Ipod 101
 

I have my first Ipod being delivered in a couple of days. Anyone care to help a newbie catch up quickly?
I ordered the new 80g.

1. What is the best way to hook up audio cables? 1/8" Y adapter into RCA's out of the headphone jack or the line level dock adapter into the 1/8"/RCA? Same question for video.

2. What do you think about the Apple AV kit which has cables, dock, etc.?

3. Anyone care to spell out the steps/software needed to transfer my 'backed-up' DVD's onto the Ipod?

Thanks

Re: Ipod 101
 

I can only answer #1. Depends on where you're listening. In the car, the headphone jack will produce acceptable quality. But if you plug into a higher-end audio system, you'll probably want the dock connector adapter.

For the other answers, you'll find a lot of good info here, but Apple has an iPod support forum which deals with just about every question.

http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=157

2. I bought a Maxell AV cable for $10. With this I get photos or video on my LCD and the quality look very good and the sound through my stereo. This is really exactly what the AV kit does. I dont have a remote or dock, but its a lot cheaper. I am trying out the cable but really want this ; http://www.dlodirect.com/index.tpl . I think the DLO unit is better than the apple AV kit because you can use the ipod menu on your screen.

For the car i have a Monster Icarplay. this is by far the biggest dissapointment with my Ipod. I have since "upgraded" to a $69 Sony head unit with a aux jack in the front. This gives me CD quality sound and is much much better than the FM modulator.

Yes, I would suggest any hardwired option for the car. I have a PIE adapter, but it arbitrarily creates 6 99-song "disks" and no information about the songs display in the head unit. It was the best option a year and a half ago incorporating a factory head unit.

Many aftermarket head units have a 3.5mm stereo in for MP3 players and that option allows you to use the iPod's song navigation and playlists -- which are the key advantages to the Apple product.

Anyone have any tips on freeware that lets me load the ipod folders to PC. I have tried a few programs but the trial versions are relatively useless.

I use PodUtil Works well, and is free. You just have to click on a window every few mintues during the transfeer for the free version.

I'm selling my three month old 30G iPod Video if anyone is interested....great deal for a Pelican!