Default MP3 encoding is done at 132 kbps (optionally you can choose to encode at 105 kbps !)

Pretty average bitrates

 

So you can't rip CD's in MP3 format to the harddrive...what if you burned your MP3's to the CD in Wave format? Will that work? Means alot less music per CD, but CD-R's are dirt cheap. Really hate not being able to put my extensive MP3 collection in my car.

 

How many songs (on avg. of course) would one be able to fit on the drive?

 

Aproximately 2900 songs (200 hours)

 

Thanks.

Combine that with a decent size CF card and XM, and I think it's plenty enough (well... for me at least... )

 

that works. in addition, u can burn those CD's as hybrid (? i think that's what they're called) Cds on Nero, that way the CD-TEXT info is stored, i dont know if things like WMP or iTunes do this. that way the car can recognize what songs are on ur discs and stores their id's on the hdd. Only one thing: remember to make sure your CD-Text is good cuz otherwise it's a BEACH to fix them..

 

This works with Toast also.