I am awaiting delivery of my 2014 e250bt. I am not familiar which version of command 2014s come with. I want to store my cd library in best possible compression in this vehicle. 10gb built in is too small.
Whats the best way to go about this?

1-ipod classic 160gb - apple lossless? Is there still an interface connection in glow box?

2-32/64/128gb usb drives- flac or wma lossless? Can command play these or any lossless codec?

3-same as 2 but use sd cards?

4- any other recommendations?

Thanks

 

ipod connection is in center console now. I will leave it to someone else to comment on quality of different file types and bit rate (a much debated topic). Personally I am fine with mp3 at 192kbps. Allowable file types should be in manual. But I do recall a thread on a limitation on the number of files depending on which method you use (usb v. sd. v. ipod). I think usb was limited to 1,000 songs but you could get more on sd or ipod. Not sure if that was tested on the most recent comand though.

 

You can't store compressed audio on the car's hard drive in the USA (the land of the free). Fear of lawsuits from RIAA, I assume.

Regards,
Don

 

I did some googling and read the manual. Command does not support any lossless codec. Registry is too small at 10gb even for a decent number of 320kbps mp3. Usb and sd support is gimmicky. Limitations are not clearly outlined in the manual but there are certainly some annoying ones.

Ive read ipod integration is more reliable and better(cover art/metadata etc..)

I picked up an ipod classic 160gb. I will rip all my cds in apple lossless and use it as music storage in center console.

I will report once i test it out throughly

 

for when you need to take all 10,000 songs with you?

 

I use apple lossless encoding. You can fit approximately 200 cds on 160gb. 10000 song estimate is for lossy compressions like mp3. Apple lossless take up much more room but identical to cd quality. For $250 its a well worth add on.

 

Some of us are road hounds. I've gone up to 4 months at a time on the road without seeing my own bed. Definitely a time when you want to have familiar things at hand.

Not wanting to thread jack, but does COMAND support playback of videos off iPods or at least the audio from a video?

 

I was able to test it out. Ipod in the arm rest console works flawless. I ripped my cds into apple lossless. 160gb ipod classic can hold about 200 cds in lossless. I can full interaction this way. Cover art, track info etc..all really nice and fast.

Sound quality matches the built in cd player which was my goal. The newest 7th gen ipod classic has the single disc 160gb hdd which is far more reliable than older multi discs ones.

Also tried spotify on my samsung note 3 and iphone 5s. It works nicely. You get cover art and artist info on command. You can skip pause tracks as well.

 

Glad to hear it sounds good. Then it was worth the time to rip all those. How many tracks is that? That's good to know that comand 4.5 can see more than 1,000 tracks via USB.

My library is a mix of ripped and digital downloaded tracks. My biggest compliant is the difference in volume between tracks. It would be great to equalize them some how.

 

Add SD card in the command system so you have route recording capability. (valet joyride recording mode)

 

USB port only charges the ipod/iphone. You get interactive control only on apple interface connection. My car came with the old type which wont work with newer iphones(you need an adapter). Ipod classic has the old wide connector so it is perfect. I don't know how many tracks but definitely way more than 1000. I believe ipod classic has volume nomination function.