E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Playing music on SD memory cards

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 01-13-2009, 04:58 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Rose Creek Golf Club, Edmond, OK
Posts: 189
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
2023 E450W, 2020 GLC300
Playing music on SD memory cards

I loaded up a couple of hundred MP3 songs on an SD card, inserted it in my car, followed the steps in the manual, and couldn't get it to play, even after repeated tries. I could see an image of an SD card on the screen, but couldn't see any song titles or get them to play. I was stymied until I read the fine print in the manual--SD cards larger than 2GB are not supported. I haven't tried a smaller card yet, I don't have any.
Old 01-13-2009, 05:02 PM
  #2  
Junior Member

 
madelko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Midwest
Posts: 68
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
2017 GLC 300 4Matic
SD Card

Not sure about the card sizes and usability - My 1.0 GB card works fine the first time we tested it. Seamless!

First and only time that slot was used!
Old 01-13-2009, 05:50 PM
  #3  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
220S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Yeah, works nicely on the MY09. Bobby T, you need to get smaller cards and then load the music on to the music register (4GB)

That all said, MP3 sounds crappy compared to CDs. Everything is becoming compressed for the sake of convenience. Film, music.

Heh, I listen to vinyl on tube amps and make 16mm short films
Old 01-13-2009, 11:57 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Polar Bear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,691
Received 139 Likes on 94 Posts
W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
Originally Posted by 220S
Yeah, works nicely on the MY09. Bobby T, you need to get smaller cards and then load the music on to the music register (4GB)

That all said, MP3 sounds crappy compared to CDs. Everything is becoming compressed for the sake of convenience. Film, music.

Heh, I listen to vinyl on tube amps and make 16mm short films
Any idea what bitrate the Music Register rips the music at, and what format? I assume MP3 if it will copy from the SD card.
Old 01-14-2009, 01:19 AM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Dema's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: California
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
i535
Put some music samples here and we can test them on our cars.
Old 01-14-2009, 09:57 AM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Diesel Benz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 6,358
Received 294 Likes on 246 Posts
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Originally Posted by 220S
Yeah, works nicely on the MY09. Bobby T, you need to get smaller cards and then load the music on to the music register (4GB)

That all said, MP3 sounds crappy compared to CDs. Everything is becoming compressed for the sake of convenience. Film, music.

Heh, I listen to vinyl on tube amps and make 16mm short films
So are you confirming that the SD-card interface does not support SD HC cards? That sounds crappy, and someone complained that PCMCIA on a W221/204 is old-fashioned.


Considering MP3 quality, like Polar Bear suggests, with proper MP3 parameters you cannot hear a difference between MP3 and CD audio, not with a headset, definitely not in a car (even a car with the best audio system).
Old 01-14-2009, 10:56 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
MB211's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
2005 E500, 2011 ML350
Will not work with the 4G card, 2G works very well.
Old 01-14-2009, 11:30 AM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
220S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
So are you confirming that the SD-card interface does not support SD HC cards? That sounds crappy, and someone complained that PCMCIA on a W221/204 is old-fashioned.


Considering MP3 quality, like Polar Bear suggests, with proper MP3 parameters you cannot hear a difference between MP3 and CD audio, not with a headset, definitely not in a car (even a car with the best audio system).
As already mentioned just not larger cards.

In reference to your last point, I guess our ears are just trained differently

There is a difference. Whether it bothers someone or not, is really the only issue.

(I work in post production)
Old 01-14-2009, 11:52 AM
  #9  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Diesel Benz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 6,358
Received 294 Likes on 246 Posts
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Originally Posted by 220S
As already mentioned just not larger cards.

In reference to your last point, I guess our ears are just trained differently

There is a difference. Whether it bothers someone or not, is really the only issue.

(I work in post production)
Since you are an expert, you know that MP3 can be done with different parameters where the best quality really isn't noticeably different form CD audio (are you happy with the CD audio quality, it could be betterr?). It still remains different, but you do know the car audio environment, the background noise level and the speaker performance. MP3 with good parameters (do VMA if you wish) would largely outperform the capability of the car as a whole.

I did not say that the music industry should start using low quality MP3.
Old 01-14-2009, 09:36 PM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
220S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
Since you are an expert, you know that MP3 can be done with different parameters where the best quality really isn't noticeably different form CD audio (are you happy with the CD audio quality, it could be betterr?). It still remains different, but you do know the car audio environment, the background noise level and the speaker performance. MP3 with good parameters (do VMA if you wish) would largely outperform the capability of the car as a whole.

I did not say that the music industry should start using low quality MP3.
Completely agree. I imagine my response was primarily to the poor quality of compression that the majority of people deal with (downloads, e.g.) as their source of music in general.
Old 01-15-2009, 08:23 AM
  #11  
Member
 
CrimeDoesPay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: bx
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2004 e320
there an sd card slot in out cars WTF where is it
Old 01-15-2009, 09:17 AM
  #12  
Newbie
 
lenorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2000 E430 Gold/Tan
I have an '09 E550 with the SD slot, however I bought a "Media Interface USB Cable" from the dealer for $37. This replaces the IPod cable in the glove box. Then I bought a 16gig USB memory stick and copied over thousands of hours of music onto it, and it works like a charm. I did this in lieu of using an iPod because I ripped hundreds of CDs about 7 years ago in MP3 format and I can't seem to get them into iTunes with all the title information. Anyway, this is one solution which works if you have lots of MP3s.
Old 01-15-2009, 08:37 PM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Dema's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: California
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
i535
I prefer iPod, since I can organize music in different ways and have play list. All my music in MP3, I prefer just rip CDs with compression parameters selected for specific of music. Obviously I do not use iTunes, so I do not know what kind of limitations it has. You could also spend the same money purchasing 16Gb SD card.
Old 01-15-2009, 08:56 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
MB211's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
2005 E500, 2011 ML350
Originally Posted by Dema
I prefer iPod, since I can organize music in different ways and have play list. All my music in MP3, I prefer just rip CDs with compression parameters selected for specific of music. Obviously I do not use iTunes, so I do not know what kind of limitations it has. You could also spend the same money purchasing 16Gb SD card.
You "could" purchase it, but it WOULD not work-----2Gb is the max
Old 01-15-2009, 09:25 PM
  #15  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Polar Bear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,691
Received 139 Likes on 94 Posts
W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
Originally Posted by 220S
As already mentioned just not larger cards.

In reference to your last point, I guess our ears are just trained differently

There is a difference. Whether it bothers someone or not, is really the only issue.

(I work in post production)
That's why I never purchase music online. Until they offer lossless file formats, I will continue to buy Compact Discs and I can do what I want with them on any device and not worry about DRM as a bonus.

The DVD-A system in the W204 is nothing short of amazing. I have a Euro COMAND in my W211 and it will play DVD-A, but does not play the 96kHz tracks, only the DVD-V compatible tracks, and downmixes to 2 channels. Still sounds good, but not as good as the 5.1

I assume the 2009 W211 plays DVD-Audio in 5.1? If so, how is the quality?
Old 01-15-2009, 10:00 PM
  #16  
Newbie
 
Newbie09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E350 4Matic
I have the E350 4Matic with the sports package. I've been trying to get the SD card to work but I haven't had any luck so far. I tried using a 2gig and 512 mb. I can see the files on the screen but no sound. Doesn't look like it's doing anything at all. Is there any specific brand that needs to be used? I read the manual and it did say it doesn't support all brand. I tried the Micro Center brand and Corsair. Any suggestions??
Old 01-15-2009, 10:06 PM
  #17  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Rose Creek Golf Club, Edmond, OK
Posts: 189
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
2023 E450W, 2020 GLC300
Hi Newbie09,

Did you try downloading the songs to the Music Register? I don't know if they will play directly from the SD card (I still haven't bought a 2GB card to try it).
Old 01-15-2009, 10:34 PM
  #18  
Newbie
 
Newbie09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E350 4Matic
I tried downloading it but it wouldn't which is weird b/c I see the files but when I go to "start" downloading, says no files found. Am I missing something here??

Originally Posted by BobbyT
Hi Newbie09,

Did you try downloading the songs to the Music Register? I don't know if they will play directly from the SD card (I still haven't bought a 2GB card to try it).
Old 01-16-2009, 12:45 AM
  #19  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Rose Creek Golf Club, Edmond, OK
Posts: 189
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
2023 E450W, 2020 GLC300
Hi Newbie09,

I don't know, but I plan to get a 2GB card on my next visit to the camera store, probably tomorrow, and I'll let you know what I find. Are the files on the card in a supported format?
Old 01-16-2009, 01:44 AM
  #20  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Dema's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: California
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
i535
Indeed, strange limitation 2Gb. I hope some software update releases it. We should check what SD card capacity is supported by W212 command.
Old 01-16-2009, 01:54 AM
  #21  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Diesel Benz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 6,358
Received 294 Likes on 246 Posts
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Originally Posted by Dema
Indeed, strange limitation 2Gb. I hope some software update releases it. We should check what SD card capacity is supported by W212 command.
That would be difficult, I read they have gone back to PCMCIA interface and we have not found any big enough SD HC card that would not work with that.

I'm afraid the question is about SD versus SD HC support and I'm not expecting a SW updated fix that.
Old 09-03-2009, 06:56 PM
  #22  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Tjdehya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 2,105
Received 246 Likes on 156 Posts
2023 EQS 580
I bought a 16GB SD loaded it up with tons of music then wondered why it wouldn’t play. lol
The 2GB is really small and the 4GB registry is small too.

Originally Posted by lenorro
I have an '09 E550 with the SD slot, however I bought a "Media Interface USB Cable" from the dealer for $37. This replaces the IPod cable in the glove box. Then I bought a 16gig USB memory stick and copied over thousands of hours of music onto it, and it works like a charm. I did this in lieu of using an iPod because I ripped hundreds of CDs about 7 years ago in MP3 format and I can't seem to get them into iTunes with all the title information. Anyway, this is one solution which works if you have lots of MP3s.
Has anyone tried using a large portable hardrive yet? I have one and i would rather use it than to buy an IPOD.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Playing music on SD memory cards



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:16 PM.