Using iPod with Microsoft Sync in Ford Vehicle

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Level 1

33 points

Using iPod with Microsoft Sync in Ford Vehicle

Was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience using a 20G iPod w/clickwheel on the Microsoft Sync system. My new Taurus has the system, which actually seems to work quite well. The only issue I've had is that Sync does not see any of the iPod playlists, so "Play all" is the only option. Strangely enough, if I connect my 40G to it, it sees the playlists just fine. I've tried both methods in iTunes: 1)Syncing the entire library, including playlists; and 2) Syncing only selected playlists. The result is the same both ways.

My hope was to be able to have separate playlists for myself and my wife, as a Michael Bolton tune would just ruin my drive....

Any Ford/Sync users out there?

Posted on Jan 7, 2008 8:44 PM

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Answer 1

DSA1

Level 1

96 points

Jan 10, 2008 11:15 AM in response to Rick Bolan

I've got a Ford Edge with Microsoft's Sync system. It works pretty well with both my iPhone and my 5th Gen iPod. Playlists and all.

The biggest issue I have now is that the play count on podcasts (and presumably all music) doesn't get updated/credited for items played via Sync. This is an issue for me since the iPhone's relatively small storage space makes use of Smart Playlists essential, and most of my playlists have "play count - 0" on them to ensure fresh podcasts are synced up. I'll have to post about that in a new thread perhaps.

re: your specific issue, I don't think this will fix it, but Microsoft's Ford Sync is very picky about all metadata tags being complete on all items (artist, track, album, etc). Sync won't index items that don't have proper metadata, and if it doesn't index them, I'm going to assume it can't see them to play them under all the right circumstances.

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Answer 2

Rick Bolan Author

Level 1

33 points

Jan 11, 2008 2:13 PM in response to DSA1

Thanks for the info. As it turns out, I misspoke. When I retried the 40G, it also could not see any playlists there. I just bought a new 5th gen 160G iPod, and will give it a try.

Actually, I set up a separate library on a different PC just for the car iPod, because my main library is all imported using Apple Lossless format, which Sync does not recognize.

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Answer 3

Meechi99

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2008 5:02 PM in response to Rick Bolan

How do you get your Iphone to work with Sync. When I go to my Ipod on the phone it says I have ipod accessory attached and I cannot do anything. Do you give sync the usb play all command?

thanks,

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Answer 4

DSA1

Level 1

96 points

Apr 14, 2008 6:52 PM in response to Meechi99

You control the iPod functions via the Media portion of Sync.

Push Media physical button.
Push software screen button User Devices.
Push the software button on the left of the screen that cycles through Line In, BT Stereo, and USB, until it gets to USB.

Now you should have all your iPod controls on the screen for menus, playlists, etc.

Or of course, with Sync, you can just use the voice commands to bring up the device and play your songs. That's the whole point of Sync, isn't it? 😉

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Answer 5

oxmanus

Level 1

0 points

May 27, 2008 5:24 AM in response to Rick Bolan

I have a 20GB Ipod purchased in early 2005 and I notice that all older songs loaded 2-3 years ago are recognized by SYNC in my Ford Edge. Anything loaded or purchased after July 2005 is not recognized yet when I check the ipod the songs are there and can be played on my computer or head set.

I was wondering if I need a new ipod or if anyone has found a solution to this problem. I have been searching for a month with no success. I have reset and reformatted my ipod a couple of times with no success.

If anyone out there can point me in the right direction, it would be great.

Thanks

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