[Rcovell]

Please excuse the basic question, but, does the iPod only play songs in the MP3 format?
Since I copied my CD collection to my hard drive in AAC, could I copy songs in the AAC format to an iPod? I realize that I'd be burning up more capacity if I used AAC, but, could I?
Thanks, Bob.

[moose_n_squirrel]

It's actually the opposite of what you're saying. AAC takes up less space at the same specs. AAC is Apple's main format, and MP3 is merely an option. The iTunes store only sells AAC, so it has to work on the iPod. You can actually transfer a number of formats to the iPod. The iPod tech specs page on the Apple site lists them all.

[Dan Frakes]

In reply to:

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It's actually the opposite of what you're saying. AAC takes up less space at the same specs.

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This isn't quite right, either. kbps really is kb per second -- at the same bitrate, an AAC file and an MP3 file should take up the same amount of space. It's just that at low bitrates, an AAC file should sound better than a comparable-bitrate MP3 file.
(This is the theory, at least. In practice, there are slight differences in size. For example, when using variable bitrate encoding, two 128kbps-max files -- MP3 and AAC -- may not be exactly the same size because the respective encoders may use different bitrates for the same part of a track.)

[Rcovell]

Ok, thanks. I did check the tech specs on Apple's web site and it did list a bunch of formats the iPod will support.
A related question: If the AAC files are similar in size to MP3, how come when I burn a CD using my AAC copies I get about 22 songs on it whereas in MP3 format I get 'tons' more?
My reason for asking is that my truck has an MP3 capable 'radio' and I have to convert my AAC files to MP3 to get more songs on one disk. If I could just use AAC and get the same quantity, that would be a big help. Thanks again.
Bob.

[tybowen]

Its probably because you are telling it to burn a CD, not an mp3 cd. You can't just burn an AAC CD. when you tell iTunes to just burn a regular cd it converts the files to CD standard, which lets you get about 70-80 min on a CD, but can be read on any CD player that supports CD-R CD's. mp3 CD's on the other hand don't convert the files and are basically just a data cd giving them the 700ish MB you are used to.. However you need a special player to play them (more common nowadays). Since AAC aren't mp3 they won't work with your mp3 player and thus need to be converted.

[Rcovell]

Ty-
Great explanation, thanks!
Bob.