Using the optional D-Link DWL-121 wireless receiver lets you update your mobile music library wirelessly.

How does the DMP1 work? Let's first consider the part of the system in your home. The DMP1 comes with a CD-ROM holding proprietary SimpleCenter software for PC. It lets you create MP3 and WMA files and store them on your PC's hard drive. The software is compatible with the Windows 98SE, 2000, ME and XP operating systems and also requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher. (Not compatible with Macintosh at this time). Also, your PC needs about 100 Mbytes of hard drive space to store the program. If you want to connect the DMP1 to the optional DMS1 Digital Media Streamer (the home version of the Omnifi), you'll need a local area network connection, while if you want to use the optional Wi-Fi® receiver (D-Link DWL-121), you'll need a LAN connection with a wireless router. (A LAN is not needed to use the DMP1 by itself).

SimpleCenter lets you rip CDs to MP3 or WMA files, and then manage those files in a hard disk Media Library archive. As with any ripper, you can choose from a wide range of bitrates; low bitrates provide longer playing time on a storage media but also decrease sound quality, while higher bitrates do the opposite. In this case, there are nine MP3 bitrates from 32 to 320 kbps (kilobits per second), and six WMA bitrates from 48 to 192 kbps — your choice. (A rate of 128 kbps consumes about 1 Mbyte of memory for every minute of music).

No one likes to type in album and song titles, and of course you don't have to. SimpleCenter automatically accesses the online Gracenote service and supplies album information such as titles and times. The Media Library is quite nice; you can place files into categories such as album, artist, and genre. You can also create your own custom playlists. One more perk: you can access streaming Internet webcasters such as Live365.com and Launchcast, and listen to and download tunes or music information. The downside is that after your free 90-day access is over, this feature requires a paid subscription.

The removable hard disk connects to your computer via a USB 2.0 cable (included).

The next step is to move music files from your PC's hard drive to the removable 20-gigabyte hard drive that is the heart of the DMP1 (at a reasonable bitrate of 128 kbps, this capacity can hold almost to 360 hours of music). This module measures about 6" x 3-3/8" x 7/8" and is powered (at home) with a supplied AC adapter. It plugs into one of your PC's USB ports using a supplied USB cable. Then, you use the SimpleCenter software to move selected music files from the PC hard drive to the removable hard drive module. It takes only a few minutes to move dozens of music albums. After the hard disk drive has music installed, it's time to look at the car side of the equation.