Headunit plays MP3 CDs!
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
mp3 ripping
To create mp3s via iTunes change rip file setting to mp3. Considering using Windows Media Player for ripping and transfering to cd if you are using Windows. This feature is truely nice. I have iPods, and my dealer is giving free NANO iPODs to those of us who take delivery by 12/31/05 (MCS06 "on the boat" now). Really calls into question spending money to put in the adaptor or link for the iPOD when the cd's work so well. My MA knew of the feature but didn't mention it till I asked if the unit was capable. (like the Honda Civic SI that I was considering was) HAPPY HOLIDAY MOTORING
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 3
From: H-town
Another Itunes question? I followed the instruction guide posted here to set my Itunes burner for MP3 mode, but when I made a playlist and tried to burn it, it would only acknowledge the handful of songs that I actually sent over to Itunes as MP3's. I do not have any music downloaded from the Istore, all of my music is downloaded from my CD's and other files on my computer that were MP3 to begin with. Is there an easy way to convert all of the AAC files to MP3 short of starting over again? I've got a lot of music on there and don't relish that possibility. Thanks.
Originally Posted by mtbscott
Another Itunes question? I followed the instruction guide posted here to set my Itunes burner for MP3 mode, but when I made a playlist and tried to burn it, it would only acknowledge the handful of songs that I actually sent over to Itunes as MP3's. I do not have any music downloaded from the Istore, all of my music is downloaded from my CD's and other files on my computer that were MP3 to begin with. Is there an easy way to convert all of the AAC files to MP3 short of starting over again? I've got a lot of music on there and don't relish that possibility. Thanks.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 3
From: H-town
Originally Posted by ravana
Did only the Itunes songs end up on the CD?
Originally Posted by mtbscott
No, I got an error message saying there was a "problem" with the songs loaded from CD's into Itunes, basically that they were in AAC format, not MP3. Only the songs I downloaded into Itunes that were already in MP3 format were eligible for the burn.
Then you could just use Nero or any other regular burning software to make a Data CD.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 3
From: H-town
Thanks, I will try that when I get home. Sounds like just the ticket for converting the AAC files. Not to open another can of worms, but would there be any reason not to make MP3 the default "recording" mode of my Itunes? I could convert my existing library and then anything else I add could be set for MP3 from the start. Is AAC any better acoustically or just another Apple proprietary thing?
Originally Posted by mtbscott
Thanks, I will try that when I get home. Sounds like just the ticket for converting the AAC files. Not to open another can of worms, but would there be any reason not to make MP3 the default "recording" mode of my Itunes? I could convert my existing library and then anything else I add could be set for MP3 from the start. Is AAC any better acoustically or just another Apple proprietary thing?
Coordinator :: MINIkota Car Club
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
From: Fargo, ND.
Originally Posted by mtbscott
Is AAC any better acoustically or just another Apple proprietary thing?
In theory it should compress better than MP3 and thus sound better / byte and I do believe it does allow Apple to add DRM to the files easier.
If you're going to rip in MP3 format, I've heard that LAME is a very good MP3 encoder and will do a much better job than iTunes. The files will be MP3 and will play everywhere. People should rip their CDs in MP3 rather than AAC or WMA, because MP3 is understood by so many devices.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 3
From: H-town
I downloaded the freeware above as suggested...however Itunes fights you at every front to keep you from converting existing files. I have come to the conclusion that the only way I can get my existing collection of AAC files in Itunes converted to MP3's is to erase them all and start over.
I can set the preferences to "record" as MP3's in the future but all of the albums I have ripped in AAC are there to stay. Not to be a bash Apple thread either, but I get frustrated with any brands that don't like to play well with others.
I can set the preferences to "record" as MP3's in the future but all of the albums I have ripped in AAC are there to stay. Not to be a bash Apple thread either, but I get frustrated with any brands that don't like to play well with others.
Apparently something called JHymn could work if you are not using iTunes 6. Try it out. Removes DRM, so then you can use anything else that will convert AAC to mp3, I bet Nero or dbpoweramp would do that for you.
You might have to download the AAC codec separately for dBpowerAMP
You might have to download the AAC codec separately for dBpowerAMP
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Thumbs up for the MP3s..
My last car had an aftermarket radio unit that played MP3s, if you have a computer that can burn CDs that's the better than a CD changer in my opinion. MP3 CDs typically hold almost 200 songs, more than any external changer. Some think that the MP3s are only for those who download music but most newer computers come with software for converting 'standard' CD music (.wav files) to .mp3 files so if you want to take time to convert you can cram antire library on one 'expendable' disk, that is a disk that you don't care if it gets scratched or stolen since the 'master' is safe at home. I have noticed that MP3s do tend to be a little more prone to skipping since there's more info, but I've yet to find a pothole or railroad track that will make the H/K headunit skip.
Originally Posted by gadgeTT
Hi All,
This is probably old news for all the seasoned motorists in here, but for us newbies, I just discovered that the headunit (I have an '06 with the h/k stereo) will play data CDs that have MP3 tracks on them. This was not mentioned by my motoring advisor when I accepted delivery, I don't recall seeing this in the description of the stereo when configuring the car on the web site, and also don't recall seeing this information in the radio user's manual (which I did read cover to cover).
Basically, just use your PC (or Mac) to burn a standard data CD (not music) with 100 or so of your favorite MP3 tracks. Insert said CD into the dash (or changer, I presume) and the headunit will play the tracks in normal or random. The display shows track numbers and not metadata (artist, album, title) but at least it works.
You can put your all your tracks at the root level of the CD or group them by folder. If they're all on the root of the CD, the display will show "Track XX" and the FWD/RWD buttons will skip tracks. When grouped by folder (one level deep, I presume), the tracks are played in the folders like albums and the display shows "TrackYY-XX" where "YY" is the number of the album (in alphabetical order) and "XX" is the track number. Press "M" and then the FWD/RWD buttons skip folders, otherwise they skip tracks within the same folder.
I'm so glad I didn't get the CD changer and instead opted for installing XM using the changer plugs. While a CD changer would allow for around 60 tracks (6 discs x about 10 tracks per CD), a single data MP3 CD in my dash can hold about 100 tracks!
One last comment; I have a small SACD collection at home, some of which are hybrid in that the same SACD also has a remastered CD layer. The h/k headunit will not play SACDs, but the CD layer of a hybrid SACD sounds phenomenal!!!
Needless to say, I am very pleased by my h/k audio :-).
This is probably old news for all the seasoned motorists in here, but for us newbies, I just discovered that the headunit (I have an '06 with the h/k stereo) will play data CDs that have MP3 tracks on them. This was not mentioned by my motoring advisor when I accepted delivery, I don't recall seeing this in the description of the stereo when configuring the car on the web site, and also don't recall seeing this information in the radio user's manual (which I did read cover to cover).
Basically, just use your PC (or Mac) to burn a standard data CD (not music) with 100 or so of your favorite MP3 tracks. Insert said CD into the dash (or changer, I presume) and the headunit will play the tracks in normal or random. The display shows track numbers and not metadata (artist, album, title) but at least it works.
You can put your all your tracks at the root level of the CD or group them by folder. If they're all on the root of the CD, the display will show "Track XX" and the FWD/RWD buttons will skip tracks. When grouped by folder (one level deep, I presume), the tracks are played in the folders like albums and the display shows "TrackYY-XX" where "YY" is the number of the album (in alphabetical order) and "XX" is the track number. Press "M" and then the FWD/RWD buttons skip folders, otherwise they skip tracks within the same folder.
I'm so glad I didn't get the CD changer and instead opted for installing XM using the changer plugs. While a CD changer would allow for around 60 tracks (6 discs x about 10 tracks per CD), a single data MP3 CD in my dash can hold about 100 tracks!
One last comment; I have a small SACD collection at home, some of which are hybrid in that the same SACD also has a remastered CD layer. The h/k headunit will not play SACDs, but the CD layer of a hybrid SACD sounds phenomenal!!!
Needless to say, I am very pleased by my h/k audio :-).
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 1
From: Verona, NJ
Some people mentioned that their MA's didn't tell them that the cd player was ok with mp3 cd's.... My MA mentioned this to me several times. I still bought the iPod adapter anyway. iPod goes from my house to my car to work... very transportable!!! Plus, when traveling its much easier to deal with than a wallet full of cd's
Coordinator :: Northwest Indiana MINIacs
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
From: Valparaiso, IN
I burn with Music Match Jukebox. I convert everything to MP3 Pro and the headunit in MIB plays them with no problem. The disk in MIB currently has around 107 songs on it.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
Just wanted to point out that the headunit plays WMA files as well, even variable bitrate (but not lossless). Windows Media Player already includes an easy to use and very high quality WMA encoder/ripper for free, for those who wish to avoid purchasing a high quality MP3 encoder or using clunky Windows front-ends for the command-line LAME.
Also for those who desire the same editability of those flash memory cards, the deck does work with the MP3 CD-RW discs that I have tried.
Also for those who desire the same editability of those flash memory cards, the deck does work with the MP3 CD-RW discs that I have tried.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Roswell, GA
I use a program on the PC called Exact Audio Copy to convert from CD to MP3 (you also have to install LAME)..works great and the price is right. http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/
You can also connect to a database on the Internet which (for most CDs) update it with artist, title and track name info and encodes that on the MP3 files. I put a Pioneer system in the truck last year which reads and displays the track title from the MP3 file..I listen to a lot of Irish traditional music and its very handy when you're trying to remember the name of the tune.
I had a bit of a second thought when investigating the MINI and wasn't sure if it actually played MP3s of not...glad to confirm that before I take delivery next week! I was trying to determine which CDs to bring for the first drive home.
With the MP3 on CDR, I've got my entire music collection on ~15 CDRs...when I want the music re-arranged, simply burn another one.
I'm a bit dissapointed that the MINI won't display the track title however. If it can display this info from the iPOD, it would seem easy enough to read it from the MP3 track.
But as was pointed out above, I'm glad it will play MP3s. Eventually, I'll probably replace the stock HU anyway...but we'll see after I drive it for a while. -g
You can also connect to a database on the Internet which (for most CDs) update it with artist, title and track name info and encodes that on the MP3 files. I put a Pioneer system in the truck last year which reads and displays the track title from the MP3 file..I listen to a lot of Irish traditional music and its very handy when you're trying to remember the name of the tune.
I had a bit of a second thought when investigating the MINI and wasn't sure if it actually played MP3s of not...glad to confirm that before I take delivery next week! I was trying to determine which CDs to bring for the first drive home.
With the MP3 on CDR, I've got my entire music collection on ~15 CDRs...when I want the music re-arranged, simply burn another one.
I'm a bit dissapointed that the MINI won't display the track title however. If it can display this info from the iPOD, it would seem easy enough to read it from the MP3 track.
But as was pointed out above, I'm glad it will play MP3s. Eventually, I'll probably replace the stock HU anyway...but we'll see after I drive it for a while. -g
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 772
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Originally Posted by okraD La
Does anyone know if the standard BOOST system plays MP3's?..I think I'm going to try it..I have a 2002 MCS...
The newer HU is directly retrofittable into the older cars, and is recognizable from its larger volume ****.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Seattle, WA
Another sacd owner/fan? 
I thought I was the last of our species... 
That's awesome about the mp3 capability, tho.
A great way to leave a few discs in the car that have TONS of music on them, and I wouldn't care if they got stolen (unlike actual albums or my ipod...)
I thought I was the last of our species... That's awesome about the mp3 capability, tho.
A great way to leave a few discs in the car that have TONS of music on them, and I wouldn't care if they got stolen (unlike actual albums or my ipod...)
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
btw, Itunes can be configured to rip CD's in the MP3 format. For compatability reasons across the board, i highly recommend it.
(edit-preferences-advanced-importing-import using)
I personally use 160k for rock/pop and 192k for jazz/classical.
Itunes is a great piece of software and is free, too!
(edit-preferences-advanced-importing-import using)
I personally use 160k for rock/pop and 192k for jazz/classical.
Itunes is a great piece of software and is free, too!
Originally Posted by gadgeTT
Anyway, it would be nice if the MINI stereo showed track metadata (artist/album/title) but at least it works.
