[sunoxen]

I just got my new 30 GB iPod, and have noticed something strange.

When I have it plugged into the dock with the line in and have the firewire cable plugged into my iMac, I get strange feedback.

It actually sounds like you can hear the hard drive moving inside the iPod. It also has the sound of white noise.

When I plug the craddle into the power adapter, however, there is no feedback at all.

Has anyone else had this problem?

It doesn't make sense that you woudn't be able to keep the iPod plugged into your computer and listen at the same time. Isn't the point that when you come home, and stick it in the cradle, it will sync, and then after you eject the drive, you can listen while still getting power?

[jasong]

Definately not the point. The old iPods wouldn't play anything when plugged into the computer. The only way to run it without using the battery was to plug it into the wall.

Makes sense when you consider you are unlikely to have any music on your iPod that isn't on your computer. If your computer is available, then just use iTunes.

-- Jason

[AssassyN]

Sounds like a typical ground lift issue that deals with the way your home is wired. If possible, visit a local electronics store and request a "Ground Lift Adapter" in which you'll plug into an AC outlet, and then you'll plug your Mac's AC plug into that adapter. That should solve the problem.

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by jasong:
Definately not the point. The old iPods wouldn't play anything when plugged into the computer. The only way to run it without using the battery was to plug it into the wall.

Makes sense when you consider you are unlikely to have any music on your iPod that isn't on your computer. If your computer is available, then just use iTunes.

...Which taxes your computer's CPU, intead of your iPod's, which was designed specifically for decoding sound files and happens to be sitting right there next to your computer doing nothing!
I'm all set to go get one of these, unless this can't be done. I want to be able to play the iPod through the sound-out on the dock, into my sound-in and out my Monsoon speakers on my computer.

[adamberti]

What kind of computer do you have? A portable? My TiBook gave me a lot of shocks untill I started using the extention cord with the grouded plug that plugs into the powerbrick. It seemed to have stoped the shockings. Maybe you could give that a go if you have a PB, possibly that same static electricity is causing problems.

And if you have a desktop, I dunno.

[swsteckly]

Shockings? Like that maniac on Macworld that claimed that his son touched it and he was knocked on the floor?

I know what you're talking about, though. The new powerbooks use a 3-wire integrated grouding system, ending that problem.

Anyway, I agree with assasyN. Definitely a ground lift problem. Something else to try if that doesn't work is to get one of those snap-on Ferrite cable bead deals, that are available in electronics catalogs. It is like the big bulky canister thing on some power cables. It contains ferrite to prevent mangentic interference, and groud loop problems. If that proves hard to find, get a small circular magnet, and wrap the cord around one side of it a few times, and secure it with zip ties. A similar solution, but not as effective.