Pls Help
Greets Podsterati!
I am new to the iPod, though I've not-so-secretly desired one for about a year now. So this guy I know is getting rid of a bunch of his stuff (long story) and is now shipping me his 5gigger. Lucky me!! :D
I'm trying to figure out what I need to get this going, and I can't really chat with him cuz he's a spaz right now. He said that he doesn't have the cable or headphones, so I will need to get that stuff... it's just the iPod itself. He also said that it is not the dock connector kind. I have a Windows 2k machine, and don't have a firewire card.
What do I need? And since I'm a poor college student, what's the cheapest way to do it?
TIA for your help/suggestions. I can't wait for UPS! :) :)
[806 byte] By [
sUnShInE] at [2007-11-9 12:38:40]
# 1 Re: Pls Help
Ok, you'll need a firewire cable--the kind without a dock connector. Firewire cards: Adaptec is the preferred, but it's a little more expensive--a Belkin should be ok too--you can order both the cable and the belkin firewire from the Apple site.
You'll also have to convert your CD's to mp3, if you haven't already. Best way to go on a budget is EAC/LAME to rip/encode, and ephpod to download to your ipod (it doesn't sound like you're going to have the disc that comes with the ipod, but you don't need it--just use ephpod. (There is a thread about ephpod here at the lounge).
Also, you'll want to check what firmware is on the 5gigger--you'll find this under "about" in the menu of the ipod. If it's not 1.2.6, you'll want to download this from the Apple site.
And welcome to the lounge!
dmt1 at 2007-11-15 17:06:28 >
# 2 Re: Pls Help
Thanks for the welcome and the advice Chris! :D
Am I wrong or are all firewire cards not created equal? I looked at Totaldeals.com and saw a Tripp Lite card for about $20 that comes with a 6pin to 4pin cable... Which leads to the next question: is that the right cable, or is it 6 to 6?
I am also wondering about earphones. Can I use any old earphones or do I need a special plug size?
# 3 Re: Pls Help
Not all cards are created equal. It would be nice if they were, but they aren't. By that I mean they don't all work w/the iPod. I'm not familiar with that card. Usually cards with the VIA chipset work fine.
Don't need the cable, the iPod will come w/a six-pin to six-pin cable.
Adam
# 4 Re: Pls Help
Adam: The Pod I'm getting doesn't have any cables. I need to buy them, hence my confusion.
Since this isn't the dock connector model, isn't there some cable that's like a power adaptor or something?
# 5 Re: Pls Help
You just need a 6pin to 6pin connector. That is, if the firewire card has a 6-pin port on it. Which most do. Check the manufacturer's web site. I've never seen a 4-pin card.
Adam
# 6 Re: Pls Help
Adam: You must have misunderstood my question. Yes, I realize that the cards are 6 pins. By 4 or 6-pin I meant the connection to the pod... which I now know is 6. Ultimately I was trying to figure out if I would need to buy a separate cable, or if the cable that would be supplied with my card purchase would work in the pod (6 to 4 pin). So nevermind! :o
That aside, I'm still confused about the power-up issue. I talked with a kind woman at the Apple Store last night, who was no doubt trying to boost her sales quota. She said that I would need to get a firewire cable and an additional power adaptor because she said that you can't use the card as a power source. It's my understanding that you can power off the card. Untrue?
Just for reference sake, I'm picking up the same Belkin card that the Apple Store sells for $46 for $20. :D
# 7 Re: Pls Help
You can power up off the card, provided it's a 6 pin to 6 pin card, and the card is powered, but you're better off with the adapter. The HD spins on gen1's and gen2's when connected to the your computer--this creates alot of heat, and wear and tear on the ipod's HD. You can TRY disconnecting your ipod but leaving it plugged into your computer and check to see if the HD on your ipod is spinning (you can hear it)--this has worked for some, but I can tell you on my gen2 it spun wether it was actively connected and plugged in or disconnected and plugged in.
The HD doesn't spin when connected to the AC adapter; this is probably your safest bet.
dmt1 at 2007-11-15 17:12:31 >
# 8 Re: Pls Help
Is there a third party adaptor available or do I need to go OEM?
Also just wanted to add quickly that I appreciate the help and advice. :D
# 9 Re: Pls Help
You can check extremememac.com or drbott.com they have third-party adaptors I believe.
Adam
