using ipod shuffle as usb drive?

DEA

DEA

Joined
Oct 22, 2002
Messages
701
im wondering if there's a way to transfer/delete songs without having to install/open itunes, because it's slow as molasses to load and for some reason likes to browse through my movies... some of which i don't like to have my friends see when they start itunes up
not to mention the bloody quicktime

anyone managed to succeed at this?
 
Yes, I believe there is a way to use the iPod as a portable storage device. It is, after all, a portable hard drive, shuffles excluded.

The issue here is that if the material is loaded into the hard drive while bypassing the iPod software, I doubt that you could then open the file to hear tunes or see movies.
 
That is one the main reasons I did not get the iPod , as much as I like it's look and user interface , the software is convoluted at best.

I just wanted to drag and drop what I want without jumping thru Apple's hoops.

I am surprised some genius has not made some sort of hack or crack for ipods , for that purpose.
 
the reason why i got my ipod shuffle was to take it jogging
i'd just clip it onto my collar and go running without having to muck around with straps
if the creative zen or suchlike had some similar setup i guess i'd use that
i had an iriver mp3 player which i could just click and drag with, but it's too bulky
 
rebeltf said:
That is one the main reasons I did not get the iPod , as much as I like it's look and user interface , the software is convoluted at best.

I just wanted to drag and drop what I want without jumping thru Apple's hoops.

I am surprised some genius has not made some sort of hack or crack for ipods , for that purpose.
Click to expand...


What hoops? You install iTunes, connect the ipod, and either have ALL your music transferred automatically. OR you set it to manually manage your music and you DRAG and DROP the music on the ipod icon in the itunes menu.

Please explain what is hard about that?:confused: I may be able to help with whatever issue you are having.
 
BTW - the shuffle will work as an external HD, but the music stored there will not be playable, it's just a file. If you want it to play it has to go through iTunes.
 
To use the shuffle as a usb drive reformat the shuffle and it'll ask you if you want it to automatically open itunes when inserted, say no.


Chad
 
the problem i have with itunes is in my opening post i believe
quicktime? loading time? the fact it likes to display thumbnails of my movies?

chad, does it still play my mp3s after i reformat it?
which is the point, really :)
 
It'll have your music on the ipod but you can either have it set up as an iPod or a USB drive.

I guess you can stick it in you computer and play the music with Real Player or something but you probably couldn't walk around using as a music player.

I gave my wife a Nano because her Shuffle was too much trouble.

Chad
 
DEA said:
the problem i have with itunes is in my opening post i believe
quicktime? loading time? the fact it likes to display thumbnails of my movies?

chad, does it still play my mp3s after i reformat it?
which is the point, really :)
Click to expand...

OK, Quicktime is the engine that powers iTunes - it does the conversions between WAV to MP3 or AAC. It has to be there. If you don't want to use QT to play other stuff than don't. Kinda like removing Windows Media Player and expecting XP to play your music. Ain't gonna happen.

As for the thumbnails, once again its a preference setting right on the page.
You can select - List view, Thumbnail with detail, or Cover flow(shows the cover like a roladex)

iTunes_video.jpg
 
DEA said:
the problem i have with itunes is in my opening post i believe
quicktime? loading time? the fact it likes to display thumbnails of my movies?

chad, does it still play my mp3s after i reformat it?
which is the point, really :)
Click to expand...

No need to restore the ipod in order to tell it to act like an external device. Connect the ipod, open itunes, select the ipod in the menu, check the box that says use as an external drive.

Yes, it will still play MP3's after restoring the ipod using the option in iTunes.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
I think you just answered that question.

iTunes sucks.
Click to expand...

Don't be silly Rat. Name an MP3 player that doesn't require software to let the music play or be managed on it.

Rio - Nope, Zen - Nope.

I'm not aware of ANY other software out there that compares with iTunes feature for feature.

In my experience, Windows users try to make it harder than it is. Apple bends over to provide video tutorials to help with the ipod experience and troubleshooting.

Most of the issues you guys have is not knowing how to use the software. It will do all the things you are asking of it and a lot more. You're just not RTFM or in the case of iTunes reading the Help menu or watching the movies.

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/tutorials/

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod101/tunes/

This one will help move music between computers

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173

And for the record, yes, I used to work for Apple, but I really do believe there is not a better music combo out there than the ipod/iTunes package.
 
I have a Ipod nano (2gb) with music on it that I want to get rid of, and replace with my own preferences.

Do I just download Itunes, reformat, and then load my own music via my own cd's that are saved in Itunes?
 
BTW - I hope I'm not coming across as a jerk. I just want to help you all understand how iTunes works a little better. If you HATE itunes because it's iTunes than nothing I say is gonna change that, but if you are just not understanding a feature. I'll be glad to help.
 
tedwca said:
Don't be silly Rat. Name an MP3 player that doesn't require software to let the music play or be managed on it.

Rio - Nope, Zen - Nope.
Click to expand...

Maybe not, but it should. I don't need any software to play MP3 data CD's on my stereo. If a non- high tech stereo can play raw files and browse through folders, a fancy MP3 player should, don't you think?

My point is, iTunes sucks. Others might feel differently, but I don't like it. I would much rather drag and drop files from media player if I can't drag the files directly. I would buy any brand other than Mac just to avoid iTunes.
 
I use a sansa player. Just drag and drop (this includeds any file), no movies tho. Not saying its perfect for everybody, but there is no software to use.
 
tedwca said:
Yes.
Just restore the iPod and set the prefs to either automatically update the ipod or manually manage the ipod. Either way the ipod will be empty and ready for new music after restoring it.

This will walk you through it.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
Click to expand...

Thank you tedwca, I almost had to print out the entire manual from a PDF file to find that one page.

My nano is an older version not the USb or Firewire but the 9 pin interface (the joystick port).
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
Maybe not, but it should. I don't need any software to play MP3 data CD's on my stereo. If a non- high tech stereo can play raw files and browse through folders, a fancy MP3 player should, don't you think?

My point is, iTunes sucks. Others might feel differently, but I don't like it. I would much rather drag and drop files from media player if I can't drag the files directly. I would buy any brand other than Mac just to avoid iTunes.
Click to expand...

And how did you make the mp3 cd? I bet you used software to organize the music and then burn the mp3's onto the cd. iTunes just does the same thing for the ipod.
 
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