance of iPods is completely a hardware issue, and can be almost entirely mitigated by not using headphones with less than 32 ohm impedance.
Creature of habit.

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Soap on
In general Rockbox consumes ~ twice as much power as stock Apple firmware.
The iPod mini first generation uses the PortaPlayer 5020 processor, just like the fourth generation full-size iPod greyscale and color/photo.  Rockbox currently has a problem running on this processor, causing random freezes unless a patch is applied to disable dynamic scaling of the CPU frequency.  Needless to say locking the CPU at max frequency is bad for battery life, though it should cause no other harm.
The iPod mini second generation uses the PortaPlayer 5022 processor, and does not have this problem

The iPod mini generations can be distinguished by the fact the 2nd generation models have the hard drive capacity scribed on the back of the case, and the click-wheel text is colour matched to the body of the player.

You can probably only use one or two bands of Rockbox's EQ before you max-out the CPU and cause skipping, depending on the audio file being played and your WPS (while playing screen) complexity.

The poor bass performance of iPods is completely a hardware issue, and can be almost entirely mitigated by not using headphones with less than 32 ohm impedance.

wow, thanks for the info, ill be passing on that one

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Soap on
In general Rockbox consumes ~ twice as much power as stock Apple firmware.
The iPod mini first generation uses the PortaPlayer 5020 processor, just like the fourth generation full-size iPod greyscale and color/photo.  Rockbox currently has a problem running on this processor, causing random freezes unless a patch is applied to disable dynamic scaling of the CPU frequency.  Needless to say locking the CPU at max frequency is bad for battery life, though it should cause no other harm.
The iPod mini second generation uses the PortaPlayer 5022 processor, and does not have this problem

The iPod mini generations can be distinguished by the fact the 2nd generation models have the hard drive capacity scribed on the back of the case, and the click-wheel text is colour matched to the body of the player.

You can probably only use one or two bands of Rockbox's EQ before you max-out the CPU and cause skipping, depending on the audio file being played and your WPS (while playing screen) complexity.

The poor bass performance of iPods is completely a hardware issue, and can be almost entirely mitigated by not using headphones with less than 32 ohm impedance.


Excellent first post, Soap. Welcome to Hydrogenaudio.

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #5 –
Please also check out this link that describes both 1 and 2 gen mini in a headphone out dual with other protable audio players.  Naturally, everyones favourite cheapo, the shuffle pretty well smashed the competition. 

If you want to just skip to the hardware test, please look here.  The mini 1g was attrocious but he 2nd gen was not too far behind most of the competition in 2005.  It still will not be bad compared to the majority of players out there. 

My touch has a much better bass playback compared to my 3g nano - i expect that the nano may use very very similar output to the mini 2g.  naturally, a line out and amp will bypass the poor headphone out of the mini series as it does for my nano
 

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #6 –
I am sure this reply would be useful if the thread wasn't over a year old. 

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #7 –
Quote from: kornchild2002 on
I am sure this reply would be useful if the thread wasn't over a year old. 

Correct, Rockbox runs solid as a rock now on the Minis, battery life is up from ~ 50% to over 66% of stock, and changes are being tested which should give the Mini > 75% (possibly much greater) of Apple firmware runtime.
Creature of habit.

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #8 –
does rockbox even work on recent ones?

ipod mini SQ with rockbox

Reply #9 –
Quote from: DEVluke on
does rockbox even work on recent ones?

Does not work on the shuffles, Nano 2nd and 3rd gen, Touch/iPhone, nor 6th gen (Classic).

The original question, though, was in regards to the Mini.
Creature of habit.