[Updated list 3/9/06]
Here's a progress report on where MC+iPod stands versus iTunes+iPod right now.
Please add to the thread to voice your support for a feature or point out features missing from the list.
Note: None of these features is easy to implement, Apple does not document the iPod data format.
MC is a much better music player and media manager that I use for everything other than syncing my iPod.
MC+iPod advantages:
* MC is
much faster than iTunes when managing files, no comparison.
* It felt like the MC sync was faster as well, but I didn't measure it.
* MC has better progress messages during sync.
I really like having time estimates.
* MC's smartlists are more useful, flexible and powerful.
This really helps keep the media on the iPod organized.
* MC just keeps getting better for for organizing and managing media.
iTunes is very weak in this area.
* MC can play AAC and MOV files now. (though not as well as iTunes yet)
* In MC the iPod options can be set when the iPod is not connected.
(can iTunes set different options for multiple iPods?)
* Many more that aren't listed. MC is powerful and flexible. iTunes is pretty and slow.
MC+iPod areas for improvement:
* MC displays unecessary warning messages on sync.
- Unsupported file types
- Possible duplicate file warnings
(JimH says it shouldn't. I'll check again in a few days.)
* MC's option window for selecting playlists to sync is very small.
* MC doesn't yet fully support some standard iPod features:
- Remember playback position
- Can't set by track
- No sdk support
- Is set to true for new podcasts
- Skip when shuffling (partial support)
- Can't set by track
- No sdk support
- Is set to true for new podcasts
- On-the-go playlist sync from iPod to PC
- Dynamic/Live playlists (on the iPod)
- Lyrics on the iPod
- Equalizer presets by track
- Volume adjustments by track
- Start/Stop time by track (what is this used for?)
* M4A audio files were categorized as video in MC.
* In MC, most Apple format files are not fully supported
- no tags (name, artist, duration, etc.)
- no thumbnails/cover art
* MC has to "Initialize iPod" before it can be used with MC.
- JimH: This is usually not necessary.
* MC crashes when it tries to sync to an iTunes sync'd iPod.
- JimH: Probably due to iPod service running in background.
* The Initialize iPod menu item is hidden as a right-click option on the iPod device.
- This option is probably not needed by most users now according to JimH.
* Photo issues as described by Micah below.
* MC can not encode AAC audio format.
* MC does not support the "is part of a compilation" flag and features
info * The iPod alarm won't use playlists sync'd by MC