Trying out Rockbox

travelbore · 08-23-2008, 04:50

Hi

I have read through the sticky threads for newbies re: Rockbax - all very helpful.

I've tried a couple of times to install on my X5 and both times the install has been successful. It does cause my X5 to lock up, so I have removed it and gone back to the Cowon firmware. There's probably an answer to that issue somewhere in this forum.

But that is not my question.

The discussions here give a lot of information. I know what Rockbox is, what it does and even (to a lesser extent) how it does it.

My question is, why should I use Rockbox? As far as I could tell in the brief times it was installed, there was no discernable increase in sound quality. The screen display looked a bit nicer and there were some nice plug-ins.

However, none of my m3u playlists would work, and as mentioned earlier it locked up my X5.

I'm willing to persist with RB and to find solutions to these problems for myself if I know there's a real advantage to doing so.

Why have other readers applied Rockbox? What is the appeal? What features are you using in RB that cannot be found in the Cowon firmware?

Thanks,
TB

hweb21 · 08-23-2008, 09:42

Nice easy customized interface =]
I just use X5 to listen to music and the easy interface just works smoother for me than the original firmware. Nicer playing screen

Llorean · 08-23-2008, 11:24

1) Full parametric equalizer.
2) Many, many new audio formats not supported by the original firmware.
3) Significantly improved battery life.

Also, with the official version we haven't had anyone report freezing bugs on the X5. Are you using the official version, and a very recent copy of it? M3U playlist also ought to work fine as long as they're actually valid (note: "valid" doesn't mean "they work in other software" because if you move them to a different place on disk, they may no longer be valid if they use relative paths)

breakfastchef · 08-23-2008, 12:19

I would like to know if you are using the offical Rockbox or a dual-boot version of Rockbox.

travelbore · 08-23-2008, 14:32

Thanks all for responses.

hweb21 - yes the interface is nicer than the standard (wouldn't be difficult though

)

Llorean - I did not know about the improved battery performance, thanks. That could be the clincher for me. I use my X5 during long journeys in my car (hence why I like playlists). On the subject of playlists, I will look at the filepaths, I hadn't thought of that.

Breakfastchef - I got the Rockbox build from rockbox.org > Current Build link > iAudio X5 - is that correct? Or is there somewhere else I should be looking? As far as I know, I followed the standard installation to replace the original firmware - dual-boot looked a bit scary. I did not use the install tool that the RB manual talks about - I copied the .Rockbox file system manually.

I didn't note down exactly what steps caused the locking problem. In fact, I must apologise for using the term 'lock'; because what actually happens is that tracks will not play - otherwise the interface is responsive (i.e.: can switch to main menu, browse files, etc.)

Both times, I played one track from an album and then switched to a different album (NB: these had been played many times without problem on original Cowon f/ware) - the second track looks as if it is cueing, but never starts playing. If I depress the centre control stick to pause / play, the symbols change accordingly on the display but the track never starts. No other music plays after that and I have to go back to the original firmware.

Thanks again for the replies - much appreciated. Please let me know if I'm doing something wrong with RB.

Best,
TB

buzzman · 08-25-2008, 15:19

Main reasons for me were the extended battery life and gapless playback. Most of my listening is in the car listening to live concerts/bootlegs so the gapless playback was a big plus. The customizable interface isn't too big of a deal since I only really use it in the car. I installed the dual boot version, and after a month+ of use, I have no use for and will probably just go with the official Rockbox boot.

travelbore · 09-10-2008, 13:18

Rockbox has been installed and is performing well.

This time, I used the latest Daily Build, instead of going for the 'Current' build. I have no idea what the difference is, but it seems to have done the trick. Either that, or I was doing something fundamentally wrong before.

I like:

- Faster start-up when I turn on my X5
- much better batter life - wouldn't have believed it
- nicer interface
- plugins
- lots of useful information on battery level, HDD capacity, etc.

Thanks for advice and pointers given here.
TB

Llorean · 09-10-2008, 18:45

The "daily build" is just the one of the many current builds. Each day current builds are made. At the same time every day, the most recent current build is marked as the "daily" build, and copied to be archived. It's really more just a backup of the current builds than anything, so yes you were probably doing something wrong before.

Lesshalles · 10-25-2008, 02:38

Rockbox vs. Cowon firmware:

It was very quick and easy to install Rockbox using the installer v4.

I did like Rockbox better than the Cowon firmware. I found it more intuitive to maneuver around and simpler to learn, but that may be just because I'm lazy. I always though the Cowon UI and joystick would be very efficient if I ever learned the context sensitive meanings of everything.

I got Rockbox to play mpeg 2 files created with JetAudio Plus for the X5. It worked ok, but of course mpeg isn't efficient... the lack of video was one reason I stuck with the original firmware when I first got it.

I also liked the default voice speaking the commands as I input them; especially when I chose messed up themes that scrambled the display!

A lot of the themes (I downloaded more than the default ones) didn't look right... scrambled screen or the wrong colors. But a lot worked ok.

My test ape file was too compressed. Nothing to be done about that... except maybe an app that decompresses ape to wav offline, so it can be played and then deleted.

Since I don't like BBE etc. I didn't mind losing them.

travelbore · 10-25-2008, 04:05

Glad you like RB Lesshalles

It's a really cool idea and for some people who've posted here, it seems to lend their players a whole new lease of life.

givemecoffee · 10-26-2008, 09:21

I've owned my X5L for 3 years now and just recently discovered Rockbox. It's almost like having a new player.

My favourite Rockbox improvement is that I now can record in WAV (16/88) with both Line In and internal MIC. This is a huge improvement on MP3.

Just wish I knew about this before as I recorded a few unique live gigs in 128 kbps while i could have recorded them in uncompressed WAV.

Lesshalles · 10-27-2008, 18:27

I just got into the various equalization and sound processing options. They are really great, especially if you understand about how this stuff works. I was able to get a big improvement in the sound by compensating for the earbuds with the tone controls, adding spatial size and realism with crossfeed and 3d, and adjusting for the type of music with equalizer preseets. The difference was big, although each set of headphones and type of music will require different optimal settings. It was pretty easy to set all this up with the context menu. There is even the option for custom filtering by setting up peaks and widths... this seems much more powerful than the original firmware.

squonk · 01-07-2009, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Llorean

...

3) Significantly improved battery life.

...

Hi to everyone!
I'm back here after many years...
I was looking for something about rockbox and my X5L, but then the rockbox was in early stages and the battery support was not so good.
Today I coming back to see the rockbox status and I read this thread and I was surprised: improved battery life?
On the rockbox page the X5 is officially supported but in the status page the battery support is rated at a 10%. Why this?
The better battery support is for the official version or is for a "patched one"?
Thanks to everyone that will give me an answer!

Llorean · 01-09-2009, 07:33

No patches are necessary. In part, that page is out of date. In part, that page reflects that there charging still isn't as complete as we'd like it (the number is probably bad, but I don't know the details to update it).

Battery life is definitely better, without needing any patches.

08-23-2008, 04:50	#1
travelbore Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 40	Trying out Rockbox Hi I have read through the sticky threads for newbies re: Rockbax - all very helpful. I've tried a couple of times to install on my X5 and both times the install has been successful. It does cause my X5 to lock up, so I have removed it and gone back to the Cowon firmware. There's probably an answer to that issue somewhere in this forum. But that is not my question. The discussions here give a lot of information. I know what Rockbox is, what it does and even (to a lesser extent) how it does it. My question is, why should I use Rockbox? As far as I could tell in the brief times it was installed, there was no discernable increase in sound quality. The screen display looked a bit nicer and there were some nice plug-ins. However, none of my m3u playlists would work, and as mentioned earlier it locked up my X5. I'm willing to persist with RB and to find solutions to these problems for myself if I know there's a real advantage to doing so. Why have other readers applied Rockbox? What is the appeal? What features are you using in RB that cannot be found in the Cowon firmware? Thanks, TB

08-23-2008, 09:42	#2
hweb21 Web User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 505	Nice easy customized interface =] I just use X5 to listen to music and the easy interface just works smoother for me than the original firmware. Nicer playing screen __________________ 20gb iHP-120 -> 32gb X5 -> 16gb S9

10-25-2008, 02:38	#9
Lesshalles Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 19	for those considering Rockbox my experience Rockbox vs. Cowon firmware: It was very quick and easy to install Rockbox using the installer v4. I did like Rockbox better than the Cowon firmware. I found it more intuitive to maneuver around and simpler to learn, but that may be just because I'm lazy. I always though the Cowon UI and joystick would be very efficient if I ever learned the context sensitive meanings of everything. I got Rockbox to play mpeg 2 files created with JetAudio Plus for the X5. It worked ok, but of course mpeg isn't efficient... the lack of video was one reason I stuck with the original firmware when I first got it. I also liked the default voice speaking the commands as I input them; especially when I chose messed up themes that scrambled the display! A lot of the themes (I downloaded more than the default ones) didn't look right... scrambled screen or the wrong colors. But a lot worked ok. My test ape file was too compressed. Nothing to be done about that... except maybe an app that decompresses ape to wav offline, so it can be played and then deleted. Since I don't like BBE etc. I didn't mind losing them.

10-27-2008, 18:27	#12
Lesshalles Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 19	Rockbox DSP I just got into the various equalization and sound processing options. They are really great, especially if you understand about how this stuff works. I was able to get a big improvement in the sound by compensating for the earbuds with the tone controls, adding spatial size and realism with crossfeed and 3d, and adjusting for the type of music with equalizer preseets. The difference was big, although each set of headphones and type of music will require different optimal settings. It was pretty easy to set all this up with the context menu. There is even the option for custom filtering by setting up peaks and widths... this seems much more powerful than the original firmware.

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08-23-2008, 11:24	#3
Llorean Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 67	1) Full parametric equalizer. 2) Many, many new audio formats not supported by the original firmware. 3) Significantly improved battery life. Also, with the official version we haven't had anyone report freezing bugs on the X5. Are you using the official version, and a very recent copy of it? M3U playlist also ought to work fine as long as they're actually valid (note: "valid" doesn't mean "they work in other software" because if you move them to a different place on disk, they may no longer be valid if they use relative paths)

08-23-2008, 12:19	#4
breakfastchef Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 773	I would like to know if you are using the offical Rockbox or a dual-boot version of Rockbox.

08-23-2008, 14:32	#5
travelbore Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 40	Thanks all for responses. hweb21 - yes the interface is nicer than the standard (wouldn't be difficult though ) Llorean - I did not know about the improved battery performance, thanks. That could be the clincher for me. I use my X5 during long journeys in my car (hence why I like playlists). On the subject of playlists, I will look at the filepaths, I hadn't thought of that. Breakfastchef - I got the Rockbox build from rockbox.org > Current Build link > iAudio X5 - is that correct? Or is there somewhere else I should be looking? As far as I know, I followed the standard installation to replace the original firmware - dual-boot looked a bit scary. I did not use the install tool that the RB manual talks about - I copied the .Rockbox file system manually. I didn't note down exactly what steps caused the locking problem. In fact, I must apologise for using the term 'lock'; because what actually happens is that tracks will not play - otherwise the interface is responsive (i.e.: can switch to main menu, browse files, etc.) Both times, I played one track from an album and then switched to a different album (NB: these had been played many times without problem on original Cowon f/ware) - the second track looks as if it is cueing, but never starts playing. If I depress the centre control stick to pause / play, the symbols change accordingly on the display but the track never starts. No other music plays after that and I have to go back to the original firmware. Thanks again for the replies - much appreciated. Please let me know if I'm doing something wrong with RB. Best, TB

08-25-2008, 15:19	#6
buzzman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 37	Main reasons for me were the extended battery life and gapless playback. Most of my listening is in the car listening to live concerts/bootlegs so the gapless playback was a big plus. The customizable interface isn't too big of a deal since I only really use it in the car. I installed the dual boot version, and after a month+ of use, I have no use for and will probably just go with the official Rockbox boot.

09-10-2008, 13:18	#7
travelbore Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 40	Rockbox has been installed and is performing well. This time, I used the latest Daily Build, instead of going for the 'Current' build. I have no idea what the difference is, but it seems to have done the trick. Either that, or I was doing something fundamentally wrong before. I like: - Faster start-up when I turn on my X5 - much better batter life - wouldn't have believed it - nicer interface - plugins - lots of useful information on battery level, HDD capacity, etc. Thanks for advice and pointers given here. TB

09-10-2008, 18:45	#8
Llorean Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 67	The "daily build" is just the one of the many current builds. Each day current builds are made. At the same time every day, the most recent current build is marked as the "daily" build, and copied to be archived. It's really more just a backup of the current builds than anything, so yes you were probably doing something wrong before.

10-25-2008, 04:05	#10
travelbore Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 40	Glad you like RB Lesshalles It's a really cool idea and for some people who've posted here, it seems to lend their players a whole new lease of life.

10-26-2008, 09:21	#11
givemecoffee Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	I've owned my X5L for 3 years now and just recently discovered Rockbox. It's almost like having a new player. My favourite Rockbox improvement is that I now can record in WAV (16/88) with both Line In and internal MIC. This is a huge improvement on MP3. Just wish I knew about this before as I recorded a few unique live gigs in 128 kbps while i could have recorded them in uncompressed WAV.

01-09-2009, 07:33	#14
Llorean Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 67	No patches are necessary. In part, that page is out of date. In part, that page reflects that there charging still isn't as complete as we'd like it (the number is probably bad, but I don't know the details to update it). Battery life is definitely better, without needing any patches.