Best mp3 player for Prius?

The stock CD player can play mp3 files. Just burn them into a CD.

 

Assuming you are planning to use the USB interface, I recommend getting a compatible iPod. If the unit will be left in the car for long periods of time, then one of the flash-based units will survive better. Otherwise, the hard drive based units have huge capacity. If this unit will only be used in the car (not for carrying around with you for general use), then looked for a used unit in any cosmetic condition. Sites like Craig's List often have sellers unloading units that have scratches, broken displays, etc. These units may function perfectly for synching and sitting in your glove box where appearances have little value.

Just make sure that you get a compatible unit as listed in the USB Interface guide...

Regards, Peter

 

If you read some of the posts around here, you'll find that only thing acceptable is a portable music player that plays uncompressed music files that can be controlled by the drive's mind.

I see so many complaints about such trivial things, I had to swing a pi$$ at them on this.

I'm being sarcastic, as usual, but my iPhone works great via Bluetooth, but you actually have to touch the iPhone to change the songs. I think someone said the Crackberrys can change songs via the steering controls, but I could be wrong (as usual)

 

My 5G iPod works as well as anything (on this system at least) and I can use the steering wheel controls to move forward and back within an album, artist, playlist, etc. I suggest finding a used but decent 5G iPod (30 gig or so) and just leave it plugged in.

 

Probably a dumb question, but is there any benefit to using an MP3 player over just a USB flash drive, assuming I am going to leave it in the car? I've been using a 2GB USB stick and it shows the folders fine, but it is a bit slow to scroll. I might upgrade to an ipod if I thought it would speed up the scroll or add something, but I would just leave it in the car (I use a Sansa for listening).

 

Absolutely, but you'd want to sync w/your computer every and now and then.

It facilities creation and use of playlists and smart playlists (like in iTunes). Smart playlists which are basically auto-updating playlists based on criteria. They're almost my only means of listening to music. I have smart playlists like "my >=3* songs", "my >=3* songs not played in the last 7 days", "200 random songs not played in the last month" I have regular playlists like "sci-fi theme songs". It helps me hear songs I want to hear or listen to stuff I haven't heard in ages. I have >700 songs I haven't heard in the last 5 months.

There are sites like http://smartplaylists.com/index.php?id=C0_7_1 to exchange ideas on SPLs.

You can rate the songs on a decent player, like an iPod and they'll sync back to your library.

Also, if you listen to podcasts, you'd want an easy way of subscribing to them and possibly auto-deleting old eps. iTunes will do that for you and sync when you connect to your computer.

 

If you don't have a USB port in the center console next to the AUX input, you are just as well off with any mp3 player and a plug into the AUX. The iPod doesn't gain you much there.

If you have Bluetooth capability in the car, that may be the best way to go and get a Bluetooth functional iPod.

 

Well, I do like some of the features of iTunes despite it not being the best app in the world. Some of the music player jukebox sync software out there is crappy and if one resorts to drag/drop into folders, boy that's nice person backwards.

FWIW, I have several iPods ranging from an old 4 gig Nano to a 6th gen iPod Classic 80 gig and had two Shuffles until one got stolen and I lost the other.

I also have a refurb Zune 4 gig. I can tell you that the Zune client, although somewhat pretty is strange and it's missing a TON of features compared to iTunes. Also, simple scenarios like properly syncing 2 auto playlists (their name for smart playlists) is extremely flaky. Those are the only two playlists I sync and it can't handle that right. The missing features are just the ones that totally break my "my songs I not heard in the last n days" strategy because syncing of last played date from the player to the client doesn't work. It only bumps the play count and it seems that only playing songs on the PC changes the last played date.

Other missing features: iTunes has 1 to 5 star ratings + unrated. Zune now only has like, don't like or unrated. So, there's no way to distinguish between songs I kinda like vs. really like. (Yes, I do have ratings in all 6 categories.)

If one's on a budget by wants an iPod, go to http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipod?mco=OTY2ODY2NQ (or just click on Refurbished iPod on store.apple.com). The inventory comes and goes. I've bought a couple refurbs from there before.

 

So, can you connect the Zune to the USB port and use it via the car controls like you can with an iPod? I have been wondering if the Zune would work via the USB like the iPod.

Thanks.

 

Beats me. I don't have a 3rd gen so I have no USB port.

FWIW, it seems that all but the Zune HD have been quietly discontinued. IMHO, from my experience w/the 4 gig Zune, I see almost no compelling reason to buy a Zune other than if you're anti-Apple or you really like subscription music services and like how you keep 10 songs a month as part of your Zune Pass. One problem that I found w/the kept songs is that some of them are DRMed.

Re: the Zune HD, IMHO, the few extra features/advantages it has are totally outweighed by the fact that iTunes works reliably, there's a huge # of cool iPhone/iPod Touch apps and an ecosystem of products for iDevices (too bad many cost an arm and a leg).

 

Thanks, found an old iPod video I forgot I had and I am loading it with stuff to play now.

 

I use a Cowon S9 multiple-media player synced with Windows media player on my PC. It plugs in via the USB port on my model IV w/nav package. I can control it with the MFD controls just fine. It does not display as much info as my wife's Nano, but the sound quality is much better with the WMV format @ 196 bit rate than Apple's ACC format.

We just bought an I-Pad and I was disappointed to discover it does not support the USB port on the Prius Nav system. I guess I will use the Bluetooth option. I also have a Palm Pre cell phone that has a 3G hot spot that works well in the car to connect the I-Pad. This is why we got the I-Pad, for Internet access while on our long road trip this summer.

Arnie

 

Having the base-model Gen-3 Package-II radio, I have an 8-gig, flash-memory Zune that I connect with a double-male cable to the analog audio jack in the bottom of the armrest. I also power it from inside the armrest box with a cigar-lighter/USB power adapter. The Zune is a refurb I got from Frys for $40. It sticks to the shifter bridge with a velcro patch I also use for the Garmin Nuvi and a ham-radio HT. (Not all at once, but that's an idea.)

Since I don't care for contemporary music I dumped my clasical and folk library*, which I've updated with MP3 album downloads from Amazon, onto the Zune, and that's what I listen to. It works and it's not as cluttery as all those CDs in a case.

Before I sprang for the Zune, I cheaped-out on a crapola bargain MP3 player. It turned out to have the stupidist file system imaginable and rockbox doesn't support it.

*Okay, I also have Creedence and some ELP in there.

 

To the OP, a MP3 CD is very easy and I do not find it "cumbersome" at all. I burned one for my wife who loves it. No need to plug anything in as my car does not have bluetooth, and I am not sure if they have fixed the issue with it only streaming mono. I fit about 200 songs to a disc and use the wheel controls to skip songs. Other than that, I could use an Iphone for long trips, plugged into the AUX jack and armrest power adapter, but who wants to plug/unplug for a 10 mile trip.

If my car had Bluetooth my choice would be different, but for ease of use a MP3 CD seems to be the best for me.