2010 iPod + iPhone Buyers' Guide

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Ask iLounge 2-3-05

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By Kirk McElhearn

Contributing Editor
Published: Thursday, February 3, 2005
Category: Ask iLounge

Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.

The most asked question at iLounge.com:

How do I copy music from my iPod onto my computer?

Click here for the answer.

The second most asked question at iLounge.com:

How do I put DVDs on my iPod?


For converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and home movies to your iPod, iPhone or Apple TV, we have a three-part series outlining the best formats, settings, and various tools to use for converting all types of video content for use on these devices.

The Complete Guide to iPod, Apple TV and iPhone Video Formats

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Mac)

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Windows)

Top five questions most recently asked by iLounge readers:

Q: What are the best speakers to use with my iPod? (15, 76-79, and 90-92)

Q: What are the best headphones to use with my iPod? (10, 72-75, and 90-92)

Q: I really want to get a nice case for my iPod. Do you have any suggestions? (36-37, 54-67, and 90-92)

Q: How can I connect my iPod to my car stereo? (14, 32-35, 68-71, and 90-92)

Q: Are there any batteries that I can use to extend my iPod's battery life? (82-83 and 90-92)

A: Answers to these and many other questions can be found in two places. Our Free iPod Book 3.3 provides a complete report card to all of the iPod accessories we've reviewed as of summer 2007, as well as over 125 iTunes and iPod tips & tricks. Further, our new 2008 iPod & iPhone Buyers' Guide has accessory tutorials at the page numbers listed in parentheses above. These and other publications in our Library are free downloads, developed by the editors of iLounge!

And now, for this week's Ask iLounge column:

Q:

I just bought Sony SRSP11Q speakers to use with my iPod. The volume is very low and the speaker instructions say to use the device’s volume to control the speakers. I cannot figure out how to get to volume settings on my iPod.

- Scott

A:

To change the volume of a song while playing it on any full-sized iPod or iPod mini, simply run your finger around the Scroll Wheel or Click Wheel. You’ll see the display on the iPod screen change, and you’ll see a volume bar that shows you the relative volume as you raise it or lower it. On an iPod shuffle, press the + and – volume buttons on the front control ring to adjust volume.

It looks like the Sony SRSP11Q speakers are “passive” and therefore require power and volume control exclusively from the iPod, which means that they won’t have very strong output, and will likely drain your iPod’s battery quickly, too. If you plan to use your iPod with external speakers that are capable of adjusting volume on their own, you might want to consider buying a Dock. The Dock has a line-out jack on the back, which provides cleaner sound that is not affected by the iPod’s built-in amplifier. It also puts out sound at the maximum volume, giving you much better sound through your speakers.

Q:

I have a 40 GB iPod that is supposed to hold about 10,000 songs. I have loaded 852 songs from my CD collection into my iTunes library and it already says I have used 40.59 GB. How can that be?

What I have been doing is inserting CDs in my Mac and Toast pops up and automatically uses the web database to name the CD and its tracks. I then close Toast, open iTunes, then drag the audio CD (renamed, for example, “Abbey Road”).

So, how can only 852 songs (about 90 CDs) take up 40.59 GB?

- Joe

A:

It seems that you have been “importing” your music in uncompressed format; you’re letting Toast name the CD and tracks, then just dragging the original, uncompressed music files from the CD to iTunes. Since a full audio CD takes up about 650 MB, the math works out; your 852 uncompressed songs would take up around 40 GB.

For obvious reasons, this isn’t the most efficient use of the iPod’s storage capacity. Instead, use iTunes to import your music and compress it; Apple uses 128 kbps (“CD-quality” in AAC format, near-CD quality in MP3 format) compression for 4-minute songs to calculate the 10,000 number.

Go to the System Preferences menu on your Mac, then click the CDs & DVDs icon. After the line that says “When you insert a music CD,” select iTunes from the popup menu. The next time you insert a CD in your Mac, iTunes will open. Click the Import button at the to6p left of the iTunes window to start importing your music.

Q:

I’m having trouble moving purchased songs from my library onto my iPod… I can drag it from Purchased Music into my library, but then when I try to drag it onto my iPod, it won’t “take.” Can you tell me how to fix this?

- Tracy

A:

There are two possibilities. The first is that your iPod is set to synchronize automatically. If this is the case, you don’t need to drag the song onto the iPod icon; when you connect your iPod, iTunes automatically copies everything. You can check this in the iPod preferences (iTunes > Preferences > iPod) in iTunes.

If, however, you are manually updating your iPod (in which case you should be dragging songs onto it) you probably have a problem with the authorization for your iPod, or for your copy of iTunes. This happens occasionally, and you can fix it by trying two things.

First, in iTunes, select Advanced > Deauthorize this computer, then select Advanced > Authorize this computer. This will ask you to re-enter your user name and password.

As for the iPod, you should first make sure you have the latest iPod software. Go to the Apple web site and download the iPod Software Updater. Then, after you follow the updater’s instructions, try connecting your iPod. If your music still doesn’t transfer to the iPod, use the software updater to “restore your iPod to factory settings”. This will erase everything on the iPod, so make sure you have your music backed up. After this update, reconnect your iPod. Set it to sync your music automatically, and everything should work.

Q:

I just purchased an iPod shuffle and would like to know if it’s safe to use it on a computer that I am already using to sync my iPod 40 GB.

- Linda

A: Of course! iTunes can handle multiple iPods, as long as only one is set to synchronize automatically. But the iPod shuffle is a special case, since iTunes works a bit differently with this model. When you plug the iPod shuffle into your computer, you’ll see the difference; an Autofill option will pop up, and you can even keep the shuffle’s music library listing on-screen when it’s unplugged, so that you can prepare a new song list for your next synchronization. The iPod shuffle’s manual explains how to work with its unique capabilities.
Q:

Can you use the AC adapter from another IPod (3rd Gen w/ Dock) to charge an iPod shuffle?

- Jay

A: No. The iPod shuffle has a USB connector, and is designed to be charged directly from a computer with a powered USB port. Apple also sells an USB AC adapter, in case you don’t have a powered USB port, or if you want to take your iPod shuffle on the road without a laptop to charge it. But other iPod AC adapters won’t work with the shuffle - they have FireWire ports.
picKirk McElhearn is the author of several books including iPod & iTunes Garage. His blog, Kirkville features articles about the iPod, iTunes, Mac OS X and much more.






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Ask iLounge Archives:

11-20-09: Sharing iTunes libraries between two user accounts, Enlarging text on iPhone 3GS, Transferring an iPod to a new user, iPhone shuffles when walking, New 8GB iPod touch models, Transferring purchases from a remote iTunes library

11-13-09: Syncing different contact info with two iPhones on the same computer, iPod shows no content, Syncing music and videos in playlists, Exclamation marks next to tracks in iTunes, Playing podcasts on 3G iPod shuffle.

11-6-09: Storing iPod software updates, Playing an iPod continuously, Transferring play counts to a new iTunes library, iPhone backups, Klipsch S4i earphones

10-30-09: Authorization problems with iPod touch, Changing Grid View background in iTunes, iTunes library and Music Folder are different sizes, Older iPods and firmware updates, Reconciling two different iTunes libraries, Syncing multiple devices to one iTunes library

10-23-09: Using a laptop with an iTunes library on an external hard drive, Transferring YouTube videos to iPod, iPod touch accessibility settings, Disabling Shake to Shuffle on iPod nano, Purchased songs fail to download from iTunes Store, Charging and powering off iPhone

See the rest of the Archives...

Next: Ask iLounge 2-14-05

Previous: iLounge announces policy on harmful accessories

Comments

1

I’m thinking that if you have an Airport Express Base Station, you can plug your shuffle into that for charging. Am I correct?

Posted by dino in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on February 3, 2005 at 12:37 PM (PDT)

2

that sounds good to me

Posted by BIGP in Texas on February 5, 2005 at 2:51 PM (PDT)

3

The link to the 1-19-05 Ask iPodlounge Column Archive opens the 1-7-05 archive.

Posted by Michael Kelly in Chicago, IL on February 6, 2005 at 8:37 AM (PDT)

4

I have a 20 GB Ipod.  Is it possible to shuffle just a playlist?  Right now when I hit shuffle it goes through my entire libraray (bach and U2 aren’t the best to hear back to back). 

Posted by Jbiscuithead on February 6, 2005 at 6:32 PM (PDT)

5

Jbiscuithead, just turn on shuffle songs/album in the settings then play the playlist you wanna play.

that should work =)

Posted by jijinlim on February 6, 2005 at 9:44 PM (PDT)

6

What file types take up less space on the 4GB iPod mini?  I want to save space, so I can add more songs. Thanks.

Posted by thashoww in FL on February 7, 2005 at 12:10 PM (PDT)

7

i am going to buy a new computer and i already own one with my itunes library on it. if i want to add another ituneslibrary on there for my ipod how can i use my ipod with both computers without deleting any of the songs already on my ipod???

Posted by bhaggi13 in NC on February 7, 2005 at 5:09 PM (PDT)

8

Is it true that the IPOD’s battery runs out after a year or so of use and cannot be charged afterwards?

Posted by dallasmavsfan on February 8, 2005 at 12:33 PM (PDT)

9

i have apple ipod 40 g and i am a active runner. i run long disatants. my problem is that my ipod freezes 20 to 25 minites into my run . how can i solve this. i talked to idop specialist he sugfgest this sites . he said thier is some 3rs party product that works better for that.

Posted by scott g in springdale on February 8, 2005 at 6:02 PM (PDT)

10

What does a file with an exclamation point mean?  Is that a corrupt file? 

Posted by valsma in PA on February 9, 2005 at 5:57 PM (PDT)

11

I’m rapidly reaching critical mass on my 40GIG 4th gen ipod. When I have more songs in iTunes than will fit on my iPod, what are some easy ways to organize and de-select certain songs that I don’t want to update on the iPod? (it seems it is easy to select multiple songs or albums, but I haven’t figured how to “uncheck” them).

Posted by daveB on February 10, 2005 at 4:24 AM (PDT)

12

I am about to purchase an iPod (20 G Unit) from Circuit City.  Just noticed on one of the post an explanation of the way to determine if your iPod is an Apple or HP Unit.  I thought all iPods were Apple….....Is there a difference in quality and price?

Posted by blackhawk in Myrtle Beach on February 10, 2005 at 10:36 AM (PDT)

13

I have a Apple G4 with an old itunes library I don’t want.
On my ipod I have a library I do want.
How do I get rid of the library off the G4 and transfer my music from the ipod to the G4?

Posted by jamesgbp on February 10, 2005 at 2:35 PM (PDT)

14

I have an iPod mini.  I’d like to make a number of play lists, let’s call them 1 through 10, each time I plug in the iPod I’d like to delete the current play list on the iPod and then refresh with the next playlist in the series.  Is there an easy way to do this?

Posted by skurko in california on February 10, 2005 at 3:21 PM (PDT)

15

I just broke my 3gen, 15gig ipod’s hard drive, where can i get a new one.  (I took it apart and pushed on the hd on accident)

Posted by whitej in maine on February 10, 2005 at 4:57 PM (PDT)

16

I would like to copy some of the songs on my ipod to my friend’s ipod.

I believe you can do this by designating part of the ipod as a hard drive.

Would appreciate specific instructions.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by maywintei in Nebraska on February 11, 2005 at 4:58 PM (PDT)

17

My Dauter has a 20G IPod and I have a 40G I pod.I already have a
library of songs set up on my computer. Iwould like to move her
songs to my library.I already loaded them on my Ipod but when
it loaded it automatically dumped
my already loaded music and gave me her library.When I plugged into my system it asked if I wanted to restore my playlist but
then it would dump hers back out.
How do I take her library from my I-pod put it in to my library and then putit all back on my I-pod.
I called I-pod support but they told me dueto copyright laws they
couldn’t tell me how to do it just that it could be done and to search out some info. Basically I am using the I-pod as a Hard Disk.

Posted by Huntn01 in US on February 12, 2005 at 12:41 PM (PDT)

18

first time i downloaded songs to my iPod was from my freinds PC, 1050 songs And it used up almost 32GB of my 40GB iPod. Tow Questions:
1-how can i store these music on my desktop/iTuns or wherever, so that i can restore the iPod and start fresh       (whats “Toast Titanium any ways)
2- which formats are the best and has smallest file

Posted by parsagio in los angeles on February 12, 2005 at 3:22 PM (PDT)

19

I was trying to add 50 new songs that I downloaded P2P onto itunes, and once I moved them to the itunes folder (through explore), it erased everything in my library with itunes when I opened up the program.  The songs are still on my computer, but is there an easier way to go back to where i had them before/restore my old settings/library without having to start all over?  I had 1100 songs already renamed, rated etc…
Is it possible to connect my ipod and use that as a restore into itunes?  And how?
Also, I apparently do not recall how to import songs properly onto itunes.  Please advise. 

Posted by siray333 on February 12, 2005 at 7:15 PM (PDT)

20

Can I transfer music from other ipod users that show up on my iTunes Screen into my own ipod?

Posted by amj003 on February 13, 2005 at 10:44 AM (PDT)

21

When I am Attempting to transfer songs to my IPOD i get a message that says “Attempting to copy to disk “BRETT"S IPO” failed. An unknown error occurred (-36)”. and the song does not transfer. What does this mean?

Posted by brett123987 in Canada on February 13, 2005 at 1:26 PM (PDT)

22

My menu no longer displays.  I can listen to music as I remember the sequence but, I can’t see the menu.  I have tried reset but, it doesn’t work.  It is like the contrast got set too light but, I can’t change it.  Any ideas?

Posted by dtdm on February 14, 2005 at 5:54 AM (PDT)

23

I have just purchased a 60 gig photo.
I presently have a mini ipod on my computer complete with itunes and my playlist.
I would like to transfer these songs onto my new 60 gig ipod, but commence a new itunes, separate from the original.
How do I achieve this.
I will give my mini to my daughter, can she use my original itunes, deleting my old music, or will I then lose it on my 60 gig one.

Posted by 1947redros on August 23, 2005 at 12:02 AM (PDT)

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