I posted this already in a different place but being new I don't know if it was the right place so I'm reposting here. Sorry if you're not supposed to do that or anything!

Total newbie on IPOD / MP3 / aux jack questions!! help!

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Ok, I admit I am a bit older and totally missed out on learning about IPODs or MP3 (I think they are the same thing right?)! I am trying to come about and learn though. Bare with me please!

My questions are:

My radio says MP3 on it - why? What does that do for me?

I have an auxillary jack that allows some kind of player? to be plugged into it.
What's it for? and if I plug an MP3 player into it will it be heard in the car through the speakers like the radio is?? What extra cords, etc are needed?

My goal is: I'd like an MP3 player in my car to play songs that are on my favorite XM Radio channel. Can you download songs from XM? Or at least pick songs like them to put on an MP3 player? I don't want to spend much - is 240 song capacity enough and can you change the songs on it once you download them (I'd hope so!).?

Ok if you can think of something I didn't ask, help me out!


THANKS!!! 40+ -er

The aux in is an input for your mp3 player -- using a cable with stereo mini plugs on each end you would go from the headphone jack on the mp3 player to the aux in jack by the lighter. It is only an input and not suitable for recording out.

Ok, here goes from a 49yr old. The MP3 on your radio means it will play MP3 files. In essence if you have a computer at home you can make CD's in MP3 format which allows for more information to be stored on the disc. A regular CD may only hold 14 to 17 songs depending on the information where a MP3 file of music could realistically allow for serveral music files to be placed on the disc, like 50 or more.

As for the AUX jack on the dash, you can plug a MP3 player or an iPod in this port and the sound will play through the cars speaker system. It's really nice and I do it all the time. You can plug anything in there that will allow for a pin jack hook up. It's simple and the sound is really good and this is the best way to go. Using the FM tuners called the iTrips really don't work well. Having the direct, in-line connection is the best way for pure sound.

As far as recording what you hear off of (((XM))) to play later, I don't know about that. I do know that (((XM))) offers several tuners that will play (((XM))) and record it as well so you can listen to it whenever you want and I can only assume that it would have a pin jack or a means to plug into the AUX jack on the Element. It's always best to check the gear before you buy to see what it allows for.

Hope this info helps you

I sure do appreciate both of your replies. All info helps!
Thanks!

All of the things Chozn4Service said is true.
I am not going to get into the legality of the thing but Replay Music can record anything you can play through your computer's speakers.
It creates MP3's and automatically tags and identifies 95% of the song titles accurately. It can create MP3's from CD's, DVD's, and Streaming Music.
So if you can hear XM streaming on your computer, you can record it.
You can try it out for free at
http://www.applian.com/index.php
It costs $50 to purchase and it is worth every cent. :)
Oh, and it can automatically send the mp3's to your iTunes / iPod

Replay A/V takes it one step further and records streaming audio and video on a schedule.