Music on USB stick - iTunes purchased and CD's

[SigsMeister]

Hello, I've tried many ways to place music on USB stick that comes from both iTunes purchased and CD's that I've ripped. If the music is all iTunes it works great, but the moment I add music that came from CD's, the CIC unit starts throwing out "can't play file" errors on the screen, 1 per song!

Eventually, after it has parsed all files, I can play the songs that came from CD's, however I don't get the album artwork just like the ones that came from iTunes

I bought the software "Playlist Export" from the App Store ($5) (from other threads) and it helps, but the errors messages per file and the missing artwork is still there.

Thanks upfront!

[reisf]

make sure your files are .mp3. sometime itunes will create .aac or .m4a files.

if you can tell what what itunes your using and whether your pc or mac i can show you how to change the settings to create mp3 versions instead

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by reisf

make sure your files are .mp3. sometime itunes will create .aac or .m4a files.

if you can tell what what itunes your using and whether your pc or mac i can show you how to change the settings to create mp3 versions instead

Thanks for the help. Yeah... I've been through all that a hundred times. I have created versions of files in literally every format and option available... formats, bitrates, error corrections... you name it and I've tried it.

[reisf]

Hmm strange...bitrates shouldn't make a difference. Does this happen only with music from your itunes library? Or any music files you load onto a USB?

Also, this shouldn't matter, but do you have idrive? or just a normal head unit?

[reisf]

ohhh i just thought of something. When you attempt to play the music in your car, do the files with a "." or "._"

Example filename would be:

".song_name.mp3"
or
"._song_name.mp3"

These files are hidden metadata files and dont contain any actual music in them

[SigsMeister]

Yes I do see those files with . or _ are they supposed to be there? Also how does the artwork get embedded into the .mp3 file?

[rps]

I have my entire iTunes library on a USB stick and have not experienced the problem you describe.

[SigsMeister]

Do you see the . or _ in the USB? Is all your music bought from iTunes or also ripped or imported MP3's?