darlop

MBUX is supposed to be the most advanced infotainment system and yet it is lacking a basic function I have in cars more than a decade old. Unbelievable.

joejones81

I’m providing a link to a similar question/comment raised in the GLE 2019+ forum. They seem to have come to the same conclusion that the current version of MBUX does not enable the user to copy music onto the vehicle’s internal storage.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...-gle-mbux.html

darlop

Yeah it always seems like 2 steps forward and 1 step back with Mercedes...

bad habit

It is exactly for the reason that this is a modern entertainment system that it doesn't support ancient ways of doing things 😊
Same as laptops no longer having CD-ROM drives or serial / parallel ports

places

...and yet everyone is clamoring for the newest system. Waiting for next years release, etc., and then this crap keep occurring. Personally I would never buy a car based solely on the latest infotainment system. When I see these threads I can't say I'm surprised.

darlop

So you think keeping a USB drive plugged in at all times is "modern"?

Oh I know I'm supposed to use some crappy streaming service with bluetooth. So now I have to remember to take my phone out and launch an app every time I get in the car. That's real modern. Or I could stick with the ancient practice of plugging in my phone every time to get the privilege of Android Auto. All the while using my cellular data.

AMG RB

Good point darlop. I've stumble across several similar topics here on different forums discussing how to play hi res music from USB connected devices and it doesn't seem very simple at all; such a shame.

darlop

Yeah I'm sure the people who spent $5000 on Burmester 3D will enjoy the convenience of listening to lossy streaming over bluetooth.

At least the media player supports lossless codecs like FLAC, ALAC and WAV. But the only way to play these is to carry around a USB drive with you. It's not that complicated just inconvenient.

joejones81

There is a silver lining that MBUX can play music from a USB without requiring the user to manually copy over the music to internal storage. For one, it’s a whole lot easier to update your music library when you can just remove the USB drive from your vehicle and plug it into your computer to sync all your new songs, especially since the sync can be automated via software.

Also, keep in mind that you can leave the USB drive in the car all the time as long as you get a USB drive that has a larger range for the “storage temperature” and “operating temperature.” Most older USB drives and the ones you often get as free promotions would probably not suffice but there are newer versions that can easily support the typical temperature ranges that occur in a vehicle’s center console or glove compartment.

I found the below USB drive as an example but have not actually tried it yet, but I’m sure there are lots of others. The key features are the operating temperature range, the adapter type of USB Type C (USB-C), and that it supports USB 3.1. It probably doesn’t need to be 3.1 but the higher the better so that it supports higher bus speeds for transferring larger files during playtime. I would discourage using any encryption of the files since that introduces unnecessary decryption overhead during playback which may adversely affect playback quality.

*Storage temperature: 14°F to 158°F (-10°C to 70°C)
*Operating temperature: 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C

places

Mercedes is working on the ability to download music via computer into your vehicle. Kind of like a send to Benz. All this will become irrelevant. If course it will take a few years to work out the gremlins like it does on their wonderful tech.

hyperion667

I still use the 6 disc changer in my CLS Never been a big fan of 'tech', sure it's interesting and innovative........but who needs it?

darlop

And maybe it won't even be available for existing models...
My old 2007 GL has a 6 disc changer that can play MP3s. So I loaded up 6 CD-RWs with about 50 albums worth of MP3s. My BMW lets me copy everything to the internal hard drive. Now with my GLS I keep a USB stick in the center console.

places

It probably won't be. Mercedes treat cars like iPhones. Trade in every 3 years for the newest tech or the vehicle is irrelevant.

bad habit

I have a few vinyl records, I am really upset that MB is not allowing me to play them. Never buying a Mercedes again!

darlop

You aren't contributing anything to this conversation. Please tell us your amazingly modern and convenient way to listen to music.

cincy8

I’m in the ‘prefer to play music downloaded to my phone’ camp. I tend to download playlists vs play from streaming service. I also listen to audio books.

I rarely use flash drives on my computer either, I’m happier with cloud drives. I loose the drive if not tethered to my computer bag.

more and more, I use my phone vs wallets and keys for garage doors, house door, payments,...

places

1950's and 60's some cars actually had this feature. Didn't last long for obvious reasons. Here is a video of a 1956 Chrysler offering this option -

nc211

I guess I'm just getting old, but the connectivity issue for music in mine doesn't really bother me at all, in fact I'm pretty impressed with it. Noticed recently that it will show me my playlist that I've created on my iPhone and allows me to navigate within that specific playlist without the need for using the CarPlay app. Honestly, I don't really see the need for the CarPlay feature at this point. The system notifies me of text messages, phone calls, and can easily (for me) navigate through our music whenever. I'm good.

My old ears no longer can hear the difference between bluetooth and otherwise to the point of being disappointed. But, I'm long past being an audiophile. In fact, with two little kids (12, 10) - silence is my favorite soundtrack!

Maybe I have become the living definition of ignorance is bliss?

ygmn

I thought you put CD in and copy that to Hard drive?

What no more CD drive?

fabbrisd1

Well... "Mercedes is working on the ability to download music via computer into your vehicle. Kind of like a send to Benz. All this will become irrelevant. If course it will take a few years to work out the gremlins like it does on their wonderful tech."

Well that isn't true...not going to waste time on that development - since in this modern world ... Music is either In-Your-Phone ... or Streamed-To-Your-Phone...

Mercedes is working on a "Selfie-Cam" and a Karaoke Microphone ... now that's exciting !

ksalno

Making the Dash Cam (+rear facing) available would be much more useful. We have enough distracted drivers without giving them even more toys to play with instead of paying attention to their driving.