# iPod Classic LCD: recovering the display pinout and bus protocol

> The iPod Classic LCD investigation maps the 34-pin display connector and decodes its 18-lane RGB666, 8080-series bus using logic-analyser captures and electrical measurements. It documents command framing, initialization, power sequencing and pixel timing, and includes Python tools to decode captures and reconstruct screen images.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/LXK-98/ipod-classic-reverse-engineering>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/LXK-98/ipod-classic-reverse-engineering/blob/6ea3658f338c052cf6d8322e998857be882d4f77/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/ipod-classic-lcd-protocol-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/ipod-classic-lcd-protocol-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/ipod-classic-lcd-protocol-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** New captures require a logic analyser and the separately obtained gusmanb LogicAnalyzer binaries.
- **Scope:** The documented unit is the 2009 thin iPod Classic 160 GB, model A1238, with its type 2 LCD.
- **Limits:** The RGB666 pair test and the exact assignment of two control pins remain unresolved.
- **License:** MIT for the project's work; vendored Rockbox sources in refs/ are GPL v2.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/LXK-98/ipod-classic-reverse-engineering/blob/6ea3658f338c052cf6d8322e998857be882d4f77/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/LXK-98/ipod-classic-reverse-engineering/blob/6ea3658f338c052cf6d8322e998857be882d4f77/docs/PROTOCOL.md>

## More in Protocols

- [OBSBOT Tiny 3: USB control protocol investigation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/obsbot-tiny3-protocol-case/index.md) · Case study
- [StargateCryo: an Intel Cryo controller dashboard built on serial-protocol research](https://awesomerea.org/resources/stargatecryo-case/index.md) · Case study
- [infrared: LG and Vityas remote command mappings](https://awesomerea.org/resources/infrared-remote-configs-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Winbond Keyboard Colour: reconstructing keyboard lighting commands](https://awesomerea.org/resources/winbond-keyboard-colour-case/index.md) · Case study
- [OBOX Controller ViGEm Driver: a Windows client for the Snail OBox gamepad](https://awesomerea.org/resources/obox-controller-vigem-case/index.md) · Case study
- [OsmoFresh Quella Pro: hardware and UART protocol investigation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/osmofresh-quella-pro-hardware-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.