USB stick for audio - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

MarkW83 · 11-20-2012, 11:08 AM

In anticipation of the delivery of my F30 with H/K, I've just bought one of these ridiculously tiny USB sticks (SanDisk) to put music on. Thought it would be a lot better than a normal 'stick-out' USB stick when stored in the armrest, and I've found this the easiest way to get music to and from the car, with album art etc. (in my E82).

They come in 8/16/32GB; I got a 16GB one for £7 inc. postage on eBay - bit of a steal really!

Just thought I would share...

TheObviousChild · 11-20-2012, 12:44 PM

How big is the internal HDD again?

My F30 should be here in two weeks. I mainly listen to Sirius, but will probably dump a few key bands onto the hard drive.

Dabaitu · 11-20-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheObviousChild

How big is the internal HDD again?

My F30 should be here in two weeks. I mainly listen to Sirius, but will probably dump a few key bands onto the hard drive.

Your issue with the car's HDD is that it doesn't rip from a CD at a decent bit rate AFAIK.

You're better off doing what the OP and I do, which is RIP to a WMA lossless or 320 rated file and store it on a USB. It will pick up album art too if done correctly, and the 32GB Sandisk I use is about half the size of a thumb.

TheObviousChild · 11-20-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

Your issue with the car's HDD is that it doesn't rip from a CD at a decent bit rate AFAIK.

You're better off doing what the OP and I do, which is RIP to a WMA lossless or 320 rated file and store it on a USB. It will pick up album art too if done correctly, and the 32GB Sandisk I use is about half the size of a thumb.

Ahhh, so you can only get music on the HDD by ripping from the CD? I was hoping/expecting you could transfer from the USB. Oh well. USB it is!

fshubert · 11-22-2012, 11:23 AM

I threw a bunch of tunes (mp3) on my USB and the car doesn't see it. Is there a special package needed to play music off the USB?

MarkW83 · 11-22-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fshubert

I threw a bunch of tunes (mp3) on my USB and the car doesn't see it. Is there a special package needed to play music off the USB?

You just need the USB audio interface AFAIK; are you plugging the USB drive into the port under the armrest (rather than in the glovebox)? If so, are they normal unprotected MP3s, and what format is the USB drive?

fshubert · 11-22-2012, 11:31 AM

Yup. Under armrest. All ripped mp3's (and some wma's) from CDs. Will try again. I get a message when I try to access the USB. Oh, and I'm using that USB drive (looks like the FOB) BMW sends you when you get a new car.

fshubert · 11-22-2012, 11:36 AM

Yup, I go to the menu for external devices and the USB logo is greyed out and next to it says "not supported". Must have needed to get some $2000 package for that feature.

DarkTrigger · 11-22-2012, 03:17 PM

Nice find. I'll try getting one myself.

Update: Just found one on Amazon.com for 22 bucks, 32 gig!

vigalent · 11-22-2012, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheObviousChild

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

Your issue with the car's HDD is that it doesn't rip from a CD at a decent bit rate AFAIK.

You're better off doing what the OP and I do, which is RIP to a WMA lossless or 320 rated file and store it on a USB. It will pick up album art too if done correctly, and the 32GB Sandisk I use is about half the size of a thumb.

Ahhh, so you can only get music on the HDD by ripping from the CD? I was hoping/expecting you could transfer from the USB. Oh well. USB it is!

You can import music from the USB in the glovebox directly to the HDD.

It takes a while (like 30mins for the 7gb I imported) but it works a treat. Album art is sadly not supported when playing for the HDD but that not important to me.

S-Dot · 11-22-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fshubert

Yup, I go to the menu for external devices and the USB logo is greyed out and next to it says "not supported". Must have needed to get some $2000 package for that feature.

Is the USB stick formatted FAT32? I don't think NTFS or exFAT are supported.

You may need the USB+Bluetooth option installed - not 100% though. Up here this came with the "BMW Assist" package ZWQ.

S-Dot · 11-22-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheObviousChild

Ahhh, so you can only get music on the HDD by ripping from the CD? I was hoping/expecting you could transfer from the USB. Oh well. USB it is!

You transfer music using the USB in the glovebox. The USB in the armrest is for playing directly.

fshubert · 11-23-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-Dot

Is the USB stick formatted FAT32? I don't think NTFS or exFAT are supported.

You may need the USB+Bluetooth option installed - not 100% though. Up here this came with the "BMW Assist" package ZWQ.

S-Dot, that was it! USB drive needed to be in FAT32 format. Thanks very much!

azzurro · 12-11-2012, 04:43 PM

I just bought a sandisk 16gb for $14.99 at Staples which is usually high priced. Does anybody else think that it's crazy that you can't download from an iPhone directly? That is has to go to a USB zip drive?

I thought it would be easy just to download from the ipod or iphone directly....but no.

yepeztroncoso · 12-12-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzurro

I just bought a sandisk 16gb for $14.99 at Staples which is usually high priced. Does anybody else think that it's crazy that you can't download from an iPhone directly? That is has to go to a USB zip drive?

I thought it would be easy just to download from the ipod or iphone directly....but no.

It's an issue with ipod/apple/itunes related music and copyrights. It's the same reason you can't transfer your music frmo and ipod to a computer, unles you do it with special ripping software.

azzurro · 12-12-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yepeztroncoso

It's an issue with ipod/apple/itunes related music and copyrights. It's the same reason you can't transfer your music frmo and ipod to a computer, unles you do it with special ripping software.

Oh yeah......I knew there was a logical reason. How does Apple think MOST people get their music into iTunes? They don't buy ALL of their music from Apple.

In my case, I have bought ZERO music from Apple and ALL of the music I have in iTunes (and later transferred to my iPod, iPhone) came from my own files. Anyway..it's not that difficult to load up a USB zip which I did last night and it works just great.

Another pleasant surprise is how good the standard non HK stereo sounds. I am completely happy with it.

Fly_F30 · 12-12-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigalent

You can import music from the USB in the glovebox directly to the HDD.

It takes a while (like 30mins for the 7gb I imported) but it works a treat. Album art is sadly not supported when playing for the HDD but that not important to me.

hey Vigalent, did you set up folders on the USB prior to transfer? ....and did the car keep them sorted?

Thanks!

NateDog07V · 12-13-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzurro

Another pleasant surprise is how good the standard non HK stereo sounds. I am completely happy with it.

Add a small sub/amp to it and it absolutely rocks

way better than the HK if you ask me, and a heck of a lot less than 900 bucks

azzurro · 12-13-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NateDog07V

Add a small sub/amp to it and it absolutely rocks

way better than the HK if you ask me, and a heck of a lot less than 900 bucks

I'll look into this. What did you add and who did it for you and what specifically did you add?

I called a couple of stereo places and they weren't too encouraging about upgrading the BMW because of the computer.

NateDog07V · 12-13-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzurro

I'll look into this. What did you add and who did it for you and what specifically did you add?

I called a couple of stereo places and they weren't too encouraging about upgrading the BMW because of the computer.

Did it myself... super easy actually since everything is in the trunk... took about 2 hours.. see my previous post inquiring about the gas door rattle for more info.. any more quesitons, just let me know but don't get tricked into buying a bunch of harnesses or paying someone 300+ to do a very straightforward install for you
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=762033

Hayir · 12-14-2012, 11:21 AM

I also got the same stick after my car delivered. It is much smaller than I expected. First I was afraid to plug it in and can`t unplug again

RPM90 · 12-16-2012, 01:20 AM

This thread reminded me that I do have a USB input. I have the HK system but no other tech options. So I tried it and it works great!
Basic iDrive screen shows 'artist' and song title. I used iTunes and loaded some mp3's. They sound much better than satellite radio.
Now I'm going to load up some .wav files.
Thanks for reminder.

11-20-2012, 11:08 AM	#1
MarkW83 Lieutenant Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: UK Posts: 472 iTrader: (0)	USB stick for audio In anticipation of the delivery of my F30 with H/K, I've just bought one of these ridiculously tiny USB sticks (SanDisk) to put music on. Thought it would be a lot better than a normal 'stick-out' USB stick when stored in the armrest, and I've found this the easiest way to get music to and from the car, with album art etc. (in my E82). They come in 8/16/32GB; I got a 16GB one for £7 inc. postage on eBay - bit of a steal really! Just thought I would share... Attached Images __________________ F30 330d M Sport Mineral Grey / Coral Red Pro Nav/Visibility Pack/Comfort Pack/Harman Kardon/Head-Up Display/Electric Seats/Comfort Access/Adaptive Suspension...
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11-20-2012, 12:44 PM	#2
TheObviousChild First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 335xi - M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Broomfield, CO Posts: 340 iTrader: (0)	How big is the internal HDD again? My F30 should be here in two weeks. I mainly listen to Sirius, but will probably dump a few key bands onto the hard drive. __________________ 2013 BMW 335xi EBII over Coral Red / ///M sport / Premium / Cold Weather / 6MT / Nav / Dynamic Handling / HK audio Previous: 2010 328i / MT Previous: 2007 328i / AT (boo) Previous: 2004 325i / MT

11-22-2012, 11:23 AM	#5
fshubert Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Posts: 290 iTrader: (0)	I threw a bunch of tunes (mp3) on my USB and the car doesn't see it. Is there a special package needed to play music off the USB? __________________ 2013 F30 335i \| Sportline \| Imperial Blue Metallic \| Black Dakota \| 6-speed \| HK \| Cold \| Premium \| 19" Staggered Sports \| M-Performance Exhaust Previous loves: 2009 E90 335i 2007 E90 328xi

11-22-2012, 11:31 AM	#7
fshubert Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Posts: 290 iTrader: (0)	Yup. Under armrest. All ripped mp3's (and some wma's) from CDs. Will try again. I get a message when I try to access the USB. Oh, and I'm using that USB drive (looks like the FOB) BMW sends you when you get a new car. __________________ 2013 F30 335i \| Sportline \| Imperial Blue Metallic \| Black Dakota \| 6-speed \| HK \| Cold \| Premium \| 19" Staggered Sports \| M-Performance Exhaust Previous loves: 2009 E90 335i 2007 E90 328xi

11-22-2012, 11:36 AM	#8
fshubert Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Posts: 290 iTrader: (0)	Yup, I go to the menu for external devices and the USB logo is greyed out and next to it says "not supported". Must have needed to get some $2000 package for that feature. __________________ 2013 F30 335i \| Sportline \| Imperial Blue Metallic \| Black Dakota \| 6-speed \| HK \| Cold \| Premium \| 19" Staggered Sports \| M-Performance Exhaust Previous loves: 2009 E90 335i 2007 E90 328xi

11-22-2012, 03:17 PM	#9
DarkTrigger Professional Drives: 335i MPPK Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: LB, SoCal Posts: 836 iTrader: (0)	Nice find. I'll try getting one myself. Update: Just found one on Amazon.com for 22 bucks, 32 gig!

12-11-2012, 04:43 PM	#14
azzurro First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 335i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Del Mar, CA Posts: 397 iTrader: (0)	I just bought a sandisk 16gb for $14.99 at Staples which is usually high priced. Does anybody else think that it's crazy that you can't download from an iPhone directly? That is has to go to a USB zip drive? I thought it would be easy just to download from the ipod or iphone directly....but no.

12-14-2012, 11:21 AM	#21
Hayir Private First Class Drives: 328i modern line Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 172 iTrader: (0)	I also got the same stick after my car delivered. It is much smaller than I expected. First I was afraid to plug it in and can`t unplug again __________________ 2013 328i Modern line imperial blue/oyster, ZPP, ZCW, ZDH, ZLP, ZTP, Harman Kardon, park distance, High beam assist, Sundahes

12-16-2012, 01:20 AM	#22
RPM90 Major General Drives: 335i Msport w/sport AT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,668 iTrader: (1)	This thread reminded me that I do have a USB input. I have the HK system but no other tech options. So I tried it and it works great! Basic iDrive screen shows 'artist' and song title. I used iTunes and loaded some mp3's. They sound much better than satellite radio. Now I'm going to load up some .wav files. Thanks for reminder.

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