[bcsco]

I bought an IPod. I hardly ever use it and it was a dumb purchase for me. The only time I use it is when I'm mowing the lawn.

Beyond that, there's problems with the Apple IPod that perhaps Microsoft can circumvent: The Apple music file format is not compatible with PC CD burning. The songs can be burned to a CD, but the disc isn't playable on a car or home system. When the disc is inserted the display shows the total time but only one track. Nothing plays.

To get around this, one has to purchase software that converts the ITunes file to a WMA or mp3 format that is compatible with disc burning. That, of course, costs the user extra cash.

Microsoft's entry will probably get around this but at what expense? There are already other units available that play mp3 file formats. Creative and RCA both come to mind as makers. The RCA Lyra units are pretty inexpensive comparatively, although they don't have nearly the storage capacity.

This is something anyone should know before spending a lot of cash on an Apple Ipod.

[MichiganConservative]

I got an iPod free. I intend to sell it unused to the highest bidder.

[6SJ7]

The songs can be burned to a CD, but the disc isn't playable on a car or home system.

I've seen this problem of not being able to play a burned CD on certain car or home CD players. It can happen if the car or home player is an older model. I've also experienced this happening if I use particular brands of burnable CD's. Some work better than others, strangely enough. personally, I've had good luck with the Verbatim brand.

[Ditter]

I am not very technical so imagine my disappointment when my grandson showed me his ipod and I learned it is just another way to listen to music. Music??? That's it!!! I though with all the hype that it surely did more than that. Like maybe it laid out your clothes in the morning or cleaned the kitchen or walked the dog.

Now a Blackberry, that has to be hot stuff. Imagine the possibilities!

[Spktyr]

Um, no.

You can burn a standard audio CD with iTunes, which is the **default**. You can also burn a standard MP3 CD or a Data CD (which usually produces an AAC CD). Sounds like someone set yours to Data CD mode.

How to fix it:
Since you probably have a PC, here's your instructions.
Go to the Edit Menu.
Select Preferences.
Click on the Advanced tab in the window that appears.
Click on the Burning tab there.
Click on "Audio CD".
Click on OK.

You're done! You can also select MP3 CD if you wish to make one of those. And yes, this is in the iTunes documentation.

I've been burning CDs (both standard audio and MP3) from iTunes for years and using them in my cars.

[hanamizu]

iTunes comes with the ability to convert music to mp3--look at the 'advanced' menu. Same for burning a CD. Make your selection, hit the 'burn disc' button and it's done. Mine play fine on the car's CD player (but why play CDs in the car when you can play your iPod?

[Richard Kimball]

The Apple music file format is not compatible with PC CD burning. The songs can be burned to a CD, but the disc isn't playable on a car or home system.

This is something anyone should know before spending a lot of cash on an Apple Ipod.

What they should know is that you can't operate a software package. iTunes will burn CDs in the standard CD format. You just select the type of format you want to burn. The only thing it won't export to is the Windows Media format, and that's because MS made it proprietary. You don't have to purchase any additional software. Just go to Preferences-Advanced-Burning select the type of CD output you want (you have the choice of CD, MP3 or data), put the CD in and burn.

[HAL9000]

The Apple music file format is not compatible with PC CD burning. The songs can be burned to a CD, but the disc isn't playable on a car or home system.

Kimball is correct. iTunes burns standard Red Book audio discs that play in car and home CD player systems.

Some of the older home and car CD players have trouble playing burned CDs - regardless of the software used to create the disc.