Ipod nano or usb stick for music tracks?

JakeS76 · Post by **JakeS76** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 2:24 pm

As the cabin storage space is extremely limited for music CDs, is it better to use an iPod Nano or a USB stick with music tracks loaded on? Then connect using the connectors under the armrest . Is it easier to navigate tunes on one or the other using the BMW stereo? I don't have the satnav just the professional radio.

I can fit one CD in the glove box when the manual is in there. !!!

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 2:44 pm

A usb stick would probably be better although both should work fine, sorry I can’t help with using it with the cars controls as I have idrive.

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:59 pm

I'd be inclined to say the USB would be better, I've used (have) both and find the USB far easier to navigate, especially if you have playlists.
Also my USB is a very small one with a 16Gb capacity (yes you can get bigger capacity ones in this size), as you'll see in the photos, thus it's not in the way at all and less likely to get knock or damaged.

Just ignore the own-built phone dock

B21 · Post by **B21** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:32 pm

Personally I’d go with an old iPhone with a screen and use that as a player with a reasonable cord on it so you can hold it in your hand..not while driving..…I use an old iPhone 5 plugged into the centre with 6,400 tunes on it..I can use iTunes to set up the playlists and it’s easier to navigate than a usb via the radio interface…I have idrive so I use that normally..but you don’t ..

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:11 pm

Of course you could go with one of these and have Bluetooth Media Streaming, with control via the steering wheel buttons.

https://amzn.eu/d/3hOpj2A

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:57 pm

USB stick all day long. Best thing is me and the wife have different ones (she has crap tastes in music) which can just be unplugged and plugged into a different car instantly. And flash drives are pennies these days.
I worked out that I could get 1000 albums on a single 16gb USB flash drive if I had that many!

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:07 pm

Pondrew wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:57 pm .... (she has crap tastes in music) ....

Gwest44 · Post by **Gwest44** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:40 pm

AnubisZed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:11 pm Of course you could go with one of these and have Bluetooth Media Streaming, with control via the steering wheel buttons.

https://amzn.eu/d/3hOpj2A

Dave I like the look of that but can I just confirm the only additional functionality it would add iver my existing solution is the ability to skip tracks using the steering wheel functions? TIA

UGREEN Bluetooth Aux Adapter, Car Aux Bluetooth 5.3 Receiver USB Audio Adaptor with 3.5mm Jack for Car or Home Stereo Music Streaming Built-in Microphone Plug and Play Auto on Handsfree Car Kit https://amzn.eu/d/jjx20qN

: 20240312_091048.jpg (169.52 KiB) Viewed 350 times

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:39 pm

Gwest44 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:40 pm ........
Dave I like the look of that but can I just confirm the only additional functionality it would add iver my existing solution is the ability to skip tracks using the steering wheel functions? TIA
......

So I had one of these when I had my standard radio and I had full control of my Android phone via the Track Skip buttons on the steering wheel. With an iPhone you also have the track info on the display as well, which you don't have with an Android phone.
I currently have borrowed one, for a future video, now that I have the full iDrive and have found that I no longer have skip track buttons working with my Android phone!! The iPhone works perfectly with it.
Just for full transparency

Gwest44 · Post by **Gwest44** » Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:37 am

Thanks Dave - I don't have iDrive or an iPhone so it sounds like I'd be best off sticking with the cheap and cheerful Bluetooth AUX adapter I already have

JakeS76 · Post by **JakeS76** » Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:23 pm

I've tried a usb stick with MP3 tracks, plugged into the usb port in the centre console. It works great. But the professional radio gives me the option of Albums but when I click on this nothing happens. I can see all the song titles on the radio display and I put the album songs in separate named folders on the usb stick. Is there something else I should be doing?

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:02 pm

Don’t know if this is a stupid question but why not just put a Bluetooth receiver in and use your phone?

Mines an E85 Z4M with an iPod connector and I’ve just attached a Bluetooth adapter to the 30 pin and use my phone mounted in the car.

In this age of streaming etc managing music on physical devices is not only a pain to keep updated but a faf and you physically have to store them rather than just stream everything anything anything you like.

JakeS76 · Post by **JakeS76** » Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:14 pm

Cos you don't have to charge a usb stick and it doesn't matter if you leave it in the car unlike a phone. You can leave the usb in there permanently. Just more convenient.

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:33 am

JakeS76 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:14 pm Cos you don't have to charge a usb stick and it doesn't matter if you leave it in the car unlike a phone. You can leave the usb in there permanently. Just more convenient.

Surely the USB socket is powered...

That's the only convenience, managing music manually in 2024 when music streaming is available seems a waste of time imo and what's on the stick is all you can listen to.

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:45 am

tomscott wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:33 am 2024 when music streaming is available seems a waste of time

That’s fine if you have a good data allowance but for anyone on a cheap limited data sim it’s not really an option, having several hundred songs on a USB stick will give a good selection of listening options plus there’s also the radio, I do agree that streaming is certainly the best option.

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