Which is the way to go?
[339 byte] By [hansoff87] at [2007-11-9 12:34:20] 
Ok i'm about to get an ipod so i got many questions. I've been reading the board for quite a while. I got XPlay because its supposedly the best or one of the best. I want to be able to play my music through my car stereo. I heard the the fm broadcasters arn't that good if you want to blast music. So what should i get?
# 1 Re: Which is the way to go?
Oh yeah, i forgot. With xplay, will i be able to copy some mp3s and put it back on my computer? If not what program should i use?hansoff87 at 2007-11-15 17:06:25 >
# 2 Re: Which is the way to go?
yep, you just drag & drop from the ipod back to your hard drive.AMG at 2007-11-15 17:07:25 >
# 3 Re: Which is the way to go?
Did you buy Xplay or trial it?If you just trialed it, I would strongly recommend giving Media Center 9 a shot--you can trial it for 30 days for free too--then decide between the two. IMHO, Media Center 9 is worth the extra ten dollars over Xplay. MC9 does everything--rip/encode, burn, manage your music library, and is the fastest synching application for the ipod. You can also transfer from your ipod back to your pc, like you were asking about. It doesn't drag and drop like xplay, but they're considering adding this as an option.
dmt1 at 2007-11-15 17:08:35 >
# 4 Re: Which is the way to go?
oh, to answer your other question...the iTrip by Griffin is a sweet FM broadcaster, or, if your auto has a tape deck you can always get a casette adapter.I'd strongly recommend sticking with XPlay. I personally prefer it to Media Center 9 and it costs $10 less. :) :) :)
AMG at 2007-11-15 17:09:29 >
# 5 Re: Which is the way to go?
But for ten dollars more you get: smartlists, faster synching, great ripping/encoding, outstanding file management, and that's just a few of the advantages...Major disadvantage is the learning curve. MC9 may or may not be for you--but my point was you can try them yourself and compare them side by side, then make a choice...
dmt1 at 2007-11-15 17:10:29 >
# 6 Re: Which is the way to go?
I donated the extra $10 to a charity. A worthy cause is worth not having built-in ripping/encoding right?AMG at 2007-11-15 17:11:39 >
# 7 Re: Which is the way to go?
Hmm...You could make the same argument about a $500.00 ipod...;) Not trying to start an application war, my point was simply why not try them both and then decide, as you can try them both for free?:D
dmt1 at 2007-11-15 17:12:32 >
# 8 Re: Which is the way to go?
what are smartlists?torchedlh at 2007-11-15 17:13:35 >
# 9 Re: Which is the way to go?
Smartlists are lists where you pick a parameter--say all songs you've given a rating of 5, or particular genres (you could pick certain genres for example), pretty much whatever parameters you want to use--and MC9 will put all those songs that fit those criteria automatically into a playlist called a smartlist. If you rip/encode new songs that fit the parameter, they automically go into the smartlist--and onto your ipod in that smartlist the next time you synch. It's very slick, and there are a million different things you can do with them--highly addictive.dmt1 at 2007-11-15 17:14:32 >
# 10 Re: Which is the way to go?
If you want to see how creative you can get with them, here's a little tutorial (http://www.home.earthlink.net/~ashawley01/data/smartlist_example.htm) I did for a 'lounger a while back. It's an example of a more complex smartlist, but it'll give you an idea of what you can do with them.They make syncing the iPod much easier as well when you have a library of tunes larger than what fits on you iPod.
Adam
ashawley at 2007-11-15 17:15:34 >
# 11 Re: Which is the way to go?
I know this is supposed to be "non-tech" area and all...but...since we're talking about smart playlists I should point out that such dynamically created playlists can also be created with Windows Media Player 9 and sync'd to your iPod with XPlay. ;)...just tryin' to keep it real, ya'll... ;)
I would agree wholeheartedly with Dmt1! Try out all the iPod software available (even Ephpod, that's definitely an experience). Just remember that they all work on the iPod differently so while you're demo'ing everything remember you might need to restore once or twice. ;)
AMG at 2007-11-15 17:16:43 >
# 12 Re: Which is the way to go?
Ephpod is the best program i've used for managing iPOD music. Easy-on-the-eye interface, and has mp3 tagging ability. Transfer rates are also far superior to that of MMJB. You can transfer from iPOD -> Computer and vice-versa with Ephpod.In regards to the query about the fm broadcaster; iTrip is the best accesory for this use. The quality is superb, and quite acceptable.
stasyna at 2007-11-15 17:17:37 >
# 13 Re: Which is the way to go?
Thanks guys for all your help. I am going to take a look into MC9. At first I wanted it but then i read the boards and there were a good amount of users that liked it and disliked it. I like the idea of a smart playlist. The only problem of MC9 is the cost. No one really answered my question about listening to music through your car stereo. I only have a CD player in my car. I am assuming that I have to buy an FM Transmitter.
hansoff87 at 2007-11-15 17:18:43 >
# 14 Re: Which is the way to go?
No you don't. If your stereo has the ability to have a cd changer connected to it you can buy a aux\cd adapter and plug your ipod right into your stereo. Do a forum search and you should be able to find information on that subject, as it has been covered more than once on this forum.revmike at 2007-11-15 17:19:38 >
# 15 Re: Which is the way to go?
I did . WOW it seems really confusing. Im no auto buff. Actually lol i dont know much about cars. I can't even figure out whee the head audio control thing.hansoff87 at 2007-11-15 17:20:43 >
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