[TheBweast]

Hi all, as the Title states I'm trying to get confirmation if the Armrest USB will allow for use of an External Hard drive for both Music and Movies. I have a 2013 328i with Usb locations in both the Armrest and Glovebox. I know the Glovebox usb is for updates but im just wondering if i throw a small HDD in there if i can fully access all the media.

Thanks in advanced!

[Fronzdan]

Glovebox - no. Armrest - yes. I would suggest getting a SSD, but certain HDD's work fine. I have one pulled from a MacBook that works fine.

[TheBweast]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Glovebox - no. Armrest - yes. I would suggest getting a SSD, but certain HDD's work fine. I have one pulled from a MacBook that works fine.

Awesome thanks! I saw another member has been using the Seagate Slim HDD in his Glovebox box in his 4 Series, and I was probably looking into getting one like that if not that exact one. Now time to remove the Phone Cradle to have a nice mat for the new HDD

[Fronzdan]

Yeah, yank that cradle out of there! If snap-ins were like $50 and they came out with them quickly to adapt to the ever changing device market, it would have been a great idea. But for $200+ and long delay after a device comes out...if you're lucky....forget it. One of my favorite interior mods.

[TheBweast]

Yeah I cant wait to get that thing outta there!

[PuterPro]

I got a 256GB on a great sale, and put it in a cheap USB3 SSD box.
I chose to go SSD instead of Hard drive since a car environment vibrates and is less kind than an office desk... SSD's don't care if you bang 'em!

I have tested it and it played fine, Album art, the works. I tested FLAC and MP3 and all was fine.

That said I have a 2015 320i, but I'm pretty sure it will work on the 2013.

FYI: The box I got was: An Inateck FE2006, currently on sale for a huge $10!

http://smile.amazon.com/Tool-free-In...eywords=fe2006

PutePro

[jaytee0401]

Originally Posted by PuterPro

I got a 256GB on a great sale, and put it in a cheap USB3 SSD box.
I chose to go SSD instead of Hard drive since a car environment vibrates and is less kind than an office desk... SSD's don't care if you bang 'em!

I have tested it and it played fine, Album art, the works. I tested FLAC and MP3 and all was fine.

That said I have a 2015 320i, but I'm pretty sure it will work on the 2013.

FYI: The box I got was: An Inateck FE2006, currently on sale for a huge $10!

http://smile.amazon.com/Tool-free-In...eywords=fe2006

PutePro

Did you say our iDrive plays flac off USB SSD HD? I thought it only plays lossy formats (AAC, WMA, and MP3).

[PuterPro]

Well, it works fine in my 2015 320i.

I just posted a new thread sorta along this line, you might read it, but I have successfully run FLAC on my OEM system.

Just installed a BimmerTech PP82DSP amp / processor, and all I can say is WOW! Even with totally stock speakers it blew my mind.

That said, I've been running an separate high quality portable DAC through the Aux jack recently, not using the USB since the DAC in the stock amp is ... well.... sorta lame.

But that sucks since Art and Control is on the PHONE, can only change at red lights, or put my Wife in charge on weekends!

Gotta go - Dinner time and Wife is growling at me!

TTFN,
PutePro

[wilbur_the_goose]

Just don't let it get too hot. Come August, you're going to want to remove the drive from the car.

[PuterPro]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Just don't let it get too hot. Come August, you're going to want to remove the drive from the car.

Hey Wilbur!

Nah, that's not an issue. SSD's can handle much higher heat levels than a conventional hard drive, but even they don't have an issue with heat in a car.

A Conventional hard drive usually is rated around 125° F working temp (storage is much higher), SSD's usually around 155° F (again, storage much higher).

If you're in your car listening at 155° F take a moment and call 911, you'll need a medic, LOL! You're SSD won't.

Seriously, heat isn't a problem here. The numbers they quote are purposely low, there's a big safety factor there too. Hard drives, yes overheating can be a problem, but if you're comfortable, so are they is the rule of thumb. Yes, sitting in full sun for hours in August, stuck in the armrest with no air circulation, then put to work, a drive ~could~ get to the edge of it's specs. But just barely.

SSD's can really take much more, heck the chips are soldered to the circuit boards in an oven at over 300° C (572° F) ! If you think about it, there are many circuits in the car that use the same chips, they don't fail from the heat.

This is another reason why I suggest SSD for use in a car over HD's, that and vibration, banging around and general "life happens" moments.

PutePro

[constantin_md]

Originally Posted by TheBweast

Hi all, as the Title states I'm trying to get confirmation if the Armrest USB will allow for use of an External Hard drive for both Music and Movies. I have a 2013 328i with Usb locations in both the Armrest and Glovebox. I know the Glovebox usb is for updates but im just wondering if i throw a small HDD in there if i can fully access all the media.

Thanks in advanced!

What types of video codecs are supported for usb use ?

[BOSSCR]

Following for video codec answers.

[Pauleebe]

Without tech package, I could NEVER get my iDrive to properly deal with a USB or external HDD. It could never handle more than a few hundred/thousand songs without crashing iDrive altogether.

Just a headsup since you also have a MY2013.

[ahero4eternity]

I just use 128GB flash drive in my MY2013.

[PuterPro]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Without tech package, I could NEVER get my iDrive to properly deal with a USB or external HDD. It could never handle more than a few hundred/thousand songs without crashing iDrive altogether.

Just a headsup since you also have a MY2013.

Interesting. I've got a 2015, but I don't think there's much difference.

My tests were with probably 150 songs and it was a "test of concept", not a "live with it" scenario.

I've got a very large library, but it's in chaos since I let my Wife manage it on iTunes for years without supervision.
She ripped in 128kb mp3 for a lot of it. Now she faces : {Grin}

The Art is screwed up, the organization is wacked, it's a massive mess.

So, at this point I haven't got thousands to test with, it's a slow rebuild process.

Video Codecs - No idea, interesting Q. Was never big on in car video. Not many places I'd sit in my car to watch, and watching while driving ... Hmmm not a fan.
I live in Florida, you have to be watching these old people like a hawk every second or you're toast!

PuterPro

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by PuterPro

Interesting. I've got a 2015, but I don't think there's much difference.

My tests were with probably 150 songs and it was a "test of concept", not a "live with it" scenario.

I've got a very large library, but it's in chaos since I let my Wife manage it on iTunes for years without supervision.
She ripped in 128kb mp3 for a lot of it. Now she faces : {Grin}

The Art is screwed up, the organization is wacked, it's a massive mess.

So, at this point I haven't got thousands to test with, it's a slow rebuild process.

Video Codecs - No idea, interesting Q. Was never big on in car video. Not many places I'd sit in my car to watch, and watching while driving ... Hmmm not a fan.
I live in Florida, you have to be watching these old people like a hawk every second or you're toast!

PuterPro

Do you have tech package or navigation? Wondering if these vehicles have lesser powered iDrive's that just can't handle that much media.

[PuterPro]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Do you have tech package or navigation? Wondering if these vehicles have lesser powered iDrive's that just can't handle that much media.

Nope. Got a deal on a CPO, would have like Nav, but the deal was too good.

Not sure what the "Tech package" is, so don't know if I do. If you tell me the pkg number I can check my VIN and tell you.

Do have Enhanced Bluetooth, but the sound quality is lousy and I'm investigating bypassing it.

PuterPro

[fxtion]

hi, Newbie here.

Just picked up a 2016 428i Gran Coupe and trying to figure out a few things about the USB/Media/MP3 files. I know how to import CD's in to the Internal storage, but is there a way to import MP3 or other music using the USB? I see the option to "Import" but it's not available.

[PuterPro]

Originally Posted by fxtion

hi, Newbie here.

Just picked up a 2016 428i Gran Coupe and trying to figure out a few things about the USB/Media/MP3 files. I know how to import CD's in to the Internal storage, but is there a way to import MP3 or other music using the USB? I see the option to "Import" but it's not available.

Hi!
Hmmm ... Internal storage, eh? Didn't know there was a package with that. Pretty cool. What's the capacity?

I'm pretty sure the USB is for playback only, but not knowing the package you have I could be way off.

One thought that occurs to me is if you're OK with mp3 and can transfer via the CD player is you could burn a CD on your computer with mp3's and import that way. My Wife used to have a car that could read mp3's from the CD and that was years ago, bet yours does too. For the cost of a CD your could test it ...

Most of today's cars will take a DVD as well. You can get a hell of a lot of mp3's on a single DVD-R, better than ripping a whole bunch of CD's.

Just a thought ...
PuterPro

[susmiths]

Hi,
Can you play videos through USB in armrest on your 2013 BMW?

I have 2013 328xi(F30) with CIC headunit but unable to play videos.
Can you tell me how you did that?

Thanks in Advance.

[paul223]

you need to change code.

Originally Posted by susmiths

Hi,
Can you play videos through USB in armrest on your 2013 BMW?

I have 2013 328xi(F30) with CIC headunit but unable to play videos.
Can you tell me how you did that?

Thanks in Advance.

[susmiths]

Originally Posted by paul223

you need to change code.

I did code my car to play videos but unable to achieve it through USB.
Can you send me what needs to be changed on CIC to play videos through USB..

It will be really helpful for me.
Thanks in Advance.