I see MP3 files can be added to the Columbus HDD via the SD slot. Is there a way to browse the music then as I would on an iPod i.e. Playlist, Album,Artist, Genre etc.

If so what is the best way of adding the files to the SD card for it to do this.

If not, what is the best way of adding the files generally. 

I use iTunes normally to organise my music.

You can only browse by folder, since the MP3 tags are not read until the track starts playing. The files must be MP3, not the default AAC used by iTunes.

The only way to do what you want is to have the MDI fitted and use that for your iPhone.

The Columbus will also read WMA (Windows Media Audio) files as well as MP3.

You can only copy from SD/SDHC cards a track at a time and you get prompted for a folder/directory on the HDD to copy to - I copy them all to the root directory for simplicity.

You may also have noticed a quirk about playing from the SD/SDHC cards. I copy music from my PC to the SD/SDHC cards into directories of artists BUT you must have one track in the root directory if you want to play the whole card - either straight or mixed (i.e. shuffled). That track could just be a couple of seconds silence if you wish but without it the silly old Columbus won't find anything.

It can't do playlists in the normal sense but can play folders/directories by touching the 'Selection' option on the screen and going up and down from there - but it's hardly worth all the faffing about.

Personally I just keep my all-time favourites on the HDD and use a 32GB SDHC card most of the time. There's no difference in what can be displayed or controlled and unless you look at the source on the top of the screen you wouldn't know where it was from.

You can copy a folder (or a folder of folders) from SD to HDD.

Thanks for the replies. I pick the car up on Monday so I'm trying to prepare an SD card.

Will the unit "shuffle" music on a card or the HDD?

Both.

But as above, you'll need on track in the root (above all your folders) to be able to shuffle from all sub folders.

But to just play a sub folder then only that folder needs to be selected? 

Both.

But as above, you'll need on track in the root (above all your folders) to be able to shuffle from all sub folders.

Sorry if this is obvious or not, I guess once the unit is playing from say HDD then it will return to the position left if the engine is turned off?

Correct - it continues from where it got to in both source and track. Also, reducing the volume to zero actually pauses it so you don't miss anything and it continues again when you raise the volume. Of course that's only with your own music, the radio can't pause.