PurpleDog

Re: AAC .... It's the way to go :) I still am trying to find a program that will equalize all my existing AAC files to one consistent audio volume level. And yes, after my ordeal with switching iTunes to an external hard drive, Ive become MUCH less of an Apple fan.

Thanks again Muzicman61 ? I am pleased to report that AAC files do in fact work. Yay ! I'm in the process of converting all of my iTunes music library to AAC files. If I have the physical CD for albums, then I am simply deleting the version of the album I have in iTunes and adding the album back (aka importing it) to my iTunes library with the CD. By doing so, I am able to import the album at a higher bit rate of 320 than what was on iTunes - usually 192. This whole process of moving my library to an external drive and then being able to export songs to a USB for use in a 14 - now 20 - Escape started back in May of 2020. I have some iTunes / Apple observations: * If I could get rid of iTunes - and still have the ability to move songs on and off my iPhones and iPads, - I would do so immediately. * The quality of support from Apple has gone WAY downhill. I very often realized that I knew more than they do regarding iTunes. * If presented with a problem that they cant solve they will say that the case is closed and that no more help will be forthcoming. I have 229 (all classic rock) songs I purchased from 2005 to about the middle of 2011 that I can not play or re-download. That's 229 songs X $0.99 each = $226.71 that they know I spent on the songs that I can no longer listen to. Their final answer was "no we can't give you a credit or allow you to re-download the current version of the song from iTunes; sorry, and good luck." * I no longer trust Apple whatsoever.

My new 2020 (with 4210 miles) that I bought yesterday is on the left. My wife's 2019 is on the right. Thanks again Muzicman61; I appreciate it. I did not know that Sync 3 would accept AAC; I was taking those and converting them to MP3's to use in my traded in 2014. I made a USB stick this afternoon containing about 100 MP3 songs, and roughly 1/2 play perfectly; the other half have such a low volume that to even hear them I have to go up to 20 on my volume. I will replace albums of MP3 songs with AAC's and see what happens =)

I will, and thank you Has it been 100% established that only MP3's will work in the Escapes ?

Thanks for the replies ! * My iTunes music library consists of songs imported into iTunes from physical CD's, and songs purchased from iTunes. I'd guess that 60-70% of my music library is from from CD's I own. * My 2014 Escape only seems to be able to play songs converted into MP3's. * However .... I am going tomorrow to put a deposit on a 2020 Escape SE [with about 4000 miles on it] that has the 8" screen and Sync 3, so I am going to wait until I have the 2020 in my driveway and see if there are any differences between Sync 3 and and my Sync Touch.

Thanks Muzicman61. I downloaded CloudConvert and could not find a setting to convert AAC to MP3.

bbf2530 ... Thanks for the info. I think I have the Sync with Touch. As I mentioned I use the iTunes "convert" tool to convert AAC's to MP3's. The songs that will not play make a sound like a record scratching and display the name of the artist and song for less then a second, and then go on to play the next tune. Is there a better way to go from iTunes to MP3's ? Incidentally, I discovered that any songs that I purchased from Apple Tunes from 2005 to about the middle of 2012 are no longer downloadable. That equals 229 songs for me. Apples response is: gee, we are sorry, but tough luck !

Hello folks ! I own a 2014 Escape with {I believe] Sync 3. I have an iTunes account with a lot of songs on it. I have been selecting songs in iTunes and then I use the iTunes convert tool to convert each song I have to the MP3 format. I then simply copy those converted songs to a USB stick and plug in inside the console. My problem is that only about 60% of the songs will play in my Escape. Am I doing this wrong ? Does anyone have any tips or tricks that would make the process easier ? TIA ...