Windows 7: Using iPod with Media Center/Player. Suggestions?

So, due to iTunes going berserk and 3 reinstalls failing to remedy the problem, I am going to >gasp< FORSAKE ITUNES.

However, I still have an iPod, a 120gb iPod from whom I want to get my $180 worth of satisfcation from, and so intend to keep using.

In iTunes (before it decided to ruin my music experience) I had all my 55gb / 10,000 songs nicely labelled by genre, artist, with artwork, etc...

What are my possibilities for using an iPod without iTunes, preferrably using Media Player as my media player on my PC?



(I know this is a long-running issue but I wonder what has changed with the newest versions of the players.)

Thanks.

You can use software to pull all of the songs off your iPod and back onto your PC.

iGadget (formerly PodPlus) Download - Softpedia
or
iDump Download - Softpedia

For more...
Download Multimedia IPOD tools - page 1 - sorted by rating descending - Softpedia

As far as actually using an iPod via WMP, I don't recommend it. Not only do you have to use a third party plug-in, but many of them can FUBAR your iPod. If you're determined to do it anyway:

http://download.cnet.com/MGTEK-Dopis...55.html?tag=bc

Hi Mister

Just a couple of things before I pass on a couple of links I came across.

Although it's perfectly possible to use alternatives to iTunes sadly, there is no single alternative that allows you to utilize your iPod or iPhone to it's full capacity. There are always features missing here and there. They generally tend to be the one little thing you actually want to use on your iPod or iPhone, but can't without iTunes. I understand iTunes isn't the best software. It's buggy, resource intensive and overall very clunky. But if you want to get the absolute most out of your iPod, iTunes is your only option.

That being said, here are some alternative you may, or may not find useful

List of the Best Free iTunes Alternatives - Better Than iTunes and Free

Very nice comprehensive list of alternatives and what they're capable of: Comparison of iPod managers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Very recent article: Managing iPod Without iTunes

Good luck!

I have the MGTek plugin but have yet to install it as my iPod is currently okay...however, come time to sync and add new playlists to my pod, I'll definitely give it a try.

I've currently used MusicBridge MusicBridge - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com and it worked really, really well. I am especially anal about tagging, categorizing, and converting to mp3 ALL of my songs from iTunes, so maybe that's why it worked so well for me. Either way, my Media Player/Center now have all of my music archived, and that's very exciting for me and due to MusicBridge.

This works fine for me now since I really only use my iPod for music, though it's got video, podcast, etc. capability. Eventually I'll probably end up gifting it to a friend of mine and either getting a Zune or a smartphone (maybe a Nexus with Google Music...?!) that can play mp3's (unless for some reason I end up buying a Mac...*shivers in fear*).

Hello !!

I guess you could use Media Monkey to use it with I-pod. Yesterday i saw about this in some thread. Media Monkey is a good player lot of them are recommending it. Check the link over here MediaMonkey &bull; View topic - Unofficial but very helpful iPod/iTunes/MediaMonkey Hints

Hope this helps,
Captain

I am currently trying MediaMonkey, and also use Copy Trans Manager.

CTM- some good features, can add and remove files very easily. Must have iTunes installed on your system for the drivers, but it actually overrides iTunes, telling you to close iTunes before proceeding. Has a mediocre player. I use it to quickly add or remove files then close it . I don't think you can do much editing of tags, if at all. I find it to be a "hit and run" program, but usable.

MM-not too sure but heard it might be a viable "solution" to the iPod headache. I am gonna try it out myself, and see what chaos ensues....lol

I guess I should read that link, as I was the one who posted it.......

I'm not a big fan of mediamonkey. The player is pretty lame without third party plugins and even those are scarce and not supported in any capacity.

I am a big fan of iTunes interface as I tend to gravitate towards visually appealing things. I tried doubletwist and songbird but both had trouble supporting my iPhone. I need something that has these options:
playlist options
iPhone support
large library support
tagging
bpm analyzer if possible
ability to monitor folders preferably on start up as to not use system resources.
Excellent interface
visually appealing

the main thing I don't like about iTunes is the playlist menu. I always have to scroll down which is a pain cause I'm a playlist fanatic with around 17 thousand songs. It takes forever to add songs.

Any other suggestions besides the above?