General Connect Nav+ MP3 Mode ...

[Shadeyman]

Copied from the Connect Nav+ user manual.

MP3 MODE
CONNECT Nav+ can recognize the type of Compact Disc inserted. During the reading procedure to recognize the disk the display shows “Reading CD...”. If the inserted CD is a MP3 one, a specific management is activated.
IMPORTANT Never use 8 cm audio or MP3 CDs, even with the specific adapter, since this format damages the system.
IMPORTANT CONNECT Nav+ builds MP3 CD folder-organized structure of files; folders are organized in sequence with their own MP3 tracks (up to max. four levels of folders/subdirectories). Folder and file name
length shall not exceed 20 characters. Characters: blank, ’ (apostrophe), ( and ) (open and closed brackets) are not admitted in MP3 track names.
When creating MP3 CD you must not use these characters to name files otherwise CONNECT Nav+ will not be able to play it.

So has anyone managed to create an normal sized MP3 CD that the Nav+ plays?

 

[keviwal]

Copied from the Connect Nav+ user manual.

MP3 MODE
CONNECT Nav+ can recognize the type of Compact Disc inserted. During the reading procedure to recognize the disk the display shows “Reading CD...”. If the inserted CD is a MP3 one, a specific management is activated.
IMPORTANT Never use 8 cm audio or MP3 CDs, even with the specific adapter, since this format damages the system.
IMPORTANT CONNECT Nav+ builds MP3 CD folder-organized structure of files; folders are organized in sequence with their own MP3 tracks (up to max. four levels of folders/subdirectories). Folder and file name
length shall not exceed 20 characters. Characters: blank, ’ (apostrophe), ( and ) (open and closed brackets) are not admitted in MP3 track names.
When creating MP3 CD you must not use these characters to name files otherwise CONNECT Nav+ will not be able to play it.

So has anyone managed to create an normal sized MP3 CD that the Nav+ plays?

Hi,
never knew it was an issue tbh.
I just lob my mp3's onto a disc and play them.
I never put a file within a file if that makes sense but have never had an issue.
One thing i did find out though is whilst you have the nav disc in and you have a route planned, if you remove the disc it will store your route and you can put your cd in and play it and still use the satnav ( Note to self read the manual more often!!! LOL)


Cheers,

 

[Shadeyman]

Hi,
never knew it was an issue tbh.
I just lob my mp3's onto a disc and play them.
I never put a file within a file if that makes sense but have never had an issue.
One thing i did find out though is whilst you have the nav disc in and you have a route planned, if you remove the disc it will store your route and you can put your cd in and play it and still use the satnav ( Note to self read the manual more often!!! LOL)


Cheers,

I've tried burning a CD twice now and it failed to play both times. It must be a file name or something.

With what and how do you burn MP3's to disc?
And can the disc be played if inserted into the CD changer rather than the head unit?

 

[Davren]

One thing i did find out though is whilst you have the nav disc in and you have a route planned, if you remove the disc it will store your route and you can put your cd in and play it and still use the satnav

Yes, you can remove the map CD after setting a route but the CN+ will only store the exact route you've programmed. If you deviate from that route, it won't be able to get you back on track and you'd need to reprogram the route.

I use my CN+ to drive around Europe about 6000 miles every year and often deviate off track to visit small villages or get fuel away from the motorways. This is the main reason I fitted the LoudLink Mp3 SD card CD Changer emulator, so that I can leave the relevant map disc in the CN+ and play Mp3 files from the SD card.

 

[Suicide_Jockey]

I've tried burning a CD twice now and it failed to play both times. It must be a file name or something.

With what and how do you burn MP3's to disc?
And can the disc be played if inserted into the CD changer rather than the head unit?

Have you "finalised" the disc (ie, ticked an option which makes 'further recording' impossible) ... Windows & many burning-packages burn "sessions" by default (which allows further/additional recording), and this can stop the disc working in some ICE systems.

I generally prefer to use Nero 6 (newer = too bloated) or Power2Go 5 ... and always DAO (Disc at once) mode + "Finalise Disc" ... Disc names have NEVER been an issue unless they are stupidly long (>100 chars).

I'm not sure if the CD changer is MP3 capable, as I don't use one.

PS ... Also, make sure you use a SLOW burning speed (I prefer 4x or 8x at most).

 

[Suicide_Jockey]

... I fitted the LoudLink Mp3 SD card CD Changer emulator, so that I can leave the relevant map disc in the CN+ and play Mp3 files from the SD card.

Have you been happy with & can you recommend the loudlink system, and does it always remember the "last track" memory?

I'm considering one of these or the 'xcarlink' equivilent.

 

[keviwal]

I've tried burning a CD twice now and it failed to play both times. It must be a file name or something.

With what and how do you burn MP3's to disc?
And can the disc be played if inserted into the CD changer rather than the head unit?

Hi Stu,

I just use nero . Lob them on the disc and burn it.
Are you finalising the disc? what type of disc are you using ? i bought some discs a while back that were for use in cars called "tuff disc" and they wouldnt work so maybe the media you are using is an issue?

Cheers,

 

[Davren]

I had a lot of problems with it originally not remembering last track but Arnold at LoudLink wrote some updated software for it that solved most of them.

Only time is forgets last track now is if I've disconnected the battery or tried starting the car when the battery's been a bit low. I've never tried the XcarLink one. Also, the LoudLink one just fits neatly in the space above the dashboard fuse box so doesn't take up space in the glovebox.
.

 

[Shadeyman]

Loudlink - 157.50 EUR.
I did consider a loudlink, Davrens install is really neat but the price put me off when you consider what other products can do for a quarter of the price. Plus you can't use it if you have the CD Multichanger plugged in like myself as it uses the same socket.
http://loudlink.eu/webshop/loudlink-mp3-cd-changer-emulator-for-fiat-stilo-connectnav-aux-p-64.html

Veba Hard-wired FM modulator - £29.99 delivered.
http://www.ktduk.com/product/fm_modulator_wired_transmitter_ipod_mp3
Very simple to install, great quality sound. Plug anything you want into it. Mobile phone, play your MP3's and use as a hands free for your mobile if your not using the Nav+ built in phone.. No problems remembering last track info either as the device you plug into it does that for you.
I plug our multiscreen car DVD player into it, the missus and kids watch movies while I drive.
Check this out:
https://www.fiatforum.com/i-c-e/264722-hard-wired-fm-modulator-better-sound-quality-apparently.html

I'll try burning the CD again later at a slower speed and make sure I finalise it, cheers guys.

 

[keviwal]

Have you been happy with & can you recommend the loudlink system, and does it always remember the "last track" memory?

I'm considering one of these or the 'xcarlink' equivilent.

Hi S J,

I emailed xcarlink this very morning as i had never heard of them before , they dont work with the connect nav+ .
So the only options are one of stu's gadgets or a loudlink.

Cheers for now,


Ps copy of email :
Hi there

Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately the interface is not yet compatible with the Nav+ but we will inform you once any updates have been made to the software. Kind Regards
Russell

 

[vladof]

Can this LoudLink be installed in regular cd players as well or is it just compatible with the connect nav+?

 

[Davren]

Can this LoudLink be installed in regular cd players as well or is it just compatible with the connect nav+?

There's one listed for the Stilo Visteon radio on the Loudlink site here:

http://loudlink.eu/webshop/loudlink-mp3-cd-changer-emulator-for-fiat-stilo-aux-p-34.html

 

[vladof]

Thanks Dave. This seems like a very good alternative to having a new player installed. I've been looking for a good solution for a long time. It's not cheap, I'll give you that, but it's nice and professional.

How hard is it to connect?

Do you get ID3 tags on the display aka song name?

Are you limited to 5 folders and 99 files on each?

 

[Davren]

You need the Blaupunkt cable shown below. It just plugs into the back of the radio and the LoudLink. It's not included with the unit but Loudlink supply them seperately.

I'm not sure how many folders you can have with the Visteon radio. With the CN+, you can only have 5 because when it's in CDC mode there are only buttons 1 to 5 to select them with. As the LoudLink emulates the Blaupunkt 5 disc IDC-A09 CD changer on Stilos, I suspect it will be the same for both radios.

If the Visteon radio is capable of displaying ID3 tags then they should work. It does on the CN+.

I've never tried putting more than 99 files per folder on mine.

LoudLink have some on eBay cheaper (£89.99 GBP) . The listing title says for Maserati and no AUX input but the text also shows the LLK-A09X for the Stilo standard radio. Confusing, because the X suffix according to the LoudLink website is with the AUX input.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Loudlink-Fiat-Maserati-4200-Spyder-Coupe-Changer-noAUX-/250800536659?pt=UK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_In_Car_Audio_Players_PP&hash=item3a64e07c53
.

 

[vladof]

One last question, does it power itself through the cable or do I need to take some ignition live to go with it?

 

[Davren]

One last question, does it power itself through the cable or do I need to take some ignition live to go with it?

You only need the cable. No other power supply is required.

If you use the AUX input, you would only have 4 folders left for mp3s. You would have to select one of them just for the AUX input so you can use the selected button (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) on the radio to turn on the AUX function.

 

[EdStilo]

In the meanwhile anybody who had made an mp3 cd for the connect nav+ that does work?
Im struggling for hours now after 10 discs later all of them with an disk error im getting pretty tired of the out of date fiat sound system.

I am using a Mac so I can not use Nero, I am using Toast but nowhere there is an option for the ID3Tag.