what audio formats work with USB stick
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 172
Likes: 2
From: FL
what audio formats work with USB stick
By audio formats I mean: mp3, wav, wma, ape, flac, etc.
Most of my music collection is in FLAC.
I would rather not convert the file format just to copy to USB stick for car. My USB stick is large enough for storing a lot of files in a "lossless" format. I looked through the electronic (online version) manuals but could not find a reference to audio file formats.
I have the navigation if that matters for this question.
Most of my music collection is in FLAC.
I would rather not convert the file format just to copy to USB stick for car. My USB stick is large enough for storing a lot of files in a "lossless" format. I looked through the electronic (online version) manuals but could not find a reference to audio file formats.
I have the navigation if that matters for this question.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 18
From: So California
MP3 & WMA are supported via USB (and on CD/DVD). USB needs to be formatted as either FAT16 or 32, and there is a max of 8 "folders within folder" levels that will still allow playback, as well as a broad, but specific set of frequencies and bit rates that are supported. Check your 2014 Owners Manual, p304, and then p306-9 for the very long list of bit rates and a few other more obscure options.
If I were you, I'd do a test conversion run with a couple of tracks, plug it in to your RX and ensure it plays and you can access everything in whatever sort of folder structure you plan to use, before doing a huge amount of work. I ran into problems with bit rates and other odd conversion parameters in whatever utility I was using, so learned to try a few first from that point forward for each of my cars. Happy listening!
If I were you, I'd do a test conversion run with a couple of tracks, plug it in to your RX and ensure it plays and you can access everything in whatever sort of folder structure you plan to use, before doing a huge amount of work. I ran into problems with bit rates and other odd conversion parameters in whatever utility I was using, so learned to try a few first from that point forward for each of my cars. Happy listening!
Last edited by BertL; Jan 25, 2015 at 10:25 AM. Reason: Found the number of embedded folders supported
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: CA
Have you tried playing a FLAC formatted song on the USB stick, in your RX? It won't hurt the audio system If it doesn't work. The system will either read it or it won't. Give it a try, then let us know....
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 172
Likes: 2
From: FL
I know I can play mp3 files. I have a USB stick loaded with mp3s now. But to create a new USB stick with new audio mp3 files I have to convert my FLAC files to mp3 first, and that takes time. So I was wondering what formats the audio system is designed to play.
I know I could just test a few FLAC files to see if they work, but it is easier to just ask the question.
If no one knows or responds, I will test out a bunch of different formats and report back.
I know I could just test a few FLAC files to see if they work, but it is easier to just ask the question.
If no one knows or responds, I will test out a bunch of different formats and report back.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 18
From: So California
I guess the 2014 owner's manual references I provided in my previous post was insufficient to answer that part of your question. I look forward to your additional test results in case there are some other hidden formats that also work! (FWIW, my 2014 MBZ also only officially supports MP3, WMA and AAC similar to our Lexi.)
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 172
Likes: 2
From: FL
I guess the 2014 owner's manual references I provided in my previous post was insufficient to answer that part of your question. I look forward to your additional test results in case there are some other hidden formats that also work! (FWIW, my 2014 MBZ also only officially supports MP3, WMA and AAC similar to our Lexi.)Thanks
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: ontario
Root cause of problem
I have detected the cause of the problem with USB music on my 2015 RX350F. It seems the system will recognize the WMA files as music and show data like track name and album but not find a track length. This only happens if the WMA encoding length is 192 bits. If I take the same CD and rip it to WMA 128 bit it plays fine.
I would say this is a software bug for Lexus to fix. The system should support all WMA encoding lengths.
I would say this is a software bug for Lexus to fix. The system should support all WMA encoding lengths.
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MP3 & WMA are supported via USB (and on CD/DVD). USB needs to be formatted as either FAT16 or 32, and there is a max of 8 "folders within folder" levels that will still allow playback, as well as a broad, but specific set of frequencies and bit rates that are supported. Check your 2014 Owners Manual, p304, and then p306-9 for the very long list of bit rates and a few other more obscure options.
If I were you, I'd do a test conversion run with a couple of tracks, plug it in to your RX and ensure it plays and you can access everything in whatever sort of folder structure you plan to use, before doing a huge amount of work. I ran into problems with bit rates and other odd conversion parameters in whatever utility I was using, so learned to try a few first from that point forward for each of my cars. Happy listening!
If I were you, I'd do a test conversion run with a couple of tracks, plug it in to your RX and ensure it plays and you can access everything in whatever sort of folder structure you plan to use, before doing a huge amount of work. I ran into problems with bit rates and other odd conversion parameters in whatever utility I was using, so learned to try a few first from that point forward for each of my cars. Happy listening!
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