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      09-02-2014, 03:27 PM   #1
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Album Art? Max capacity for USB media? 2 USB ports behave differently?

OK, the owner's manual is awfully vague (or downright silent) on physical limits of the entertainment system. I have scoured the archives but came across some conflicting information. First, it seems like the X1 stereo's internal hard drive is 80GB but only 12GB are allocated for music:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark-Sider View Post
The Harddisk is 80GB, but only 12GB are usable for downloading music. The remaining space is for a CDDB-DB, AddressBooks, USB-Device-libraries, and of course the Nav-Data with 3d-objects and stuff.
Only the USB port in the glove box will actually "import" music to the internal hard drive, right?

Is there a maximum capacity limit on the glove box USB port? I see references to 32GB but someone said they successfully used a 64GB USB thumb drive and another that claimed to use a 250GB USB hard drive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grovsnus View Post
Not only FAT32, but the drive must be 32 GB or less.

It also won't read "superfloppy" initialized drives, where the entire drive is FAT32. Some companies deliver their thumbdrives that way, because they get slightly more room on them. If so, reformat it so it gets an MSDOS bootblock and the first partition becomes FAT32. (That's the default if you reformat it in Windows.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sfillion View Post
I use a 64gb in my X1 (instead of the internal hard drive) and my 128i without any problem..... works great.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark-Sider View Post
I also can recommend a 250GB 1,8" Harddrive for the USB-Port.
Are the limits different for different year X1's (or version of iDrive)? Or do the 2 USB ports (glove box vs. center console) have different max capacities? Or are the limits different for USB thumb drive vs. USB hard drive?

I also read that only music from the center console USB port displays album art. So that means the glove box USB port or internal HD will not display album art, right?

Please share the combinations and drive capacities that have worked for you!
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      09-02-2014, 06:53 PM   #2
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I have imported music via CD player.
I can play also via Center Console USB with a 8/16Gb stick and it displays the album art as well.
Now I am trying to use a 64Gb stick (Also FAT 32) and for some reason does not work, it does not even see it.

So I am looking to find an answer as well from our colleagues.
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      09-05-2014, 07:29 PM   #3
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So, it seems that all you guys are listening radio only or CD?
Nobody in this forum that is using the USB inputs with a memory stick?
Really?
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      09-05-2014, 09:18 PM   #4
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I just use my iphone via bluetooth

I don't get artwork, but I'm driving so who cares...
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      09-06-2014, 06:23 AM   #5
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On short trips around town, it's totally radio. NYC has pretty decent radio. On road trips, it's my iPhone via the USB cable, also charging the phone.
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      09-06-2014, 07:58 AM   #6
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Here has been my experience with the OPs questions.

Yes, only the USB connection in the glovebox can be used to import music to the internal HD. The internal HD doesn't have near the capacity required to support my music collection so I have not investigated further.

The maximum size for USB drives is 32GB and the drive needs to be formatted in FAT32. While there are drives that can be formatted beyond 32GB using the FAT file system, I believe that is the limit on the original spec.

I haven't tried viewing art work from the glovebox connection, but will let you know.
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      09-06-2014, 11:15 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueRedX1 View Post
Here has been my experience with the OPs questions.

Yes, only the USB connection in the glovebox can be used to import music to the internal HD. The internal HD doesn't have near the capacity required to support my music collection so I have not investigated further.

The maximum size for USB drives is 32GB and the drive needs to be formatted in FAT32. While there are drives that can be formatted beyond 32GB using the FAT file system, I believe that is the limit on the original spec.

I haven't tried viewing art work from the glovebox connection, but will let you know.
Thank you for your reply. I was thinking that it might be a max.
I really don't know why this limitations but I would like to know if there is a solution to this.
These days you can buy a 64Gb stick drive no bigger than a thumb and I think that it is more convenient than the Ipod. Still shows the album art, works good, no wires, no visible Ipod on sight.
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      09-08-2014, 11:00 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueRedX1 View Post
The maximum size for USB drives is 32GB and the drive needs to be formatted in FAT32. While there are drives that can be formatted beyond 32GB using the FAT file system, I believe that is the limit on the original spec.

I haven't tried viewing art work from the glovebox connection, but will let you know.
Thanks! So even though the officially supported spec is 32GB, I have read that some have successfully used larger drives, as long as they are formatted in a compliant FAT32 manner? Does it still matter which USB port, and thumb flash drive (static) vs. spinning platter hard drive?
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      09-09-2014, 07:46 PM   #9
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I tried the USB port in the glove box this am and was unable to get it to recognize the drive for anything other than importing music. The music I did import had artwork fwiw. I have a 2013 model with navigation.
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      09-11-2014, 04:40 PM   #10
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Thanks for the data point
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      09-12-2014, 06:06 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWBig6 View Post
Thanks! So even though the officially supported spec is 32GB, I have read that some have successfully used larger drives, as long as they are formatted in a compliant FAT32 manner? Does it still matter which USB port, and thumb flash drive (static) vs. spinning platter hard drive?
I tried 64 Gb and 128 Gb hard drives, bot formated in FAT32 and complete with art work. None of them works.

All the 8Gb / 16 Gb I have work fine. They are also FAT32 formated.
I do not have a 32 Gb thumb drive, so I don't know.

I would still like to make a 128Gb to work though...

All the above were connected via central console; never tried the glovebox USB.

Does somebody know what is the max capacity you can import in the vehicle?
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      09-12-2014, 06:52 PM   #12
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32 works fine. Sorry to hear 64 doesn't work.
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      09-12-2014, 08:21 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracus View Post
I tried 64 Gb and 128 Gb hard drives, bot formated in FAT32 and complete with art work. None of them works.

All the 8Gb / 16 Gb I have work fine. They are also FAT32 formated.
I do not have a 32 Gb thumb drive, so I don't know.

I would still like to make a 128Gb to work though...

All the above were connected via central console; never tried the glovebox USB.

Does somebody know what is the max capacity you can import in the vehicle?
Thanks! So which size drives were thumb/flash (stick) drives, and which were actual "hard disk drives" with spinning platters? So far it seems like size is the limiting factor and not memory type.
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      09-13-2014, 02:26 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWBig6 View Post
Thanks! So which size drives were thumb/flash (stick) drives, and which were actual "hard disk drives" with spinning platters? So far it seems like size is the limiting factor and not memory type.
Sorry, I did not pay attention, I did not tried a HDD (spinning platters).

All of them are flash memory sticks or so called thumb drives.

So, to sumarize,

8Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Works
16Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Works
32GB - did not tried
64Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Did NOT work
128Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Did NOT work

Last edited by Teutonic; 09-13-2014 at 02:33 AM..
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      09-13-2014, 07:31 PM   #15
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When we argued about this last year, 32gig sticks (flash drive) was the limit and needed to be FAT32. I'm pretty sure I tried a drive with platters in FAT32 and it was a no go, but I'm old and so is my memory. I did not try a SSD though. If I get bored I will, but I suspect even if it works, it would need to be formatted to 32gig and FAT32 to read it. Which begs the question why even mess with it, just get a 32gig flash drive.

Theoretically it would only take BMW to come out with a software update for the entertainment system to read larger than 32 gig and/or something other than FAT32. But I suspect they may only do this for later/newer year models as they're produced. We're stuck with what we have.
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      09-14-2014, 07:30 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracus View Post
Sorry, I did not pay attention, I did not tried a HDD (spinning platters).

All of them are flash memory sticks or so called thumb drives.

So, to sumarize,

8Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Works
16Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Works
32GB - did not tried
64Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Did NOT work
128Gb FAT32 USB flash drive (central console input) - Did NOT work
Awesome, thanks for the clarification and easy to read list of tested equipment! This is very helpful!

The only reason I would consider larger than 32GB is to drive around with my entire music collection like I do in all my other vehicles.
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      11-11-2014, 04:51 PM   #17
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Have you tried to format in exFat USB larger than 32Gbyte? Think it works.
In few days it will come and I'll try.

Consider install an external drive too as linked down:
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...sb+port&page=2
post #33
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      11-12-2014, 11:59 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWBig6 View Post
Awesome, thanks for the clarification and easy to read list of tested equipment! This is very helpful!

The only reason I would consider larger than 32GB is to drive around with my entire music collection like I do in all my other vehicles.
I researched everything and found the solution. Please check this thread:
http://e84.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1057674
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      11-15-2014, 07:31 AM   #19
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Thanks. My 64 Gb SanDisk Cruzer USB 3.0 worked right out of the box (no reformatting needed).
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      11-15-2014, 07:45 AM   #20
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My X1 recognizes my 64GB iPhone connected via USB ok. Haven't had any issues.
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      11-15-2014, 01:18 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbc77 View Post
My X1 recognizes my 64GB iPhone connected via USB ok. Haven't had any issues.
that is a different story, it has an OS, it should work. The problem is with flash drives.
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      11-15-2014, 01:19 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWBig6 View Post
Thanks. My 64 Gb SanDisk Cruzer USB 3.0 worked right out of the box (no reformatting needed).
wonderful. But if you ever need to reformat the drive in FAT32 you won't be able to do so in Windows. Then you will need the software.
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