MB Audio 20: MP3 CDs

[noby39]

The MB I bought recently is fitted with an Audio 20 system. The booklet on this system says that the CD player can play MP3 disks. I have a lot of CDs (CD-R) with MP3 files on them but not one of them will play on the Audio 20.

Any idea how to get these to play? Does each MP3 file need to be in its own folder? The Audio 20 booklet does not say that each MP3 file needs its own folder.

Bang & Olufsen owners will know that if you want to play an MP3 file on the latest B&O music centres, each file must be in a separate folder. I wonder if this filing system also applies to the MB Audio 20.

Any help in this matter would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[television]

With home made disc the units fail to recognize the disc due to the low shine (reflection) there are some disc on the market that they will play but the name escapes me

 

[noby39]

Thanks for this. I'll see if I can find an appropriate brand of CD.

 

[television]

If you can do a search here the good ones are listed

 

[noby39]

Thanks. I misread the booklet for the Audio 20. I learned from the local MB dealer that the unit will only play MP3 files on a CD if you also have a multiple CD changer fitted, and even then there are exceptions. The MB dealer was misled initially by the booklet which gives the impression that MP3 files will play on the single CD unit fitted as standard. A multiple CD changer costs around £350 plus fitting (3 hours I was told). An iPod connection costs about half that but also takes about 3 hours to fit. I'll buy a small FM radio transmitter for £10-15, connect it to a portable Sony CD Walkman and play the MP3 files over a convenient FM radio channel.

 

[Phil D]

good luck with the fm transmitter - in my experience you'll need it - very patchy performance with two different ones
eventually I bit the bullit & got the MB ipod kit - cost 160 from dealer & 85 to get it fitted by a good indie - result a 200 + cd changer in the glovebox, controllable via the steering wheel buttons - excellent
Phil

 

[noby39]

I bought an FM transmitter from Amazon and so far it has worked o.k. However, I suspect that some time down the line I'll go for an iPod connector - another damned gadget! My wife bought a new VW Golf (Match) 5 months ago and it came with an iPod connector fitted as standard. I believe that the latest VW models, other than base models in each range, have an iPod connector as standard. If I had had any sense, I would have gone for a VW and got a lot of what are extras on MB cars included in the VW price. But then...

 

[jberks]

the unit will only play MP3 files on a CD if you also have a multiple CD changer fitted, and even then there are exceptions.

Absolutely. Just to clarify, No Audio20 can play MP3s but some MB cd changers (post mid 04 I believe) can. There is no rule as regards folders, it simply plays in alphabetcal order (exactly what you'll see if you do a dir /s on a PC) so you can use folders to influence the play order but you don't have to. Also it will only play a maximum of 99 tracks so you also have to merge some to get the full 130 or so on the disk.

 

[Alfie]

Thanks. I misread the booklet for the Audio 20. I learned from the local MB dealer that the unit will only play MP3 files on a CD if you also have a multiple CD changer fitted, and even then there are exceptions. The MB dealer was misled initially by the booklet which gives the impression that MP3 files will play on the single CD unit fitted as standard. A multiple CD changer costs around £350 plus fitting (3 hours I was told). An iPod connection costs about half that but also takes about 3 hours to fit. I'll buy a small FM radio transmitter for £10-15, connect it to a portable Sony CD Walkman and play the MP3 files over a convenient FM radio channel.

I can fit a factory IPOD kit into an A, B, C or CLK for about £75 in less than 1 hour. Whoever says it takes 3 hours isnt telling the truth!