How Does the file structure work for an 07 Factory MP3 D changer?

I typically have my MP3 discs laid out with one folder per album, then the songs from that album are nested within that folder. But I also create some folders with a mix of songs, those are more like a playlist. But everything is only one level deep.

With this simple setup, I can use the steering wheel control to scroll through the folder list (by holding down the up/down buttons) to select a folder, then scroll through the songs in each folder (by clicking the up/down buttons) to select a song. Or, I can just press/hold the Random button on the MFD to mix all songs from all folders on that MP3 disc. The only limitation of the Folder Random feature is that you can only play songs from one MP3 disc at a time.

 

zenMachine,

I can't get my 2006 to play mp3's (no folders) burned onto compact discs. Which types of cd's did you use? I used DVD-RW, DVD+R and CD-RW?

 

I use CD-R and Windows XP. What software program did you use to burn the MP3 disc?

 

The standard non-JBL CD player does not support MP3s. I believe the JBL CD player requires the higher-resolution screen. If the on-screen buttons have rounded edges, you have the hi-res screen. If they're rectangular, it's the low-res screen.

 

hokysushi,

I think Mike is correct. You have the Base Prius model, which most likely means it only has the regular CD, not the one that plays MP3. (You can tell if the front of the player has MP3 written on it).

Does your car have an Aux jack in the center console?

 

I've had good luck using both Nero and surprisingly iTunes. I burn all my discs with Memorex. They are nearly 100 % reliable and usually the lowest priced discs that are not the store brand.

 

Thanks Mike and zenMachine,

Found out from the local agent that all Priuses imported into Singapore are fitted with cdplayers that do not play mp3's. I was a bit too engrossed in burning, testing, looking up in this Forum, etc and completely missed the obvious of checking with the local agent. Bummer, bummer.

And, there is no mp3 indicator on the front of the player. Nor any instructions about playing these files in the OIM. No aux input either.

Thanks, everybody.

 

For those who have aux inputs, I personally suggest you get a portable MP3 player instead. Personally, I'm partial to iPods. iTunes (despite its slowness and quirky UI) meets my needs.

I don't ever have to screw w/directories in iTunes or on iPod UI to pick songs. (There really aren't any directories in iTunes in the UI even though it handles them on disk and output files from ripped CDs end up in proper dirs, automatically.). I just pick a playlist or smart playlist and go. If I really need to find a particular song or artist, it's easy from an iPod.

If you're on a budget and want an iPod, but on the lookout at Refurbished iPod - Apple Store (U.S.) (click on Refurbished iPods on the lower left of store.apple.com) for 4 gig 3rd gen (previous gen) Nanos. I got one for $79 to add to my collection (my largest in terms of capacity is an 80 gig 6th gen iPod Classic). They also sometimes have refurb 6th gen iPod Classics for $169. All the inventory there comes and goes.

Screwing around w/burning MP3 CDs, having to deal w/capacity limitations, figuring out the subdir structure, etc. is all a waste of time.

Also, the stereo is very slow to load the MP3/WMA CDs before it even can play a single song. IIRC (I might be wrong on this), it also truncates song names.

The only times I use it are if I'm too lazy to take out my iPod to hook it up or I accidentally leave it at home. I've hardly ever spent the time to burn/reburn/update the MP3 CD-RWs that I've left in the changer.

 

Without an Aux port, the next best option probably would be to use an FM transmitter and an MP3 player of some sort.

I have multiple MP3 options set up in my car. Besides the MP3 CD, I also can use my Garmin Nuvi 760 as an MP3 player if I like. My Nuvi is mounted on top of the center spaker (which has long been disconnected and removed). I installed a 3.5mm jack in the speaker grill and soldered it to a 3.5mm extension cable which is then run under the carpet to the Aux jack in the center console.

I also have a second 3.5mm extension cable which is run into the radio compartment in case I want to listen to music from my G1 phone, my wife's iPhone, my Sansa View player, or the Cowon PMP (which also can play movies).

Not much of an iTunes or iPod/iPhone fan, I must say. Even though they have beautifully designed products, I prefer open source, open formats over proprietary stuff anyday. (BTW, I heard that Apple has just raised the price on their song downloads to $1.39 starting today)

 

About the price increase... I think I saw mentioned that songs are still $0.99 through Amazon. I've downloaded a CD through them and it worked well, although one track did have a stutter in it.

I also have a base model, but did get the iPod cable which works well with my iPhone. Out of curiosity I searched on Ebay and found a few MP3 playing heads for about $150. Maybe I'll get one and swap it in... someday.

 

A tape deck would be a better choice than an FM transmitter, but I doubt anyone in this thread has one since they were ditched on Priuses after 05 in the US. I have personal experience w/2 FM transmitters, 2 tape adapters and aux in over various cars.

As for "open formats", iPods and iPhones can playback straight MP3s without any transcoding. That's good enough/"open" enough for me. I don't care about formats like Ogg Vorbis and I don't encode to AAC.

Nope, Apple did NOT raise iTunes song prices to $1.39. They changed to tiered pricing of $0.69, $0.99 and $1.29, depending on the song and ditched DRM on songs sold in iTMS. See URLs below for example:
Changes take effect in Apple's iTunes prices - Tech and gadgets- msnbc.com
DRM-free iTunes: What it means for you | Entertainment & HDTV | Playlist | Macworld
iTunes is DRM-free, adds variable pricing | Music and Audio | Macworld

Nobody's required to buy songs from iTunes store. They can come from other music stores, ripped from one's own CDs, etc.

Before Apple ditched DRM, ever since Amazon started selling MP3s and added a nice little downloader app (automatically adds songs into your iTunes library), I would always shop for the same song at Amazon. Sometimes it was cheaper and of course, the MP3s were DRM free. So, if it were available on Amazon and iTunes Store for the same price, I'd buy from Amazon.