2009-2012 Usb Factory Radio

MotoMedic · July 28, 2011

For the life of me I can't figure how this radio decides to sort files on a USB flash drive!

It's obviously not alphabetical, like it should be. It's also not by date created or date modified! Any ideas?

obxdiver · July 28, 2011

I am wondering the same thing. PIA to find songs.

MotoMedic · July 28, 2011

As far as I can tell, it reads the files in the exact order you add them to the flash drive, regardless of any of the files properties. So basically, I'm forced to add albums song by song.

Definitely feel like I wasted my money buying the 09+ radio. Should have just spent a little more on a clean looking aftermarket nav radio.

MikeNH · July 28, 2011

Using my iPod it sorts them just like the player does- I can sort by artist/album and whatever other playlists are on there.

old-chevy-dude · July 29, 2011

As far as I can tell, it reads the files in the exact order you add them to the flash drive, regardless of any of the files properties. So basically, I'm forced to add albums song by song.

Definitely feel like I wasted my money buying the 09+ radio. Should have just spent a little more on a clean looking aftermarket nav radio.

this is correct..

now what I do is this.. I sort everything in itunes, being itunes is a big Database, and it's free.

then I create (in itunes) playlists.. and drop the songs into the playlists, in the order I want. most of my playlists are the names of the artists, but I have some called Driving Music (A,B,C, etc) or Comedy (I have several stand up comedian albums all in one playlist)

then on the USB drive I create folders with the same name as my playlists.

then I go to itunes, select all the songs in the matching playlist and drag it to the USB folder of the same name.

I knocked out 43 playlists, with 4.8gb of music (roughly 1200 songs) doing the drag and drop to the USB drive in about 20 minutes, having the itunes and usb windows side by side.

then when I go to the USB drive on the GM Radio it has 2 choices, Files which lists everything, and Folders which is my "playlists" in the order I want them.

easy peasy..

I have an ipod, but I have had an ongoing issue (that is known to GM as there is a TSB on it) with popping and clicking sounds when playing thru the ipod touch and I just got tired of it. so I made the USB drive an exact replica of my ipod folder wise, and no popping/clicking and I can scan right to the music I want..

jdubub · July 29, 2011

^

MotoMedic · July 29, 2011

I'll give the playlist a try.. hope it works!

ChevyTech77 · July 29, 2011

It doesn't sort, it plays them as you've added them on the drive. Not any different than any other radio is going to, I'm sure.

I don't even use my iPod in my truck. 8gb jump drive stores all the music I need with local radio and XM to boot.

mecmar44 · July 31, 2011

They should play in alphabetical order if you have them like that on your flash drive. Is there a chance you have your headunit on shuffle? The stock headunit can shuffle by artist, or song by pressing one of the buttons between menu and the equalizer.

glamis44 · July 31, 2011

Here is my issue with the USB drive. Why does it only list two categories? I downloaded my folders by Artist, but it will not read them. It will only list Album and Song. So unless I remeber the name of the album, I am out of luck. How hard is this: Sort by Folder and sub folders.

1) Artist 2) Album 3) Song.......

old-chevy-dude · August 1, 2011

Here is my issue with the USB drive. Why does it only list two categories? I downloaded my folders by Artist, but it will not read them. It will only list Album and Song. So unless I remeber the name of the album, I am out of luck. How hard is this: Sort by Folder and sub folders.

1) Artist 2) Album 3) Song.......

because a flash drive is a storage device, not a computer.. an ipod has programming to allow for the sorting, it is not the GM Headunit that does it, all the unit does is read the information given to it by the plugged in device.

an ipod is what is doing the actual sorting, all the headunit does is send the command that the ipod recognizes to perform the sort.

a Flash Drive has no programming, is not a computer and has no CPU to process data, it is simply a storage device, and the GM unit has no ability to control the flash drive except to read was is stored on it, in the manner in which it was stored.

in order to be able to view the folders you want in the manner in which you want, you need to create them on your computer that way..

--

far as I know, no auto headunit, OEM or Aftermarket has any ability to "sort" a flash drive, they play them as they are loaded..

aesalazar · August 2, 2011

Remember that an ipod has an actually database on it that is created/updated by itunes or whatever other program you use to access it (I use MediaMonkey). So the work is already done by the time you plug it into the truck. The HU simply hits that database rather then looking for the files themselves.

With a jump drive, there is no database so the HU is reading it like a bunch of files. But I agree that it is lame that it doesnt even sort for you since GM could have gone through the trouble add programming that option. They could have even added the option to have the HU build its own database whenever you plug in the drive which alot of non-ipod mp3 players do.

Ernie

MotoMedic · August 3, 2011

OK.. NOW HAVE A NEW PROBLEM WITH THE USB RADIO!

I have been using a Sandisk Cruiser Blade 8GB flash drive (b/c of its small size) with no problems in vehicle. But that drive is known for its painfully slow transfer speeds & takes forever to add/move files! Just bought a new PGi 8GB (it's even smaller). Works perfect when first plugged in.. BUT when you leave & return to truck even after it only being off a minute, the radio can't read drive & display just says 'Searching for USB'. Only remedy is to unplug & replug in drive, thus losing your place within the folders/albums. I'm currently reformating drive from FAT32 to exFAT.. but have my doubts.

ANY IDEAS????

Thanks in advance!

old-chevy-dude · August 3, 2011

OK.. NOW HAVE A NEW PROBLEM WITH THE USB RADIO!

I have been using a Sandisk Cruiser Blade 8GB flash drive (b/c of its small size) with no problems in vehicle. But that drive is known for its painfully slow transfer speeds & takes forever to add/move files! Just bought a new PGi 8GB (it's even smaller). Works perfect when first plugged in.. BUT when you leave & return to truck even after it only being off a minute, the radio can't read drive & display just says 'Searching for USB'. Only remedy is to unplug & replug in drive, thus losing your place within the folders/albums. I'm currently reformating drive from FAT32 to exFAT.. but have my doubts.

ANY IDEAS????

Thanks in advance!