iTrip and shuffle mode
[661 byte] By [albacorky] at [2007-11-9 12:04:39] 
I just received and installed an iTrip on my 20 gb winpod. I'm in Baton Rouge, LA and it looks like I have several good frequencies that will work here without interference. I have a question about the iTrip frequencies and the shuffle mode. I use my pod a lot on shuffle to hear my tunes in random order. What is going to happen when it randomly selects an iTrip tuning file? Will I just hear some tone and move on to the next random song? Will this not change iTrip frequency since I would not press PLAY again? Is there any way to keep it from selecting the iTrip files other than creating a giant playlist with everything except the iTrip files?
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# 1 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
I think that was covered in one of the reviews of the iTrip - yep, it will change the frequency.The only real option is to remove the frequency files once you get a good frequency selected. You should probably leave the one good one.
I'm not a veteran iPod user, so maybe you can exclude or hide certain files, but I don't know how.
tintin at 2007-11-15 16:06:59 >
# 2 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
tintin,Thanks for the reply. I have been playing on random through the iTrip for an hour or so. Looks like it selected at least 1 iTrip file. I heard the tones, the LED turned on (I had turned it off earlier). But it didn't change the frequency this time. Looks like a frequency change requires a second click of the PLAY button within a few seconds of selecting the iTrip frequency file.
I can live with this situation, if I just have to be prepared for some computer beeps now and then.
I could delete a lot of the frequency files that are not usable in my hometown, but I may need them on a road trip. Still hoping for some way to leave them on the pod but to avoid those files in the random play mode.
Thanks again,
albacorky
albacorky at 2007-11-15 16:07:59 >
# 3 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
I hope you're right - you might have gotten lucky and it picked the right freq file.How do you like the iTrip? I've considered one, but have tried FM modulators in the past with no real success.
tintin at 2007-11-15 16:08:59 >
# 4 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
So far I like it. The sound quality is not as good as a hard wired connection. I had located some frequencies that seemed to be fairly free of interference while I was waiting for the iTrip to arrive. Some of them (the ones on the lower end of the band) didn't seem to work too well. But the ones in the middle of the band seem to be OK. The iTrip says to set its volume between 40% and 80% for the frequency files to successfully program the transmitter. But it looks like you start to get distortion in the music if you go over about 60% of the pod's volume. One day I hope to get a car radio with a direct connection for the pod, but till then it looks like the iTrip is a pretty good way to have several hundred CD's in the car at any time. I'll try to post some more information once I've tried it in more situations. I've been using it on the home stereo and it seems to work very well. Again, not as pure as a CD, but not so bad that you notice any problem during casual listening.
albacorky at 2007-11-15 16:09:53 >
# 5 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
Actually, I do the same thing...use my iPod mainly in shuffle mode to just play random songs. I also just got an iTrip. When the iPod comes across one of the iTrip frequency files, it plays it momentarily then moves on to the next song. It doesn't change the frequency setting on the iTrip since I don't press play a second time to lock the frequency in. If I do purposely change the frequency though I do seem to have to turn the iPod off and then back on in order to be able to randomly play songs again. If I hit play like normal after accessing the iTrip playlist, the iPod continues going through the iTrip frequencies.So far, the iTrip works well, though I need to experiment with the frequencies a bit more. I'm in Washington DC where the FM band is pretty saturated and the reception quality of the iTrip signal changes constantly while I am driving. Right now I'm on the lower end of the dial, so maybe if I move to the middle or upper frequencies things will improve. I like the iTrip..I just wish the signal was a little stronger. Also, I found that even though my 2000 Altima has it's antenna in the glass of the back window that the iPod likes to be put into the little storage compartment directly beneathe the radio. The best signal is generally with me touching or holding it.
Jeff at 2007-11-15 16:10:53 >
# 6 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
I can't speak to othe programs but Media Center 9 will easily handle this using its smartlist and very intelligent playlist tools.-=Tim=-
TimB at 2007-11-15 16:12:03 >
# 7 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
Smart playlist, selecting all songs where "artist is not equal to iTrip". Us this playlist to shuffle.thenightfly42 at 2007-11-15 16:12:56 >
# 8 Re: iTrip and shuffle mode
The iTrip files playing accidently wont mean that the iTrips frequency will change. There is a safety mechanism to prevent this.Basically, at the beginning of the frequency file there is a tone to say change to the new frequency, but then at the end of the file there is a 'Cancel' tone that is played to void any changes made. This is the reason you have to press play again after the LED rapidally flashes when changing the frequency, so as to stop the cancel tone being played.
So in short, playing the iTrip files wont change the frequency. If you can put up with hearing tones in between your favourite tunes, then your fine. :)
aktive at 2007-11-15 16:14:00 >
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