[nosmash]

Hi all,

I have a 2010 320d with i-drive and have recently discovered that I have usb port inside the glove box compartment. I have been reading the forums and have tried the following:

1. connected a 1st gen and 4th gen ipod with the official ipod connector cable. the ipod does not show up in the "External Devices" screen. it just charges the ipod.
2. connected an bmw 8gb usb flash drive given to me by the dealership. same result as above - the device does not show up on the screen.
3. connected a usb hdd, tried both ide and sata interface, and same result as above.
4. connected my htc desire via a micro usb cable. same result as above. only thing it does is it charges the mobile.


i have read the manual and it is not clear on what should happen when connecting an ipod.

does anyone know what's the use of this port or how can i use it?

thanks in advance.

[detect]

That front USB port is only for copying music to the hard drive, I don't think you can actually play music off anything connected to that port

[bcoz]

I believe the USB interface in the glove box is only meant to be used for importing music (to hard drive) from USB sticks or MP3 players, or backing up music to USB sticks, or updating the navigation data for Business Nav in LCI cars (USB HDDs and Hubs are not supported).

There is a 2nd USB interface (+ AUX-In port) under the centre armrest which is supposed to be used for iPods/iPhones etc.

[tandtran]

yep, it's only used for importing/exporting

[bimmer320d]

I hope this will help.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/nav...usb_audio.html

Almost all common MP3 players, Apple iPods and USB sticks can be integrated effortlessly with the audio system. The title of the track being played is displayed either on the control or radio display. MP3 players and Apple iPhones can be operated directly from the central console. All common formats are supported (MP3, AAC, WAV and WMA) as well as M3U-format playlists. To integrate an Apple iPod or Apple iPhone, the BMW cable adapter for Apple iPod/iPhone equipment option is required.

[nosmash]

Originally Posted by bcoz

I believe the USB interface in the glove box is only meant to be used for importing music (to hard drive) from USB sticks or MP3 players, or backing up music to USB sticks, or updating the navigation data for Business Nav in LCI cars (USB HDDs and Hubs are not supported).

There is a 2nd USB interface (+ AUX-In port) under the centre armrest which is supposed to be used for iPods/iPhones etc.

Thanks for all the replies. I realise that the centre console works fine with a usb flash drive. However, if I connect the same usb flash drive to the glove box usb port I do not even get a notice on the screen that the device is connected (as I indicated on my first post). I don't see the option after going to the On CD/Multimedia ->External Devices->Options.

Should I go back to the dealership to ask? Or are there models that do not have an in-build HDD?


Thanks again.

[gobobbie]

Originally Posted by nosmash

Thanks for all the replies. I realise that the centre console works fine with a usb flash drive. However, if I connect the same usb flash drive to the glove box usb port I do not even get a notice on the screen that the device is connected (as I indicated on my first post). I don't see the option after going to the On CD/Multimedia ->External Devices->Options.

Should I go back to the dealership to ask? Or are there models that do not have an in-build HDD?


Thanks again.

If you have the professional (widescreen) navigation, you will have the HDD and can import music to the hard drive. If you have the business navigation (not widescreen), the USB port cannot be used for importing music. I believe it is only for use by BMW tecnicians to update navigation software etc.

[nosmash]

Originally Posted by gobobbie

If you have the professional (widescreen) navigation, you will have the HDD and can import music to the hard drive. If you have the business navigation (not widescreen), the USB port cannot be used for importing music. I believe it is only for use by BMW tecnicians to update navigation software etc.

Thanks gobobbie. This was confirmed to me by the service advisor. He told me that I have a "CIC-mid" spec and the usb port is only used to upgrade the nav software, nothing else. I would assume that a "CIC-high" is the professional nav system.

That clears things up.

[bcoz]

Originally Posted by nosmash

I would assume that a "CIC-high" is the professional nav system.

The Professional Nav has the CIC (Car Information Computer) which has an integrated HDD (80GB with 8GB or 12GB reserved for the music collection). The CIC replaced the older Car Communication Computer (CCC) which was DVD based.