Is there any benefit to using an iPod vs a flash drive with the 2016 infotainment system? I have a large music collection and my iPod only holds 160GB. I was thinking of getting a 256gb flash drive, but wasn't sure how the system handles folders and such. Should I just stick with my iPod or will the functionality be the same? Can you do playlists with the flash drive?
Ipod vs Flash Drive
- Thread starter Stavs
- Start date
I can't speak to the size of the flash drive as I only have 32MB drive. Yes, the flash drive does allow the use of playlists. One downside of using the flash drive is that the random feature from the head unit isn't very good. It will repeat songs within a playlist before the entire playlist is played.
That's odd. I have a 32 GB iPod Nano about 5-6 years old and my 2013 CX-5 with NB-1 head unit always starts where it left off (even in the middle of a song). It loads quickly from a cold start (music in about 5-6 seconds).
My 32 GB Nano is more than half full with many hours of music without a repeat.
Do you have the latest firmware? I heard people experienced with the infotainment not being able to resume where it left off, and the latest firmware fixed it.
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-2016-mazda-3-skyactiv-audio-electronics/102745-bugs-glitches-issues-you-ve-encountered-v55.html
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-2016-mazda-3-skyactiv-audio-electronics/98202-mzd-connect-all-firmware-version-only-downloads-4.html#post1342138
Firmware/mods in general:
http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-2016-mazda-3-skyactiv-audio-electronics/104730-index-infotainment-project.html
thanks for the link. my vehicle is with the latest firmware, I just got it like 2 months ago.
I leave a slim 32GB USB flash in the port, and it works fine. I can browse/show the playlist pretty quick, and it resumes correctly in the middle of the song everytime I turn on the car.
I think the problem could be about the timing when the iPod becomes available to the system, or how it presents itself to the system. I think the system identifies if a drive is the same as last time based on certain device ID/name. Also, in order to resume where it left off, it probably needs to get the whole file/directory structure of the USB device, which the iPod might not pass to the system right-away/correctly. Another possibility is if the iPod has an internal magnetic drive that takes some time to spin up (unlikely).
Everytime I plug my LG phone in to charge, the car does detect it as a USB device, but the phone doesn't allow accessing its storage until I unlock its screen, so that's another complication.
Anyway, it's probably easiest to just grab a (slim) flash drive and copy only your favourite songs over.
I think the problem could be about the timing when the iPod becomes available to the system, or how it presents itself to the system. I think the system identifies if a drive is the same as last time based on certain device ID/name. Also, in order to resume where it left off, it probably needs to get the whole file/directory structure of the USB device, which the iPod might not pass to the system right-away/correctly. Another possibility is if the iPod has an internal magnetic drive that takes some time to spin up (unlikely).
Everytime I plug my LG phone in to charge, the car does detect it as a USB device, but the phone doesn't allow accessing its storage until I unlock its screen, so that's another complication.
Anyway, it's probably easiest to just grab a (slim) flash drive and copy only your favourite songs over.
To be on the safe side, do check your firmware version to confirm. I got my car in October, but its firmware was several version behind, perhaps it's been sitting in the lot for a while. Dealers don't bother updating every car when a new firmware is available, the saleswoman didn't even know what I was talking about when I asked her about the firmware.
- :
- Plano, Texas, USA
When we bought our 3 I had them update it while we filled out the paperwork. It was 2 versions old. They don't update them on the lot. I think a firmware update check should be part of the new owner prep process.
I have the original Ipod, and it doesn't read the playlist. It reads the library only, and it starts from the beginning every time you start the car. We also have an Ipod mini, and it remembers and plays all playlist. I use the Ipod mini in this vehicle only. It has the latest update, and vehicle is a month and 2 weeks old. Also, I thought something was wrong with the infotainment system because it kept rebooting while driving and the screen would get stuck on black Mazda logo screen. I replaced my Ipod cord and it hasn't happened since then.
