Some misc queries regarding burning, transferring and applications

[boadle]

Hi all,

I've had my 30 GB iPod for a couple of months now, and would like to say that I am extremely happy. It is with me virtually all the time, and is probably the best piece of technology I have ever purchased.

I would now like to step up from being a 'beginner' to a more 'advanced' user, and would appreciate some advice from the experts on this forum. For your information, I am using a Firewire Card with Windows 2000.

I have done some trawling on these forums, but haven't seen these specific questions answered. Nevertheless, apologies if they have been.

1a. I burned my 500 Cds at 128K Mp3. I would like reburn (EEEK!)them at a better sound quality, as I have lots of space AND I would like to connect my iPod to speakers and use it as my home stereo. What recommendations would experts make as to the bitrate for a music 'buff', over speakers, with a collection that includes Jazz and Classical?

1b. I understand the new 1.3 Firmware supports ACC. Since this is better and smaller than Mp3, I should be burning using this format, right?

2a. Another reason for re-burning is that there are a LOT of incidents of skipping on my tracks. I have been using MusicMatch, and I've noticed a frequent loud 'static' sound, even on CDs that I thought were clean and unscratched. Can experts recommend a better burning application?

2b. Do the music databases vary from app to app (I have a lot of really obscure stuff, and do not like the idea of entering details manually!)? Which app has the most comprehensive DB?

3. I backed up all my work files from my computer (shortly before it blew up) by dragging them onto the iPod. When my new PC arrives, can I drag them back onto the machine? Does this require a hack or piece of custom software?

4. Is there a way to create various mood playlists (eg 'Upbeat' and 'Downbeat') and add songs to these ON THE FLY? Please note, I am not referring to the 'On The Go' playlist here.

Thanks for your time. I have seen lots of various opinions to some of these queries, and am more than a little confused!

Regards,

Lewis Boadle
Dublin, Ireland

[jogloran]

1a. People on another forum which I used to frequent seem to like using the settings --alt-preset-standard and --alt-preset-extreme (APS, APX), which are settings in a command line MP3 encoder called LAME. That's what I use for ripping my own CDs (*including* jazz and classical), and it seems quite proficient. But your mileage may vary depending on how 'sensitive' your ears are, I suppose.

4. I think not. I think you need to be connected to a computer to rearrange conventional playlists.

[theflyingbeagle]

1.

I agree with Jogloran.

These are the settings I use in Media centre 9.

I set up the lame encoder as the MPR VBR and use this setting.

It is easily the best I have come across especially is space is not a problem. It uses higher bit rates for more complex parts of the music and less for the quieter passages, less complex.

2.b.

MC9 has a good database, it is not the most comprehensive, but out of about 100 albums I have so far ripped on here, I have only had to enter 1 which was an REM one and now I have uploaded it to the database so it is there for good

as far as the playlists are concerned, MC9 has the best I have seen, but as for mood, you can have ones for high bit rate and low but rate which might give you what you want.

Hope this helps,

Paul

[m.r.m.]

here is info on how to copy music back. (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4719)

the software compendium (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2286) for info on software to manage the ipod on the computer.

3. you can just drag them back onto your computer. if you had used a prog to transfer the mp3?s to your ipod, you could use that prog to transfer them back to the computer. otherwise just cut and paste.

post back, if your questions haven?t been answered. :)

[jogloran]

boadle: This thread on the forum I was mentioning is highly recommended and will set you up with the encoder I mentioned.

http://www.gamingforce.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=878

They know their music over there ;)

[boadle]

Thanks, guys, for the ongoing feedback. Much appreciated!

Just to clarify point no. 3:

The files I need to transfer back are not music files. They are assorted work stuff (.fla, .psd, .doc). Will this be a problem, or do the same principles apply?

From this forum and others, I am getting the impression that LAME is streets ahead of all the burners, probably because of the technique that Paul described (ie that is uses "...higher bit rates for more complex parts of the music and less for the quieter passages...").

So, LAME and Ephpod seem to be the way to go. Will this reduce the amount of skipping / static that I seem to get, or does that relate to the condition of the CDs themselves?

Lewis

[dmt1]

The skipping may be related to your ripper AND the quality of your CDs. MC9 allows you to rip in digital secure, which would hopefully help with this. MMJB has a terrible ripper IMHO.

If you want to go with the best ripper, I'd use EAC to rip, and LAME to encode. However, MC9 is an all in one program, and approaches EAC's ripper in quality, and uses the LAME encoder. It synchs much better than ephpod. In a nutshell, it's the easiest way to get high quality mp3's, then synch them to your ipod.

[m.r.m.]

Originally posted by boadle
Just to clarify point no. 3:

The files I need to transfer back are not music files. They are assorted work stuff (.fla, .psd, .doc). Will this be a problem, or do the same principles apply?


just cut/copy and paste. like from one harddrive to another.

[boadle]

My, that is a relief. I had heard something about not being able to copy BACK to a PC (for anti-priacy reasons), and was starting to get real panicky. All my work files are on it!

Have a three hour train journey later on, and for the first time ever, I'm not dreading it. Long live iPod.

Have a great weekend all, and thanks for your advice.

Lewis

[mmiii]

regarding storing files on the pod, how do you go about cut/pasting them between the computer and ipod? do you place them directly in F:/ drive, or in ipod_control, device, or what?

thanks in advance