MSC or MTP? wich one should I choose?

I’m not sure wich mode to choose :neutral_face:  see the thing is I keep all of my mp3’s all within just the Music folder from my pc and wondered how will this effect the songs being synced to my fuze, so I’m asking you fellow Sansa Fuze users which mode is best? another thing to add in order to view all the album art in the player would I have to organize manually all the songs and make/put them in order before I sync music?

Depends on two main factors.

  1. Do you have DRM/Subscription content?  If so, you have no choice, you have to use MTP. 
  2. What is your preferred method/tool for managing content on the player?  If you really like Windows Media Player, you should probably stick with MTP.  Otherwise, MSC offers many more choices for managing content.

Personally, I use MSC mode and Winamp along with various scripts I wrote.

Thre are proponents (fans) of both modes. But you’re right is thinking that you should pick one and stick with it. Not that you can’t ever change your mind, but eliminating all content that has been put on in one mode and re-transferring in the other can be time-comsuming.

Skinjob is right in that if you use a subscription music service like Rhapsody, Napster or Overdrive, Netlibrary for audio books and are subject to DRM encoded files you should (and must at least for that) use MTP mode. Also if you like to give control over to Windows Media Player to ‘sync’ music to your player, you’re better off with MTP.

However, if you like to be in control of what goes on (and doesn’t go on) your player and don’t mind picking and choosing the content from your hard drive (or CDs), I suggest and encourage MSC mode. You simply drag & drop the music you want onto the player. It’s easy, doesn’t take any more time (although you’re doing the work with the mouse rather than just waiting for WMP to do it for you), and as I said, YOU are in control.

Here’s another lengthy discussion from the e200 series board on this exact same subject if you want input from others. You’ll see that almost all the "more-experienced’ (notice I didn’t say older?) members and users of Sansas prefer MSC.

“4 out of 5 Sansa Gurus prefer MSC mode!” :smileyvery-happy:

And all those in favor of (and who have been flooding the forum with posts for) ‘Folder’ control/options/structure must also prefer MSC because if it ever happens, MSC mode will most likely be the mode that it occurs in.

Remember also, that even if you choose MTP, you still have to connect in MSC mode to update firmware, use SMC to put videos on your players, and if you have any data connection problems, they can usually be solved by connecting on MSC.

I think it’s just simpler to leave in in MSC mode all the time, rather having to remember to switch it around for different functions. You of course, must make your own choice. :smiley:

“Remember also, that even if you choose MTP, you still have to connect in MSC mode to update firmware”

I updated the firmware on my Fuze using MTP and it went smoothly. The player was actually set to auto.

MTP is the inherently bug riddled and unreliable protocol that Microsoft tried to push along with their “Plays for Sure” initiative.

They aren’t even actively developing drivers any longer.

MSC just works.

@jk98 wrote:

“Remember also, that even if you choose MTP, you still have to connect in MSC mode to update firmware”

 

I updated the firmware on my Fuze using MTP and it went smoothly. The player was actually set to auto.

If your player was set to AUTO, then it most likely connected in MSC mode (covertly, w/o your knowledge) to update the firmware. That’s the convenience of the AUTO setting, the player will decide what mode it needs to be in for the required function. That’s also why people have problems while using this setting and most recommend not using it, but rather manually switching the setting yourself depending on what you want/need to do. :smiley: