I thought that when an iPod was put into "Enable Disc Use" mode it exposed the free disk space on its drive as a MSD (Mass Storage Device), but that it didn't expose any of the songs/playlists it contains (since they are stored in a proprietary database format designed by Apple to prevent folks from easily sharing the songs on their iPods). I guess that you could also set up additional songs in the MSD area, but that seems kind of silly since you can't take advantage of the actual iTunes/iPod stuff that way. Isn't Apple just wonderful.

 

Never owned an iPod, was unaware that in "Enable Disc Mode" it just pro-offered the free space only?

Anyway, I saw this posted on mini2, from from MINI corporate communications (?), and it states that iPods can be connected and the music played via the audio system via the USB. But, it could be like you said - your own files on the iPod in the free space made available by enable disc mode? Eeek.

http://www.mini2.com/2007/05/25/incr...del-year-2008/

and to quote: "For even simpler extension of on-board entertainment facilities in the new MINI, a USB connection including Bluetooth function is optionally available from August 2007 for the integration of external audio sources. This enables USB-compatible storage media and MP3 players such as the Apple iPod to be integrated in the MINI entertainment system via the USB port. Music selection can then be accessed via the audio system controls where the menu offers to choose between interpreter, album etc."

 

With an ipod "enable disc use" only lets you transfer data (photos, files) from the disc to another computer. You cannot see the data on the iPod screen. You cannot play music using this method. The music must be in the ipod's library along with the tags, covers, etc, just like the photos you can view, which are formatted for the ipod using iTunes. Sounds like this usb port will be pretty useless unless the software in the car allows integration, as iTunes does. Maybe it will charge it, but I don't see how unless it's plugged into a 12v power port.

 

It also states:

"** Please note, this is an international (Germany and Netherlands to name two) press release, so is not entirely market specific, there may be some regional variations on spec **"

As we already know, the start stop and diesel aren't coming here, so many not the USB on all of them either.

 

I don't know if the following is true for every model of iPod, but here is what I see with my wife's Nano. When connected to USB on a PC, the entire storage is mounted as a FAT32 disk, and all of the song files are exposed. By default, iTunes stores songs in Apple's formats, and those show up as .m4a and .m4p files. iTunes can also use and create MP3 song files, and those show up as regular .mp3 files that can be accessed by any player (e.g. Windows Media Player). All of the song files have 4 letter names and not organized in any obvious pattern into folders. The iPod probably hashed the song file names for quick access with an internal directory.

What I think is that any .mp3 file on the iPod should be accessable over the USB connection. However, if it was stored by iTunes it will be in a seemingly random folder and won't have a recognizable file name. For access and organization, you'd want to manually copy mp3 files yourself to the iPod storage and into folders that you create.

The MINI's USB includes an MP3 player, since it can play files on a USB memory stick. In a similar way, it will also play .mp3 files on the iPod's storage (from iTunes or manually copied). If the USB port is a high power type (I suspect it is), it will also charge the iPod through the USB.

 

You must have the Show Hidden Files option turned on. By default and on both Windows and OS X, the music folder on the iPod is NOT visible. So, TheOfficeMaven and TheBigNewt are correct.

You are right about how iTunes stores the songs you load in a random folder, but I'm not sure about the MP3 player in the HU being able to see these hidden folders. However, I know for a fact that if you load songs onto the iPod's mass storage area, ie. without using iTunes or some other software that writes/updates the music database on the iPod, they can not be played by the iPod.

My guess is that if the HU supports iPods through USB, it seems to me that it would be the same as the iPod adapter interface. If that is true, then the software would have to be smart enough to know when an iPod is attached vs a thumb drive or other mp3 player and handle the devices accordingly. Of course, being a programmer, I may be over-thinking this a bit!

 

Yes I do have Show Hidden Files option turned on (need it for my work as a software engineer). However, that option is pretty much used only by the desktop interface when listing files for the user. A file can be flagged as "hidden", and when the system software sees the flag, it does not display the file to the user. The flag does not hide a file from software access. Thus MP3 software should see all files, hidden or not.

I agree with this. The iPod firmware only plays files loaded by iTunes.

I think this is highly unlikely. USB is digital-only and iPod has no digital audio output. The HU has to read the iPod's files directly and play them through a D-to-A converter. This is easy for MP3 files, but files in Apple's proprietary format would require decoding algorithms licensed from Apple (not only for songs but also the internal database). I know of only one headunit that does this currently (Alpine iDA-X001). My guess is that the MINI USB will only access the iPod storage like any other MP3 player, and play only MP3 (and other open format) files.

 

I went back and forth on ordering the Ipod adapter with my car. Since I don't own one now, I would purchase one just to use in the car. If my Aug 07 built car does come with the USB port as a bonus, this will nullify the need for an ipod!

 

Not only nullify your need, but also earn you my everlasting hatred! I'm the same way - music nut, but not an iPod owner (Archos)- and my JULY build may have just missed out on the USB. So I'm still back and forth on the iPod adapter....

But, I may get the iPod adapter anyway. As I need a new mp3 player, and a GPS unit, and I am interested in the cool OBDII display units, I'm thinking of getting all that stuff into one device and streaming the music off it over Bluetooth to a receiver plugged into the iPod adapter, and still controlling it via the steering wheel. Not sure if I can get the artist/track to display on the radio. Should be able to put this together for less than the cost of the NAV unit, but with a hell of a lot more functionality! Still researching it all, to make sure it will actually all work!

 

I doesn't seem completely impossible for the USB to be retrofitted to earlier 07s. Just like they can add the Ipod adapter later and not just when the car is built. They can probably add the factory USB port later, complete speculation of course.

 

Here's the answer on MINI2 concerning iPod connection to USB: http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...ction-how.html
You need to purchase this cable from BMW:

It appears that the USB controls and charges the iPod, and the audio goes in through the aux port. It integrates with Nav, and presumably with the headunit if without Nav.

 

rkw - you did it.. that what we are looking for on this forum.

Two one more questions to anyone out there... still a little confused.

1/ can you show a picture of the connection (plugged into USB)
2/ what week was this build made??

Thanks once again..

 

We also need a part number and we need to know if it's even available in the U.S. (since the USB port itself isn't as of yet).

Figures that you have to use yet another adapter in order to get the built-in USB port working with an iPod. Just one more instance of BMW/Apple trying to rape us of every single penny we have. Oy!

EDIT:

@mikeyjaro,

EUROKOKE's MINI (i.e. the only US-spec MINI to have the USB port thus far) was a week 32 build. However, we have conformation of other week 32 builds that don't have it (even when they have the required Bluetooth prep package).

 

BMW USB/iPod Adaptor
- Here's the link on the BMW US website (nothing for me here in Canada)

http://www.bmwusa.com/BMW2003/Templa...ACHEHINT=Guest

 

Better to ask this on MINI2, where they have actually done it. However, it's easy to imagine. Look at the picture of the cable package, at diagram #2 inside. It shows plugging in the USB and aux cables, and the iPod goes on the dock connector at the other end. I guess they meant the iPod to sit in the cubby under the toggle switches.

 

will do when i get home.. need to work

 

I wonder how it integrates with the NAV when the music is coming through the AUX port? Does that mean the USB connection does more than simply charge the iPod? Curiouser and curiouser...

 

The USB port makes a lot more sense now! You get most of the benefits of the iPod adapter without the extra expense! You just lose the ability to tuck it away out of sight.

It would have to if you are able to use the MFSW to control the iPod. Good question about the Nav though.

 

Burn CD's already!!!

PUT DOWN THE IPODS!!! Life keeps going when you put down the IPOD, TRUST ME!!!


Egon, you paid $1400 for the HiFi upgrade??? Wasn't it a $400(or was it 500?) add on?

 

Robin,
Common now, QUEEEN???? Is that really necassary??



Get some Marley in there already!

 

We'll do that Birdman when you get two cans of soda and a line to tie them together.. Perhaps this can solve your bluetooth problem.

We all have our wants.. don't dis' ours chirping BirdDude.

 

And yes - some Marley would be nice..

 

The USB is used to control the iPod (song selection) from MFSW and headunit, and to retrieve song/album/playlist titles.

Hey, what's the matter with Queen? Besides, whoever took that photo chose it for the title of the song.

 

Newb Here just wondering about USB? someone was asking about Mp3 hook up my 07 has a plug under console and I can use Mp3 and Ipod through this mini plug port.Just my .02

 

The photos came from a Mini2 thread and since it's a British band, I can understand. You will notice the glovebox release button on the left side of the nav screen.