Music on a USB Stick or ipod?

birdman325 · 01-17-2011, 10:19 AM

I am currently listening to music off a Kingston 16GB USB stick which I leave permanently connected in the arm rest on my 2011 328 xDrive Touring. I happen to have an older 8 GB Nano (one of the square ones) which doesn't get used much. (My really old 30GB colour ipod doesn't work in the car).

The USB stick totally meets my needs but I am wondering if there are any "advantages" (or disadvantages) for using the ipod and leaving that connected rather than using the USB stick? I guess the ipod lets me use Playlists which I probably can't do on the stick, but these days, you can buy a 16GB USB key for under $50, get full functionality off the iDrive, and not worry about theft (or battery) so I wonder why would anyone use an ipod?

kefler · 01-17-2011, 03:42 PM

You can use playlists on the stick. Just create a .m3u file (which is really just a file with a list of .mp3 names and the path to them) and stick it in the root directory of the USB stick.

My opinion is there's no reason to keep an ipod connected. The Ipod has to connect to the car via the analog cable which isn't going to sound as good as the car decoding the MP3's itself.

dghdgh · 01-19-2011, 05:05 PM

I use a 16g usb stick in my 2011 318 and think its fantastic I was considering going for a multi changer it would have been a total waste of money. As for my ipod why waste it.
Big thumbs up for the usb stick functionality.

twinship · 01-20-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dghdgh

I use a 16g usb stick in my 2011 318 and think its fantastic I was considering going for a multi changer it would have been a total waste of money. As for my ipod why waste it.
Big thumbs up for the usb stick functionality.

+1

I'm no audio expert, but it works great for me!

MudPhud · 01-22-2011, 10:51 AM

I, too, prefer the USB route. Excellent digital sound and you don't have to deal with the iPod's battery. No analog cables and nothing flopping around during aggressive driving.

The diminutive Sony Microvault 'Click' fits nicely, and the armrest closes without touching the flashdrive.

When using a USB flashdrive, does anyone know if there is any way to have the OEM headunit SCROLL the display so that the whole title of an MP3 track appears as opposed to just the first fifteen characters?

Been frustrated for 6+ months.

Spy021 · 01-22-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MudPhud

I, too, prefer the USB route. Excellent digital sound and you don't have to deal with the iPod's battery. No analog cables and nothing flopping around during aggressive driving.

The diminutive Sony Microvault 'Click' fits nicely, and the armrest closes without touching the flashdrive.

When using a USB flashdrive, does anyone know if there is any way to have the OEM headunit SCROLL the display so that the whole title of an MP3 track appears as opposed to just the first fifteen characters?

Been frustrated for 6+ months.

That would drive me nuts, too. Does is scroll if you use an iPod?

kaigoss69 · 01-22-2011, 03:57 PM

I am using my ipod, but as a USB drive. Works great!

BTW how in the heck do you create a playlist on the USB drive???

PINeely · 01-22-2011, 05:32 PM

FWIW, you can fast-forward more quickly with a USB stick. As soon as I found this out my iPod came off forever.

chucktang · 01-23-2011, 10:40 AM

another vote for the usb stick - love this feature.

As another said, a playlist file really i just a file with links to the other music files in the directory. If you stick your usb drive into your PC, create a playlist with windows media player and stick the playlist file on the usb drive, it should work.

The_DDub · 01-24-2011, 04:51 PM

I vote for the iPod. I tried a USB stick and I found it to be SLOW. I like to listen to my music usually through genre or artist and the stick took too long just to catalog the files.

When I view the music via genre or artist on the ipod, it's quick since the ipod has cataloged and categorized the music already.

111R · 06-10-2011, 11:58 AM

I decided to post on this existing thread rather than start a new one. My 2011 335i has the USB/Ipod adapter and the HK upgraded sound system, but does not have nav. The car will show up in the Brunswick on Monday and I should pick it up in Atlanta by this time next week, so I don't have it just yet.

I currently don't own an Ipod, although my kids both have had them. I'm thinking about just loading my CDs and other sources of music on a USB stick and just using it vs. buying an Ipod. I know that the latter has random play and other features that are nice, but I'm not so sure that I want to deal with the battery issues and the initial cost for something that may not be necessary.

What are the advantages of using an Ipod over a USB stick? Will I be able to easily access different playlists or individual songs okay with the stick? What about random play? Does this require an Ipod? Any recommendations for specific USB sticks or Ipods for this application?

Sorry for the basic questions, but I'm an Ipod/electronic media novice.

mr_milo · 06-10-2011, 06:05 PM

I have used both my Ipod and USB stick. I didn't find too much difference between them but I wasn't really looking hard. I ended up finding that the USB was better for me. It is a LOT cheaper and still lets me used my iPod elsewhere. You wouldn't have to worry about the iPod battery since it will charge anytime the car is on.

I have been able to get random to work on the USB but it's a selection in my iDrive. I assume you can do it without too. The problem I have found with the USB is that if I choose an artist I get all the songs in alphabetical order rather then disk order. If I chose just an album then there is no issue and it plays as expected. This could be a setting or it could be an issue.... I'm not sure. I also am not sure if it was the same with the Ipod or not. Also, when using random it works by selection. For example if I choose all music and then random it plays all of it randomly. If I choose just an Artist and then random, it just plays the Artist's tracks randomly, etc.

Personally with the USB, I think a LOT of it is HOW you store the music on the USB in the first place. And how you label your music with filenames and tag data. I have my music in folders by Artist, then sub-folders for Albums, and the filenames are just the song title. The tag data is complete with embedded Album art which shows on the iDrive screen.

Hope this helps

111R · 06-10-2011, 07:20 PM

It does help, thanks! I have quite a few CD's that I want to load on the USB stick. Any advice on loading these?

mr_milo · 06-10-2011, 08:05 PM

Since you don't have iDrive, I'm not sure if you still have the internal HD or not. If you do, you might just want to let the car rip them to your HD. I imported a few via USB but can't get album art that way.

Therefore I went with the USB.

Otherwise you can use a ton of different programs to rip the CDs to your computer and then just copy and paste what you want onto your USB. I used iTunes but just make sure to set up your program for mp3 format or one of the others supported by the car. You can download the owners manual from the BMW website and read more about the formats.

01-17-2011, 10:19 AM	#1
birdman325 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 30 Posts Drives: '02 325Xi -> '11 328i Touring Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Music on a USB Stick or ipod? I am currently listening to music off a Kingston 16GB USB stick which I leave permanently connected in the arm rest on my 2011 328 xDrive Touring. I happen to have an older 8 GB Nano (one of the square ones) which doesn't get used much. (My really old 30GB colour ipod doesn't work in the car). The USB stick totally meets my needs but I am wondering if there are any "advantages" (or disadvantages) for using the ipod and leaving that connected rather than using the USB stick? I guess the ipod lets me use Playlists which I probably can't do on the stick, but these days, you can buy a 16GB USB key for under $50, get full functionality off the iDrive, and not worry about theft (or battery) so I wonder why would anyone use an ipod?
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01-17-2011, 03:42 PM	#2
kefler Lieutenant 123 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2018 X5m / Alpine White Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	You can use playlists on the stick. Just create a .m3u file (which is really just a file with a list of .mp3 names and the path to them) and stick it in the root directory of the USB stick. My opinion is there's no reason to keep an ipod connected. The Ipod has to connect to the car via the analog cable which isn't going to sound as good as the car decoding the MP3's itself.
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01-19-2011, 05:05 PM	#3
dghdgh Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 210 Posts Drives: E91 sports+ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Teesside UK iTrader: (3)	I use a 16g usb stick in my 2011 318 and think its fantastic I was considering going for a multi changer it would have been a total waste of money. As for my ipod why waste it. Big thumbs up for the usb stick functionality.
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01-22-2011, 10:51 AM	#5
MudPhud New Member 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 M3 ZCP,E70 X5 V8,F15 X5 V8 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I, too, prefer the USB route. Excellent digital sound and you don't have to deal with the iPod's battery. No analog cables and nothing flopping around during aggressive driving. The diminutive Sony Microvault 'Click' fits nicely, and the armrest closes without touching the flashdrive. When using a USB flashdrive, does anyone know if there is any way to have the OEM headunit SCROLL the display so that the whole title of an MP3 track appears as opposed to just the first fifteen characters? Been frustrated for 6+ months. __________________ MudPhud 2017 BMW F15 X5 V8TT Space Gray \| Black/Oak 2011 BMW E90 M3 Le Mans Blue \| Black/Sycamore \| 6-speed \| Competition 2011 BMW E70 X5 V8TT Titanium Silver \| Black/Walnut 2002 BMW E46 330i Topaz Blue \| Gray/Aluminum \| 5-speed \| Sport (retired)
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01-22-2011, 03:57 PM	#7
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 301 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	I am using my ipod, but as a USB drive. Works great! BTW how in the heck do you create a playlist on the USB drive??? __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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01-22-2011, 05:32 PM	#8
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1080 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	FWIW, you can fast-forward more quickly with a USB stick. As soon as I found this out my iPod came off forever.
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01-23-2011, 10:40 AM	#9
chucktang Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 204 Posts Drives: '07 335i e92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	another vote for the usb stick - love this feature. As another said, a playlist file really i just a file with links to the other music files in the directory. If you stick your usb drive into your PC, create a playlist with windows media player and stick the playlist file on the usb drive, it should work.
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01-24-2011, 04:51 PM	#10
The_DDub Mmmm torque 19 Rep 318 Posts Drives: Like a Boss, hard and fast Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Livermore, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 328i Sedan [0.00]	I vote for the iPod. I tried a USB stick and I found it to be SLOW. I like to listen to my music usually through genre or artist and the stick took too long just to catalog the files. When I view the music via genre or artist on the ipod, it's quick since the ipod has cataloged and categorized the music already. __________________ Monaco Blue E90 328i with Nav, Sport, Premium and Comfort Access packages, 6FL with iPod cable SAE spec Depo with HIDs and HID fogs Depo AE replacement Album
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06-10-2011, 11:58 AM	#11
111R First Lieutenant 17 Rep 325 Posts Drives: Lotus Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	I decided to post on this existing thread rather than start a new one. My 2011 335i has the USB/Ipod adapter and the HK upgraded sound system, but does not have nav. The car will show up in the Brunswick on Monday and I should pick it up in Atlanta by this time next week, so I don't have it just yet. I currently don't own an Ipod, although my kids both have had them. I'm thinking about just loading my CDs and other sources of music on a USB stick and just using it vs. buying an Ipod. I know that the latter has random play and other features that are nice, but I'm not so sure that I want to deal with the battery issues and the initial cost for something that may not be necessary. What are the advantages of using an Ipod over a USB stick? Will I be able to easily access different playlists or individual songs okay with the stick? What about random play? Does this require an Ipod? Any recommendations for specific USB sticks or Ipods for this application? Sorry for the basic questions, but I'm an Ipod/electronic media novice. __________________ '11 BMW 335i (Alpine White) M-Sport, Premium, Heated Seats, HK, 6MT, dealer-installed PPK, ER Charge Pipe, Euro Delivery 5/11/2011 '05 Lotus Elise (Arctic Silver) Sport, HT, Stage II, Odyssey PC925, Lotus Cup 240R Wheels '87 Nissan Pickup (Burgandy) King Cab '17 Audi A4 Ultra, Monsoon Grey, Wife's car
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06-10-2011, 06:05 PM	#12
mr_milo Captain 14 Rep 668 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	I have used both my Ipod and USB stick. I didn't find too much difference between them but I wasn't really looking hard. I ended up finding that the USB was better for me. It is a LOT cheaper and still lets me used my iPod elsewhere. You wouldn't have to worry about the iPod battery since it will charge anytime the car is on. I have been able to get random to work on the USB but it's a selection in my iDrive. I assume you can do it without too. The problem I have found with the USB is that if I choose an artist I get all the songs in alphabetical order rather then disk order. If I chose just an album then there is no issue and it plays as expected. This could be a setting or it could be an issue.... I'm not sure. I also am not sure if it was the same with the Ipod or not. Also, when using random it works by selection. For example if I choose all music and then random it plays all of it randomly. If I choose just an Artist and then random, it just plays the Artist's tracks randomly, etc. Personally with the USB, I think a LOT of it is HOW you store the music on the USB in the first place. And how you label your music with filenames and tag data. I have my music in folders by Artist, then sub-folders for Albums, and the filenames are just the song title. The tag data is complete with embedded Album art which shows on the iDrive screen. Hope this helps
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06-10-2011, 07:20 PM	#13
111R First Lieutenant 17 Rep 325 Posts Drives: Lotus Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	It does help, thanks! I have quite a few CD's that I want to load on the USB stick. Any advice on loading these? __________________ '11 BMW 335i (Alpine White) M-Sport, Premium, Heated Seats, HK, 6MT, dealer-installed PPK, ER Charge Pipe, Euro Delivery 5/11/2011 '05 Lotus Elise (Arctic Silver) Sport, HT, Stage II, Odyssey PC925, Lotus Cup 240R Wheels '87 Nissan Pickup (Burgandy) King Cab '17 Audi A4 Ultra, Monsoon Grey, Wife's car
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06-10-2011, 08:05 PM	#14
mr_milo Captain 14 Rep 668 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	Since you don't have iDrive, I'm not sure if you still have the internal HD or not. If you do, you might just want to let the car rip them to your HD. I imported a few via USB but can't get album art that way. Therefore I went with the USB. Otherwise you can use a ton of different programs to rip the CDs to your computer and then just copy and paste what you want onto your USB. I used iTunes but just make sure to set up your program for mp3 format or one of the others supported by the car. You can download the owners manual from the BMW website and read more about the formats.
	Appreciate 0 Quote