stumped when putting cd's onto USB stick for car

[idahjo]

I have Windows 7 and Exact Audio Copy with LAME. My CD's are my own as purchased new. Objective: is to burn USB thumb drive that will display the cover art and song track information as it plays through the containig folder progressively.
Problem is: some of the songs function in the way I desire and others do not show the cover art. As I attempt to stack more songs on the drive it seems some that worked with the cover art now display the USB generic logo. It is a premium system in a Toyo Tacoma if that makes any difference to someone that knows.
Thanks kindly for any input.

 

[Snick]

Try Formatting drive to Fat32
Update your Toyo Tacoma Software, Ford Sync on my Taurus Limited was the same way, I updated the software and it works.

 

[br4]

I have a 2015 RAV4 and use a flash drive with MP3 files. The Entune system uses Grace Notes (I think that's the name) to get the files' metadata, instead of using what is included in the file. I've suggested to Toyota that their system should use what's in the file first and then, if necessary, look to GN, but no success in that approach.

Each of my MP3 files has the album cover included, but Entune does not display all of them properly, relating to the above.

I'm guessing that some of your files are not in the GN (?) database, resulting in no cover art.

Hope this helps.

 

[Barman58]

I have used the same two programs to organise my music for the car for many years.

MediaMonkey [ MediaMonkey ] is the one I use for all PC related management and playback, which includes the completion of all the internal metadata - this includes the Cover Art. There is a commercial version that I use but the free version should do everything you need including filling the USB drive, (although once the data is in the file the transfer can be done by drag and drop). MM also has the facility to add the correct cover art to the file (internally inside the MP3 file) from a web search or the "loose" images that most systems used (folder.jpg, title.jpg etc)


Not sure where your system app is causing your issues with missing images etc, if this is happening at the creation/transfer process to the USB for car use then Mediamonkey is a complete replacement for any bundled software.

If the car player itself is causing the issue then the only way I know of stopping an in car system from changing/adding metadata on the fly is to switch of the data at source, (ie turn of the internet link that is being used) There is one other way, this is to replace the factory head unit with one from a leading manufacturer, which is also likely to improve the quality of hardware and thus the music listening quality (I'm not a fan of manufacturer fitted entertainment systems as they are built down to a price not up to a quality)

The other software I use is a tiny freeware portable app Drivesort [ DriveSort ] which allows you to manually sort the files into the correct order on those systems (most) that will without intervention, simply play tracks in alphabetical order and also in the order added to the USB drive ( folder A will play after Folder B if it is written to the drive second )

 

[Snick]

Update your car software. Gracenote is the problem!
I had the same issue with my 2017 Ford Taurus Limited. Tried a plethora of suggestions. Updated the Ford Sync software, yes Gracenote update included and the problem went away.
Gracenote Cover Issues on Radio
Album art problems in Sync 3 - 2017 Ford

Bill

 

[idahjo]

Thanks ALL for the GREAT responses

Try Formatting drive to Fat32
Update your Toyo Tacoma Software, Ford Sync on my Taurus Limited was the same way, I updated the software and it works.

Have tried it with several thumb drives and all were FAT32 format. It is a new 2020 and I would think the software is current. Anyway I get this message when trying to get the Entune website to log on:



I am not Smart Phone or APP savvy guy

 

[idahjo]

I have a 2015 RAV4 and use a flash drive with MP3 files. The Entune system uses Grace Notes (I think that's the name) to get the files' metadata, instead of using what is included in the file. I've suggested to Toyota that their system should use what's in the file first and then, if necessary, look to GN, but no success in that approach.

Each of my MP3 files has the album cover included, but Entune does not display all of them properly, relating to the above.

I'm guessing that some of your files are not in the GN (?) database, resulting in no cover art.

Hope this helps.

Only two weeks old so I have not had much time to explore. It came with some 'trial' subscriptions so not sure that anything relevant to the problem is even functioning. Like I said above, my smartphone and app knowledge is very limited. I am of the old-school "the phone booth is on the corner" kind of guy!

 

[Barman58]

Where is the entune software located, in the car head unit or does it run on another device ?

 

[idahjo]

I have used the same two programs to organise my music for the car for many years.

MediaMonkey [ MediaMonkey ] is the one I use for all PC related management and playback, which includes the completion of all the internal metadata - this includes the Cover Art. There is a commercial version that I use but the free version should do everything you need including filling the USB drive, (although once the data is in the file the transfer can be done by drag and drop). MM also has the facility to add the correct cover art to the file (internally inside the MP3 file) from a web search or the "loose" images that most systems used (folder.jpg, title.jpg etc)


Not sure where your system app is causing your issues with missing images etc, if this is happening at the creation/transfer process to the USB for car use then Mediamonkey is a complete replacement for any bundled software.

If the car player itself is causing the issue then the only way I know of stopping an in car system from changing/adding metadata on the fly is to switch of the data at source, (ie turn of the internet link that is being used) There is one other way, this is to replace the factory head unit with one from a leading manufacturer, which is also likely to improve the quality of hardware and thus the music listening quality (I'm not a fan of manufacturer fitted entertainment systems as they are built down to a price not up to a quality)

The other software I use is a tiny freeware portable app Drivesort [ DriveSort ] which allows you to manually sort the files into the correct order on those systems (most) that will without intervention, simply play tracks in alphabetical order and also in the order added to the USB drive ( folder Awill play after Folder B if it is written to the drive second )

Replacing the head unit in a new vehicle is not an option to a tone-deaf illiterate
I DO like the MediaMonkey idea and have downloaded the BASIC freebie to check it out. Going to take a bit of time as Christmas season honey-do's is keeping me busy in all arenas.


Will check back as I make any progress.


Thanks a million all..

 

[idahjo]

No Updates Available

 

[Barman58]

I DO like the MediaMonkey idea and have downloaded the BASIC freebie to check it out. Going to take a bit of time as Christmas season honey-do's is keeping me busy in all arenas.
Will check back as I make any progress.
Thanks a million all..

If you need any tips for mediamonkey I'm always here (UK Times)

 

[idahjo]

Media Monkey is a cool tool for collectors as I see it but a bit overboard for me inasmuch as I found the original Exact Audio Copy easier to manipulate and that neither seems to solve the original dilemma. Most probably Snick is correct about Gracenote but for the time being that appears to be a dead-end rabbit hole.
Thanks all

 

[Snick]

idahjo,
easy to fix. wifi connection, like a local dealer. I have home WiFi, so I connected my car, started update on car player, it updates, you close out of program and gracenote is fixed.
You can go to your local dealer and have a tech start the download, it is automatic from that point. Problem fixed.
I'll have a look on net and see if I can find download for you. I know when I look on Ford's website, I wasn't impressed! I didn't get to the download page for various reasons, not me. Final resolution was as I stated above, WiFi connection with car, download updated, 10 minutes later, GraceNote is as it should be with Cover Art programming error corrected.

Bill

 

[Snick]

Audio Software Updates - Toyota

 

[Snick]

Yes, I found that before.
I didn't know the exact make.
You may have a metadate conflict, being that the player software is updated.
Have you tried this
Update Gracenote Database - Toyota
not the same as software OS update, it is the Database for GraceNote?

1. Select SETTINGS from the Home screen.
2. Select SYSTEM.
3. Select MUSIC DATABASE UPDATE.
4. Select SEARCH.
5. Make appropriate selection.
6. To confirm update or reinstallation select YES; select NO to return to previous screen.

 

[Snick]

USB
MBR not GTP
Fat32 not exFAT Format
EasUS Ford Sync would read with Formatting to Fat32.
Mini-tool had issues with Formatting to Fat32, Ford Sync wouldn't read USB.
What's the Difference Between FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS?
What's the Difference Between FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS ...
Always try to be helpful/informative with OPs!

Bill

 

[idahjo]

SUX!

Used a Samsung USB thumb-drive 3.0 Reformatted with EASEUS in FAT32 after resetting the MBR. Loaded Gracenote_NA_June2018.up as instructed and 'safe' removed from computer. STILL says "Gracenote database could not be read. Please check USB flash drive" when presented to the head unit.

Not being a fan of or knowing much of anything about a smart phone I downloaded the .up file directly onto a LG Fiesta2 android and hooked it to the head unit with a USB cable. Head unit still cannot find it. What a PITA!

 

[Snick]

Dealer can help you with WiFi update directly to your car!

 

[idahjo]

Dealer can help you with WiFi update directly to your car!

Large Dealership- Guy who deals with their programming doesn't know [what the hell I'm talking about]..
Moving On

 

[Snick]

Large Dealership- Guy who deals with their programming doesn't know [what the hell I'm talking about]..
Moving On

You give up WAY to easily, click click if it doesn't work then? Seems like you didn't ask the correct question. I don't believe a large factory dealership, or any factory dealership wouldn't have someone there with enough IT expertise to install a car entertainment system update/upgrade. Any young ASE certified mechanic should have 2 or 3 ways to update it. I know I can & have.

What I did with my Taurus Limited, I made sure I was in range of my home WiFi, entered the password, ran the update program for Ford Sync and it installed.

Previously I tried to download from Ford's SYNC website, joke x10!