How to create MP3 playlists when using a flash drive playing thru USB?

[MeetJoeAsian]

In my previous car, I purchased an apple ipod touch that stayed in my car at all time for my music source, but there's a huge lag when operating the ipod via usb in the T4R....but I noticed that when playing MP3s via USB, it pulls up and loads a lot faster than the iPod...my only gripe is, I can't create playlists to pull from my MP3 bank. Does anyone know how to do this for the flash drive/USB in the gen5? I've tried .wpl, .m3u and .pls playlists and none of them work. Does anyone know if this is even possible when playing thru flash drive via USB?

If I can't do this, then I guess I have to leave a dedicated ipod touch permanently in my glovebox again...

 

[harper7]

In my previous car, I purchased an apple ipod touch that stayed in my car at all time for my music source, but there's a huge lag when operating the ipod via usb in the T4R....but I noticed that when playing MP3s via USB, it pulls up and loads a lot faster than the iPod...my only gripe is, I can't create playlists to pull from my MP3 bank. Does anyone know how to do this for the flash drive/USB in the gen5? I've tried .wpl, .m3u and .pls playlists and none of them work. Does anyone know if this is even possible when playing thru flash drive via USB?

If I can't do this, then I guess I have to leave a dedicated ipod touch permanently in my glovebox again...

Read this great writeup by poolzer on how it has to be formatted in FAT 16/32.......... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65621-how-use-usb-hard-drive-music.html

 

[treyb]

Media Monkey will allow you to manage your files, convert to mp3 format if needed and create playlists for your USB storage device. I used Media Monkey and a 500G hard drive from Office Max and was able to put my entire music collection in my T4R for much less than the cost of a dedicated iPod Touch. Media Monkey is a free download. You will still need to format your USB HDD first to make sure it's in the correct format before using Media Monkey to manage the files and create playlists. Best "mod" I did to my T4R so far! Follow the directions in the post mentioned above and use Media Monkey to manage the files and you'll be in great shape. And I can still stream other music/podcasts from my iPod Touch via bluetooth.

 

[MeetJoeAsian]

Media Monkey will allow you to manage your files, convert to mp3 format if needed and create playlists for your USB storage device. I used Media Monkey and a 500G hard drive from Office Max and was able to put my entire music collection in my T4R for much less than the cost of a dedicated iPod Touch. Media Monkey is a free download. You will still need to format your USB HDD first to make sure it's in the correct format before using Media Monkey to manage the files and create playlists. Best "mod" I did to my T4R so far! Follow the directions in the post mentioned above and use Media Monkey to manage the files and you'll be in great shape. And I can still stream other music/podcasts from my iPod Touch via bluetooth.

does the radio recognize your playlist files? I'm having problem of it not able to play the playlists. It'll read the folders, but won't play the playlists (which set the orders of songs)

 

[treyb]

Sorry, but i should have been clearer. I don't actually create a playlist file using MediaMonkey. I actually create a "playlist folder" with all of the songs/albums that I want in the playlist and add this new "playlist folder" to the USB HDD. So I've created a "playlist" that the stereo can see and access and I have the ability to play it in regular or shuffle mode. One other thing that I do with all of my "playlist folders" is to name them with a number so that after sorting my USB drive, they show up at the beginning of the folder list. For example, I might have a "playlist folder" titled "01 Workout Songs" and "02 Funky Mix". Once I sort my folders alphabetically, these "playlist folders" will show up as the first folders on the USB HDD making them easier to find when searching through hundreds of folders. (FYI, if you hold down the folder up/down button on the headunit for 2-3 seconds, you will heare a beep and it will go back to the first folder on the USB HDD.) Hope this helps and feel free to drop me a PM if you are still having problems.

 

[jaybird216]

Meetjoeasian, did you try putting the playlists in the root folder of the drive? If thats where heyvwrte did you try creating a folder named playlist? I just picked up a 2010th 4runner and am running intovyhe same issue. I am using Winamp to manage my music and I can specify the playlist file how and location when syncing. I will try it this afternoon unleaded you already have some feedback.

 

[dhp]

I'm also running into this issue. Has there been a resolution on how to access playlists on a 2014+ 4runner from a USB flash drive?

My wife has a 2013 Prius, and her car has no issues detecting playlists from USB.

 

[dhp]

Anyone have any info on how to get playlists working? I'm planning on going on a road trip soon and would love the ability to create and manage playlists. One of the voice recognition actions is to play from a particular playlists, but for some reason it can't find any playlists that I create on the USB device.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[KostyaK]

There is basically no solution to this as far as I know. I ended up making sure my music collection has consistent album/artist tags (using MP3tag). Also you can use custom genre to further organize your files.

I am slowly getting used to this setup. I do wish there was a way to access playlists or simply browse folders.

 

[dhp]

Thanks for the feedback. A custom genre would work, but that means that I won't be able to have the same song on multiple "playlists". It would also make managing these different playlists much more difficult.

I've never tried on the 4runner, but on my wife's Prius, I can access folders when playing an MP3 CD.

 

[NoDak]

the headunit will not read playlists, it will only recognize mp3/wma/aac extensions.

since playlists are .m3u it ignores them. the only thing it will recognize is folders.

if you want a playlist, do like above and put songs into a folder and play them within that folder.

this is all explained in the manual.

 

[DMV4runner]

Hi everyone,
New to the site but not 4Runners. I currently have a 3rd gen(1999) since 2004 and a 2012 Limited. I usually spend my time here lurking around and gathering info on how to keep my girl (1999) running strong. Since this site has been good to me over the years, I think it is time I start to return the favor.

I know this is an old thread, but hopefully this will help someone with their playlist problem.

I have a dedicated iPod connected to my 2012 Limited and I have no issues with lag time. I purchased one with a bad HD and installed an SSD HD in it. It is super fast (within a few seconds) for pulling up playlist and I can browse anyway I need to.
I just could not get my USB drive to pull up a playlist.

Thanks for all of the help over the years. Hopefully, I have something I can contribute in the future.