What are you guys doing for ipod connectivity??

[reverseworm]

really good point - forgot about that. having said that there is a functionality in itunes that enables you to convert aac files to mp3 - i did it for my whole library and it wasnt a big deal. just don't ask how i did it! it is there though....

[Lance B]

really good point - forgot about that. having said that there is a functionality in itunes that enables you to convert aac files to mp3 - i did it for my whole library and it wasnt a big deal. just don't ask how i did it! it is there though....

But isn't AAC better than MP3? I thought that AAC is M4a which is the successor to MP3 and therefore better.

[drbass]

Converting .aac to .mp3 in iTunes is indeed easy and straightforward. All it does is add an .mp3 version of your song(s) to the library which therefore gets bigger. Easy to clean up afterwards, though.

I am pretty certain that .aac is better than .mp3 when encoded at the same bitrate. The issue here is more one of ubiquity, i.e. .mp3 is more widespread than .aac. Haven't checked if .aac play in the RCD510 (off the SD card) but the manual clearly does not mention .aac (or rather, only mentions .mp3 and .wmp, I think).

Seeya,
Michael

[R36 Dreamer]

Converting .aac to .mp3 in iTunes is indeed easy and straightforward. ,
Michael

Could you elaborate on how to do this Michael?

[Swallowtail]

This isn't a bad little tutorial:

http://askbobrankin.com/convert_itunes_to_mp3_format.html

Note that if the aac file (.m4a) is DRM-protected it's not as easy, as noted in the article.

[drbass]

The tutorial looks pretty comprehensive.

I don't have my Mac with me, and don't have iTunes on my PC so I can't be of any help right now.

General comments:
1) As outlined in the tutorial, copy-protected .aac files need to be burned onto an AUDIO CD (resulting in .aif files, normally), and can then be re-imported into iTunes as .mp3s. Just make sure to select the correct "ripping" option - it's like ripping any music CD.
2) The above process will result in loss of quality. Sure, you have .aif files which on the surface look like files of a standard music CD. But of course they were derived from previously compressed .aac files. Ripping into .mp3 files again results in loss of quality.
3) Since May 01 (I think) music available through the iTunes Music Store is a) encoded at higher bit rate (256 instead of 128 k), and b) not copy-protected. Conversion to .mp3 is therefore "easy and straightforward" - see tutorial, and if necessary I can look into it tonight.

Hope this helps.

Seeya,
Michael

[babilonm]

For iPod users, sometimes they want to backup the music, video or pictures on iPod to computer. This makes iPod users headache for iTunes doesn't providing this feature at all. Tipard Studio releases a program that can backup their files on iPod to PC. Using Tipard iPod to PC Transfer you would never worry about the files losing problem. This iPod to PC Transfer help you copy songs and video from iPod to PC without losing anything. Tipard iPod to PC Transfer supports all the versions of iPod devices. So you can easily transfer music and video from iPod, iPod Classic, iPod Nano, iPod shuffle, iPod Touch, iPhone to PC. You could easily share your iPod music with your friends.



Key Features:

﹡Filter and quick search
The “Track Filter” function can help you to make your backup in a good order and to find your profile easily.
﹡Show you the version of your iPod player.
For the beginner of iPod you can know the generation and name of your iPod from Tipard iPod to Computer Transfer. And you can also know how many spaces have used and how many left in your iPod.

[bennobee]

If you get it as a factory option, which is cheaper, and I think the MDI is installed in the centre console storage.

Having said that, with mine, I think they could have installed the MDI cable into the centre console for me as well, but it would mean they would have to cut a hole inside the centre console storage box big enough for the connector and this may look a little unsightly to some people. I think they could still do it this way and then use a grommet to cover up the hole, so I may investigate that option.

Actually the MDI on the Passat is always fitted in the glovebox. the one that fits into the centre console is for the golf. They have a special centre console that you buy that halves the space and has a precut hole for the cable and ipod.

I find the MDI cable in the glovebox to be a pain in the ass

[Lance B]

Actually the MDI on the Passat is always fitted in the glovebox. the one that fits into the centre console is for the golf. They have a special centre console that you buy that halves the space and has a precut hole for the cable and ipod.

Ah, ok. I didn't know that. I did see it in a Golf located in the centre console, as you say, and figured that the factory fitted option for the Passat would be the same as the Golf. Obviously I was wrong.

I find the MDI cable in the glovebox to be a pain in the ass

Same here. I wonder if they could route the cable to the centre console instead?

[Luminary]

I plan to leave my old 60GB iPod permanently in the glovebox - out of sight and mind.

You don't ever need to operate it directly so its brilliant in the glovebox for me. I'd rather have usable space in the centre console.

[Lance B]

I plan to leave my old 60GB iPod permanently in the glovebox - out of sight and mind.

You don't ever need to operate it directly so its brilliant in the glovebox for me. I'd rather have usable space in the centre console.

The only issue I have with it being in the glovebox is that sometimes, when I have switched to the radio for a while, the iPod will not automatically "wake up" when I go back to it and then I get an error message on the car stereo. I need to disconnect and then reconnect the iPod in order to get it working again.

[bennobee]

The only issue I have with it being in the glovebox is that sometimes, when I have switched to the radio for a while, the iPod will not automatically "wake up" when I go back to it and then I get an error message on the car stereo. I need to disconnect and then reconnect the iPod in order to get it working again.

Or you get the ipod lockup if it doesnt wake up and unplugging and replugging fails to work.

[Lance B]

Or you get the ipod lockup if it doesnt wake up and unplugging and replugging fails to work.

Thankfully I haven't had that one yet.