foo_pod - Foobar2000 meets the iPod, iPod -> Foobar2000 0.8 Options

[Yamabushi]

Sorry if this has been addressed before. When I 'Send Current Playlist To iPod' it doesn't work if the files in the playlist are non mp3 or aac. I can send/transcode them to the iPod perfectly, but when the files are already on the iPod(previously transcoded) and I try to send the playlist(filled with lossless files for example) to the iPod it won't create a playlist. I realize that I can use the 'Load iPod Songs To Foobar Playlist' feature and then create my playlist from there, but it's a bit more painful. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong or if there is another easier way.

Another thing that may be useful is the ability to include DSP's in the transcoding section similar to Diskwriter. There are certain cases were it would be nice to use the equalizer on the transcoded file. Additonally, I'm looking forward to being able to lower the thread priority of transcodes if/when you implement that idea.

In any case, I love foo_pod just the way it is and sincerely thank you for increasing the enjoyment of my music.

Sincerely,
Pete

[Aero]

Sorry if this has been addressed before. When I 'Send Current Playlist To iPod' it doesn't work if the files in the playlist are non mp3 or aac. I can send/transcode them to the iPod perfectly, but when the files are already on the iPod(previously transcoded) and I try to send the playlist(filled with lossless files for example) to the iPod it won't create a playlist. I realize that I can use the 'Load iPod Songs To Foobar Playlist' feature and then create my playlist from there, but it's a bit more painful. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong or if there is another easier way.

This is a known bug. In fact, ezekiel2517 brought this up in a recent post.

Another thing that may be useful is the ability to include DSP's in the transcoding section similar to Diskwriter. There are certain cases were it would be nice to use the equalizer on the transcoded file. Additonally, I'm looking forward to being able to lower the thread priority of transcodes if/when you implement that idea.

I already do use the Advanced Limiter when transcoding, so adding additional DSPs will be relatively easy. There probably aren't too many DSPs that would be useful - the only ones I can think of other than Advanced Limiter are Equalizer and Crossfeed. I'd rather not do a fancy GUI that would allow arbritrary DSPs unless there was a real need to have anything beyond Eq and Crossfeed.

In any case, I love foo_pod just the way it is and sincerely thank you for increasing the enjoyment of my music.

Thank you!

[Mike Giacomelli]

I already do use the Advanced Limiter when transcoding, so adding additional DSPs will be relatively easy. There probably aren't too many DSPs that would be useful - the only ones I can think of other than Advanced Limiter are Equalizer and Crossfeed. I'd rather not do a fancy GUI that would allow arbritrary DSPs unless there was a real need to have anything beyond Eq and Crossfeed.

"Skip silence" would also make sense so that you don't encode 13 minutes of silence between teh end of a track and the start of a hidden track on some albums.

[Yamabushi]

Thanks Aero! I actually remembering seeing that post, but somehow it didn't mentally register when I noticed the issue and decided to post. Sorry, for being repetitive.

As for the DSP's, the main thing that came to mind for me was the occasional situation where I might want to EQ a song, for example if something is very bass deficient. Additionaly, I would be interested in experimenting with the 'Noise Sharpening' DSP on certain albums as well.

Thank you again! (Am I thanking you too much?)

Cheers,
Pete

[Aero]

Anyway, I think I've found a bug in the latest version.  Because I have serveral "Greatest Hits" albums, I've had to use a POD_ALBUM tag to seperate these on the iPod's Albums list.  For eg. "Greatest Hits" by Queen would become "Queen's Greatest Hits".  However, This appears on the iPod as "Queen[SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMATING STRING]".  Obviously the inverted comma is causing problems.  This doesn't happen on normal tag information, only the alternative POD_ tag information.  Should be an easy fix.

Hey, could you post the album formatting string you are using for POD_ALBUM? I tried to reproduce your problem, but couldn't.

I assume you are doing something like this:

CODE

$if($stricmp(%album%,"Greatest Hits"), %artist%'s %album%, %album%)

When I use this string, it seems to do what you are looking for:

CODE

$if($stricmp(%album%,"Greatest Hits"), %artist%''s %album%, %album%)

Note the two single quotes after %artist%.

[Aero]

Version 0.9.9g is now available.

This is the first version with OttoFill. I'd say it is about 95% of OttoFill - the slider is fixed at 100%, so you can't specify how much space to use for music in this version. But otherwise, it should be ready for some serious testing.

Also, I added the requested transcoder priority and compilation TAGZ settings (in the Transcoder and Advanced preference tags, respectively). I also split the pre-amp volume into separate values for songs with and without SoundCheck.


From the Readme:

CODE

Version 0.9.9g - March 31, 2005
*  Added option for controlling transcoder process priority, found on the foo_pod Transcoder preference page.

*  Enabled "OttoFill" - a version of iTunes' AutoFill.  foo_pod's version works on all iPods, not just iPod Shuffles, although it will not automatically start on hard drive based iPods, and will warn the user if they attempt to delete all the songs.  There are 3 sources that OttoFill can source files from - the current Foobar playlist, all open, non-ignored playlists, and from another iPod.  Note that currently, the slider to select how much space to use for music is disabled at 100%.  Future versions will enable this setting.

*  Added an Advanced option for specifying a TAGZ format for compilation albums.  

*  Split the pre-amp volume setting into 2 different values - one used for songs with SoundCheck information, and one for songs without SoundCheck.  This can be used to lower the volume for songs without SoundCheck, for example.

[jkwarras]

Version 0.9.9g is now available.

Yum! Thanks.

[quazi]

Version 0.9.9g is now available.

ROCK

[musicmusic]

The current version of foo_pod is making my ontextmenus take a second or two to appear (No iPod connectted ATM).

I don't see this on any of the machines I use foo_pod on, but you might want to try forcing the iPod drive (in the Main tab in foo_pod preferences or use the "Select iPod To Use" menu item) and see if that helps.

That fixes it, but is hardly a nice solution.

This problem only seems to occur whilst my memory card reader is attached (which adds four extra removable drives).

[Otto42]

I believe that foo_pod is polling each drive letter every so often in order to see if it's an iPod. If they're inaccessible, then yeah, that is going to cause some sort of slowdown I suppose.

Forcing the drive letter is probably the only solution. Unless there's some way to tell that a drive is an iPod without trying to access that drive.

[kl33per]

Anyway, I think I've found a bug in the latest version.  Because I have serveral "Greatest Hits" albums, I've had to use a POD_ALBUM tag to seperate these on the iPod's Albums list.  For eg. "Greatest Hits" by Queen would become "Queen's Greatest Hits".  However, This appears on the iPod as "Queen[SYNTAX ERROR IN FORMATING STRING]".  Obviously the inverted comma is causing problems.  This doesn't happen on normal tag information, only the alternative POD_ tag information.  Should be an easy fix.

Hey, could you post the album formatting string you are using for POD_ALBUM? I tried to reproduce your problem, but couldn't.

I assume you are doing something like this:

CODE

$if($stricmp(%album%,"Greatest Hits"), %artist%'s %album%, %album%)

When I use this string, it seems to do what you are looking for:

CODE

$if($stricmp(%album%,"Greatest Hits"), %artist%''s %album%, %album%)

Note the two single quotes after %artist%.

You know I hadn't even thought of doing that, what a brilliant idea. Global metadata is brilliant.

All I've been doing is manualy setting a POD_ALBUM string on the files that required it. Then I attempt to send these files to the iPod. At no point do I use any TAGZ strings, it simply alternate metadata in the file. Sorry if I mislead you.

[kl33per]

I believe that foo_pod is polling each drive letter every so often in order to see if it's an iPod. If they're inaccessible, then yeah, that is going to cause some sort of slowdown I suppose.

Forcing the drive letter is probably the only solution. Unless there's some way to tell that a drive is an iPod without trying to access that drive.

But why is it doing it on the right click. Unless you mean it's polling every second. Why can't it poll when you select mount iPod? Or when you try to send files to an iPod?

[daniel1113]

You rock, Aero!

The compilations TAGZ worked like a charm. This may be a silly question; however, the only way I could add the compilation tag to the files already on my ipod was to remove everything and resync the songs. Does this sound right, or is there an easier way to just update the ipod database?

Now Apple needs to add a "Singles" menu to the ipod

[musicmusic]

I believe that foo_pod is polling each drive letter every so often in order to see if it's an iPod.

Not every so often, every time the context menu is shown/built (with foo_pod's menu items enabled).

If they're inaccessible, then yeah, that is going to cause some sort of slowdown I suppose.

Forcing the drive letter is probably the only solution. Unless there's some way to tell that a drive is an iPod without trying to access that drive.

Not really, it could just show the items that are hidden when an iPod is not connected and give an error message if they are tried to be used without an ipod connected. I wonder what would happen if I run those commands from the command line or smth without iPod connected.

Anyway I just removed foo_pod's items from the contextmenu. Problem solved, since I don't use them.

This post has been edited by musicmusic: Mar 31 2005, 18:03

[Aero]

You rock, Aero!

The compilations TAGZ worked like a charm. This may be a silly question; however, the only way I could add the compilation tag to the files already on my ipod was to remove everything and resync the songs. Does this sound right, or is there an easier way to just update the ipod database?

There isn't, unfortunately. That is a big shortcoming in foo_pod - the inability to modify the iTunesDB database without resending files. Ideally, you should be able to do certain things, like applying alt. metadata in place. I'll have to add that in a future version.

[Aero]

I believe that foo_pod is polling each drive letter every so often in order to see if it's an iPod.

Not every so often, every time the context menu is shown/built (with foo_pod's menu items enabled).

If they're inaccessible, then yeah, that is going to cause some sort of slowdown I suppose.

Forcing the drive letter is probably the only solution. Unless there's some way to tell that a drive is an iPod without trying to access that drive.

Not really, it could just show the items that are hidden when an iPod is not connected and give an error message if they are tried to be used without an ipod connected. I wonder what would happen if I run those commands from the command line or smth without iPod connected.

Anyway I just removed foo_pod's items from the contextmenu. Problem solved, since I don't use them.

The problem isn't that foo_pod is polling. It is due to how I detect playlists that contain iPod songs, and those that are just regular Foobar playlists.

The reason I have to do this is so that you can right click on a song on the iPod, and get a contextually correct menu (Delete file from iPod, Save iPod File to hard drive) as opposed to right clicking on a Foobar file (Send file to iPod, etc.). I really don't know what the problem is - it seems to only happen for certain people. It definitely doesn't happen for me, on any of my home computers (including one that has a similar 4 drive letter flash card reader) nor on my work computer, so I don't really know how to fix the problem.

Forcing the iPod drive letter is probably the best solution, but if you don't use the foo_pod context menus, removing them works as well.

[daniel1113]

There isn't, unfortunately.  That is a big shortcoming in foo_pod - the inability to modify the iTunesDB database without resending files.  Ideally, you should be able to do certain things, like applying alt. metadata in place.  I'll have to add that in a future version.

No worries! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing an option somewhere. Keep up the good work!

Now, onto album art

[Aero]

Now, onto album art 

I'm just an iPod Photo and having some free time away from doing it!

[ZhuGeLiang]

Whenever I use foo_pod to send an MP3 in an MP4 container (made using foobar) my ipod can't play it. I assume it's because the file is not taken out of the container before it's sent to the ipod. Is this happening to everyone else or just me?

[Aero]

Whenever I use foo_pod to send an MP3 in an MP4 container (made using foobar) my ipod can't play it. I assume it's because the file is not taken out of the container before it's sent to the ipod. Is this happening to everyone else or just me?

That sounds correct - neither foo_pod nor Foobar would do anything with your file, since it would appear as an MP3 format, and the iPod apparently doesn't handle MP3s in MP4 containers. foo_pod expects that any MP3 or AAC format files will be directly playable on the iPod without conversion.

I guess the only way for this to work (without stripping the MP4 container) is force foo_pod to transcode your MP3 files, by setting the "Transcode MP3 file above XXX kbps" to some really low value, like 1. This isn't ideal, but since I don't think Foobar allows components to know what container a song is in, it is probably the only way to make this work with foo_pod.

[Yamabushi]

Hi Aero,

When transcoding having the option to use Replaygain(like DiskWriter) would be really useful, I'd be happy to go into more detail as to why if needed. Additionally, thank you for adding the thread priority option, would it be too much to ask you to add the option of 'Idle' also?... maybe in place of 'Above Normal'.

Your consideration and hardwork are really appreciated by this music lover.

Cheers,
Pete

This post has been edited by Yamabushi: Apr 2 2005, 08:33

[Yamabushi]

Here is a little more background and some question I have about ReplayGain/AACGain/MP3Gain and their use with my iPod. http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....t=0#entry287749

This is what started me thinking about the differences: http://www.dapreview.net/content.php?article.133

Thank you,
Pete

[Otto42]

When transcoding having the option to use Replaygain(like DiskWriter) would be really useful, I'd be happy to go into more detail as to why if needed.

foo_pod already sends the ReplayGain information to the iPod using the "Soundcheck" field. So if you use foo_pod to transcode the lossless to a lossy format, the RG info should get put on the iPod as well (I'm pretty sure). Then all you need to do is to enable SoundCheck on the iPod and voila, it's done. No need to apply it during the transcoding itself since the iPod natively supports volume adjustment like this.

[Yamabushi]

Hi Otto,

Yes I also understand things to be as you explain. The issue for me is that if I then scan those resulting files(that are on my iPod) making no changes with AACGain/MP3gain they frequently show as clipped. I'm concerned that the clipping is still there when using SoundCheck. Additionally, if you look at the second link from my previous post, there appears to be an issue of applying the iPod's EQ and it causing additional clipping/distortion when the source file's levels are already very high.

I hope my concern/explanation is understandable.

Cheers,
Pete

[Aero]

Yes I also understand things to be as you explain. The issue for me is that if I then scan those resulting files(that are on my iPod) making no changes with AACGain/MP3gain they frequently show as clipped. I'm concerned that the clipping is still there when using SoundCheck. Additionally, if you look at the second link from my previous post, there appears to be an issue of applying the iPod's EQ and it causing additional clipping/distortion when the source file's levels are already very high.

I am already applying the Advanced Limiter DSP during transcoding, so I wouldn't expect that the songs would be clipping as sent to the iPod - although if you apply heavy equalization on the iPod, the audio could definitely could clip. Maybe you should scale down the volume using foo_pod's preamp adjustments if you plan on using high levels of EQ on the iPod.