I have the new AVIC-X930BT and was wondering if anyone knows if external hard drives (not USB stick flash drive) like the Western Digital Passport hard drive work this this unit (as it would with the USB memory sticks?
as long as you follow the guidelines in the manual
I wouldn't think so...the passport is powered by the USB port and has a pretty heavy draw.
I wouldn't think so...the passport is powered by the USB port and has a pretty heavy draw.
which is why they dont work in older models
Even if you resolve the power issue in other ways the USB GUI for the AVIC stinks compared to the ipod interface, it's just not worth it IMNSHO
I agree 100%. having to maintain folder structures to find music is just a pain in the ass compared to filtering through tag info!
I agree 100%. having to maintain folder structures to find music is just a pain in the ass compared to filtering through tag info!
It doesn't work.
I really wanted to be able to use a 160 gig portable Samsung drive.
I think its the same hard drive INSIDE the Ipod but there were several problems.
Power draw was not one of them. My samsung drive is very low power.
I read the specs carefully in both the Pioneer manual and the Samsung manual
and it should have worked.
Why it failed ???
1.) The X920BT apparently needs some sort of driver software. Apparently flash
drives all use the same driver - and its preloaded - or the flash drives have some
sort of driver that most devices know how to install.
2.) But more importantly, I realized that the little cable that CLIPS onto an Ipod
is much more robust. Even if I found driver software- the mini-USB cable on my
Samsung portable was going to constantly fall out... partly because there are no clips - but
also partly because the Samsung drive had a curvy shape that prevents the mini-USB
connector from going in all the way. Maybe not a problem on a flat stationary
surface - but definetly a huge problem in a moving vehicle.
Then there ultimately was the problem I was going to have trying to manage folders
on the drive... and the Pioneer refuses to display artwork from anything but an
Ipod... which was a huge deal killer for me.
That being said, I'm perfectly happy with using an Ipod. They seem a little pricey
at first glance - but the buggers are very robust.
That being said, I'm perfectly happy with using an Ipod. They seem a little pricey
at first glance - but the buggers are very robust.
when every aftermarket radio is made to only work with them, its well worth the extra dollars they cost over any other mp3 player.
there is a reason that apple has the mp3 player market on lock down, and the aftermarket support they have for them is a huge part of that.
I will confirm that it will indeed work for the AVIC-X940BT. I have it powered by an external power supply. The external usb drive is 100GB. (Any larger and I begin to have issues) The hard drive uses FAT32 formatting to work. Works like a charm!
If the drive is physically larger than 100GB, a 100GB partition is suitable to make it work.
What is the file limit and is there any problem with the unit read the drive contents?
I haven't yet established a file limit as there are numerous upon numerous fles stored within that drive and have yet to hit a limit. Do note that navigation of the files and folders slow as there is more content added. But, I am talking about a lot of content before this is noticable.
Yes, the unit will read the file contents.
Another suggestion for powering the drive ia most external drives also provide a connector for external power. If the USB doesn't provide enough power to spin up the drive, add power through the power port on the drive. This does work.
sounds like a lot of work for an inferior interface, sound like it is time to get an iPod (and for the record, I hate Apple)
Not terribly difficult with the right know how.
BTW. I haven't heard of a 100GB ipod yet 
BTW. I haven't heard of a 100GB ipod yet
Really, they have been on the market for over three years. Sounds like you need to look harder.
What is the file limit and is there any problem with the unit read the drive contents?
Limits is 2500 files - 300 folders that applies to the 930 and the 940 as well. You can put as many files on the dirve or SD card as you want they just won't show up past the first 2500/300 entries based on order they got created in the FAT table.
Really, they have been on the market for over three years. Sounds like you need to look harder.
My mistake. Late night. I was referring to iPhone hardware.
Not terribly difficult with the right know how.
wow look at how you even worded your responce, its not "terribly" difficult, meaning that is is somewhat difficult but not quite "terrible" and "with the right know how" because you dont need to have any know how to work an ipod, my 80 year old grandma has an ipod that she listens to.
BTW. I haven't heard of a 100GB ipod yet
really, wow! have you also not heard of those crazy motorized carrages, i think they call them auto mo bills.
if i remember correctly, the 80gig (damn near 100) came out in 2006 and the 160 gig came out in 2007. thats half a decade ago, as Vblue mentioned, you might want to try looking a little harder.
wow look at how you even worded your responce, its not "terribly" difficult, meaning that is is somewhat difficult but not quite "terrible" and "with the right know how" because you dont need to have any know how to work an ipod, my 80 year old grandma has an ipod that she listens to.
really, wow! have you also not heard of those crazy motorized carrages, i think they call them auto mo bills.
if i remember correctly, the 80gig (damn near 100) came out in 2006 and the 160 gig came out in 2007. thats half a decade ago, as Vblue mentioned, you might want to try looking a little harder.
Look, Take it or leave it. I am just laying out what I know. And yes as I had mentioned earlier about the 100GB iPod, I have explained already. Sorry for even trying to help at this point! Jesus! This is why I hate participating on forums. There's always someone there to bitch & moan.
i'm just trying to see the point of putting in so much work to get subpar proformance is all, if your happy with it, then carry on.
Just posted this in another thread but fits here as well...
I use a 32gb card that currently has 27gb used by 2200 songs, 90 music videos, 30 misc short video and 11 full movies. Everything is well organized and easy to find to listen/watch. At 4 min a song that over 6 days of music without a song repeat... throw in the videos and movies it's 7+ days before anything would repeat.
I'm not a fan of the 2500/350 limit but that said I make it work and I haven't seen a better option than Pioneer for a car stereo. Anyone have a better suggestion for a car stereo than the unit Pioneer built?
There is no perfect device out there I've seen... while many pray at the alter of Apple my iphone has as many if not more stupid limits for no reason than my truck stereo.
Limits is 2500 files - 300 folders that applies to the 930 and the 940 as well. You can put as many files on the dirve or SD card as you want they just won't show up past the first 2500/300 entries based on order they got created in the FAT table.
Where is this limit documented? I've searched the 940BT owners manual and don't see where that was specified. In fact, had I known about that limit I would not have bought the unit at all, nor would I have purchased a ruggedized USB drive with 1TB of storage. If I'm traveling, I want my entire music library with me, not arbitrary 2500 song or 300 folder cap. Has anyone hacked the firmware to remove this barrier, or is it a function of the head-unit lacking adequate buffer memory for indexing anything more than 2500 files / 300 folders? In 2012, it seems like a very outdated limit.
I'm not a fan of the 2500/350 limit but that said I make it work and I haven't seen a better option than Pioneer for a car stereo. Anyone have a better suggestion for a car stereo than the unit Pioneer built?
Given that arbitrary limit, I'd say a high-capacity tablet or ultra-book computer with either bluetooth or an audio output to any head unit with an aux input would be better. I'm still kicking myself for wasting $700 on the Pioneer AVIC940BT and the $80 on the 1TB USB drive - thinking I would be living the dream of taking ALL of my music on the road.
I'd have paid an extra $100 (or more) to have that capability. Car stereo technology is sadly behind by 5 or 10 years.
Page 218 of the x940 manual available from the Pionneer site. As well note format must be FAT 16/32 so largest size accessible will be 32GB
Page 218 of the x940 manual available from the Pionneer site. As well note format must be FAT 16/32 so largest size accessible will be 32GB
Interesting. I searched the PDF for the words "file" and "folder" and that page didn't show up. Searching FAT32 worked. Regarding FAT32....the spec on limits are below. Where is the 32 GB volume size limit that you mention coming from? (2 TB is indicated limit below)
The salesman at the store sold me the unit saying...."Whatever number of songs your USB drive can hold, this Pioneer unit can play it".
FAT32 was introduced to overcome some of the limitations of FAT16.
ah interesting... thanks I think I'm off base with the 32gb.