Using USB Drive for Audio

Judge · 01-08-2009, 01:11 PM

Just wondering if anyone uses the USB input as their primary audio source versues the Mp3 connection and CD player. Also, any issues with it? Sometimes my system automatically switches from USB to FM tuner. I'm thinking it's either a glitch in the audio system or a bad memory stick.

oldman · 01-08-2009, 01:22 PM

I do as I don't own an iPod. It's plugged into the USB connection under the armrest and I use it though the 09 iDrive and it has performed without any problems at all.

gnpower · 01-08-2009, 01:36 PM

Mine is an 08 and I have an 8gb stick and the only problem I'm having is it is almost full.

nordique14 · 01-08-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnpower

Mine is an 08 and I have an 8gb stick and the only problem I'm having is it is almost full.

Same here. I need a bigger flash drive. Apparently anything up to 32GB will work fine.

I find the USB stick to be much easier to use.

ad78 · 01-08-2009, 02:06 PM

im using the 32gb patriot xporter usb stick and dont have any problems at all..

HeyNow · 01-08-2009, 06:34 PM

You have a 40K car! buy an IPOD

vanbmw · 01-08-2009, 07:00 PM

I use a USB stick and it works great. I have never had it kick off to the FM tuner. I also have an IPOD but it is a pain to keep moving it from the car to my house. I use my IPOD for running and I would be taking it out of the car every second day. It is easier to just leave my USB stick in the car. When I go load on new songs I take my IPOD and my USB stick to the computer and do it at the same time.

1Ronnie · 01-08-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyNow

You have a 40K car! buy an IPOD

NO !!! But for data redundancy (gotta save those bits, we're going to run out one day !!) see here for my reasoning
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=50

Judge · 01-09-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyNow

You have a 40K car! buy an IPOD

You assume I don't have an IPOD because I don't think I can afford one. My issue with IPODS is the DRM restriction (which is supposedly going out the window). I will not pay for music that isn't mine. I am a happy Zune owner. The device works great and actually plays MY music in regular Mp3 format.

Besides, I like how the USB drive is hidden and isn't as valuable as an Mp3 player should something happen.

BlackjackMulligan · 01-09-2009, 02:21 PM

From what I've heard, the 09 iDrive comes with the USB port in the glovebox, no? Can I use a USB stick in that port for my music if I don't have the iPod hookup?

Or do I just rip the music from the stick to the internal harddrive with that port?

AtomiK · 01-09-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge

You assume I don't have an IPOD because I don't think I can afford one. My issue with IPODS is the DRM restriction (which is supposedly going out the window). I will not pay for music that isn't mine. I am a happy Zune owner. The device works great and actually plays MY music in regular Mp3 format.

Besides, I like how the USB drive is hidden and isn't as valuable as an Mp3 player should something happen.

My iPod doesn't have any DRM-ridden songs on it. It plays them perfectly fine.

john970 · 01-09-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge

You assume I don't have an IPOD because I don't think I can afford one. My issue with IPODS is the DRM restriction (which is supposedly going out the window). I will not pay for music that isn't mine. I am a happy Zune owner. The device works great and actually plays MY music in regular Mp3 format.

Besides, I like how the USB drive is hidden and isn't as valuable as an Mp3 player should something happen.

I don't understand your comment. An iPod will play everything a usb stick will.

If you meant the usb stick interface is better than the ipod, I understand (but disagree).

Only reason I can see is if you want to just manage your music using the filesystem (although you can do that with an ipod too...)

oldman · 01-09-2009, 02:38 PM

The reason I use a USB stick is that are so cheap now, I can just leave it in the car plugged in with all my music rather than to have an iPod or Zune and have to plug and unplug it all the time.

I dont see what the benefit of having the iPod in the car is other than having various playlists which I dont care about because I only have the music I want to play in the car on the stick anyway.

I select Random play and it starts to play as soon as the car starts right from where it left off and they have more than enough capacity to store my favourite music for driving.

Judge · 01-27-2009, 09:52 PM

UPDATE: It was a bad USB stick that caused the problem. Since replacing it with a higher quality and higher capacity drive I've no problems.

Gogud · 01-27-2009, 10:35 PM

quote-"Besides, I like how the USB drive is hidden and isn't as valuable as an Mp3 player should something happen."

The iPod fits in the soft compartment under the arm rest. With the arm rest in the normal down position, the iPod and cables are hidden. Therefore, it cannot be seen from outside the car. If someone breaks into your car, one would think the loss of an iPod would not be the major concern.

1Ronnie · 01-28-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogud

If someone breaks into your car, one would think the loss of an iPod would not be the major concern.

Oh Please !!!

I would much rather lose a $50 memory stick than a $200 iPod any day. And don't forget all the Vert owners, who may like to leave their $12 8Gbyte memory stick in place with the roof down. If you're happy with a USB stick, as I am, then you should use one.

If you feel that you haven't made it until you have an iPod under the armrest ... you go girl !!

01-08-2009, 01:11 PM	#1
Judge First Lieutenant 38 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Using USB Drive for Audio Just wondering if anyone uses the USB input as their primary audio source versues the Mp3 connection and CD player. Also, any issues with it? Sometimes my system automatically switches from USB to FM tuner. I'm thinking it's either a glitch in the audio system or a bad memory stick.
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01-08-2009, 01:22 PM	#2
oldman . 31 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 09 135i AW Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NSW Australia iTrader: (0)	I do as I don't own an iPod. It's plugged into the USB connection under the armrest and I use it though the 09 iDrive and it has performed without any problems at all.
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01-08-2009, 01:36 PM	#3
gnpower Lieutenant 18 Rep 475 Posts Drives: BMW ///M Sport 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Red Sox Nation iTrader: (0)	Mine is an 08 and I have an 8gb stick and the only problem I'm having is it is almost full. __________________ ///M 135i
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01-08-2009, 02:06 PM	#5
ad78 Yr1OfD1 107 Rep 900 Posts Drives: 2015 F34 M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	im using the 32gb patriot xporter usb stick and dont have any problems at all..
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01-08-2009, 06:34 PM	#6
HeyNow New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0)	You have a 40K car! buy an IPOD! You have a 40K car! buy an IPOD
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01-08-2009, 07:00 PM	#7
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	I use a USB stick and it works great. I have never had it kick off to the FM tuner. I also have an IPOD but it is a pain to keep moving it from the car to my house. I use my IPOD for running and I would be taking it out of the car every second day. It is easier to just leave my USB stick in the car. When I go load on new songs I take my IPOD and my USB stick to the computer and do it at the same time.
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01-09-2009, 02:21 PM	#10
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 69 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston 'burbs iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roa ... [0.00]	From what I've heard, the 09 iDrive comes with the USB port in the glovebox, no? Can I use a USB stick in that port for my music if I don't have the iPod hookup? Or do I just rip the music from the stick to the internal harddrive with that port? __________________ I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far. - Joe Walsh
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01-09-2009, 02:38 PM	#13
oldman . 31 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 09 135i AW Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NSW Australia iTrader: (0)	The reason I use a USB stick is that are so cheap now, I can just leave it in the car plugged in with all my music rather than to have an iPod or Zune and have to plug and unplug it all the time. I dont see what the benefit of having the iPod in the car is other than having various playlists which I dont care about because I only have the music I want to play in the car on the stick anyway. I select Random play and it starts to play as soon as the car starts right from where it left off and they have more than enough capacity to store my favourite music for driving.
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01-27-2009, 09:52 PM	#14
Judge First Lieutenant 38 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	UPDATE: It was a bad USB stick that caused the problem. Since replacing it with a higher quality and higher capacity drive I've no problems.
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01-27-2009, 10:35 PM	#15
Gogud Private 15 Rep 86 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2008 iTrader: (0)	quote-"Besides, I like how the USB drive is hidden and isn't as valuable as an Mp3 player should something happen." The iPod fits in the soft compartment under the arm rest. With the arm rest in the normal down position, the iPod and cables are hidden. Therefore, it cannot be seen from outside the car. If someone breaks into your car, one would think the loss of an iPod would not be the major concern.
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