How does and old version of Gracenote recognise new CD's?
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E220 CDI Avantgarde 2009
How does and old version of Gracenote recognise new CD's?
Anyone know how this thing actually works, because I just got baffled beyond belief.
I have NTG 2.5 comand system in my car, which I updated about a year ago to version 5, which itself was released in and around November 2010. I haven't had my car near a dealer since probably last April when I got this service done.
The update includes a version of Gracenote media DB which it reads when I insert a CD, as there is no internet access. So lots of times it doesn't know the CD I put in, mainly new ones, but some old ones also, no big deal really, but it is a nice feature to have.
What I don't understand is that I bought a brand new CD yesterday, Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball to be precise, which has only just been released.
How the hell did my comand system know what it was?
I have NTG 2.5 comand system in my car, which I updated about a year ago to version 5, which itself was released in and around November 2010. I haven't had my car near a dealer since probably last April when I got this service done.
The update includes a version of Gracenote media DB which it reads when I insert a CD, as there is no internet access. So lots of times it doesn't know the CD I put in, mainly new ones, but some old ones also, no big deal really, but it is a nice feature to have.
What I don't understand is that I bought a brand new CD yesterday, Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball to be precise, which has only just been released.
How the hell did my comand system know what it was?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
I can't say for sure. Gracenote uses an algorithm based on the number of tracks and the exact duration of each to compile a checksum - a number that identifies a CD. Two CDs that happen to have the same checksum can confuse Gracenote. But that is likely not what is happening - it's just a bit on how Gracenote works. An internet search will get you more detailed information.
I do know that if I copy a CD into iTunes, and then burn a copy with instructions to "include CD text" (song title, artist, etc) my COMAND system (which does not have Gracenote) will display the album name, song titles, and artist. That raises the question of whether you are using a copy, or an original disc (I usually keep my originals in the house, and burn copies for use in the car). If you are using a copy that was made with instructions to include CD text (ID Tag 3 info), then the burned CD carries it - but the COMAND is reading it from the CD, not from Gracenote.
Although this is not the question you asked, if you play your CD on your computer using iTunes (and likely Windows music software), the software will run a Gracenote check and load the data into the music software. If you copy the CD to an iPod, or burn a CD subsequently, the Gracenote data for the CD will be included.
I have no idea of whether any of the foregoing would update the Gracenote database in your COMAND NTG 2.5. I can't answer beyond what I have provided here.
I do know that if I copy a CD into iTunes, and then burn a copy with instructions to "include CD text" (song title, artist, etc) my COMAND system (which does not have Gracenote) will display the album name, song titles, and artist. That raises the question of whether you are using a copy, or an original disc (I usually keep my originals in the house, and burn copies for use in the car). If you are using a copy that was made with instructions to include CD text (ID Tag 3 info), then the burned CD carries it - but the COMAND is reading it from the CD, not from Gracenote.
Although this is not the question you asked, if you play your CD on your computer using iTunes (and likely Windows music software), the software will run a Gracenote check and load the data into the music software. If you copy the CD to an iPod, or burn a CD subsequently, the Gracenote data for the CD will be included.
I have no idea of whether any of the foregoing would update the Gracenote database in your COMAND NTG 2.5. I can't answer beyond what I have provided here.
Last edited by Skylaw; Mar 7, 2012 at 01:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
E220 CDI Avantgarde 2009
I can't say for sure. Gracenote uses an algorithm based on the number of tracks and the exact duration of each to compile a checksum - a number that identifies a CD. Two CDs that happen to have the same checksum can confuse Gracenote. But that is likely not what is happening - it's just a bit on how Gracenote works. An internet search will get you more detailed information..
I do know that if I copy a CD into iTunes, and then burn a copy with instructions to "include CD text" (song title, artist, etc) my COMAND system (which does not have Gracenote) will display the album name, song titles, and artist. That raises the question of whether you are using a copy, or an original disc (I usually keep my originals in the house, and burn copies for use in the car). If you are using a copy that was made with instructions to include CD text (ID Tag 3 info), then the burned CD carries it - but the COMAND is reading it from the CD, not from Gracenote.
Although this is not the question you asked, if you play your CD on your computer using iTunes (and likely Windows music software), the software will run a Gracenote check and load the data into the music software. If you copy the CD to an iPod, or burn a CD subsequently, the Gracenote data for the CD will be included.
I have no idea of whether any of the foregoing would update the Gracenote database in your COMAND NTG 2.5. I can't answer beyond what I have provided here.
I have no idea of whether any of the foregoing would update the Gracenote database in your COMAND NTG 2.5. I can't answer beyond what I have provided here.
Could it be that the music company registered it with Gracenote a year and a half ago when the DB which I have in my Comand system was released? It would be a bit weird though to wait all that time to release a CD, everything on it, song names, track order etc appears to be correct.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Although this is not the question you asked, if you play your CD on your computer using iTunes (and likely Windows music software), the software will run a Gracenote check and load the data into the music software. If you copy the CD to an iPod, or burn a CD subsequently, the Gracenote data for the CD will be included.
By your subsequent response, however, it is clear you played the original disc in the car - so that isn't what happened.
I really can't say why the info is displayed - you present two possibilities, but like you, I can only speculate.
Last edited by Skylaw; Mar 9, 2012 at 08:24 AM.
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From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-Text probably cd text
