music/media in the R231....
 

The printed manual is weak and I haven't loaded the digital manual disc yet; hoping for some user tips. I've figured out that we can watch DVD video (in park) on a disc, but that's the only medium for video, right?

I stuck a USB stick full of mp3 files in the console. When those play there's a number assigned to each track that doesn't make a lot of sense: I made a point to title every file artist-title so they'll play in alphabetical order but the tenth track or so said "27..." what's up with that?

I haven't loaded an SD card yet; will that allow saving to an internal hard drive?

What is "Media Interface"?

SD card cannot be put in music registry, but I have over 2000 songs on the SD that I can rotate through, or select specific artists. Just play with it, it won't break. The only way that I have been able to download to the registry is via a CD inserted, and then copy that disc. Has to do with royalties, etc., but the sound is really good via either. You can select a process in the system that allows the SD card to randomly play music, and scroll with the rotatory on the console.

I'm using a SD with thousands of tracks from Mac based iTune. Far from perfect but the songs are there. Biggest drawback is that the songs from a compilation album must be accessed individually rather than having them all available on a single album folder. I believe I know how to fix this but I haven't done it yet.

I can't remember the last time I used an SD card but I poked around my cluttered desk yesterday and and found 3 micro-SD adapters and a micro-SD reader, then I looked through old cellphones and found a 2008 LG enV with a 512MB card (nowadays I see Amazon has a 128GB card for about $6!) Still trying to get one of my computers to recognize that old reader.

I'll work on that once I get a card loaded; maybe I can contribute something to the forum! Still trying to figure out why numbers are getting assigned to the songs on my USB stick. I confirmed they all play in alphabetical order but the first "A" file shows as #17 and the numbering continues from there.....EDIT: I tried a different USB stick and when I put the first one back in the numbering was correct.

I guess there's more activity in the micro-SD format than "full size" SD, due to the smartphone market, but I find it amazing I can find a 256GB micro-SD card for $6.99 and I can't find anything close to that in a "full size" SD:

Use an old iPod in the 2nd USB port. - works well for me!

excuse the noob, but "2nd USB port"? I've got an Apple cord plugged into the top port and a USB stick below and a 12v under that.

Both ports are USB ports....

ahhh, your car is different than my MY2015; I have (1) Apple 13-pin, (1) USB, and (1) 12v.

So, I've been loading CDs into the HD, and that certainly multiplies the options I see in "Media Interface". Ironically I've had a gigantic box of CDs in my basement that I've been trying to give away, as it's easier to rip stuff from the internet than to go down 3 flights of stairs and hunt! Now, in the time it takes to hear a song or two the entire CD is stored in the car. And that micro-SD card that was in my 2008 LG enV2 is loaded with podcasts that I don't remember well, so they're like new!

I've tried DVD Video, which is a bit cumbersome to get a movie to play, as compared to sitting in front of a TV with a remote. I don't know how useful it would be unless I was parked at the airport cellphone lot waiting to meet someone's flight. I popped in the Live Aid DVD and navigated to the beginning of a band's set, then started driving. Of course the screen just shows the warning, but to be honest, DVD Audio doesn't sound any better to me than regular stereo sources. Unlike others on the forum, I'm not that bothered by the lack of volume from the rear; I like music coming to me head-on.