Which Portable Audio Players do you use with GNU/Linux?

[jason_m]

I am looking at the portable audio players out there (iPod, Zune, Sansa, etc.) and would like to purchase one soon. I am wondering what players GNU/Linux users own. Which device(s) do you own? What did it take to setup your Linux machine to access the device(s)? Are you able to access the device to it's full potential? Anything to stay clear of? What other software do you feel is important to have (e.g. tagging software)?

I look forward to your input,
Jason

[thesimplecreator]

the one that would be best for Linux users is the gp2x, GP2X

the only thing is that it uses sd cards and might not have enough memory for you.

it supports Linux music/video codecs because it runs Linux, it has a touchscreen,etc.

if you get the usb cradle for it you can hook it up to joysticks,keyboards,usb wireless adapters,external hard drives, and you can hook it up to a tv as well, plus it plays games and emulators. you can also get Linux programs to run on it.

it the ultimate linux users media player.

[Freston]

I've successfully hooked up a couple of different cheap brandless mp3 players and a Samsung mp3 player. The kernel recognized them as a sda, and you can write to them as if they where USB-sticks.


That said, I don't know about the Zune or iPod or things like that. Would that be different?

[jason_m]

From what I have come across so far, I believe that the iPod and the Zune show up similarly. However, I think that you can only mount the Zune read only...so you would need a Windows computer to put songs onto it. With an iPod, I believe that you need to change the firmware (voiding the warranty) to have it work like that.

I came across a company last night where all their devices are made to show up as usb storage devices with Linux and Mac. Most devices also play .ogg's too!
COWON America
[ Welcome to cowonglobal.com ]

I think I am going to look into these a little further.

As for the GPX2 mentioned above, that looks like a great PMP, but has more features than I need. I am really just looking for a audio player (mp3 is okay, ogg would be better) with an FM tuner that is on the smaller side (can take it running, to the gym, etc.)

Thanks for the replies.

[jason_m]

I went with the Cowon iaudio 7 and am very happy. Linux detected it and loaded it as /dev/sda. File transfer was as simple as mounting the player and copying files over. The firmware upgrade was just as easy - drop a .bin file into the player's root folder.

My only complaint is that when I connect it to my linux computer, if does not show that it is charging. I believe it is...we'll find out in another couple days!

[cayalee]

the old model ipods ran like a hardrive unless you'd used them on windows or mac and set them up iirc, not sure what the new ones are like. i use my psp for music as got a large memory card for it. works a treat, tho sound quality is a bit poor.

[techieMoe]

I use a 2nd generation iPod Nano (the ones that were metal and skinny, not the newer fat ones). It works just fine with Rhythmbox.

[Cabhan]

I have a newest model iPod video, and it acts like a hard drive when plugged in. I actually installed Rockbox on it, which opens up FLAC and Ogg (and more!) playback, and has themes, games, and much more customability.

[SZF2001]

I got a Sansa eSomething player, it's pretty nice - it can switch from either MSC or MTP for your syncing desires, meaning in Windows you can do the whole playlist sync thing and then change it so in Linux it's just drag 'n drop.

[bigtomrodney]

I'm still my now vintage iRiver iHP 140. Codec support for most things including ogg vorbis natively. I run Rockbox on it now which has a faster boot time and lots more functionality.