iPod 31 char limit in MM3: pathname vs filename

Get answers about syncing MediaMonkey 4 with iPods and other devices.

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Scrambles
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Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:44 pm

iPod 31 char limit in MM3: pathname vs filename

Post by Scrambles »

I'm using 3.0.1.1127 with a 4th gen 40GB iPod (b&w clickwheel).

In MM2.x, there was a "Trim path and/or filename length to 31" option for iPod compatibility. This simply trimmed the filename to 31 chars, not the path. However, in MM3, enabling the "Force iTunes-style folders" seems to be limiting the pathname to 31 chars.

This sucks, because it means that the max filename length is only 4 chars (after the directory name overhead). The iPod's F## directories are full of stuff like "The1.mp3", "The2.mp3", etc. I access files directly off the ipod at work, and I need the full 31 chars to be used for the filename, like in MM2.x.

How can I change this behavior? I don't want a workaround, I just want to know how to make MM3 function like MM2.x
Big_Berny
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Post by Big_Berny »

I'd like the old behaviour back too... Probably they introduced it to avoid sync-problems but I don't think that it solved problems like this...
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Scrambles
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Post by Scrambles »

I just installed MM3, but I don't want to sync the ipod with it, because it'll recopy all 40GB of files with cr_p 4-character names. If this can't be adjusted, then I'm just going to revert back to the feature-lacking 2.x until this gets sorted out.
Last edited by Scrambles on Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Scrambles
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Post by Scrambles »

Anyone know a solution? Devs? I'm still using 2.x, and this is the ONLY thing keeping me from 3.
jiri
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Post by jiri »

This was introduced because iPod firmware needs these short filenames in some cases (definitely at least for Music Quiz 2 application). If it's a problem for you, we could add some hidden configuration (a registry value).

Jiri
Scrambles
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Post by Scrambles »

jiri wrote:This was introduced because iPod firmware needs these short filenames in some cases (definitely at least for Music Quiz 2 application). If it's a problem for you, we could add some hidden configuration (a registry value).

Jiri
Thanks for replying! I have no doubt the change was done for valid reasons, because this program kicks ass and oozes quality, but an option is necessary IMO. The ipod filename mask is one of mediamonkey's big advantages over iTunes - it makes the iPod much more usable as a portable music device. I was looking through the registry for a flag, but didn't see one - is there any way to alter this in the current build?
Scrambles
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Post by Scrambles »

Still waiting here... I checked the changelogs but didn't see anything about this. One of the major drawbacks with iTunes is the completely useless iPod file naming system, and MM fixed this... and then broke it in again version 3.

Anyone? I am holding off on buying Gold because of this one issue. :(
HubbaB

Agreed... 4 character limit on ipod file name is horrible.

Post by HubbaB »

This prevents the copying of music back to computer with appropriate file names.

Granted if the ipod fails to play the music because of longer files names then that is the bigger problem.

Perhaps that was only a limitation of the earlier models? If so this needs to be fixed in a future version 3 update !
jiri
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Post by jiri »

Is will be possible to configure this directly in registry in the next release. Just go to CU\Software\MediaMonkey\Device\iPod\{SN} and store 'ForceMaxPathLen' integer there. The highest value your iPod will probably play is 31, the default used by MM is 8 (in order to support Music Quiz 2).

Jiri
Scrambles
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Post by Scrambles »

jiri wrote:Is will be possible to configure this directly in registry in the next release. Just go to CU\Software\MediaMonkey\Device\iPod\{SN} and store 'ForceMaxPathLen' integer there. The highest value your iPod will probably play is 31, the default used by MM is 8 (in order to support Music Quiz 2).

Jiri
Halellujah, thank you, jiri! You guys did a hell of a job with version 3, and now I can use it.
oldtimer
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Re: iPod 31 char limit in MM3: pathname vs filename

Post by oldtimer »

That is good news. I never upgraded my ipod's itunes in 4 years. I have no desire to play music quiz or do hardly anything. I usually have mine on shuffle. That has greatly extended the life of the device. The 'On and Off' controls are wearing out now since that is the most commonly used control. At the time 4 g was bigger than life but that is not much music since I use high bit rate music. 2g never are removed and the other 2 are swapped at least monthly. The shortened file names makes it impossible to figure out what you are deleting.
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