Newby Ipod Questions

[eatanner]

Well y'all can ignore this or if you've got the holiday bores I'll hope some of you will write a treatise or two. I have totally ignored our site guidelines and have not done a search for any of this info. So feel free to flame me for that. I need something to wake me up!:sleep:

Here's the deal: I've finally started speculating about loading all my CDs onto the hard drive and then loading up an Ipod (or other) unit. I'm also interested in downloading podcasts of NPR or other news shows. I hate buying anything that won't have some useful life still in it so close-outs and last years technology isn't attractive to me (or it wouldn't be if I knew what it was.:cool:

Here are some of my questions.
1. How much storage will I need for the 400 or so CDs I've got? Two thirds are normal 35-45 minute multi-song recordings and the rest are classical with only two or three cuts on the disk.
2. Is there stand-alone equipment that makes these tasks more user friendly for piping around the house or transfering to the portable units than a PC?
3. I'm hearing about MP-5 (?) as a new standard format. Is this just a software setting or does the equipment need to handle it specifically?
4. Finally, what am I overlooking if I'm trying to purchase equipment for the next several years of home and travel usage?

Thanks folks for putting up with these musings.

[strsout]

1. How much storage will I need for the 400 or so CDs I've got? Two thirds are normal 35-45 minute multi-song recordings and the rest are classical with only two or three cuts on the disk.

I do have about 600 cds using half of my 60Gb iPod. I ripped (read copy from cd format to iPod MP3 format) all my musics at 198 quality settings. It means that if I need to go back from MP3 to CD format, I still have a really good quality. PS: I never need to go back, so next time I will use 160 or maybe 128
So the awnser will be at 30Gb iPod will do, but then you will realized that you are running out of space if you get the 'bug'... so I would buy the bigest one the wife allowed me to expend :) :)


2. Is there stand-alone equipment that makes these tasks more user friendly for piping around the house or transfering to the portable units than a PC?

Not there I know. But agains popular belives, I DO NOT know everything :) :)
Once you learn how to do. it's easy.
Also, I would not use iTunes to organize/mainten my music library. Instead I would opt for Wimamp. The biggest difference is that with Winamp you will be able to copy all your musice to different iPods and computer much easier then using iTunes (unles you are in a Mac OSX machine, then iTunes can be bypassed and you can copy your protected music). I'm not talking about piracy. I do have 2 iPods and with iTunes was a pain to copy the content of one iPode to the other, using iTunes. With Winamp I just connect one ipod, copy it, then connect the other and donwload it.
Maybe there is a better way to do the same with iTunes, but once you get used with Winamp, it's no different from iTunes.



3. I'm hearing about MP-5 (?) as a new standard format. Is this just a software setting or does the equipment need to handle it specifically?

??? I don't know (again). Sorry. I still using MP3.

4. Finally, what am I overlooking if I'm trying to purchase equipment for the next several years of home and travel usage?

This is a chalenge... I don't think you can buy any eletronic those days that will last longer then 2 years. Get iPod: Every generation uses different layout and change components that are not interchangeble in a easy way.
Get Sony products: every camera uses a different battery. So you cannot use your old batteries on a new camera...


Ho!, BTW, why dont you go looks on the SEARCH before posting :) :) :) :) :) (sorry... I could not resist) :) :)

[meese]

Don't worry too much about old technology. My wife still has a 1st generation 5 Gig iPod which works fine, though the capacity is a bit small. I've been using a 2nd generation 20 Gig iPod on the LT for years without any problems. Note that the current iPods use a Dock connector, which is what you need for the ice>Link and most current iPod accessories. As for your specific questions:

1. My 20 Gig iPod will play for almost two weeks without repeating a song. But if you want to take all your CDs with all the time, then go for the biggest you can afford. Assuming a 3-minute song, a 60 Gig iPod will play for a month without repeating. Note that audio books can take up a lot of space, but they're great for those LD rides through the middle of nowhere.

2. The PC is the easiest way to encode (rip) and organize your CDs. iTunes works very well and is easy to use, but plenty powerful enough (kinda like the Mac). They do have some limits to copying from an iPod to the PC (mostly so people don't dump their entire music collection onto a friend's computer), but these are easily bypassed if you need to. Also they put some copy protection on music bought from the iTunes store, but again this is easily bypassed. Music that you rip from your own CDs has no copy limits. I just transfer music using my home network and never have any trouble. There are also other programs that do the same job, depending on whether you use a PC or Mac. There are several products that can connect your PC-based music collection to your home stereo, including several wireless versions, so that's a fairly open question depending on your needs and budget.

3. I don't know much about MP5, but realize there will always be improvements and changes coming. That's just the nature of software. I use AAC, which is an Apple format that takes up less pace than MP3, but at a quality high enough for a portable player (and more than good enough for bike use). If the format is popular enough, then the major players will support it with firmware upgrades.

4. Like I said, I've been using older iPods for years without any trouble. I would like to upgrade, mostly for new features such as voice recording and picture capability and a larger disk size. The new video iPods are pretty cool, but I don't know how much I'd use that feature. Besides, when I travel I usually have my PowerBook, so I have picture and video capability already. Still, the prices aren't that bad new, and you can still find new photo iPods (not video) for a bit of a savings.

Oh, to be fair there are other MP3 and video players out there, some at a fair savings. But the iPods just work, without fail. It's kinda like BMW: if you don't mind the initial cost, you'll usually find that it's worth it in the long run.

Hope that helps some.

[RVB1019]

A 20G is more than big enogh for the average user. However, be prepared- downloading music is addictive! The Itunes store is very user friendly and their inventory is extensive. You will find that if your not careful, you will be downloading the entire body of work from your favorite artist. If you travel alot, you can even download video now of some of the more popular TV shows like "Lost". I would buy the biggest Ipod with the biggest capacity you can afford.

As for playing music in your house, the have speakers systems that work with the ipod. Ilife and Bose are the ones I saw the most this season. Pricey but nice.

For me, my wife has started to place limits on my spending habits. We have a son starting college this year and a sweet 16 that is starting to sound like a mini wedding to pay for. I found the cheapest way to play music in the home is to hook up my Ipod to my current stereo hook up. A cheap wire from Radio Shack into the Aux input on my stereo system sounds awesome! Put the ipod on shuffle and you have plenty of music.

Last few thoughts:
- if you get the ipod and Denison Ice Link set up, mount it in the top trunk or in the oddiments box. The heat build up cause the Ipod to lock up.
- The Nano is not for the accident prone. I've dropped my 20G several times and it is none the worse for the experience.
- Itunes makes it easy to rip music from your CD collection

Good luck!

[RaffyK]

Timely questions.

Patty gave me an iPOD with 60 gig and video capability. Now that I have two bikes with no radios etc. The iPOD will come in handy.

Will most probably do the Denison for the truck. Been to iTunes and yes it is addictive. So far I have downloaded a few artists' greatest hits. Have been uploading from my CD collection as well.

Maybe someone can tell me how to download to the iPOD without creating a Playlist folder for each CD I upload to iTunes.

[meese]

Just drag and drop, Raffy.

Are you using iTunes? If so, when the iPod is plugged in it will show up in the list on the left side. Select Library to view the music on your computer. Then just select a song, CD, or artist and drag that to the iPod icon on the left. It will transfer all the music that you selected without creating a separate playlist.

Oh, and the Dension ice>Link is designed to fool your radio into thinking the iPod is a CD changer (it translates the button commands to iPod commands). Since I'd guess neither your Duck or your R has a factory radio, then you don't need the Dension unit. Instead you need an intercom with an aux music input, or just plain helmet speakers.

[RaffyK]

Ken:

Thank you for the iPOD upload/download info.

On the Duc I will use the www.plugup.com ear speakers and connect it directly. On the R, I already installed a Baehr Verso XL unit and can direct connect to the Baehr and use my Baehr helmet with integrated headset or do it like the Duc with one of my other helmets.

[meese]

No problem. Sounds like you've got it all worked out.

[eatanner]

I appreciate the good advice. I'll be chewing on this for a while but sounds like I have the hard drive space for some initial ripping. I'll be looking around for post-holiday deals on IPods as that sounds like a pretty simple system for what I'm interested in.

[CWF]

I appreciate the good advice. I'll be chewing on this for a while but sounds like I have the hard drive space for some initial ripping. I'll be looking around for post-holiday deals on IPods as that sounds like a pretty simple system for what I'm interested in.

Let us know if you find any deals ...I'm looking to buy the 60GB Ipod Video. I'm kind of doubting we'll find anything significant but even a free power adapter would be nice.

[wcarter]

What I did was download the iTunes software from the Apple website (it's free), assuming you don't have iTunes already, it comes pre-loaded on some computers.

You don't need an iPod to use the software. You can "rip" your CDs onto your computer and try arranging playlists. You can also download podcasts. I used iTunes for a few months and got comfortable with it. When I finally got an iPod I was well along the Apple learning curve.

I few people seem to hate iTunes. If you do, then you might decide to go with another type of player (other than an Apple iPod) that does not rely on iTunes. You can probably import your iTunes library to the other format (I know iTunes offers that function) so you would not have lost anything.

I ended up with the iPod Nano (4 Gig). The small size lets it fit easily in my oddments box with my cell phone and other junk. The flash memory is supposedly better than the hard drive units (like the full size iPods) onboard a motorcycle. So far I've not had the lockup problem that some have reported while using the iceLink hookup.

Obviously I have less capacity than a full size iPod (up to 60 gigs!), but it's really easy to replace playlists on the computer so I don't worry about it. I have lots of podcasted radio shows in my library and those files are pretty big(the 4 gig Nano has an estimated capacity of 1000 songs, but that's based on a 4 minute song length).

Can't help you on MP5. The only MP-5 I've heard of is a German submachine gun; I don't know how many songs it holds!

[meese]

I've had a 5 Gig 1st generation and then a 20 gig 2nd generation iPod on my LT for 70K miles. It never locks up, or gives any trouble at all. The internal buffer in the iPod is good for about 20 minutes, so it's pretty much impossible to have it hang up due to the disk drive alone.

Note that this was before the ice>Link was available, so mine is hard wired to the original Apple remote and fed directly into my intercom.

I did originally try an Archos mp3 player, and had nothing but trouble with it. Firmware instability, disk freezes, and eventually the hard disk failed completely. It's still in pieces in a drawer somewhere. I changed to an iPod and didn't have any more trouble.

[messenger13]

Hopefully, I can add...or at least reiterate the important points of what you are about to 'dive into'.



Here are some of my questions.

1. How much storage will I need for the 400 or so CDs I've got? Two thirds are normal 35-45 minute multi-song recordings and the rest are classical with only two or three cuts on the disk.
The key to the answer here is two-fold. What file format (or type) you plan on using...and at what "bitrate" or resolution you import the music. MP3s aren't going anywhere for a LONG time to come, so I highly recommend going this route. If/When you download iTunes, you will need to change this setting under Edit, then Preferences, then Advanced tab, then the Importing tab. (I'm using a PC. This may differ slightly if you're on a MAC.) iTunes' default setting is "AAC". I highly recommend changing this setting. I also highly recommend importing at a 192 kbps bitrate. I find any less of a resolution sounds too grainy...or mp3-like. Yuk! 192kbps is "more than acceptable". (The lower the kbps, the higher the compression ratio. The higher the compression, more of the original music file is being taken away. Thus...grainy. Now that harddrive space isn't such a premium...there's no need to compress the files lower than 192kbps, IMO.)

So, if you import 400 CDs at 192kbps...you'll need approx. 25 to 30GB.


2. Is there stand-alone equipment that makes these tasks more user friendly for piping around the house or transfering to the portable units than a PC?
Coming from a non-APPLE guy, this should speak volumes. iTunes is simply the most user-friendly software on the planet. I am a control-freak, so I control my music libraries, files, harddrives, etc... But you can actually let iTunes do EVERYTHING for you, if you wanted. It is actually possible that you can setup iTunes in such a way that...as long as you are able to insert a CD in the computer, iTunes will import that CD onto your harddrive and into your music library. Then, if you're able to plug in the iPod into the computer, iTunes will then import those new songs from your updated library into your iPod. All without a single click of a mouse. I don't operate this way...but one could.



3. I'm hearing about MP-5 (?) as a new standard format. Is this just a software setting or does the equipment need to handle it specifically?No iPod currently supports it, so it's a moot point. If I had my way, I'd rip all my CDs using the "Ogg Vorbis" file format. But since iPods don't support this format, c'est la vie. All that to say...forget about it!



4. Finally, what am I overlooking if I'm trying to purchase equipment for the next several years of home and travel usage?Here's a little food for thought. A backup harddrive just for your MP3s. I actually have 2 80GB harddrives that I use JUST for my MP3s. There are a variety of ways one can accomplish this. I've just settled on a swappable tray in my server. You could go with external USB drives, or whatever. I am a huge fan of back-ups...the method is up to you.

Bored yet? http://www.r1-forum.com/gallery/images/wink.gif

[meese]

On the Mac you find this under under the iTunes menu, then Preferences, then Advanced tab, then the Importing tab. However, there are good reasons for using AAC files.

I converted all my .mp3 files to AAC (really mpeg-4 format, they even get tagged as .mp4) because they end up with 30% smaller file sizes but no noticeable loss in quality. AAC compressed audio at 96 Kbps generally exceeded the quality of MP3 compressed audio at 128 Kbps. And AAC compressed audio at 128 Kbps (stereo) has been judged by expert listeners to be “indistinguishable” from the original uncompressed audio source.

Even on my living room stereo they're fine, and on the bike you can't tell any difference. There are some devices that don't support AAC (like the iWay 500c GPS with mp3 capability), but since I only use iTunes and iPod that doesn't matter. Sure, .mp3 is more popular, but then so are Gold Wings. :D

And yes, a regular backup program is important for all your files. You could re-rip your CDs if a hard disk fails, but that gets pretty time consuming and would also lose any album art, playlists, files you downloaded, etc.

I added a second hard drive to store my music, then made this drive available on my home network so that any computer can access the files. I also have a separate network drive used just for system backups, so my music is always in three places (computer, network drive, iPod).

I'm currently looking at solutions to connect this drive directly to my home stereo so that I don't have to hook up the iPod to get to my music. There are tons of options out there, depending on your needs and budget.

It can get a bit involved, but once you get the basics set up you'll really appreciate having any song you want available anywhere, anytime. And I haven't even started on the video possibilities yet . . .

[CWF]

There are some devices that don't support AAC (like the iWay 500c GPS with mp3 capability), but since I only use iTunes and iPod that doesn't matter. Sure, .mp3 is more poplar, but then so are Gold Wings. :D
.


VHS was more popular than betamax even though beta was better...I agree that popularity is no measure of quality but your Goldwing analagy is flawed....as much as I hate to admit it....I am compatible with the Goldwing!!

It's my understanding that Ogg Vorbis is considered the best compression program out there at this point and a buddy of mine ripped his entire 40GB collection in it...I told him he'd be sorry and he sure was. His player died and by that time he decided to go Ipod and had to re-rip everything. He went mp3 this time.

My daughter wanted an Ipod until she found out that it wouldn't read her wma files so I gave her my Achos which reads mp3 and wma.

The commonality with all of these players is that they will play mp3. I want to listen rather than spend my time re-ripping if I decide to change brands. While some formats may compress a bit better than mp3, we need to rememberr that mp3 compresses an original CD track to about 1/10 its original size.......and with capacious hard drives (60GB) an extra bit of compression is not as valuable to me as universal compatibility.

[meese]

Oops, I meant popular, not poplar. Not that I was referring to a Wing as wooden or anything . . .

Actually, the 'Wings are fine bikes. They just don't quite fit my style. I feel the same way about Harleys and super-sports bikes, but thousands of loyal fans would disagree with me. That's why it's great to have so many choices.

But you and Joe are right. MP3 will be here for the long term, and the files sound just fine.

[CWF]

Oops, I meant popular, not poplar. Not that I was referring to a Wing as wooden or anything . . .



You'll never see me pointing out a typo!!!

I figure that these types of activities are for our personal pleasure....we're not being evaluated....are we? :)

[CWF]

Just FYI....I bought the 60Gb Ipod Video on the way home. Boy iTunes seems slow?

After I added a few GBs of music to my library it took it quite a few minutes to total the songs etc. And when I connect the iPod to my PC it takes a good minute or more for it to begin updating? Maybe Steve Jobs is pissed I'm using a Windows box?

[meese]

It comes from living with a writer/editor. We'll sit down at a restaurant, open the menu, and she'll immediately zero in on any typos. So I try to keep on top of things. :)

[LodiHal]

I just bought the 30 gig Ipod on the way home also. Itunes is importing my 20 gigs of mp3 files, taking awhile.... but should be fun!

[RVB1019]

Don't let the price scare you away. They haven't really changed in the last year or two (price fixing???). If you have any friends who are Teachers, they offer education discounts if you buy directly from Apple. I think the discount is somewhere between 20-25 bucks. The really cool thing is that Apple will laser engrave it for you. Verrryy Coool!!!

The also offer refurbished Ipods from time to time. I don't know the link but if you search around on their site, you'll find it.

Good luck and enjoy!

[meese]

Apple products rarely vary in price more than a few dollars no matter where you buy them. Yes they control it, but they also provide seamless hardware, software, and application integration, as well as paving the way for simple, legal music and video downloads (and soon movies if you believe the rumors).

You can occasionally find extras and rebates from authorized Apple resellers, like a free printer thrown in when you buy a computer, or free memory upgrades. And Apple occasionally sells refurbished items at decent discounts. You can find those through Apple's online store, but I prefer to look at http://apple-discounts.com/ instead. This web site makes it much easier to scroll through and see what Apple is currently offering.

[eatanner]

This continues to be a good thread for me. The exchange about formats is exactly what I was hoping to discover. Ken, I appreciate the detail about your home setup and the redundancy you've got going to protect yourself.

[LodiHal]

Me too, as a new iPod owner this thread has been very helpful!

[meese]

Didn't you hear, Hal? The iPod doesn't work on Harleys. :( But I hear they may be coming out with a full-chrome version. Bar and Shield logo extra, of course. :D

[messenger13]

But I hear they may be coming out with a full-chrome version. Bar and Shield logo extra, of course. :DI was playing with the new H-D version the other day. When I handed it back to the clerk, there was oil all over my hands! Darndest thing! :D

[LodiHal]

Here's a HD chuckle for you both... You can't have both electronic cruise control AND the HD mini-iPod device. One or the other......

I picked the cruise control... You know. LT spoiled...

And Joe, what were you doing in an HD shop? Chrome urge? :eek:

[messenger13]

Southeast H-D of Cleveland, Ohio has the BEST Black Angus all-beef hamburgers that money can buy! Delicious! I eat there 2 or 3 times a year...whether I need to or not. :)

[CWF]

Southeast H-D of Cleveland, Ohio has the BEST Black Angus all-beef hamburgers that money can buy! Delicious! I eat there 2 or 3 times a year...whether I need to or not. :)


I'm sorta scared to ask why they feel the need to specify that their hamburgers are "all-beef"?

[vstromboli]

As far as listening to your ripped music on your home stereo system, I have the Creative Wireless Music system which reads the MP3s on my computer hard drive and transmits the data wirelessly to a receiver next to my amp. The receiver plugs into the amp inputs. The nice thing about this system is that the remote control has a screen that allows you to search for the music you want to hear. This system works pretty well for me. I've also discovered recently that my TiVo box will do essentially the same thing, the differences being that you use the TiVo remote and the TV screen to select your music and the sound comes through whatever you have when you hear your TV. Fortunately for me, my TV and music are integrated and comes from the same amp/theater system source. NB: The TiVo system will not play the songs in the album in the way they were recorded but rather alphabetically by song title. This could be a deal breaker for a lot of people but if you have TiVo already and that doesn't matter to you much, it's a nice feature and doesn't cost you any extra.

Logitech also has just released a system where you attach a device to your iPod itself and use it as the remote control to select the music you want to play. Your iPod "talks" to a small device that's plugged into you stereo's inputs and transmits the music data directly to the device.

When we go camping in our RV, we use the Bose SoundDock and just place the iPod in the cradle. No more lugging CDs all over the place. Very nice system.

I agree with Joe that iTunes is the most intuitive music program out there right now but I also don't let it take full control since I double use the dedicated music hard drive for the Creative system as well as the iPod/iTunes.

Hope this helps.

[airborneod]

My I-Pod has become my main source of music, I use it in my car, truck and each reciever in my home and garage. I have a Mini to RCA plug on each unit and simply plug it into the headset jack. The only exception is the LT where I use the Ice-Link...I love my I-Pod

[messenger13]

Since we're reveiling it all...I just have to mention one of my favorite iPod accessories. The iJet, by ABT (http://www.abtech2.com/iJet.php). A leeetle Rf remote that works really well. I set my iPod in it's cradle by my home system, and I can be on the rear deck and change tunes from there...or adjust volume, etc... Very handy! The wife and I also use it on the beach. Just clip it to the beach chair, and keep the iPod zipped up in the beach bag's side pocket so the iPod doesn't get scratched, or sandy, or get sunscreen gooped all over it. Finally, I've actually used it in conjuction with the Dension ice>Link. It's the only way I know of pausing your iPod when it's hooked into the ice>Link without turning the LT's radio off. A very handy feature when you get a cell call...or when you want to go into the ice>link's setup menu (CD6), and you don't want to be distracted with the music playing. I keep the remote in my Chicane tankbag. Handy, visible, and waterproof.

Oh...almost forgot. I bought my first one at Radio Shack. My second one on eBay. Don't ask what happened to my first one! http://www.bigbikeworld.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif http://www.bigbikeworld.com/forum/smileys/smiley19.gif

[BigJohn]

I just got a 30GB IPOD for xmas and am in the process of ripping my CDs to it. A buddy turned me on to www.limewire.com. You can use the basic version for free and I have downloaded in excess of 300 songs and not paid a dime. I used the Ipod for the first time on the LT today and it worked ok. I have a 2002 LT with the BMW COMM system installed and pluged it into the AUX input. I have feared for sometime that a hard drive based MP3 player will not work on a bike because of our great Mississippi Roads. I had a cheap player before and it would begin skipping just a few miles down the road. All my buddies say the IPOD won't Well for the most part of the trip today I kept it in the map pocket of my tankbag and it worked find. Only problem is adjusting the volume can be tricky. I have ordered a inline volume control to remedy that. Now with just a few miles left until home I put the IPOD in the oddiments box and after a few minutes the IPOD locked up and had to be reset. I had plans to mount the IPOD on a accesory shelf put need to test more to convince myself it is not going to skip or lock up again. What do you guys think? keep using it in the map pouch or hardwire power and sound and mount to shelf? Thanks in advance

[BigJohn]

1) In I-Tunes any MPEG I try to convert results in a Error Message. How do I convery my MPEGS in the latest I-Tunes version

2) My Dumb ass has not backed up my music files because of my slow small computer. Once I get all my music on the I-POD is there anyway to transfer them to another hard drive. i.e. an external backup drive?

3) Where do I find a RAM mount for the 30GB IPOD?

[bowlesj]

2) My Dumb ass has not backed up my music files because of my slow small computer. Once I get all my music on the I-POD is there anyway to transfer them to another hard drive. i.e. an external backup drive?


Try Sharepod, free from this site.

http://www.sturm.net.nz/website.php?Section=iPod+Programs&Page=SharePod

Only thing I know of that will let you transfer music to another hardrive without using the itunes sync function. I've used it. The .exe actually resides on the Ipod's hardrive and you run it from there while connected to your PC through Windows Explorer or My Computer. Of course the Ipod has to be set to manual file mode.

[messenger13]

I just got a 30GB IPOD for xmas and am in the process of ripping my CDs to it. A buddy turned me on to www.limewire.com (http://www.limewire.com/). You can use the basic version for free and I have downloaded in excess of 300 songs and not paid a dime.Just know that it's illegal and if you get caught...you will have to pay a fine. You have been warned.



Now with just a few miles left until home I put the IPOD in the oddiments box and after a few minutes the IPOD locked up and had to be reset. I had plans to mount the IPOD on a accesory shelf put need to test more to convince myself it is not going to skip or lock up again. What do you guys think?I am convinced that three factors cause iPod lock-ups.

Heat
Vibration
The ice>Link: Plus itself (No matter what settings and/or parameters you change.)
If your iPod was just resting on the bottom of the oddments box, you may want to fold a small towel and put it underneath...or perhaps a small square soft sponge. Anything to absorb vibration. If the lock-ups continue..you may be dealing with a heat issue. You may need to move the iPod into a tankbag...or look into other types of Spider or RAM mounting systems that will allow more airflow to your iPod.



1) In I-Tunes any MPEG I try to convert results in a Error Message. How do I convert my MPEGS in the latest I-Tunes version?1) In I-Tunes any MPEG I try to convert results in a Error Message. How do I convery my MPEGS in the latest I-Tunes version

2) My Dumb a$$ has not backed up my music files because of my slow small computer. Once I get all my music on the I-POD is there anyway to transfer them to another hard drive. i.e. an external backup drive?

3) Where do I find a RAM mount for the 30GB IPOD?1) By "MPEG", do you mean .mp3? Personally (and this IS subjective), I think you should've stayed with the .mp3 file format if you didn't. mp3s are more cross-platform...and that is always best. FWIW, my iTunes has no issues with converting any file TO .mp3s (192kbps).

2) I use a freeware program called PodPlayer. It allows you to pull songs FROM your iPod and send them to your backup drive(s). I have a 60GB iPod, so I have backed up my entire .mp3 collection to my server downstairs with a dedicated harddrive through my network...but I also have two external USB harddrives for my entire collection. So...all my of music resides on my iPod and THREE harddrives. Overkill? Yes.

3) Call Cycle Gadgets (http://www.cyclegadgets.com/contact.asp).

[meese]

My iPod has sat in the oddments box for 70K miles without any problems. I just leave it in the original black case that came with the iPod to minimize scratches.