This is a simple tech-recipe I thought I should share describes how to sync your external storage card (preferably via a memory stick reader) with Media Player 10. This is great if you are like me and have MCE 2005 and watch TV on your PC.
Requirements:
-Windows Media Player 10
-WM5-based device with external storage
-memory card reader, memory card
Overview:
This tutorial will explain how to sync your TV/music/videos to a storage card connected via a memory card reader. (I use mini-SD with my T-Mobile MDA.)
The main reason I use a memory card reader is because, with Activesync and reading a storage card through activesync, it will cause your autoplay lists to sync whenever activesync does. Also, with version 4.1, activesync tries to trickle sync (i.e., Every few minutes, it checks status, and if changes are seen, it syncs.). Thus, in turn, your PC is continuously resyncing your playlists to your WM5 device.
First, open up Windows Media Player 10, go to your Library, and set up an autoplay list to sync. I recommend setting up one with a limit so that you can have one playlist for videos, one for music, and one for TV. Also, I use Randomize Playback Order as an option, so it will pick my songs/media randomly. I have rated almost all of my media in Media Player 10, so I set up my music playlist to be my favorite four or five-star songs. This takes a long time to do, but it is worth it in the end.
Once you get your autoplay lists, pop your memory card into your reader. Then in Media Player 10, go to the Sync tab.
Once here, if your memory card is not recognized, hit F5 to refresh. Once it does, you will want to set up the device and the syncing.
If you click on the Storage Card Properties box, you will be able to set up the conversion quality for music and video/TV and also the device name and more.
Once you are done, click on OK.
Then click on the Setup Sync button. This lets us add the autoplay lists with which to sync. Be sure to set it up to Sync Automatically.
Again, click OK. Once you do that, you should see the sync starting. When it is done, remove your card and enjoy the fruits of your labor on the train with your favorite TV program on your phone.
TIPS/TRICKS:If you do not have video conversion options (grayed out), you might have to connect via activesync and the memory card in your device. Then stop the sync and change to manual sync. Put the memory card in the reader and the options should show. I had this problem.
-Sync automatically might continuously sync. I am still working on checking this more often than not, but I wish activesync had options to sync manually. Most devices that run WM5 have live connections to the internet for email.
