Many people are taking their music, videos and photos with them on their Apple iPods, but some users still aren't getting the most out of their iPods. Here are some of my favorite tricks.

CONNECT TO STEREO

There are plenty of iPod-specific speakers. Some are portable. Others are large. But you don't need to buy expensive speakers. Instead, connect your iPod to your entertainment center.

All you need is a cable. Apple and other manufacturers make iPod-specific cables. One end plugs into the miniplug on your iPod or iPod dock. The other connects to your receiver.

Most attach to the receiver with RCA connectors. Don't plug the iPod into the phono jacks; they're too sensitive. Your stereo could be damaged.

If need be, use a cable with miniplugs on both ends. Just make sure it is a stereo cable. These have two black bands on the metal tip.

There are special cables and docks for video and photo iPods. These connect your iPod to your television.

USE A REMOTE

Apple's remote ($29) works with iPod docks with an infrared (IR) receiver.

Apple's AV Connection Kit ($99) features connection cables, a dock and remote. DLO and Griffin make similar docking kits.

TRANSFER PHOTOS

You can transfer photos to newer iPods. Connect your iPod to your computer and open iTunes. Right-click your iPod's name. On the Photos tab, select "Sync photos from."

In Windows, you can select a folder containing photos. Or, if you use Adobe Photoshop Album or Adobe Photoshop Elements, select one of them.

In Mac OS X, select iPhotos or a folder. Use the options to select the photos to transfer. iTunes transfers scaled-down versions of photos.

You can also download photos from your camera directly to the iPod. You'll need the iPod Camera Connector ($29).

Not all cameras are compatible with the iPod Camera Connector. If yours isn't, use a USB memory card reader instead.

Once attached, the iPod provides the option of importing photos.

STORE FILES

You can also add files to your iPod. This is convenient for transferring files between two computers.

To add files, enable disk mode. Connect your iPod and open iTunes. Right-click its name. On the Summary tab, select Enable Disk Use. You'll be warned that you must manually eject your iPod before disconnecting. Click Apply.

Move and explore files in Windows Explorer or Apple's Finder. Eject your iPod in iTunes. Or, drag it to the trash in Mac OS X. In Windows, right-click the iPod name in My Computer and select Eject.

Connect the iPod to another computer and you'll receive a warning. It will ask you to associate the iPod with the computer. Click No. Otherwise, you'll lose your iTunes library.

Contact Kim Komando at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.