Huge Apple Rant... (How should I handle this situation)

[ErikCLDR]

Warning: Rant, If you are going to read any of this, read the red font

Ok so for quite some time now I've been experiencing issues with my iPod Touch...

1. Some songs will not play at all
2. Randomly songs' audio will cut out but the iPod shows the music as still playing
3. Randomly songs' audio will cut out and the iPod will proceed to the next song
4. Randomly if you try to fast forward or rewind using the bar the bar will move but the song will continue playing where it shouldn't anymore
5. Album art has started to vanish...

2-4 can be fixed by switching to another song and then switching back. The problems are completely random and happen to purchased and cd imported music. The music, however, will play perfectly fine on my PowerBook, on CD's, and on any other MP3 player including my cell phone.
----
I've been on the phone with apple over a month. They've had product specialists and engineers working on the issue but there still has been no solution.

Just to list some things we've tried...
- Reinstalling OS, iTunes, iPod software
- Restoring iPod
- Replacing iPod
- Making new user accounts
- Sending logs to apple
- I won't continue with anymore

Basically I've exhausted all of apple's options and now they are just hunting and picked. I've tested synching music with my PC and I haven't noticed any issues. I've been on the phone for apple over a MONTH and two days ago my tech support contact quit. I feel like I am just spinning my tires here. I have investing hundreds of dollars into the iPod, as well as hundreds at the iTunes store, and hundreds on accessories including a iPod HiFi, Dock, Software Upgrade, charger, case, FM transmitter, etc (Grand total of about $900). I have also had in the past had or had a $400 iPod 3g 20gb (broke 3 times under warranty), $250 iPod nano (sold), $150 iPod speakers (sold), $60 BT Mouse (replaced 1x), $30 apple keyboard, an iSight, and $1800 apple computer (replaced 1x).

I think I have been more than loyal to apple over the years and this problem is really pissing me off. I have spent HOURS on the phone with them trying to work this out but absolutely no progress has been made. I have sent them videos documenting some of the issues at hand. They've been working with the "engineers" but nothing they suggest has worked and their "solutions" usually are things we've already tested and found not work. I've driven 2 hours round trip to the apple store to show them my issue. They've searched apple forums and such but can't find anyone else with the exact problem as me

The more I think about it the more it angers me. Its a very frustrating issue not only because it ruins the music listening experience, but also because I've invested a lot. Maybe I should just cut my losses and buy a Zune and sync with my PC eek

Thanks for listening.

 

[MacHipster]

Maybe I should just cut my losses and buy a Zune and sync with my PC eek

Do what makes you happy. There's no point standing by a product that frustrates you.

 

[apsterling]

I've had these troubles, but not on your scale. The best you can do is switch to a Classic, or another brand that satisfies your needs.

 

[Aperture]

That's too bad about the Touch. I would just return/sell it for a Classic. You can't really go wrong there.

 

[r1ch4rd]

If the problem is really bad then I would just switch to another model. I know that you shouldn't have to and that you probably don't want to but it would just be much less hassle for you.

 

[Mr. Funsocks]

Like the second comment said. No one here is going to try to convince you to keep it if it's not working out for you. Sorry to hear that it isn't but you should really just go get a zune if that's what you think would be best for you. You can't really go wrong with a classic though.

 

[ryannel2003]

You have bad luck....

No seriously, the kid has bad luck.

 

[d_and_n5000]

Dang. You sound like me, but your problems are worse and with more expensive stuff.

I'm with the others. Cut your losses and either demand a Classic or switch to something else.

 

[Gelfin]

It almost sounds as if you might have some files that are causing a problem either due to corruption or some incompatibility. There is a degree of looseness in audio format specifications and occasionally you'll find a case where, say, a track is sufficiently borderline that some devices will play it and others won't.

Maybe the Apple techs have already had you do this, but if I were in your position I would try selectively syncing only a small handful of tracks that you would expect to be impeccably good, such as those purchased from the iTunes store, and see if you can reproduce the problem with only those songs loaded on the device. Repeat this with different small sets of tracks of common provenance, wiping the device each time, to see if you can narrow down specific tracks that result in a problem. I know you said it's random, but it might be possible that there is some common trigger event that terminally confuses your iPod and causes it to experience random-seeming problems thereafter.

 

[ErikCLDR]

You have bad luck....

No seriously, the kid has bad luck.

That is quite true. I honestly have really really bad luck. I have a good life, just bad luck.

I'm going to talk to apple monday to see what they can do.

It almost sounds as if you might have some files that are causing a problem either due to corruption or some incompatibility. There is a degree of looseness in audio format specifications and occasionally you'll find a case where, say, a track is sufficiently borderline that some devices will play it and others won't.

Maybe the Apple techs have already had you do this, but if I were in your position I would try selectively syncing only a small handful of tracks that you would expect to be impeccably good, such as those purchased from the iTunes store, and see if you can reproduce the problem with only those songs loaded on the device. Repeat this with different small sets of tracks of common provenance, wiping the device each time, to see if you can narrow down specific tracks that result in a problem. I know you said it's random, but it might be possible that there is some common trigger event that terminally confuses your iPod and causes it to experience random-seeming problems thereafter.

We've been through all of that. Its definitely a content issue but when synching with just iTunes music or just CD music, the problem still occurs. The music plays fine on everything but my iPod.

 

[Maui]

If I read your post correctly, this has happened on more than 1 Touch? That sounds like a problem with your library, or something in your library. Have you tried synching with a friend's library?

 

[Gelfin]

We've been through all of that. Its definitely a content issue but when synching with just iTunes music or just CD music, the problem still occurs. The music plays fine on everything but my iPod.

Apple might not suggest this, but do you have a friend with a problem-free iPod? Try swapping libraries (or iPods) completely. Sync your iPod to his library and his to yours and see if your device still experiences the problem (blame the device) or if yours stops and his starts (blame the library).

 

[Killyp]

If I read your post correctly, this has happened on more than 1 Touch? That sounds like a problem with your library, or something in your library. Have you tried synching with a friend's library?

He's tried creating a new library etc...

I've spoken to him on AIM about it, and it makes no sense at all. The problem seems to be with his Mac, and not with the iPod/iTunes/USB cable/Library etc... he's tried everything short of re-installing OS X.

Even different codecs still cause issues...

 

[ErikCLDR]

It works fine with my PC, where I imported fresh music from CD's.

On my mac however I've rebuilt my library and created new ones but I get the same issues.

Apple is "scratching their heads on this one"

 

[Maui]

Have you tried it on a different Mac, or reinstalled the OS on your Mac?

Very odd.

 

[ErikCLDR]

Yea I've reinstalled my OS.

 

[Maui]

Well, very odd. Sorry I can't offer any other suggestions (some odd cable problem? Gamma rays?). Be sure to post the solution when you find it.

 

[ErikCLDR]

Talked to my new apple product specialist because my old one quit. He sounds like a complete creeper and is really awkward.

That aside they just now want me to see what happens if I download music only from the iTunes wifi store directly onto my iPod. Then sync it with my PC and see what happens, then sync it with my Mac and see what happens. They suggest I keep downloading the free song of the week to test this issue. Hmm maybe after 1 year of downloading free songs I'll have a substantial library to test. Also they said I could just buy more songs that I might want.

Why would I ever shell more money into this losing battle?

They also suggest I buy leopard to see what happens...

Again why should I shell out more money?


I tried contacting customer relations and ended up talking to some indian who refused to acknowledge my argument claiming that all they could do is replace the ipod again, saying that the only probable cause of the issue he could see is that the iPod is broken. I explained to him numerous times how the product specialists and engineers think that the iPod itself is not the issue.

I am furious right now. I am seriously about to pack off and head to the apple store where i bought my computer and iPod and unleash.

 

[r1ch4rd]

I think that I would be quite annoyed too. Suggesting you buy a new operating system or purchase songs that you already own is ridiculous. It sounds to me like they are clutching at straws. You should definitely go to the store and get something done.

 

[killmoms]

Sounds to me like something's getting messed the the transfer from the Mac to the iPod, maybe a borked USB chipset or something?

 

[IJ Reilly]

What a strange problem. I'd be pretty furious right now too.

Did you say that the problem doesn't occur when you sync to your PC?

 

[ErikCLDR]

The music syncs fine with my PC.

I don't think its a hardware issue because my USB ports seem to work fine. I can put music on other MP3 players and it works flawlessly. I also have no problems printing, importing photos, etc.

I went out for about a 1/2 hr and some American apple customer relations called me after I hung up on the indian. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

 

[Sesshi]

How many times have you had it replaced?

 

[IJ Reilly]

The obvious interim solution is to use your PC to sync your iPod. At least you'll get use of the iPod and you won't be beating your head against the wall.

I think killmoms could be on to something. Everything else seems to have been eliminated as a possibility. The fact that your USB works for other devices doesn't help as a confirmation naturally, but it doesn't rule it out entirely either. I'd theorize that the iPod puts demands on the USB ports that the other devices don't.

 

[ErikCLDR]

The iPod has been replaced 1x.

I tried putting my music on my friends samsung MP3 player and had no issues.