Hi guys.

I just wanted to share some thoughts regarding my experience with playing mp3 files in my MMI 3G equipped B8 A4.

The MMI 3G can play mp3 files from a DVD, from two SDHC (max 32GB each) and from a six disc CD changer. Two 32GB SD cards can hold a lot of mp3 files but you may be better off getting the AMI and hooking up an iPod. Here's why:

• There is a limit of 3000 files for each SD card. Unless your files are ripped at an extremely high bit rate, you will be able to fit 3000 files in less than 16GB. I had 7500 files on my 32Gb SD card when I discovered this limit. With the AMI you will off course be able to play all the songs your iPod can hold.
  
• The MMI does not build a library of you songs like iTunes or similar on you PC or Mac. You select songs by browsing the file structure on the SD card. You can not browse by artist, album, title or genre. There are no playlists. With the AMI you can browse the songs in the same way as on the iPod itself.
  
• The MMI displays a list of file names, and does not read the mp3 tag until you start to play the actual song. So if you for instance have named all your songs "track" "artist" "album" "title", the MMI display may not show track titles for a given album, because the screen can only show a limited number of characters. You can off course rename your entire mp3 library to get around this, but it is not very convenient.
  
• The MMI will not play mp3 files from an SD card that holds the map. The map takes up about 6GB but the additional space can't be used.

There are also a few minor disadvantages with using an iPod via the AMI:

• The iPod via AMI is Analog and not Digital. The DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) in the iPod is utilized and if you have the B&O MMI, the audio signal will be digitalized in the MMI and shaped by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) before it is converted to analog again by the DAC in the MMI. If you are an audiophile you may be able to hear a difference in sound quality. Several people report that the sound is better from SD card than from iPod via AMI.
  
• A hard disc based iPod may not work as well as a solid state SD card at extreme temperatures.

If you have a MMI 3g equipped car, you can order a retrofit kit from Kufatec.
If you have a MMI 2g equipped car, you can buy the parts you need from your Audi dealer, but it may be cheaper and easier to buy a kit of genuine Audi parts on eBay.

Beware: Several websites and forum posts state that you can tell the difference of 2G and 3G by looking at the rotating ****. The 3G should have a joystick on top of the ****. This is not correct as my MMI is 3G has no joystick. You should give the VIN to the seller of the retrofit kit and have them confirm that the kit fits your car.

I hope someone will find this information helpful. It would have saved me from waisting my money on a 32GB SD card if I knew...

Regards,

Jone Tytlandsvik
Norway

 

Thank you for this, there has been a lot of information thrown around about the SD cards, but nothing seemed definitive - always just trial and error. Is the 3000 a limitation of the MMI reading the SD? Are your files in one big list, or did you break them down into different folders? I read somewhere that the number of files in a folder was where the limitation originated.

 

The MMI user manual says the limit is 3000 files on one SD card or USB drive. There is also a limit of 1000 files in one folder.
For DVD/CD the limit is 1000 files on one DVD and also 1000 files in one folder.
For the CD-changer the limit is 512 files on one CD, max 255 files in one folder and max 255 folders.

On the SD card that I used, I had one folder for each artist, containing one folder for each album. The MMI could see all the folders, but about half of the folders just appeared to be empty.

 

That is interesting... wonder why would they made specs that can handle a 32g card, but limit it to 3000 songs. Thanks for the info.

What rate to your rip your CDs?

I am trying to think of the best way to maximize the file volume and quality.

 

If anyone else is reading this thread 3000 songs ripped at 256kbps is about 22gigs. 3000 tracks ripped at 320kpbs is about 28 gigs.

For new songs that you have to rip, it's best to get a 32g card and rip at 320kbps.

If you are like me and already have a ton of songs ripped at a lower rate you probably want to pick up a 16g card or two. No use in spending extra money on a card with space you'll just waste.

 

My cd changer won't read an MP3 cd. Is there something I am missing or is there a new and updated changer that reads more than standard cd's. It reads a burnt cd just find but no mp3 cd (file folder setup) thanks

2005 A6 3.2Q w/ bose

 

Does anyone know how this compares to the internal Jukebox function in MMI? I'm wondering if there is the capability to play by artist, album, etc. from the Jukebox. Or playlists.

I have a '12 A4 on the way and I'm trying to figure out if I should buy another iPod or just some SD cards...

Thx

Inertiaman

 

I can at least answer one question about the jukebox.

No Playlists.

It will sort by artist / album / genre

but I haven't figured out the mystery of what tags it needs. some of the files I uploaded appear as various unknowns. I'm in the process of trying to determine if it's mp3 vs mp4 or Artist tag vs Album Artist tag, etc. Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

I have a 2004 A6 and was curious if anyone has ever tried to play their IPOD through the Telematics phone jack on the console? Has anyone made an adapter cable to interface the IPOD or will it even work?

 

The MMI manual for my 2012 A4 says the limit is 2048 files per SD Card. I wonder if the limit could have dropped from '10 to '12 or if they are just playing it safe and saying only 2048 files will work? Has anyone tried more than 2048 files in a 2012?

(I only ask because at an average of 3mb per song, an 8GB card will hold more than 2048 songs, but not 3000 - that would require a 16GB card which costs twice as much and who wants to spend money on space that might not be able to be used! )