[sunscreemer]

Hi guys,

My old 160Gb iPod classic which i copy my entire music collection to and let live in the car is finally FULL! I had been hoping that Apple would replace it with a higher capacity SSD version, but sadly they've just killed it off.

What I want to know is, can you synch your entire iTunes library to an SSD drive like you can with the iPod then I can just buy a 256GB one and stick this in the glovebox port?

When I Google this subject it just seems to show me how to use an SSD drive as an external iTunes library storage, not how to just synch as you would an iPod.

Cheers.

[GEP77]

There are two aspects to this to consider:

The first is that only unprotected files can be played back directly by the car. If you've ripped from CD or bought most of your content since the move to 256kbps then you should be fine.

If you are buying an external SSD make sure it is USB bus powered and requires less than 1amp - almost all should be fine in this regard.

Use the USB port in the armrest - I'm not certain if the one in the glovebox will work - you could always check with a USB stick with a few songs on it.

The slightly more irksome issue is that of syncing to a non Apple device. iTunes does not support this. And most likely never will.

However all is not lost - http://www.itunesfusion.com/ offers a pretty easy way of performing the sync and will let you sync with just about any device. In order to keep playlists you'll need to fork out for the $9 Pro version.

[teaston]

Or, if you haven't already, convert your music library to AAC format which will reduce the file sizes and then you can fit more on the iPod!

[DTP1980]

You're barking up the wrong tree - an SSD is not the answer, this is:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Tec.../dp/B0068JU1DS

It won't play from the glovebox, only the centre console. But it may need reformatting as a FAT32 storage device to make it work due to the car's firmware, although I have got away with it with my 128GB drive. Just copy and paste the files from 'my music' on your PC hard drive and you're away.

[jusdorange]

or two iPods ??

[DTP1980]

Furthermore, ripping at 320kbps will give you better sound quality, if you have the patience to do that much music again! Media Monkey's audio compression tools are far superior to iTunes, if you're interested.

[GEP77]

Originally Posted by DTP1980

You're barking up the wrong tree - an SSD is not the answer, this is:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Tec.../dp/B0068JU1DS

It won't play from the glovebox, only the centre console. But it may need reformatting as a FAT32 storage device to make it work due to the car's firmware, although I have got away with it with my 128GB drive. Just copy and paste the files from 'my music' on your PC hard drive and you're away.

That's not bad, but still twice the price of some 2.5" external SSDs with the same capacity.

I agree about ripping in higher quality. I personally rip as close to full rate as possible.

[DTP1980]

I agree, but SSDs are bulky and, like you say, need power, so will be messy and the iDrive won't benefit from the read/write speed capabilities anyway. I think it's as slow as gen 1 SATA.

£150 is really excellent value in the grand scheme of things for a massive USB memory stick and can be stuffed in a pocket without hassle.

[Rich9600]

@sunscreemer

It depends on how you have your files stored. Is your 160GB small compressed files or larger lossless ones? AAC vs ALAC etc.

I tried my lossless ALAC's with no joy through a thumb drive. My music library is about 300GB... But, squashes down to 90GB ish at 256kbps AAC. On an iDevice.

When last tested in March, my car would not play ALAC's from a USB drive. However, 256kbps AAC's are fine.

After issues with my 160GB iPod Classic regularly crashing, I've ditched it for a 128GB iPhone 6.

In my opinion, music as 256kbps AAC's is fine for car use with the HK system. iTunes will happily squash down on the fly at synchronisation. HD audio files as ALAC 24/96 and 24/192 at up to 3,000kbps are no problem by this route.

So, before buying a large USB thumb drive or SSD I'd check the car can play your chosen file format.

[moonshine]

Do you actually need 160gb iPod in a car?
The reason I ask is I get fed up constantly skipping tracks & would rather have a smaller music collection which I am able to put on shuffle and be happy with whatever comes up.

Too much choice is distracting and means you take time / attention from driving & that's not good,

I have an old 16gb iphone in my snap in & that holds >2000 choice tracks. A 160gb iPod might hold 4000 good tracks & 16000 poor ones that one skips over.

I'd recommend being selective on what is on the car ipod. Sometimes less is more

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by moonshine

Do you actually need 160gb iPod in a car?
The reason I ask is I get fed up constantly skipping tracks & would rather have a smaller music collection which I am able to put on shuffle and be happy with whatever comes up.

Too much choice is distracting and means you take time / attention from driving & that's not good,

I have an old 16gb iphone in my snap in & that holds >2000 choice tracks. A 160gb iPod might hold 4000 good tracks & 16000 poor ones that one skips over.

I'd recommend being selective on what is on the car ipod. Sometimes less is more

+1

I have 2 usb sticks, both with copies of my iTunes folder, although differing music. One is predominantly Rock, the other more chart and dance stuff.
Although there is a bit of overlap.

I thought you could fit a slimline external samsung hard drive?
I am sure I have plugged mine in before.

[mproudfoot]

You'll also lose any gapless audio functionality (e.g. if you have any albums without gaps between tracks) - never managed to get this working outside of using an iDevice.