HiltonHead

Other than ripping CD's to the ML hard drive, can songs be transfered from say a laptop using a USB connection?

DKNY

thanks for the feedback everyone, helped with my decision. I called my sales woman today and told her I want the ML system for sure. So looks like Jan it is, 2 months is not bad I guess.

XeroK00L

The LS's cabin and suspensions themselves are likely enough protection to the HDD.

Ex-Lexic

I experimented with the ML system more, and with CDs instead of radio stations. It is MUCH better. Very good now. The above posters were right--turn off surround sound and don't make decisions on AM, FM, or SAT stations. The CDs sound excellent!

XeroK00L

The ML has extremely high resolution and fidelity to the audio source, so if your choice of audio source has any flaws you WILL hear them and be disappointed (because you likely never noticed those flaws in other systems). I'm glad to hear the ML managed to change your opinions after it was fed with a better audio source.

Ex-Lexic

I have a pod, not an Ipod (from Apple), but a pod nevertheless. I see what kind of plug the AUX takes, the one in the console storage, but my pod doesn't have a wire with that kind of plug. It has one, but it connects to the pod, and the wire goes to earphones. I assume I can get a wire in Radio Shack (shudder), with a male connection at each end to connect the pod to the AUX? Any other solutions? What kind of pods or music storage devices do you guys use to give you good music quality results using the AUX?

JessePS

One thing does the internal HDD play Apple Lossless or WAV or only MP3?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

You don't get to transfer files to the HDD so that's irrelevant. You can rip CDs in 128kbps or 256kbps format. I wish there was more flexibility.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Yes, radio, even satelite radio, STINKS in comparison to a CD (or DVD) audio.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Yes, all you can do is that kind of cable you mentioned (mini stereo plug both ends). Headphone out isn't that great a signal, but it should still sound pretty good if the files on your 'pod' are of decent quality.

dfiorito

I also disabled the surround sound feature on the HDD and radio and it sounds much better. The sound seems complete. It all seems to come together.

I will experiment with CD/DVD-A and DVD-V this weekend.

My wife is always screaming at me for touching the buttons while we are driving. It is so distracting. I can't seem to keep my hands off all the controls.

She is pissed because it used to be her that my hands were all over. Now it is my new baby.............

mistermet

When you load a CD onto the HDD does it create an ID tag for each file with song title, artist, etc. which then is displayed during playback from the HDD?

EKM

Not until the AWD option comes out

spwolf

isnt satellite radio like less than 128kbs quality? 256kbs should be fine, depending on codec they use.

hendjaz

Yes, provided the CD has the data information it will be copied and displayed on the screen by the HDD. I've been recording at 256kbs and found the sound quality to be excellent and certainly better than XM although I find the XM quality to be fine. As others have said CDs and DVD-A come across best but the HDD works and sounds great.

I generally listen to XM when open to the sky but as I am about to enter a parking garage, long tunnel or other obstructed area I use the voice recognition by saying "hard drive" and it immediately switches to the last album/song I had been listening to in the HDD. Recording and playback, as well as working with the album content once saved, is all very, very straightforward.

I wonder how BMW (I-drive) would have done this? Less than simple I am sure. I love to drive BMWs (and some are still ok to look at) but I probably won't buy another one until they can get their user interface more driver friendly. (Sorry, off topic).