Supported Hardware¶
OrgZ is developed and validated against real devices - every iPod generation has its own database format, checksum scheme, and codec support, and only real hardware proves a sync path. This page lists what OrgZ supports and what your files are converted to on the way in.
iPods¶
Sync tier is the on-device database OrgZ writes for that generation.
Transcode is the codec (as its fourCC) OrgZ converts to when a source file
isn't natively playable on that model - alac is Apple Lossless (lossless),
mp4a is AAC at 256 kbps. Files the device already plays (MP3, AAC, WAV) are
copied through untouched, and transcoded files keep their full tags - title,
artist, album, track and disc numbers, genre, and embedded cover art.
What the tick means
A tick marks a generation OrgZ has written to on a physical device of that
model. Every other row is implemented and covered by the conformance suite,
but has not yet met its hardware - back up the device before syncing to one.
The project's running record is in HARDWARE.md.
| Model | Released | Sync tier | Transcode | Validated on hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPod 1G | 2001 | Direct iTunesDB | mp4a |
|
| iPod 2G | 2002 | Direct iTunesDB | mp4a |
|
| iPod 3G | 2003 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod 4G | 2004 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Photo | 2004 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Video 5G | 2005 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Video 5.5G | 2006 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
✅ |
| iPod Shuffle 1G | 2005 | iTunesSD | mp4a |
|
| iPod Shuffle 2G | 2006 | iTunesSD | mp4a |
✅ |
| iPod Shuffle 3G | 2009 | iTunesSD (bdhs) | alac |
|
| iPod Shuffle 4G | 2010 | iTunesSD (bdhs) | alac |
|
| iPod Mini 1G | 2004 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Mini 2G | 2005 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Classic 6G | 2007 | hash58 | alac |
|
| iPod Classic 6.5G | 2008 | hash58 | alac |
|
| iPod Classic 7G | 2009 | hash58 | alac |
|
| iPod Nano 1G | 2005 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Nano 2G | 2006 | Direct iTunesDB | alac |
|
| iPod Nano 3G | 2007 | hash58 | alac |
✅ |
| iPod Nano 4G | 2008 | hash58 | alac |
|
| iPod Nano 5G | 2009 | hash72 + SQLite | alac |
✅ |
Why some models get AAC instead of lossless
Four models can't decode Apple Lossless - their firmware silently skips ALAC files. The FireWire-era iPod 1G/2G predate ALAC (Apple only shipped its decoder to dock-connector models in 2004), and the screenless Shuffles didn't get it until 2009. OrgZ transcodes to AAC 256 kbps for those so everything on the device actually plays.
The iPod Nano 6G/7G and iPod Touch / iPhone are detected but not writable: their databases require a signing scheme with no open-source implementation.
Rockbox players¶
Any player running Rockbox - iPods included - needs no database writing and no transcoding at all: Rockbox plays FLAC and friends natively, so OrgZ copies your files as-is and the player indexes them itself. This also applies to generic USB players that mount as a removable drive.
USB CD-ROM drives¶
| Drive | Connection | External power | Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer BD-RW BDR-XS07U | USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C port on the drive | Not required - USB bus-powered | ✅ CD rip + DAO audio burn |
Have hardware on this list that isn't validated yet? We gladly accept loans or donations for testing - open an issue.