jzqj55

My understanding is the last year the system included this was 2009.
Seems like a huge omission for a car w/ this sound system. Music from portable devices are poor sources.
The competitor cars in this class make it available:
I have a feeling it was omitted because of complaints when it didn't work like the operator thought it should (not being idiot proof)

R Z

Personally if I had a 2010-12, I'd be thrilled to have USB support over my hard drive. I'd buy a 128gb flash drive and have a musical field day.

CRowe14

Major +1 here!

Vansibel

Yeah, +1 for usb source. Have the hard drive and it's a pain to use and frankly totally useless. Get high quality mp3 on usb or use cd/dvd audio to enjoy the mark levinson at it's fullest.

R Z

Yep. I burn mp3s to a cd. I can get a good 10 albums on a disc. USB would be the better way to go.

Wonder if there is some kind of adapter that does USB?

Vansibel

In my setup I ordered the 2010+ usb+aux assembly, which fit the 2007-2009 perfectly. Hacked the usb part to connect to a standard male to male usb (pretty easy since the lexus one is also 4 pin), and connected the other end to a modified android tv stick with an additional otg port, which is then hooked to Ivic through hdmi. That way I can plug a usb stick and then play it trough ivic (or a mouse and keyboard for that matter). You can also mod the aux part to redirect to ivic, but the lexus connector is 5 pin. You only need to tap into 3 of them for sound, left, right and ground. You can just split a regular aux cable for this.

Tee

This is great info!

Do you mind doing a DIY write up with pics?

Vansibel

Next time I tear stuff apart I'll make sure to take some pictures, and I'd be more than happy to post a DIY.

R Z

While the concept sounds fantastic, right after the word "hacked" my eyes glazed over and I curled into a fetal position.

I really would love to have USB capability though.

Vansibel

Well I used that term loosely. For this mod you don't actually tap into any electronic part of the car, you just mod an existing usb cable in order for it to be able to connect to the non standard lexus pin arrangement, which in itself isn't connected to any Lexus wire in the car so it's completely independent. You could always go the less pretty way by simply drill a hole into your existing aux only assembly (or just replace the aux bit which would become useless anyway) to fit the female part of a female to male usb cable, would save you over a hundred dollar for the lexus original plastic part. But I didn't mind the price personally to keep everything super clean and oem looking. That part is also shared with a certain year of the prius V but it's the same price.