V8V - Music on the USB. How to?

[Swiss_Toni]

Is there any trick to getting the car to reconize music from a USB key?

I've tried a couple of quick things, but to be honest I've not really tried that hard

[BingoBob]

I think it's just a question of plugging your device in and it will find all the compatible files on it.

I was disappointed that it wouldn't play my iPhone through the USB port like a lot of cars I rent can. Especially since it wouldn't recognise the iPhone when I plugged it into the iPhone port. Luckily the external input works very nicely. Very little noise.

[pilgrim7777]

Hi I have downloaded in two formats WMV/WAV and MP3 directly from the disks and I have had no problems. In fact it far better in terms of capacity rather than carry and changing six disks. The USB connector in the centre console is a great addition in the later models. However depending on the sensitivity of the drivers ears it is a good solution.

Edited by pilgrim7777 on Saturday 21st January 13:39

Edited by pilgrim7777 on Saturday 21st January 14:03

[pilgrim7777]

Go to menu and select USB from the list and select the folder the track or let the system play through the album.

[neveratt]

For my MY09 V8V I had to format the USB memory stick with the FAT32 file system. Easily done under Windows with a right click on the device, select Format.., and then select File System and FAT32. After that I simply copied my MP3's in their folder structure over to the stick and all was good. It is a compromise as MP3's are 'squashed' (can't think of the right term at the moment), but overall its a good way to access a lot of music.

[Mr Noble]

I plan to buy a cheap 2nd hand iPod nano on eBay and pop 20 or so albums on it along with some playlists and then just leave it plugged into the centre armrest permanently.


Am I right to think that the iPod connector will charge an iPod but not an iPhone??

[Swiss_Toni]

Now that you mention, the USB may not support the MP4 format that I copied over from from my Itunes.

The idea of a cheap and nasty Ipod is good. I've got a previous generation one that I can leave in the car; as I really want it if I forget my usual Ipod for some reason.

I'll have to dig it out, I think I need to get it repaired but that should be staight forward.

Thanks

[BingoBob]

You can get a £20 cable adapter from amazon so that it'll charge the iphone. I don't know why it doesn't do it from factory, every other ipod / iphone intergration device I've used does.

[BingoBob]

This (I think):

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS696LL/A

[BingoBob]

or this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CableJive-dockStubz-Conver...

I'm just going to get an iPhone 4S instead. I hope it charges that. I use mine for music in different cars so I don't want to be updated several ipods.

[Mr Noble]

iPhone 4 or 4S no worky I'm afraid.

I'm going to have to get one of those dongle things too. No idea why apple or AM changed things. Seems daft to me when it's an apple only connector. Why the heck would they make a rod for their own back and make it possible for 3rd party companies to profit from these adapters. Madness!!

[Mr Noble]

Just ordered the cablejive one. Thanks for the heads up Bob.


FYI I think that the CJ one will fit on an iPhone with the bumper on where as the other one won't. Rather annoying having to take the bumper off every time!

[Behr]

Not sure if it helps but my 2009 DBS came with an AM iPod lead and it operates and charges the iPhone 4 perfectly. I have no idea if the systems are the same though.

[theno23]

Mr Noble said:

I plan to buy a cheap 2nd hand iPod nano on eBay and pop 20 or so albums on it along with some playlists and then just leave it plugged into the centre armrest permanently.


Am I right to think that the iPod connector will charge an iPod but not an iPhone??

It will charge iPods older than some age, but I don't know how old exactly.

Apple went from requiring 12v (firewire) to charge, to supporting 12v and 5v (firewire and USB), to only 5v.

Car connectors often only provided 12v, as it's easier to get that voltage.

- Steve

[BingoBob]

Surely an iPhone 4S will work on a 2009MY Vantage with OE iPod integration? If not then what are they playing at in Gaydon?

[Neil1300R]

BingoBob said:

Surely an iPhone 4S will work on a 2009MY Vantage with OE iPod integration? If not then what are they playing at in Gaydon?

Its NOT Aston, its apple changing the pin outs! All manufacturers / accessories makers got caught by it.
Its difficult for car manufacturers now Apple is no longer No 1 in the Smartphone market

[Mr Noble]

A 4S iPhone will NOT charge on the 2009my lead in the armrest.

You'll need one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CableJive-dockStubz-Conver...

Not AM's fault really. I think they may have a new lead with the 'outs' changed but I suspect the adaptor is the better bet and will then give you compatibility with any and every i product.

[BingoBob]

Thanks, Mr Noble.

My dealer didn't know anything about a new cable for the iphone 4/4S (although it must be quite trivial to manufacture). Maybe there is one and he just didn't know about it.

The cablejive thing is probably the way forward for me too then.

Don't know if anyone's tried this, but I plugged my iPhone in using the Aux input (works fine) and tried to charge it will the USB port in the armrest. After initially chirping to tell me it was charging 1 sec later it stopped. Perhaps you have to be on USM mode for the port to be powered. Seemed a bit stingy to me.

[drcarrera]

In response to the O/P, as said format it FAT32 and it should read most file types fine. However, I've found it very particular as to what type of USB device you use. I ended up using a USB hard disk because all my sticks were a bit hit and miss. There's a thread somewhere about certain USB stick makes working better than others.