Hey, What's This?
This ebook looks a bit different from the Take Control series, but it has all the features you expect from our ebooks. It was written by our friends at Macworld (some of whom also write for Take Control).
Learn everything you need to know about the iPod and iTunes from the experts at Macworld!
Whether it involves converting video to play on the iPod, managing a classical music collection in iTunes 7, or choosing the best iPod accessories, Macworld's experts offer the advice you need in the second edition of Macworld iPod and iTunes Superguide.
More Info
Contents & Intro
FAQ
This ebook answers questions such as:
How can I convert my old tapes and LPs to MP3?
Which file formats and encoding settings are best?
What can I do to extend my iPod's battery life?
How do I manage syncing multiple iPods to multiple Macs?
What are the best headphones and speakers for my iPod?
We encourage you to download the free 18-page sample to see what it looks like, since it's rather different from our Take Control design. If you prefer reading on paper, consider ordering Macworld's $24.99 print version, which has higher-resolution images than are feasible in an ebook.
The Macworld iPod and iTunes Superguide was written by Christopher Breen, Dan Frakes, Jim Heid, Mathew Honan, Kirk McElhearn, Philip Michaels, Jonathan Seff, Kelly Turner, and Matt Vance.
I was there five years ago when Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPod. The assembled members of the press were divided into two camps: one group didn't know quite what to make of Apple entering the esoteric world of digital music players, a field with questionable prospects and no dominant products. The other group of us had already grasped what digital music was all about. In fact, we had already begun converting our CD collections into MP3 files.
For the geeky among us, the iPod was a great way to free our digital music from the tyranny of the computer speaker. For the rest of the world, the iPod created a reason to go digital: the appeal of a thousand songs in your pocket was just too good to pass up.
Today, the iPod is no longer a geeky product—it's as mainstream as CD players were back in the pre-iPod days. But the iPod is still a high-tech device, and that's both good and bad. Good because its connection to a computer makes it much more intelligent and useful. Bad because the act of attaching any device to a computer complicates matters quite a bit.
That's why Macworld writes about iTunes and the iPod on a regular basis—to provide tips, tricks, and advice that let you get the most out of your iPod and your digital music library without frustration. And that's why we've created this book—to collect everything we've learned about the iPod and iTunes in the past few years, make sure it's up-to-date, and provide it to you in one easy package.
In this second edition, we've updated the book not only to include details of Apple's major iTunes 7 upgrade, but to include information and help for the other half of the iPod world: people who don't use Macs, but instead use PCs running Windows. Now our book is like your iPod: it works great, no matter if you're a Mac user, a PC user, or someone who moves between those worlds.
Whether you're converting your old records and tapes into MP3s, moving DVDs onto a video iPod, or just creating awesome iTunes playlists, the team of iPod specialists who assembled this book can provide you with all sorts of expert advice to make your iPod and iTunes experiences that much better. And you can continue to follow the latest iPod and iTunes trends by visiting our web site, playlistmag.com.
The iPod and iTunes have come a long way since the day Steve Jobs first pulled that first iPod out of the pocket of his blue jeans. But what was true on that day is still true today: the iPod is all about using the power of digital technology to give us more control over our lives. I would never, ever go back to my pre-iPod life. Would you?
—Jason Snell, Editorial Director, Macworld
San Francisco, October 2006
Table of Contents
Getting Music into iTunes
Ripping CDs the Smart Way
When building a digital music library, you need to find the right balance between sound quality, file size, and device compatibility. We break down the differences between file formats to help you find the best match.
Importing Music from Tapes and LPs
Got a stash of cassettes and records from the days before compact discs? They won't last forever. You can add these gems to your new digital music library. We'll show you how.
Filling In the Blanks
Although it requires extra work on your part, having accurate song information for your tunes is key in creating a useful music library. Learn how to fill in missing track information and add useful extras such as album art.
Mastering the iTunes Store
Looking for something new? The iTunes Store lets you download the latest hits from your favorite artists—one song at a time or by the album. Learn how to quickly navigate the store's massive collection and take advantage of special features, such as allowances and recommendations.
Managing Your Music
Navigating Your Music Library
iTunes now offers three ways of viewing your music and video collections: List view, Album view, and Cover Flow view. Learn how to take advantage of each view and pick up tips for quickly sorting your collection.
Organizing a Large Library with Playlists
As your music library starts to swell, smart playlists will help you discover new ways of organizing and listening to your favorite songs. Once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless.
Taming Your Classical Collection
Classical music presents some unique challenges, including inconsistent tags, annoying breaks, and complicated metadata. Our smart strategies will help you restore order.
Working with Podcasts
From political commentary to travel guides, the Internet is buzzing with interesting new podcasts from amateurs and professionals alike—and with just a few clicks, you can have any or all of them delivered right to iTunes.
Working with Video
Downloading Video from iTunes
iTunes is no longer just for music lovers. You can also use it to download and watch movies, TV shows, and other video files. If you have a video iPod, you can even take your movies on the road with you. We'll show you what you can—and can't—do with downloaded video, and help you better manage these space-hogging files.
Converting Video from Your DVDs
Want to convert the video from your DVDs for playback on your video iPod? With the right software, and an understanding of video formats, you can.
Converting Other Video Files
DVD movies aren't the only type of video you can place on your iPod. Thanks to a few ingenious applications, it's easy to convert almost any video files on your Mac or PC— including home movies.
Making the iPod Connection
Syncing Music to Your iPod
If your entire music library doesn't fit onto your iPod, our syncing strategies will help you be more selective about what you take with you.
Using Your iPod as a Photo Viewer
If you have an iPod with a color screen, you can store and show off hundreds of your favorite photos, all with a spin of the dial.
Keeping Track of Calendars, Contacts, and Notes
Hidden within your iPod's Extras menu are handy tools for keeping track of contacts, calendar events, to-do lists, and notes.
Extending Your Battery's Life
Don't let your iPod run out of juice halfway through your next flight. Learn how to keep your iPod pumping out tunes all the way to your destination—and beyond.
Managing Multiple iPods and Computers
Does your household have multiple iPods that sync to the same computer? Or do you need to access your iPod from two different computers? These tips and tricks will help you navigate the sometimes complicated terrain of multiple connections.
Troubleshooting iTunes
Taming iTunes
Plagued by missing songs, duplicate entries, unplayable downloads, and other iTunes glitches? These solutions will be music to your ears.
Backing Up Your iTunes Library
Don't let all of your hard work disappear with a single stroke of bad luck! Take steps now to protect your iTunes library from hard-drive failures and other disasters.
Soothing a Troubled iPod
When you find yourself staring at a blank screen or one of the iPod's mysterious help icons, these troubleshooting steps should help you locate the problem and put things right.
Finding the Best Accessories
iPod Cases
Shield your iPod from bumps and bruises by putting it in a protective case.
Headphones
If you're still using the earbuds that came with your iPod, you may not be enjoying your music to its full sonic potential. A new set of headphones can make a world of difference.
Car Accessories
With the right hardware, you can listen to your favorite iPod playlists and albums from the stereo system in your car.
Speakers
Whether you're lounging around the house or hosting a picnic, a good set of speakers will let you share your music with others. We'll help you find the system that fits your setup.
AppleScripts for iTunes
Mac users can take advantage of these clever scripts to save time and solve common annoyances in iTunes.
Ask a Question
Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this book!
