ManiacGT

So.. unlike my 6 year old BMW that can import CD's into its hard disk for playback, it seems my brand new Merc can't import CD's into the music register. It appears you can only copy music from other devices or CD's with MP3's on. That is very poor. What on earth is the point of that when you might as well just leave the music on the USB stick.

Feeling a tad annoyed by that.

jolt8631

Same as the W204, in that regard.

Unnimon

I could save some audio files which were in my friend's Audio CD into the car's hard disk. I am sure it was not mp3 as it was a brand new music CD bought from the store.

StanNH

I routinely save cuts from CD's, and have even recorded entire CD's to the Music Register.

ManiacGT

No matter what CD I put in the car, the option to import them is greyed out.

Can you remember how you imported the CDs? Perhaps I'm doing it wrong?

I select the CD, it starts playing, I choose options and the only option to import is 'copy files to music register' which is not selectable.

StanNH

This is how it's supposed to work:

ManiacGT

Yep. it does that if I have a CD with mp3's on it. But if I put an Audio CD in that option is greyed out.

StanNH

This is the only other reference I could find. Does it behave like this with all commercial CD sources? Are these CD's you're burning yourself?

ManiacGT

Are you sure you've done this?

I've tried a half dozen CDs and get nothing.

Unnimon

StanNH has a point there. Are those CDs something you burned at home ? There can be chances that CDs that we burn using some software at home may not have completed the burning process properly. In such cases, the CDs may still be used to listen to music, but may sometimes not be able to be copied anywhere else. (some end of file not properly closed thingy) I have heard something like this. May not even be true, but I am just saying.

ManiacGT

Nope I've tried a half dozen commercial off the shelf CDs. Nada

I don't have anything that can burn CDs.

Mr Enigma

My guess is the music on the CD may be digitally protected and hence can't be copied to the MR. Have you tried with CDs burned from the home PC?

ManiacGT

I don't have a home Pc. I have a MacBook Air and that's it. Burning CDs was something I did 8-10 years ago.. Not needed to do such a thing for a very long time.

The BMW I drive simply converts CDs into the hard disk and its quality is superior to MP3

I had hoped the merc would do the same.

BlackjackM

I've been filling up my HDD for the past 2 weeks with no issue, both commercial and burned CDs (US C300). I'm wondering if that's a UK thing, some licensing restriction?

ManiacGT

Can you tell me the steps you take to import an audio cd?

Boudicca

Same here Maniac. Only thing I can think of is regional restrictions. I have tried new commercially bought cd's and burnt cd's. Same non-result. Doesnt make sense. Somewhat frustrating. I don't want to go through the numerous steps of iTunes etc when I have the cd right with me in the car to copy and the manual says it's possible as well as other people seem to be able to do this.

digitallust_aus

What is a CD?

I only buy digital music these days, however when I made the move from CD to digital quite a few years ago.. I imported all of my CD's directly into my iTunes library, which creates a digital version of your album.. You are then free to import it into car media players/registers etc by means of SD, USB etc

Boudicca

It's something old people used long ago. According to legend, it could magically replicate beautiful music by simply sliding it straight into a device devised for this purpose.

digitallust_aus

That sounds like some crazy wizardry to me

Boudicca

Yes indeed, but it's seems the ancient ways are being lost, the ways of the Elders giving way to newer technologies.
Sometimes, in the shadows, an adherent of the "Old Ways" can be heard muttering "f$!& it, I'll just listen to the radio"

digitallust_aus

The Digital Radio is pretty spectacular though

Boudicca

Lol....the whole car is pretty spectacular.

ManiacGT

So... back on topic.

If someone that can import normal commercial Audio CD's could give me a step by step I'd appreciate it, so I can check that against my steps.

This command stuff is just not intuitive enough. My 7 year old iDrive tech is easier to use.

digitallust_aus

Im flying home this evening, I will have a look when I get home... and let you know.

I actually find the Comand system more intuitive to use than the iDrive on my F30... but that may have something to do with the fact I grew up in the iPhone/iPad era :P

ManiacGT

Thanks. I've contacted my dealer, they tell me you can't import Audio CD's to COMAND. Only files from USB/MSD.