[Gtkpod-devel] Good news concerning iPod Cover support

[Jorg S. <Jor...@gm...>]

Hi everyone,

I've done some testing for cover artwork support and made some minor changes
to libgpod and bigger ones on gtkpod.

It appears that we can now safely add and remove thumbnail files (gtkpod:
context menu->Edit Details).

iTunes will accept our thumbnail files AS LONG AS we don't attempt to view
the cover artwork in iTunes. Then it will no longer displayed on the iPod.
gtkpod silently repairs the damage next time you sync however.

The reason is the following:

Theres a mhit item called 'artwork_count'. It specifies how many pieces of
artwork have been stuck into the music file in the form of tags. If this
value is zero, the iPod will not display any cover art.

gtkpod/libgpod does not write artwork data into the music file. When iTunes
examines the file to display the artwork, it will not find any data and
adjust the artwork_count to 0. iTunes may or may not wipe the corresponding
entry in the ithumb file as well (didn't check).

If you don't select any tracks in iTunes, they are not examined for artwork,
and the existing artwork_count is not touched by iTunes. The artwork
survives iTunes.

You can even add artwork to tracks in iTunes and they will show up along
with the ones put onto the iPod by gtkpod/libgpod.

Have fun!



Cheers,


JCS.