Adding USB port?

[1987cp]

Hi all,

I have no idea what's actually involved in it, but one concept I've loved about an awful lot of aftermarket stereos these days is the handy USB port for just plugging in your USB thumb drive loaded with .mp3 files. So, while I'm playing catch-up to figure out how to use all the gadgets on our new '12 Five Touring, like the in-dash CD changer and Bluetooth audio streaming, I am disappointed that its stock stereo didn't come with a USB port since that'd be far handier than having to play tunes from my phone.

It seems I've seen kits online for adding a USB port, and since the stock stereo is apparently just a fancy computer, I'd think it could just as easily get files from a convenient location instead of having to burn a CD or mess with an external media player. Is this something other owners have done or thought about?

 

[Silentnoise713]

So the ’12 HU does not support Bluetooth audio streaming A2DP from your smart phone (assuming you have a Bluetooth phone)?

I don't think many manufacturer offer USB audio playback but they are always years behind with the latest trend. Mst standard CD players today still can't support .mp3/.wma playback. There isn’t a simple way of ‘integrating’ a USB port into the stock HU.

 

[1987cp]

I don't know what those acronyms mean, but I can indeed stream music from my Motorola Tundra flip phone via Bluetooth. Had to transfer all my pictures to the computer in order to hold just a few tracks of music (guess a micro-SD card would help with that), but it does work.

I had assumed that since the computerized stock headunit is specifically labeled as being able to play .mp3 or .wma from a CD-R, it would be a simple matter to provide it with another way to access the files.

 

[torquelover]

Really doubt you can get the factory HU to read files through USB, but you can connect a USB device into the aux in by using this:

http://www.pludeal.com/usb-to-2-5-mm-audio-headphone-jack-cable-line_p5153.html

Splice it into the AUX jack in the center console and run the USB dongle under the console to the open cubby hole of your choice.

 

[bretthn]

I installed a Parrot kit in my wifes 5. It does many things including a usb port to integrate with the factory stereo. Got it on amazon pretty cheap.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I installed a Parrot kit in my wifes 5. It does many things including a usb port to integrate with the factory stereo. Got it on amazon pretty cheap.

I've heard of the Parrot kit but not 100% sure how it works. When you say 'integrate', do you mean you can control audio play back via HU/steering wheel control? Does it display folder/file/track info on the OEM display screen (not even sure if it is capable of displaying rolling text)? How does the audio get streamed through the HU (3.5mm audio plug, RF transmitter, hardwired, Bluetooth)?

If the Parrot kit's unit itself has a USB port, which is controlled by the Parrot kit then it is not 'integrated'. It would be just another pass through audio source using the HU as the amp. For the OP, the cheapest and seamless options is just continue using his Bluetooth phone but get a memory card. Uploading songs onto a USB drive is no different than uploading songs onto his phone’s memory card. Can also gea micro SD to USB drive adapter for cheap to upload songs. To me, the only real benefit a USB integrated HU is the capability to control audio play back and display track info on the HU. If it cannot do both, it is not worth it.

Do confirm. If the Parriot can do both, I'm all in!


EDIT: I should clarify that I have the crappy single disc, non-mp3/wma, no bluetooth OEM unit

 

[twintrbo]

Bluetooth streaming is awesome and you should be able to control tracks with your HU and even steering wheel controls. Get yourself the largest MicroSD card your phone can handle and dont look back.

 

[1987cp]

Bluetooth streaming is awesome and you should be able to control tracks with your HU and even steering wheel controls. Get yourself the largest MicroSD card your phone can handle and dont look back.

Starting to think along those lines, actually, and yes, the steering wheel doodad does change tracks.

Still have yet to figure out how my silly track selection thing works on the phone (and why sometimes it starts playing ringtones and/or plays one track over and over), but that's sort of another matter!

 

[golftango]

Bluetooth streaming is awesome and you should be able to control tracks with your HU and even steering wheel controls. Get yourself the largest MicroSD card your phone can handle and dont look back.

Wait, the standard Bluetooth can stream music too? How?

 

[twintrbo]

Dont get excited golf, I think its only on 2012's. Fairly certain the BT on 08-10's only did voice for hands free calling.

 

[was98strat]

Really doubt you can get the factory HU to read files through USB, but you can connect a USB device into the aux in by using this:

http://www.pludeal.com/usb-to-2-5-mm-audio-headphone-jack-cable-line_p5153.html

Splice it into the AUX jack in the center console and run the USB dongle under the console to the open cubby hole of your choice.

hmmm.. That won't work. The Mazda5 doesnt have an aux input jack! you'll need something like this http://www.amazon.de/USB-SD-MP3-AUX-Adapter/dp/B001DCOD3Y to get USB input into your stereo. It fakes out the unit into thinking that there is a 6CD changer connected to it! It's the only way to go, aside from the auxmod!! works great. I have a 4GB usb key connected to mine with all the tunes I want!

 

[golftango]

hmmm.. That won't work. The Mazda5 doesnt have an aux input jack! you'll need something like this http://www.amazon.de/USB-SD-MP3-AUX-Adapter/dp/B001DCOD3Y to get USB input into your stereo. It fakes out the unit into thinking that there is a 6CD changer connected to it! It's the only way to go, aside from the auxmod!! works great. I have a 4GB usb key connected to mine with all the tunes I want!

Yes, we do have an AUX jack. Not sure which year it started, but they are there.

Too bad about BT not streaming music on 08-09 models.

 

[1987cp]

WOW that USB adapter thing is expensive!!!! (eek) I don't speak Germanish, but I'm told Euros are comparable in value to US dollars ....

Still haven't figured out how that AUX adapter is supposed to work ... but hey, half of me thinks it's phantzy just to have tunes in the car, period! I suppose the normal AUX jack could be handy if one wanted to play tapes in the car, though. Kind of the opposite of how we used to plug cassette adapters into a Diskman .... or better yet, a cassette adapter plus an 8-track adapter to play CDs on an 8-track deck!

 

[Heat]

... Not sure which year it started ...

They started in the '08 model.

 

[twintrbo]

I would go with the GROM unit if you wanted to add a USB port. Not sure if its worth it to add the Bluetooth dongle to that as well. Probably better off using just a BT receiver if you want to stream music to the AUX input. Links below.........

Grom for 06-08 5's
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

Grom for 08-10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0920583388

Grom BT adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=09M-000N-00061&Tpk=grom btd

BT receiver for 08-10 aux input
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[Silentnoise713]

hmmm.. That won't work. The Mazda5 doesnt have an aux input jack! you'll need something like this http://www.amazon.de/USB-SD-MP3-AUX-Adapter/dp/B001DCOD3Y to get USB input into your stereo. It fakes out the unit into thinking that there is a 6CD changer connected to it! It's the only way to go, aside from the auxmod!! works great. I have a 4GB usb key connected to mine with all the tunes I want!

I always wondered if someone made something like this to simulate the CD changer input. But damn that is expensive!...

I would go with the GROM unit if you wanted to add a USB port. Not sure if its worth it to add the Bluetooth dongle to that as well. Probably better off using just a BT receiver if you want to stream music to the AUX input. Links below.........

Grom for 06-08 5's
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

Grom for 08-10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0920583388

Grom BT adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=09M-000N-00061&Tpk=grom btd

BT receiver for 08-10 aux input
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

Not sure if that BT receiver above is the best option since it requires an AC power source. You'd have to run a AC/DC converter to use it. Do they make these that can draw power from the cig? Not sure how long battery powered ones last.

 

[twintrbo]

Someone in one of the reviews got a DC adapter for it. I think its 5v so you might be able to rig something. Yes there are models with rechargeable batteries too.

 

[1987cp]

That Bluetooth receiver looks possibly handy for a home stereo, though for that it'd be better to have RCA plugs.



I can't make heads or tails out of the thingys that say they're good for connecting an iPod, since I've never owned or used an iPod.



This doodad is supposed to let you use either a USB drive or SD card, but I have no idea what the VGA/serial-port looking cable is for!
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)