Expert: Cleggsan - 4/13/2010

Question
We all know that the older car CD players will not play MP3 files on a CD, and that SUCKS because you can fit SO many more songs on the CD.... I remember once knowing a way where FIRST, you convert the MP3s to WMAs (it was easy, but I don't remember how), THEN there was some trick using WMP to make a CD of WMAs but fit TONS on there. Does this ring a bell? Can you please help me? I tried doing a data disk and converting to a lower bit rate ( which WMP said would automatically convert the songs) and all I got was ONE track that wouldn't play! I'm SOOO frustrated!

Answer
If your player plays only conventional full, non compressed cds in the CD format, then you cannot get anymore playing time than with a regular cd.  You can record tunes/cuts from a series of cds and make your own cd with the selections you want but the playing time cannot be increased.

http://www.uwec.edu/HELP/CDWinXP/cd-copy.htm

http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq01.html#S1-4

http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq03.html#S3-2

And, you can google around for various kinds of cd ripping, track copying, assembling and laying down on cdrs.

Depends to a great extent on what PC you have, the software and hardware installed and your understanding of how to do the recording, storing and assembling for the final cd.

HOWEVER: Many have found the solution is much more simple.  Adding an MP3 or iPod input to the car audio system allows you to put all your library on a player and just plug it in to the newly
installed input jack.  This way you can unplug and carry the music with you.

You can find adapters that will allow the addition of an input (if your car does not already have it) at places such as:

http://www.installer.com/ipod/index.php

http://www.installer.com/aux/

http://www.oemautosound.com/

Let me know if there is more you need.