ucla95

New owner - tried searching for the answer and couldn't find it.Searched the manual as well. Apologies if this is redundant.
I have a USB port in the center armrest - plugged my iPod into it with my apple USB cable and it's unreadable according to the car. Is that normal?

BeachBunny

Yep. There's an iPod-specific cable which is needed. Alternatively, you can use SD Cards right in the COMAND unit itself, USB thumb drives, and even USB hard drives. 500GB of music should be 'nuf for anyone. I'm going to try a 1TB drive in my E when it arrives.

noka

There was an iPod cable that came with my car but my iPod Touch (3rd Gen, I think) could not be recognized. The SR disappeared for a moment and came back with another similar cable and that worked, so I guess there are at least two kinds, maybe more. Under Media Interface in Comand, I can select different categories for sort/selection and it even shows album art on the Comand display. I haven't tried other storage yet. It would be interesting to see how a large HDD would work in the USB port. I'm curious to know whether there is a recommended folder/file structure, including naming, how it displays (e.g. what sorting /selection options are possible, whether artwork shows, etc). I'll have to research that later.

beshannon

I use the provided cable and can stream play and see artwork on my iPhone 3gs under the media interface option.

PeterUbers

Get the apple brand 30 pin to lightening cable ... And if you need to then use cable jive lightening extension cable... I have that set up and it works flawlessly

Munich77

Ditto here....the old style worked fine on my I-phone 1

Sean1234

If you have bluetooth audio you should be able to stream that way as well

PeterUbers

Cable link has better fidelity and more control with comand knob

petee1997

My 15 CLS has two USB ports and came without any cables. My 15 E class has one USB port and a MB port to connect with the cables that came with the car. I don't know why the car doesn't have 100% USB ports. They would save not supplying the cables.

BeachBunny

Petee1997: Darn. I was starting to get exited when you said your CLS had 2 USBs... I was hoping my 15 E would be the same way. I'll know soon -- my car's at the port/VPC in Brunswick right now. Hoping to take delivery this week or next. Quite a nice Christmas present.

BeachBunny

Well, my 2015 E arrived. Only 1 USB, 1 Mercedes/iPod/Aux port. BUT, the Aux port supports video, something that 2x USB wouldn't.

Car came with the Lightning cable. I asked the dealer about old-school stuff and he came back with the old 30-pin+AUX cable.

noka

Congrats! I know you waited long enough. My SR also gave me the older 30-pin cable and my older iPod Touch works well (showing album are, etc). Now I'm curious to see if you get the "txt msg" function working with your RAZR MAXX HD I have not been able to. Otherwise, the phone works well... except for an intermittent, random disconnect/reconnect that it does (and MB told me that's one reason they removed it from an earlier BT compatibility list).

BeachBunny

I've had issues with the Razor Maxx audio dropouts in other cars and I know it doesn't play nicely with some apps. I've been busy with family obligations since picking up my car but will have some time in the next few days.

I did encounter dome issues with getting SD cards and USB devices to work with the car but have been able to work through them. Each time the Mac was to blame.

dpong

I'm getting new '15 CLS400 with full Comand package. It only comes with 2 USB port. I still try to find the solution for my music library. I try plugging in my iPod Classic and it wouldn't recognize. There is no Aux port for 3.5mm either. So I can't use my AK240SS for those DSD library. Is there any solutions out there that you guys know of??

As I read the manual it only recognize any USB device as MTP (usb harddrive) That means Comand system will try to be the "player" not just the amp and sound system. However, it will only support upto 320Kbps mp3 according to the manual I found. This is ridiculous what is the point of getting 5.1 sound system but you can only play 320Kbps or the bluetooth music which was only drain down to max at 256Kbps. MBUSA please help solve this problem.

ph350

Put your music library into a dvd, you have six slots for that. It decodes the highest codecs in that format.

scottmcdaniel1

2016 E-Class has two USB ports like the S...just FYI

using standard Apple cable with USB end will charge, but not pull data. media interface cable with lightning connection end will (for newer iPhones)

dpong

interesting!!! what different between MB cable and Apple cable. I hope they have a USB to 3.5mm cable accessory come out soon. Really hate to convert down all music just to be able to play in a car.

michael61

One note about the USB ports, they don't put out much power. Barely enough to power an iPhone using GPS.

I used this


To provide a higher power USB port that will actually quickly charge my phone while it's in use.

dpong

thank mate. I'm so new to this. so far it is a enjoyable ride. so many new features to learn to use.

BBLV

OEM Apple cable works fine between my '16 E350 and iPhone 6 Plus. I can control the music from the comand wheel and see the album art and track info on-screen. Something I'm missing?

Edit: I use Spotify and Pandora like this

KarlG

Mine works fine with Apple lightning cable amd iPhone 6. There are many non Apple cables out there that are USBto lightning that lack the proper chip. These cables will charge but not pull data. Suggest you try with a genuine Apple cable before throwing in the towel.

You are not missing anything. My 16 with two USB also works fine with my iPhone 6 and a standard Apple USB to lightning cable. All functions work including messages.

LemmyCaution

Standard Apple 30 pin-USB cable does not connect. Cable works on wife's macbook and my Thinkpads X1, T61, T43

USB connectors recognize all of my Androids - Nexus 6/Moto X Pure, Motorola MAXX HD Ultra - even my old RAZR V3 and a Phillips digital dictation device.

Tried apple Lightning - 30 pin adapter and new apple cable- doesn't work. Works on macbook and thinkpads.

iPod has latest software iteration which is 5 yrs old at least.
iPods worked in our 2013 Eclass, and work in our Mini so, it appears to be a software incompatibility with the e350.

BTW - I'm an I.T. Professional but after 18 yrs of correcting user errors etc. for money - the LAST thing I want to do in my disappearing free time is troubleshoot iPod connectivity or Netflix for free What happened to beta testing? :-)

Thoughts? Similar Experience with similar gear?

Thanks!

SteveE400

Lemmy - Do you mean that we are NOT the beta testers? Dang . . .

obaiwa

Hello everyone, my 2016 E350 USB port in the center armrest is broken. How do i remove the connection unit to replace it. Also i need help with the part number. Vin # WDDHF8JB4GB169068.
Thanks in advance.

konigstiger

Clipped directly into the housing of console, carefully unclip by getting behind faceplate.