Do I need to use MusicMatch/iTunes or can I just use Ephpod?

[tomw66]

I have an existing iPod (for Windows) which I have been using for a couple of years with an existing PC. I installed MuchMusic and Ephpod on the PC to manage my iPod. I Have about 1000 songs on my iPod. I do not keep a local music store on my PC.

I now have a new PC and would like to avoid using MusicMatch if I can.

Can I simply install Ephpod on my new PC and manage my existing iPod with that?

Do I have to install any other software (iPod for Windows, iTunes, etc.) to use my iPod on the new PC (in addition to Ephpod)?

Many thanks.

[SouthsideIrish]

Depends. I wouldn't use MMJB. ephPod has been updated recently so it is working much better now, so there is no right or wrong answer here since ratings and playcounts aren't an issue.

So, if you want AAC, go with iTunes.

If you don't want AAC, or won't be using iTunes to play music on your computer then you can go with ephpod.

If you want the best program for syncing, want mp3s then use iTunes, and rip with EAC or CDex.

The best choice here is the one that you are most comfortable with. iTunes is very good at what it does, but it is better at AAC, rather than mp3, so if you are tied to mp3s you will be using more than one program, and for me iTunes isn't the best way to play music on my computer.

Bill

[W9FIF]

SouthSideIrish,
Helo from southern Illinois! What you say makes a lot of sense. I'm still hung on W98se, so.. I'm using EphPod and AnaPod Universal, and pefectly happy. If I was to lose my mind an' load XP (ugh!), I'd probably give MMJB a try.
As an aside, my wife's machine has XP and it's just tooooo busy fer my tastes.

As usual, my 2 cents worth! ;-)

[SouthsideIrish]

Trust me, don't use MMJB. I own it, bought it, and was using it until about a year ago and it is a piece of trash. Most, if not all of the tagging problems that people have on this board can be traced to MMJB. It is one of the worst, if not the worse tagger in the world, and it caused me many hours of tagging woes.

BTW, if you ever upgrade, and want the best iTunes alternative than check out Media Center 10.

Bill

[ashawley]

I second Bill's recommendation for MC10. As for the issue of 98 vs. XP, I really can't belive that you can survive on 98 anymore--not sure what your gripes are about XP....

Adam

[ballzo]

Where can I find a copy of Media Center 10?
As far as I know Microsoft Media Center latest version is 9.0

Ballzo

[SouthsideIrish]

http://www.musicex.com/mediacenter/