Got my first iPod - Need some tips please

[nheather]

Just got a new Nano 3G and after wrestling with the rather unhelpful "The Person Record Needs Harvesting" error message I now have it set up with iTunes.

Before I start loading music I'd appreciate some advice

(i) Recording format. The default is 128Kbps AAC, but I notice that there are other sampling rates and recording mechanisms. Should I just stick with the default or is it worth goinf for one of the alternatives.

(ii) Syncing. I want to be able to choose which albums to sync to my iPod rather than let iTunes do its own thing. I have syncing set to 'Manual' but I can't see how to select an albulm for syncing. As far as I can see, I can select automatic or by playlists or groupings (such as 90s music).

(iii) I have some MP3 albums already. How can I bring these into iTunes. Do I just copy the files at folder level using windows or do I have to do it through iTunes?

(iv) I have some audiobooks in MP3 format. Much the same question as (iii) but wondering if there is anything different in the way Audiobooks work. I notice that the iPod has a menu selection for AudioBooks but couldn't see any special mention of them in iTunes. I assume that they need to go into a different folder structure.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Cheers,

Nigel

[SeedyR]

(i) Recording format. The default is 128Kbps AAC, but I notice that there are other sampling rates and recording mechanisms. Should I just stick with the default or is it worth goinf for one of the alternatives.

I'd listen to the quality and see what you think. Personally I'd have it higher. Might also be worth noting that AAC really only plays on iPods, so if you ever want to put the music on something else then you may run into problems. If that is something you want to avoid, I'd rip all your music in MP3 format.

(ii) Syncing. I want to be able to choose which albums to sync to my iPod rather than let iTunes do its own thing. I have syncing set to 'Manual' but I can't see how to select an albulm for syncing. As far as I can see, I can select automatic or by playlists or groupings (such as 90s music).

You've done the right thing by setting it to manual if want to let it sync what you want. Now to get music onto, you simply drag and drop. So if you have a whole album you want to move onto your iPod simply click the top song, then hold shift and click the bottom song to highlight all those songs. Then simply drag these onto you iPod at the side of iTunes.

(iii) I have some MP3 albums already. How can I bring these into iTunes. Do I just copy the files at folder level using windows or do I have to do it through iTunes?

You have to do it through iTunes. Just open up iTunes, go to "File" then go to "add to library". Then just choose the various locations your MP3s are on your computer and they should be added to your iTunes.

(iv) I have some audiobooks in MP3 format. Much the same question as (iii) but wondering if there is anything different in the way Audiobooks work. I notice that the iPod has a menu selection for AudioBooks but couldn't see any special mention of them in iTunes. I assume that they need to go into a different folder structure.

I don't have any audio books, but as far as I'm aware if all tagged correctly in iTunes (right click on the track and select "get info" to change the tag) then when dragged onto the iPod it will automatically put it in the correct place.

Make sure you do an update on your iPod, they've already improved it. The update can be done through iTunes. If you need any more help, then just give us a shout.

Craig

[nheather]

Thanks for the help - just what I was after.

Cheers,

Nigel

[amcluesent]

>iv) I have some audiobooks in MP3 format. Much the same question as (iii) but wondering if there is anything different in the way Audiobooks work<

'proper' Audiobooks from audible.com etc. have a .m4b extension which iTunes recognises.

For mp3 audiobooks, it's OK to set genre to Audiobook and set 'Remember playback position'. In ITunes, select the tracks, CTRL-I (on Windows) then goto the Info and Options tabs.