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[Dilbert]

At the gym, I'd like to be able to play some long DJ mixes (2-4 hours) in MP3 format, but I know my 3G iPod has a problem with extremely large files -- if you start playing it, it will work, but if you try to move forward/back within the song, or pause it, it will freak out on restart. I suspect it's having a problem since the file is much larger than the physical memory. However, since there shouldn't be a distinction between permament storage and memory for a flash-based player, I would hope that the shuffle would fare better.

Does anyone have an iPod shuffle yet, and if so, have you tried playing very long MP3/AAC files on it? Do you know if it has this same problem, or if it won't be an issue because of the flash memory?

 

[rastex]

hey Jinx, I just got an iPod shuffle over the weekend, I don't know if I have any long mp3s like you mentioned but I'll try it out. If you can give me a link where I can d/l some session in particular that'd help. I have the 1GB model.

Oh, and it rocks

 

[Dilbert]

Thanks! I just sent you a PM with some more info.

I'm asking for a shuffle for my birthday at the end of the month...this is good info to have.

 

[Takuan]

Hey jinx, the reason why your iPod is having trouble playing back large files is because all iPods are "limited" to a 32mb cache. Apparently the iShuffle is the same way. Here's a suggestion from a user:

[20:53] <...> He should cut them into tracks
[20:53] <...> either that or use a DAT or something

Hope that helps.

 

[Dilbert]

Hey jinx, the reason why your iPod is having trouble playing back large files is because all iPods are "limited" to a 32mb cache. Apparently the iShuffle is the same way. Here's a suggestion from a user:

[20:53] <...> He should cut them into tracks
[20:53] <...> either that or use a DAT or something

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the suggestion. The problem, of course, is that there is no gapless playback on an iPod, and breaking MP3s into smaller tracks will break up the flow.

The weird thing is that the iPod seems to handle CD-length continuous mixes OK. Using the 1 MB/min rule of thumb for 128 kbps encoding, you would think that I would see the problem for ANY of my mixes, but in practice, it's only an issue for very long ones (90+ minutes or so). Perhaps there is some other issue with how the unit decides to fill the buffer...?

 

[snaildog]

Just a suggestion, but is the pause only a problem with mp3s? Maybe it'd work with that Apple format that iTunes rips to?

 

[rastex]

Jinx my friend I can confirm that a 169MB file, 2h long at 196kbps (VBR) plays, pauses, rewinds and fast-forwards just fine.

 

[Dilbert]

Jinx my friend I can confirm that a 169MB file, 2h long at 196kbps (VBR) plays, pauses, rewinds and fast-forwards just fine.

You, sir, just made my day. Huzzah!

 

[rastex]

No problem. It's the least I could do for showing me such a great music site and keeping the forum in order.