Introduction: Getting MpegPlayer to Work in Rockbox - 1st Gen IPod Nano
If you have viewed this before, WINFF has changed it's UI.
Now it's at version 0.41.
The program is now more streamlined and now has "rockbox" under the "convert to" list.
I will update this when i make a successful conversion. (making sure the new WinFF works good)
I've also updated the link to download winff (step 1)
Do have a 1st generation ipod nano (the square, black or white ones) and have rockbox on it?
and are trying to get videos on it but having trouble?
Then this instructable has all the info you need.
RockBox (rockbox.org) is an operating system developed for DMP's (Digital Media Players) that overwrites the original software on the device. The user interface is text based with jpg backgrounds.
RockBox allows you to customize MANY more aspects of your device than with the original software:
Audio: an extended graphic EQ with advanced audio tweaking.
Photos: the ability to view photos of ANY size and res. by zooming in and out.
Data: rockbox can allow our device to be used as a storage device (if it wasent already available)
and you're able to view and manipulate any file on your device by way of a file browser.
Plug-ins: Rockbox comes with a multitude of plug-ins ranging from color games (like a bejeweld knock-off) to nifty animated and graphical screensavers to diagnostic and testing apps.
Themes: Rockbox has the ability to change the ui by way of themes, (background, text font size and color) There are a couple of themes included with rockbox, but you can download many more from the site.
And there are many more features.
Go to Rockbox.org to find out how to download, and what devices are supported.
THIS INSTRUCTABLE is for the 1st gen ipod nano ONLY. Rockbox doesn't work on the 2nd gen (same size as the1st gen but
it's in colors and it has rounded sides) Or the 3rd gen (the new one thats smaller and wider, it plays videos out of the box)
This instructable is specifically for people that are firmilliar with rockbox and have a 1st gen and have rockbox on it, and are having trouble getting videos to work.
Step 1: Getting Started - Requirements
Ok so I dont work for rockbox but through trial and error, I know a great deal about MpegPlayer.
The reason im writing this is all this info is broken up in little pieces around the rockbox forums.
I've compiled it all and am providing it here.
For starters, to encode the videos for mpegplayer, and to understand the following steps, you need a video conversion program. "WinFF" get it here: WinFF
This is the best app for this situation and is the one linked to by the rockbox site.
Once you install and run the program, you'll see the picture below.
First, choose a destination folder by clicking the button next to the "Output folder" box.
(see picture below)
Next, add one or more video files to be converted by clicking "Add".
(next step)
Step 2: "The Numbers"
This step in my old instructable was long because in the old version of WinFF, you had to imput all the numbers individually (pic 1)
But in the new version, all you have to do is select "Rockbox" from the first drop-down box beside "Convert to..."
and "RB Apple Ipod Nano 4:3" from the second box. (pic 2)
The makers of WinFF graciously included the presets for rockbox in this version.
Step 3: Conversion
Make sure nothing data intensive is running in the background. (using the hard drive alot)
Click "Start Converting" When you do so, the window below will pop up, and your video(s) are converting.
The length of time it takes to convert depends on 3 things: the number of videos your converting, the filesize and type of the videos, and your computers power.
Overall it's the fastest one I've tried. (and the ONLY one that will work in this situation, go figure...)
Step 4: Completed Coverting
When your conversions are done, at the bottom of the window, it will display:
C:\Program files\WinFF>Pause
Press ant key to continue...
Press any key and your done with the conversion.
Step 5: Moving the Files to the Ipod.
Ok your about 3/4 of the way done.
To start with, make a folder on your root (top) folder of your nano, name it "videos"
this isn't mandatory, it just makes it easier than having ALL your files in one folder.
When the files are finished converting, open the directory where you saved them
(the "destination folder")
Move the files from that directory to the videos folder (or whatever you named it) on your ipod.
Unplug and restart your nano.
Step 6: Viewing the Videos
The last step.
Once rockbox is booted back up, you can select your videos two ways:
1) by selecting the video you wish to view in the file browser (which automatically starts MpegPlayer)
2)by opening MpegPlayer in your plug-ins and selecting the file there.
Operating mpegplayer:
there are new controls inthe current release of rockbox (now with the ability to ff and rew videos)
It's simple, the same controls listening to music are used in mpegplayer.
to exit, hold the play button until it goes back to the menu.
Step 7: Thanks for Reading.
Well, thats it, thanks for reading and i hope this was a bit of help to you few still using a 1st gen nano like me.
Ill confess, i do have an iPhone,but i like the nano to experiment with.
(and no there isn't going to be a rockbox for the touch/iphone.
