[100mph]

Hey I guess seeing as I probably started all this with the usb hdd's I'll confirm again that since August I've been running the WD 160GB Passport without problems.

BUT!!! Apparently my car is one of the few exception that this drive will work with.

[cipher5]

Originally Posted by rugbyguy

Definitely not the largest drive out there, but if you can get away with 40GB, Staples has an IOmagic drive (model #IUSB40HD25TG) for $29.99 on sale right now with free shipping.
It seems to cover 2 of the more important criteria which most have been successful with, bus powered & 4200 rpms.
Just thought I would throw it out there.
I'm giving it a shot and will report back.

So did it work?

[dmichael]

Originally Posted by cipher5

So did it work?

+1

40gb will do it for me too

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by 100mph

Hey I guess seeing as I probably started all this with the usb hdd's I'll confirm again that since August I've been running the WD 160GB Passport without problems.

BUT!!! Apparently my car is one of the few exception that this drive will work with.

I'm getting my car today (finally!!!). I'll try this out tomorrow or the day after as I need at least 110GB. It's easy to try/return locally this particular drive.

[fucema]

Originally Posted by PeterM1

I'm getting my car today (finally!!!). I'll try this out tomorrow or the day after as I need at least 110GB. It's easy to try/return locally this particular drive.

I have tried that drive and it did not work for me. I believe a few others reported the same - did not work for them. YMMV

I received a 120gb Iomega drive last night, and tested it today. It worked fine. It is definitely the 4200RPM version, as I ordered it through Newegg.com:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822186019

So far, the hitachi drive (5400 rpm) and this iomega drive (4200rpm) works for me.

[mid-corner fun]

I received a 120gb Iomega drive last night, and tested it today. It worked fine. It is definitely the 4200RPM version, as I ordered it through Newegg.com:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822186019

So far, the hitachi drive (5400 rpm) and this iomega drive (4200rpm) works for me.

thanks, there's also 1 report of that drive working hence why I want to give it a try. It's sold at Costco so it's an easy no-questions asked return.

Just want to confirm, you're powering both of these via USB only, right? Also, do they fit in the ipod pouch? thx

[mid-corner fun]

update:

Tried the SimpleTech 160GB 5400rpm drive, it does not work with USB power. It just clicks for a while. I don't intent to test it with a dual-cable.

Will see if I can find something else locally, otherwise I'll probably go for the Iomega from newegg.

[M4]

Don't mean to hijack this thread to much. I bought a 16 GB flash at $120+ on line. I rear rumors that 32 GB is coming.

I rip songs down to 128 variable bit rate WMA.

All works smooth and sounds good to my older ears when the car is running. Point is that one can gain some drive space by setting the compresion format to that which is practical for the BMW's listening environment.

Your thoughts and preferneces on music format?

[fucema]

Originally Posted by PeterM1

thanks, there's also 1 report of that drive working hence why I want to give it a try. It's sold at Costco so it's an easy no-questions asked return.

Just want to confirm, you're powering both of these via USB only, right? Also, do they fit in the ipod pouch? thx

Yes, both the Hitachi 200GB and the Iomega 120GB, are powered via USB without supplemental power.

Only the Iomega will fit in the ipod pouch (width is perfect, length of the drive is a bit long however).

Another thing about cables -- the Iomega drive had difficulty starting up once when I used a long cable. I am using 2 cables now that are much shorter - 5" and maybe 6" - and I have not encountered any startup clicking errors with either drive.

[fucema]

Originally Posted by M4

Don't mean to hijack this thread to much. I bought a 16 GB flash at $120+ on line. I rear rumors that 32 GB is coming.

I rip songs down to 128 variable bit rate WMA.

All works smooth and sounds good to my older ears when the car is running. Point is that one can gain some drive space by setting the compresion format to that which is practical for the BMW's listening environment.

Your thoughts and preferneces on music format?

I personally can hear the sonic difference between a 128kb+ encoded mp3 and a 256kbs+ encoded mp3. Plus, you lose some bottom end and highs - I feel like the song sounds much "thinner" with the lower encoding.

I use EAC and rip with LAME using -V0 --vbr-new, or -V1 --vbr-new.

[M4]

I think I read MP3 variable has to be above 200KB average for generally acceptable quality. Claim also is 128 KB WMA variable average is fairly equivalent to higher MP3. As I said I have some measurable hearing loss so the nuisances are lost on me.

When I use EAC for MP3 I see encoding of some 256 or higher stuff, but also some 40 and 64 bit stuff.

[fucema]

Originally Posted by M4

I think I read MP3 variable has to be above 200KB average for generally acceptable quality. Claim also is 128 KB WMA variable average is fairly equivalent to higher MP3. As I said I have some measurable hearing loss so the nuisances are lost on me.

When I use EAC for MP3 I see encoding of some 256 or higher stuff, but also some 40 and 64 bit stuff.

My last off-topic post here

Technically, EAC is just a GUI front-end to multiple codecs. Most likely you are referring to the LAME encoder however, as it ships with default settings in EAC.

I use LAME exclusively as I prefer its speed/quality of compression. There are of course lots of sites on the web that can be googled for optimum settings depending on usage/listening environment.

With V1 and V2, my mp3s average above 200kbs easily on almost every song.

[cipher5]

For anyone that needs only 8GB, this flash drive is $32 for a limited time, free shipping too.

http://www.supermediastore.com/adata...T.mc_id=cjtext

[gerrydirish]

Hey all,

I have a Sandisk Cruzer 4 gb thumbdrive filled to the brim with MP3s.

Plugged it in and started reading right away. Works great, now I just need one about 20gb for my entire collection lol

I never checked or changed the format of the drive, just used Windows Explorer to create folders,etc and was good to go. Entire directory displays on radio display (I don't have idrive) and can scroll easily.

Still 4gb is plenty of music compared to the number of cds you would need to carry around to equal this.....

I want to try this drive with WMA, but just got the car yesterday and haven't played too much with the radio yet......

A required option IMO even if you don't use it now...........

Merry Xmas!

[LjubomirE90]

Why would you use HD when now you can get Ipod with 160Gb of space, price difference maybe?

[rugbyguy]

Originally Posted by dmichael

+1

40gb will do it for me too

Sorry boys, after adding up my storage requirements again, 40gb wasn't going to cut it so I decided to look for something with at least 80.
This thread has been extremely helpfull and I'll certainly share my findings once I purchase.

[dmichael]

With a harddrive or flash drive, the 6FL option is purely digital since it only connects to the USB port in the car. With an Ipod, the connection is analog and does not sound nearly as good as a purely digital source. I like Flashdrives the best since it doesn't matter weather or not the car is recharging the device. Its simply a storage device and it sounds great, unfortunately flash drives are still fairly expensive and most people need 16-32gb. Harddrives are ok too, but probably won't last too long bouncing vibrating away down the highways.

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by LjubomirE90

Why would you use HD when now you can get Ipod with 160Gb of space, price difference maybe?

Too many gadgets to carry in my case. A while ago I decided I'll be carrying a single device with me for phone/business & personal email/web/music, for now that's a blackberry 8300 and it's not bad at all.

Having a permanent device in the car with the entire music collection is ideal IMO and from a cost perspective an HD is the best option at the moment.

[cipher5]

I don't have an insane music collection, just got an ipod touch 16gb for christmas, guess I won't need the HD afterall

[fucema]

Originally Posted by LjubomirE90

Why would you use HD when now you can get Ipod with 160Gb of space, price difference maybe?

All digital playback via USB connection.

Also, harddrives are commodities. I am pretty certain it will last quite a long time as a portable music storage device in the car. You guys will be the first to know when it dies. It should be several years I hope before that ever happens.

[cipher5]

^ werd, buffers on HDDs are pretty big these days, and just keep a backup of your music and you'll be good.

[nano]

I found Buffalo MiniStation Turbo 160 Gt, USB 2.0 (HD-PS160U2) cheap. It's samekind like the 300gt version but smaller. I think it should work because it uses same amount of power like mentioned earlier.