How to use a usb hard drive for music
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Johnny Utah
New member
haha. Music match was so big and bulky. i still use winamp to play mp3s :trophy:
stevemitchell
New member
SSD's a good option
I had a similar setup with another car, but used a SSD (solid state drive) hard drive instead of a traditional spinning media drive. SSD's are quite a bit more expensive, but they have a number of benefits:
You can get a 60GB SSD for around $100, and a case for about $20.
I had a similar setup with another car, but used a SSD (solid state drive) hard drive instead of a traditional spinning media drive. SSD's are quite a bit more expensive, but they have a number of benefits:
- Reliability - SSDs have no moving parts and can handle much higher temps and bad environments. Perfect for a bumpy ride.
- Speed - they are much faster than hard drives, which helps when searching for songs, and spinning up initially when the car comes on.
- Longevity - SSDs are rated to last much longer than a standard hard drive, which is good for the car. Don't want to have to replace it anytime soon.
- Noise - this was more of a concern for me in the other car because of the location - might not be as big of an issue in the T4R because of it's location in the glove box. Hard drives whine a bit when running, while SSDs are slient.
You can get a 60GB SSD for around $100, and a case for about $20.
scanny
Senior Member
I use a USB stick and I see only subfolders. Top level folders doesn't appear in my screen at all. By the way to sort files alphabetically I use free program called Drivesort (Anerty's Lair - DriveSort). Otherwise subfolders and songs sorted by the order they were written on USB drive.
bboyette2001
New member
USB hookup?
I just my 2010 4R-SR5 (no JBL or navi) last week. Mine doesn't have a USB port wired to the glove box. Does the factory radio have a USB input on the back?
I just my 2010 4R-SR5 (no JBL or navi) last week. Mine doesn't have a USB port wired to the glove box. Does the factory radio have a USB input on the back?
nashman69g
Member
oakjefferson
New member
I know this is not what this thread is about - but thought I'd share I just purchased a used Ipod with a dead battery for $10. I just leave it permanently plugged in - makes for the easy folder sorting as I use Itunes for all the Meta data.
comtn4x4
Senior Member
Music Formats will ALAC work?
I hope I am not jacking this thread but this seems relevant.
I have all my music files stored/formatted in ALAC, apple's lossless format. Will that format work with the oem player in a '13? The reason I ask is I have a 64 gig drive I use for music and only some of the files will play. It doesn't seem to "like" certain files. When selected the player will search indefinitely trying to find the file. The only way to "reset" this behavior is to remove the micro drive. (Conversely, if it’s a file it "likes" it plays immediately.) All the files on the drive indicate they are in the same format. However it is possible some were converted from mp3. (Frankly can't remember, most all my music came off cd's.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I hope I am not jacking this thread but this seems relevant.
I have all my music files stored/formatted in ALAC, apple's lossless format. Will that format work with the oem player in a '13? The reason I ask is I have a 64 gig drive I use for music and only some of the files will play. It doesn't seem to "like" certain files. When selected the player will search indefinitely trying to find the file. The only way to "reset" this behavior is to remove the micro drive. (Conversely, if it’s a file it "likes" it plays immediately.) All the files on the drive indicate they are in the same format. However it is possible some were converted from mp3. (Frankly can't remember, most all my music came off cd's.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.
eddiebx
New member
According to the manual:
■USB memory
●Compatible device
USB memories that can be used for MP3 and WMA playback.
Depending on the type of USB device, playback may not be possible.
●Compatible device formats
The following device formats can be used:
• USB communication formats: USB2.0 FS (12 mbps)
• File formats: FAT16/32 (Windows)
• Correspondence class: Mass storage class
MP3 and WMA files written in any format other than those listed above
may not play correctly, and their file names and folder names may not
be displayed correctly.
Items related to standards and limitations are as follows:
• Maximum directory hierarchy: 8 levels
• Maximum number of folder in device: 999 (including the root)
• Maximum number of files in device: 65025
• Maximum number of files per folder: 255
●MP3 and WMA files
MP3 (MPEG Audio LAYER 3) is a standard audio compression format.
Files can be compressed to approximately 1/10 of their original size using
MP3 compression.
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is a Microsoft audio compression format.
This format compresses audio data to a size smaller than that of the MP3
format.
There is a limit to the MP3 and WMA file standards that can be used and to
the media/formats on which the files are recorded.
●MP3 file compatibility
• Compatible standards
MP3 (MPEG1 AUDIO LAYERII, III, MPEG2 AUDIO LAYERII, III,
MPEG2.5)
• Compatible sampling frequencies
MPEG1 AUDIO LAYERII, III: 32, 44.1, 48 (kHz)
MPEG2 AUDIO LAYERII, III: 16, 22.05, 24 (kHz)
MPEG2.5: 8, 11.025, 12 (kHz)
• Compatible bit rates (compatible with VBR)
MPEG1 AUDIO LAYERII, III: 32-320 (kbps)
MPEG2 AUDIO LAYERII, III: 32-160 (kbps)
MPEG2.5: 32-160 (kbps)
• Compatible channel modes: stereo, joint stereo, dual channel and
monaural
●WMA file compatibility
• Compatible standards
WMA Ver. 9
• Compatible sampling frequencies
HIGH PROFILE 32, 44.1, 48 (kHz)
• Compatible bit rates
HIGH PROFILE 32-320 (kbps, VBR)
●File names
The only files that can be recognized as MP3/WMA and played are those
with the extension .mp3 or .wma.
●ID3 and WMA tags
ID3 tags can be added to MP3 files, making it possible to record the track
title, artist name, etc.
The system is compatible with ID3 Ver. 1.0, 1.1, and Ver. 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 ID3
tags. (The number of characters is based on ID3 Ver. 1.0 and 1.1.)
WMA tags can be added to WMA files, making it possible to record the
track title and artist name in the same way as with ID3 tags.
●MP3 and WMA playback
When a device containing MP3 or WMA files is plugged, all files in the
USB memory device are first checked. Once the file check is finished, the
first MP3 or WMA file is played. To make the file check finish more quickly,
we recommend you do not write in any files other than MP3 or WMA files
or create any unnecessary folders.
●Extensions
If the file extensions .mp3 and .wma are used for files other than MP3 and
WMA files, they will be mistakenly recognized and played as MP3 and
WMA files. This may result in large amounts of interference and damage
to the speakers.
●Playback
• To play MP3 file with steady sound quality, we recommend a fixed bit
rate of at least 128 kbps and a sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz.
• There is a wide variety of freeware and other encoding software for
MP3 and WMA files on the market, and depending on the status of the
encoding and the file format, poor sound quality or noise at the start of
playback may result. In some cases, playback may not be possible at
all.
comtn4x4
Senior Member
Thanks, I have reviewed all the information that Toyota provided as well as a great deal of online information. As far as I can determine from a number of forums is that it has nothing to do with the ALAC format rather the mpeg-4 or MP4 folder management format that apple uses as default in itunes. I am still trying to determine what the issue is and a solution. Hope to get back with an answer soon
R Burgundy
New member
You are concerned about 24bit lossless... Over Bluetooth playing via a stock 4runners sound system?
Haha. Thats insane. Also pretty close to impossible you hear the difference on that system vs 320kbps mp3 IMHO.
Haha. Thats insane. Also pretty close to impossible you hear the difference on that system vs 320kbps mp3 IMHO.
R Burgundy
New member
Being an amateur audiophile (aka I have decent stuff but im not into the hobby like people on those forums), I have a bunch of 24bit files, at least 100k flac songs, etc. Sometimes I notice a difference on my Senn HD650s and my Paradigm Studios... Sometimes.
From what I can tell (although I just got my 4runner), streaming from google music via Bluetooth is the most pain-free option.
CarbonElite
New member
Awesome, thanks for this!
markuspreppus
New member
The easiest I have found is to get a tiny USB thumb drive like this: http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00 and plug it into the USB slot. Granted I have only about 600 mp3 songs (192kbs) in various directories but it switches from song to song instantly. I had an ipod nano in my 2010 limited with the USB in the glove box. It worked well but now I have a 2016 SR5P and the USB is in the center stack, at least for now, so I didn't like the high visibility. I just plug this little sandisk drive in and you can barely even tell it is there. For $30, it works perfectly for me. I don't worry too much about high bitrates mp3s and lossless formats because it is hard to tell much of a difference over the road noise and the 8 yr old in the backseat.
DMV4runner
Member
I use a 5th gen iPod that I converted over to an SSD. I get the best results using that. The iPod allows me to display songs, artist, titles, playlist, etc... through the stock head unit and the SSD gives me the speed I want. I used a 256GB SSD so I have plenty of space for music.
I think I paid less then $50 for a used Samsung M2 256GB 3.3v SSD and 15 dollars for the controller board. It works very well for what I need and I get to carry 10,000 songs with me when I have it fully loaded.
If you have access to cheap broken laptop, most of the newer ones come with 64-128GB 3.3v SSD that can be used.
I think I paid less then $50 for a used Samsung M2 256GB 3.3v SSD and 15 dollars for the controller board. It works very well for what I need and I get to carry 10,000 songs with me when I have it fully loaded.
If you have access to cheap broken laptop, most of the newer ones come with 64-128GB 3.3v SSD that can be used.
Kkreaner09
New member
Parking brake and abs speed sensor bypass for movies
Does anyone know how to bypass the lockout mod while driving for DVDs and other movie files for 2015 4Runner?
Does anyone know how to bypass the lockout mod while driving for DVDs and other movie files for 2015 4Runner?
LiveLifeOnWeekend
New member
whoa that is amazing,
I have a LOT of music, and would love this.
Do you find it takes a long time to cycle through the menu to find what you want?
I have a LOT of music, and would love this.
Do you find it takes a long time to cycle through the menu to find what you want?
Apologies in advance for the necrobump! Just got a 2021 TRD Off Road Premium, and am trying to figure out the usb audio system.
Is there a way to display and play the files in a folder in the correct order? I have my albums arranged in to folders, and everything is tagged correctly (AFAIK). I have a combination of MP3 and FLAC files, although only one type per album/folder. When I display one of these folders, either in Album or Folder view, the tracks are (usually) in random order. Is there some tag that I'm missing that will sort things out correctly?
Thanks - and please redirect me if there's a more relevant thread here somewhere.
Is there a way to display and play the files in a folder in the correct order? I have my albums arranged in to folders, and everything is tagged correctly (AFAIK). I have a combination of MP3 and FLAC files, although only one type per album/folder. When I display one of these folders, either in Album or Folder view, the tracks are (usually) in random order. Is there some tag that I'm missing that will sort things out correctly?
Thanks - and please redirect me if there's a more relevant thread here somewhere.
