Gracenote DB Updates

T

Toodeep

Member
Has anyone attempted to have their Gracenote database updated yet? I'm wondering what response people are met with at the dealer, how much they charged and, since by its nature the database will nearly always be out-of-date, how regularly updates are available. I don't necessarily fall into the category of users who always buy the latest CDs, in fact my car has only seen one CD since delivery, but it strikes me that those who do won't always have their purchases correctly identified when they attempt to rip them to the iDrive's hard disk.
 
Not sure what the issue is? I downloaded all of my music from my IPOD onto the hard drive twice with no problems. First time I made some errors so I deleted all of the music and then reloaded again. Therefore I would update all of my music, if required, via ITUNES.
 
JohnT said:
Hi Mike,
Does the BMW HD recognise the playlists as well?
John
Click to expand...
Yes. The only down side is that it lists and plays the songs in alphabetical order, but I understand this is the same if you transfer the music from a 'standard' usb or from an IPOD.
 
MikeS said:
Not sure what the issue is?
Click to expand...

So when you rip your CDs in iTunes it is able to find all the albums and track info by referring to Gracenote online which is constantly updated. But you can rip CDs straight to the z4's hard disk "music collection" which relies on the non-dynamic version of Gracenote which occupies part of the hard disk space. This needs updating since any CD released post installation cannot be recognised for obvious reasons. The fact you have up-to-date info so far has been contingent on using ITunes and an iPod or you could use any similar program, all of which will reference Gracenote (the industry standard) to name your tracks on your cumputer then transfer them via USB or data CD/DVD. My point is that the BMW system is not contingent on being online or even owning a computer but, as such, its fixed Gracenote database will need updating from time to time to recognise new releases.
 
Toodeep, Thanks for the clarification. I have never played or loaded a CD into the car so its not been a problem I have needed to deal with. IMHO loading via Cd seems a long way to get music into the system.
 
Its the stupid 'i' prefix, as in iTunes.....I'm sure if you just rip a CD to standard MP3, using Media Player (which will download the necessary track data) and upload that you shouldn't have a problem? I'm assuming that possible with this piece of kit?
 
lacroupade said:
Its the stupid 'i' prefix, as in iTunes.....I'm sure if you just rip a CD to standard MP3, using Media Player (which will download the necessary track data) and upload that you shouldn't have a problem? I'm assuming that possible with this piece of kit?
Click to expand...

Yes it is but again that's relying on external hardware (USB drive or media player) to store the music. Along with most of the current range equipped with the latest iDrive, the z4 has about 12Gb of hard disk storage space of its own and the capability to rip CDs straight to it that people seem not to be using. I happen to also be in this category but I'm just interested to know how often database updates will be available for those who want to store the latest releases. These won't be recognised by the BMW system as the database is non-dynamic (ie a fixed element on the hard disk which is a snapshot of Gracenote at that time). WMP, iTunes etc refer to Gracenote online which is kept current. I presume that a future development might be that the car will include reference to Gracenote online.
 
Interesting - so I take it that HDD is not removable? And how do you rip stuff to it in-situ??

EDIT - think I answered my own question....this link is useful (to me anyway!)...do you have the USB input on the Zed? If so, then surely you can just upload pre-ripped (and DB'd) tracks instead of ripping direct from the in-car CD player (which I assume is how you do it using the built-in Gracenote DB?)...

http://www.trustedreviews.com/car-tech/review/2009/04/28/BMW-330d-M-Sport-With-ConnectedDrive/p8
 
...and bmwblog says:

There will be additional options for BMW® ConnectedDrive customers to supplement missing data. The Gracenote database can also be updated during a workshop visit.

:thumbsup:
 
lacroupade said:
...and bmwblog says:

There will be additional options for BMW® ConnectedDrive customers to supplement missing data. The Gracenote database can also be updated during a workshop visit.

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I understand all you've said and the 'problem' I've highlighted won't affect me much as I don't buy many new releases. I am aware of ways around it but simply wondered how often these updates will be available on workshop visits. Will they always be current or will their answer be "The last one we had from Munich was April '09." My concern is borne of having to wait 2 years for an updated Navigation DVD for an X5 then paying £170 for the privilege only to discover it didn't reflect new roads built 2 years before.

I had visions of being able to slip out to the car with my nieces and nephews' newly unwrapped CDs on Christmas day surreptitiously ripping all their music. Oh well, piracy is a crime and anyway rap music only goes three quarters of the way to accurately describing itself!
 
LMAO - I know where you are coming from TD! LOL

You could give this a try.....you can always delete the file afterwards if it doesn't work but I can't see it being hardware-specific....

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/content/support/support/upgrade/AVICHD1BT.html
 
Interesting . . . . . and tempting but, on the basis that it is not an urgent need, I'll maybe wait for someone else to try it. Presumably I'd be overwriting what is there already making going back difficult. I'm not sure I fancy explaining that one to Coopers of Croydon who might, who knows, have current updates which they'll install for FREE . . . . I'll just try squeezing the last few drops of blood from this stone before I give them a call.
 
Just for info, as far as I know, once the track has downloaded its info from the DB, it doesn't need it any more, so if you did delete the DB it only affects subsequent track rips.

Why not just copy the existing DB files to a USB stick, then overwrite them according to that link....then if it doesn't work you just overwrite them again with your USB...?

Go on, I dare you!!! :evil:
 
Just to satisfy your mischievous streak I will, at least, see if the database file is user accessible. Frankly, I'd be a little disappointed in BMW if it were not protected against such interference.

Before I go further than this I will require your billing address! :rofl:
 
Just to satisfy your mischievous streak I will, at least, see if the database file is user accessible. Frankly, I'd be a little disappointed in BMW if it were not protected against such interference.

Before I go further than this I will require your billing address! :rofl:
 
No way! I've changed my avatar to avoid detection..... :evil:

But let us know how you get on so that if it goes wrong I can start a "What a dumb move!" thread...LOL
 
If you have Connected Drive you can find album details using Gracenote online. Once you have saved the album to the hard drive you have the option to download the track listings.
 
Toodeep said:
Just to satisfy your mischievous streak I will, at least, see if the database file is user accessible. Frankly, I'd be a little disappointed in BMW if it were not protected against such interference.

Before I go further than this I will require your billing address! :rofl:
Click to expand...


Well? have you blown it up yet?
 
Couldn't even get to it - not surprising really. Got me thinking about the hard disk, though. First, is it a hard disk (as in mechanical hard drive) which would be less than ideal in the harsh environment of a vehicle when a solid state drive of the same capacity would be more durable and tiny? Is it a proprietary form factor?

The system's been around long enough for the committed meddlers to have done some interesting things. I'm thinking:

Increase HDD capacity
Enable support for other audio codecs (and for video codecs)
Head-up display
AV in
Car PC (Pico ITX et al)

I'm naturally curious when it comes to technology so it won't be long before I've trashed my warranty. I'm already looking at a one-touch roof and mirror folding module. I'll keep you posted, croop, and don't be shy if you fancy providing the donor car for some of my future experiments.
:wink:
 
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