I know you guys have figured this out already, but I have two questions. One, I don't own an MP3 player and would like to know what the best one compatible for the CTS is to purchase ?? Two, can you leave it hooked up to the USB port overnight, with the car off of course, without draining the car battery ??
Thanks, Mike

I know you guys have figured this out already, but I have two questions. One, I don't own an MP3 player and would like to know what the best one compatible for the CTS is to purchase ?? Two, can you leave it hooked up to the USB port overnight, with the car off of course, without draining the car battery ??
Thanks, Mike

Hands down, purchase an iPod. The 30gb classic works very well for me. It charges while connected, and doesn't drain battery when car is off. The integration of the controls into the head unit are the finest I have ever had the privledge of using.

I went with an 8 Gb Ipod Nano. I already had another Nano for running so it was the logical choice for me. The Nano doesn't have a hard drive so it is very resistant to heat and shock.

Exactly. I bot an 8 Gb Nano also. Stays in the car. Holds about 2000 songs. Turns off with the car.

While there are MP3 players out there with advantages to an iPod, the iPod is the best option because of it's integration with the CTS. Definetly go with the iPod. In fact, I bought a used 160gb model on ebay. I could care less about battery life and scratches since it will be plugged in and out of sight the entire time.

And all of the previous comments in this thread are assuming you have one of the "up-level" audio system options (either the system with Navigation/40GB HDD or the system with just the 40GB HDD). These systems both have a USB connector to allow charging and control of any recent model iPod. If you only have the base audio system, you only have a mini-stereo jack to pipe in audio from whatever device you choose -- no features to integrate with your dash or steering wheel controls.

You know...I have my 8gh nano...but i just realized something...

The nano has more uses than just being plugged in a car and left there...so im thinking of bying a 16gb USB stick and loading everything on there and running it like that...

makes more sense; faction of the price and u get to use ur ipod the intended way...

Yes that will work .......IF........ you don't have protections on your iTunes.
Of course you can always copy CDs or stolen MP3s.

And I don't know what control you will have....playlists, artists, etc.........

Southern,

Have you come across any way of switching playlists with the Nav screen down? Since I don't need directions to get to work I tend to leave the screen down and I find myself raising it just to switch playlists. It isn't that big of a deal but I have this nagging suspicion I am missing something simple. Its sort of like my Direct TV receiver that I kept having to push the guide button on the remote twice until I found the buried option to default to the program guide I wanted via a single push.

No. AFAIK there is no shortcut. PITA I suppose for them that will.....

Seems that there is a huge hole in GM (And others) support. Most "mechanics" don't know squat about the electronics.....

Yes that will work .......IF........ you don't have protections on your iTunes.
Of course you can always copy CDs or stolen MP3s.

And I don't know what control you will have....playlists, artists, etc.........


Well true about the protection...but if not you can do this...

About the playlists you can just put your "playlists" in folders and name them accordingly...

a thumb drive will have all of the same functionality as an ipod, as long as you keep the music organized in folders on the drive.

a thumb drive will have all of the same functionality as an ipod, as long as you keep the music organized in folders on the drive.

Well then that's not really the same functionality. I have over 50gb of music and having the iPod organize for me is huge. It can be sorted by genre, rating, title, etc...

Then there is the protected AAC files. Over the years we have compiled a bit of protected tunes. Unless I rip those to a CD then re-import them on my PC then transfer to the USB drive, I cannot play them. iPod is the only option for them.

I would agree with you for a small music collection...but those of us with a CTS aren't exactly known for our economies!

I'm with ya, refer to my original post, I was merely indulging in a little bit of "to each their own".

If you have iTunes version under 7, there is a program called MyFairTunes that strips DRM.

Even better, buy your music from Amazon - better quality and no DRM.

If you have iTunes version under 7, there is a program called MyFairTunes that strips DRM.

Even better, buy your music from Amazon - better quality and no DRM.

I haven't purchased a song with DRM in a while, but the fact is we have a bunch with the DRM. I used a program called noteburner which does the same thing as myfairtunes. In the end, I just left the DRM on and kept the music on an iPod. Going forward I only go with non-drm options like Amazon or even from iTunes (their collection without DRM).