How to make playlists on USB media - BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i

orcomma · 08-06-2012, 11:21 AM

I'm sure 99% of people know how to do this, but since it isn't detailed in the user guide, I thought it might be worthwhile putting a guide on how to put playlists on your USB memory stick filled with files on the forum!

Note - this is written for Windows XP but the principle works fine on other operating systems - just adapt the instructions accordingly.

1. Put all your files on your memory stick in your usual manner.
2. Open Notepad in windows (Start > Run > "Notepad" > OK)
3. In the Notepad window, type one song per line in the order you want the playlist to play them.

You need to put the full name of the file and the extension (generally .mp3 or .m4a)

If you have a file in a subfolder, put the name of the subfolder first, then a backslash (\) then the song name. Continue this trend if you have subfolders within subfolders.

Here's an example of how a playlist should look:

In here we are playing songs from the root folder and subfolders. In fact, the Nineties subfolder has 1991 and 1992 subfolders within it - we can still play from these too!

4. In Notepad, click File then Save
5. Select your USB stick from the Save In list.
6. IMPORTANT - Select "All Files" from Save As Type!
7. Enter the name for your playlist in the File Name box, and put ".m3u" after it

The save prompt should look something like this:

I've highlighted the important bits in red.

8. Press Save and close notepad. To edit your playlist in future, simply right click it in Windows Explorer and select Open With > Notepad.

So the last question is...who really needs an iPod cradle / Y Lead?!

rhoolwerf · 08-06-2012, 02:37 PM

Some of your MP3 have folders listed, some don't. Does that imply that those MP3 are in the root of your USB drive? So you need the full path per MP3?
Going to take a while to get it going for me :-O I usually have my music in folders per artist then per album..

Do you happen to know how large the USB stick can be? Will it read 16GB?
Also, any idea on the amount of MP3 allowed?

Very nice guide, hopefully it works just as swell in Mac OS X, will try when I have my car eventually :-)

orcomma · 08-06-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhoolwerf

Some of your MP3 have folders listed, some don't. Does that imply that those MP3 are in the root of your USB drive? So you need the full path per MP3?

It's one song per line in the .m3u file... if the file is in the ROOT then there is no folder component. So yes, some of my songs are in the root, those without the folder listed.

Not all have to have the same path, but ensure the .m3u file is in the ROOT.

from there, just put the path to the song into each line in your m3u file, but remember that if it is a subfolder to use the backslash after each folder name (you do not need to put anything before)

it took me ages to figure out how to do this with a bit of research online and a lot of trial and error! so I hope this guide saves others time!

CovRob · 08-06-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhoolwerf

Do you happen to know how large the USB stick can be? Will it read 16GB?

Currently using a 32GB USB 3.0. Works fine.

orcomma · 08-07-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CovRob

Currently using a 32GB USB 3.0. Works fine.

Same here but USB 2.0,

However, I don't think windows can format anything bigger than 32GB with the required "FAT32" file system. so I suspect that is max size.

Ossman · 08-07-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orcomma

Same here but USB 2.0,

However, I don't think windows can format anything bigger than 32GB with the required "FAT32" file system. so I suspect that is max size.

To clarify, this is a designed in limitation in the format tool in modern Windows (to get everyone to use NTFS). Other tools can do it just fine, so you should be able to find something on the interwebs.

mattlh · 11-06-2012, 04:11 PM

Hi all,

just to say that automated solutions exists :
http://niccarpenter.com/projects/MP3...listGenerator/

this tool create all m3u files for each folder of the USB device.

Another tool can Album Art Downloader http://sourceforge.net/projects/album-art/ downloads automaticaly album arts and tag each mp3 with it, this album art will be displayed on the F20 screen

About USB drive, I use a 128GB SSD drive FAT32 formated and it works great with my 6NK PRO Radio system.

08-06-2012, 11:21 AM	#1
orcomma 101% polycotton blend Drives: 2012 F20 116d Sport 5dr Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 164 iTrader: (0)	How to make playlists on USB media I'm sure 99% of people know how to do this, but since it isn't detailed in the user guide, I thought it might be worthwhile putting a guide on how to put playlists on your USB memory stick filled with files on the forum! Note - this is written for Windows XP but the principle works fine on other operating systems - just adapt the instructions accordingly. 1. Put all your files on your memory stick in your usual manner. 2. Open Notepad in windows (Start > Run > "Notepad" > OK) 3. In the Notepad window, type one song per line in the order you want the playlist to play them. You need to put the full name of the file and the extension (generally .mp3 or .m4a) If you have a file in a subfolder, put the name of the subfolder first, then a backslash (\) then the song name. Continue this trend if you have subfolders within subfolders. Here's an example of how a playlist should look: In here we are playing songs from the root folder and subfolders. In fact, the Nineties subfolder has 1991 and 1992 subfolders within it - we can still play from these too! 4. In Notepad, click File then Save 5. Select your USB stick from the Save In list. 6. IMPORTANT - Select "All Files" from Save As Type! 7. Enter the name for your playlist in the File Name box, and put ".m3u" after it The save prompt should look something like this: I've highlighted the important bits in red. 8. Press Save and close notepad. To edit your playlist in future, simply right click it in Windows Explorer and select Open With > Notepad. So the last question is...who really needs an iPod cradle / Y Lead?!
	Tweet

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-06-2012, 02:37 PM	#2
rhoolwerf New Member Drives: BMW F21 116iA (Crimson Red) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Netherlands Posts: 16 iTrader: (0)	Some of your MP3 have folders listed, some don't. Does that imply that those MP3 are in the root of your USB drive? So you need the full path per MP3? Going to take a while to get it going for me :-O I usually have my music in folders per artist then per album.. Do you happen to know how large the USB stick can be? Will it read 16GB? Also, any idea on the amount of MP3 allowed? Very nice guide, hopefully it works just as swell in Mac OS X, will try when I have my car eventually :-)

11-06-2012, 04:11 PM	#7
mattlh Registered Drives: F20 & E60 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: France Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	Hi all, just to say that automated solutions exists : http://niccarpenter.com/projects/MP3...listGenerator/ this tool create all m3u files for each folder of the USB device. Another tool can Album Art Downloader http://sourceforge.net/projects/album-art/ downloads automaticaly album arts and tag each mp3 with it, this album art will be displayed on the F20 screen About USB drive, I use a 128GB SSD drive FAT32 formated and it works great with my 6NK PRO Radio system.