sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Still learning all of the features on my new (to me) 2014 LS. I've read the owner's manual over and over but cannot get my audio system to behave the way the manual states. For example, selecting "folder " and then advance, it just restarts at the beginning of the same folder over and over. Am I missing something? I'm using a 32GB USB drive formatted FAT32 with 2 levels of folder - top level is artist, 2nd level is album (which then contains the song files). Song files are 320kbps MP3.

comotiger

I realize my answer is a cop out, but several Lexus dealers have a technology specialist on call to address precisely these types of questions. Having said that, last year, the techie at my Lexus dealership was not able to address my specific problem, which I eventually resolved on my own. But give them a call, especially since you bought yours CPO.

greg3852

We have one here on the forum. Stereorob is a technology specialist for Lexus. He may be able to help

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Well, Stereorob is apparently MIA. But I managed to figure this all out now. Got one of these at an amazing price (70% off at Best Buy right now) and it takes up no room at all in the center console USB slot:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk-...?skuId=9090295

64 Gb and it comes pre-formatted FAT32 so no special work-arounds necessary for drives larger than 32Gb (the usual formatting limit for FAT32). I have over 500 CDs on this now ripped to MP3 at 320kbps.

comotiger

That's great, Keith. So what was the solution? Just transferring the files to a 64GB USB drive solved your problem? Do you see song info on the Nav screen? Can you do random shuffle?

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Apparently the first 32Gb drive was defective. A subsequent one worked. But 32Gb wasn't enough for all my CDs - needed a 64Gb drive for that. Found some programs (Rufus, FAT32format) that will format larger drives than 32Gb in FAT 32 format (which the LS and most other cars still require at present).

The main problem is that you can only advance 1 CD at a time so it will take quite a while to get to CD # 349 (no "random access" in old MS-DOS vernacular). The USB interface in the current LS needs work. MUCH preferred the interface on my old 2007 LS HDD-based system, despite the fact that it could only handle around 100 CDs!

Edit: Yes, you can see Song, Album and Artist on the NAV screen and you can do random shuffle of the content but with no control over it (ie it really is "random").

ragingf80

Does the LS not accept OS Extended formats? I have zero problems in my non-Lexus with OS Extended 128gb formatted drive.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Well, my 2016 LS460 won't see anything on an NTFS-formatted USB drive (neither will my 2010 Prius).

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

OK, after a little more investigation (in the form of "RTFM" and a little deductive logic), I've found out most of the answers to my dissatisfaction with the new audio system interface. First off, I can access all 500+ CDs on my Ultra-Fit USB drive (almost 6000 files/songs - the limit is 9999). Secondly. I can access a list of everything by Folder (artist), Artist or Album but.... Thirdly, it takes about 4-5 minutes to scan, register and arrange all the folder contents (ie artist, album, song) before you can access everything more conveniently. So, after 4-5 min, you can click on the "Folder" box and it gives you the choice of listing everything by Folder, Artist, or Album and to scan through and/or select them alphabetically. You can quick access A-C, D-F, G-I and so-on.

Bottom line is I'm very happy with the new audio setup with one exception - the Mark Levinson sound quality in my 2014 is definitely inferior to the M/L in my 2007.

Oh, well, I guess that's progress..................