Any alternatives for those with more than 15,000 files/1,500 folders?

Can I have 15,000 files/1,500 folders in both SD Card/USB HDD...total 30,000 files/3,000 folders?

or is the max 15,000 files/1,500 folders between both SD Card/USB HDD?

The limit is for both combined.

I've only run across two possible alternatives:

1. Mod an iPod Classic 120 or 160 GB model, swapping out the HDD with an adapter and a higher capacity SSD.
2. Set up a wireless DLNA media server and use smartphone as player (requires DLNA-player capable app).

I have not tried either.

Regarding latter, I believe there are several models of wireless portable HD's which offer this capability out of the box.

Found some info on the web about modding iPod.  I purchased the adapter but not the SSD.  No plans for immediate future.

It's been awhile since I researched either avenue so can't offer any further details.

Currently I download a ~1,000 song playlist of lossless files to my 120GB iPod Classic, and that only uses up about 30GB.  Update as necessary.... but since I am not into new music, that's not very often.  I have over 17,000 files in the "active" directories on my computer, and probably a total over 50,000 if I include library directories I have obtained through others (which include a lot of low bit-rate and obscure-artist files I choose not to tolerate in my active directory).

The real question here is how much availability do you really need in your vehicle?

The limit is for both combined.

 

I've only run across two possible alternatives:

1. Mod an iPod Classic 120 or 160 GB model, swapping out the HDD with an adapter and a higher capacity SSD.
2. Set up a wireless DLNA media server and use smartphone as player (requires DLNA-player capable app).

I have not tried either.

 

Regarding latter, I believe there are several models of wireless portable HD's which offer this capability out of the box.

 

Found some info on the web about modding iPod.  I purchased the adapter but not the SSD.  No plans for immediate future.

 

It's been awhile since I researched either avenue so can't offer any further details.

 

Currently I download a ~1,000 song playlist of lossless files to my 120GB iPod Classic, and that only uses up about 30GB.  Update as necessary.... but since I am not into new music, that's not very often.  I have over 17,000 files in the "active" directories on my computer, and probably a total over 50,000 if I include library directories I have obtained through others (which include a lot of low bit-rate and obscure-artist files I choose not to tolerate in my active directory).

 

The real question here is how much availability do you really need in your vehicle?

 

I have close to 600GB of music (flac/320kbps mp3)...when I put a quarter of my collection onto a HDD the index scan freezes.

 

I was hoping I can fill each(sd card+usb hdd) having a total of 30,000 files

I have close to 600GB of music (flac/320kbps mp3)...when I put a quarter of my collection onto a HDD the index scan freezes.

 

 

I was hoping I can fill each(sd card+usb hdd) having a total of 30,000 files

I feel your pain...

I currently have about 23,000 files hanging off of a 256GB SSD on my 8100NEX. It works. However, the queue up time when you switch to USB1 takes about 45-90 seconds before you can play music. the same thing goes for when you first turn it on. Luckily, that time barely even gets me off my street, so I've learned to deal with it. It's not a perfect solution, but it does work. I formatted to fat32 because my tests showed that it loaded a bit faster than NTFS. I also manually sorted the files using the fatsort linux utility (I think such utilities exist for Windows and others) so I can browse music alphabetically by folder.

an iPod is definitely a bit more of a seamless solution, but my issue was that a certain portion of my files (I believe due to something in the metadata that I hadn't been able to determine) would not play on the iPod. It's not an uncommon problem from what I've seen and I'd been trying to figure out for years how to reliably fix it.

Yes, the 15K/1.5K limitation is a letdown, as I'd like to have at least double that capacity.  The Clarion VX405 claims to support 65,535 folders/65,535 files via USB, but I don't know if that's a theoretical limit - it could bog down after 1,000 files.   Ideally I'd be able to have my entire PC music collection (about 100K files, mostly FLAC) on tap in the car, but the only other way to do that would be a CarPC, but that's more complicated and more difficult to access my lifetime SiriusXM account.  I wonder if the 15K/1.5K limitation is a hardware or software limitation?

I currently have about 23,000 files hanging off of a 256GB SSD on my 8100NEX. It works. However, the queue up time when you switch to USB1 takes about 45-90 seconds before you can play music. the same thing goes for when you first turn it on. Luckily, that time barely even gets me off my street, so I've learned to deal with it. It's not a perfect solution, but it does work. I formatted to fat32 because my tests showed that it loaded a bit faster than NTFS. I also manually sorted the files using the fatsort linux utility (I think such utilities exist for Windows and others) so I can browse music alphabetically by folder.

 

an iPod is definitely a bit more of a seamless solution, but my issue was that a certain portion of my files (I believe due to something in the metadata that I hadn't been able to determine) would not play on the iPod. It's not an uncommon problem from what I've seen and I'd been trying to figure out for years how to reliably fix it.

 

 

Reviewing the manual http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/AVIC-8100NEX

Page 245

The max amount of files withing usb storage/sd memory card is 15,000........so your system works fine with 23,000 files :/

 

 

I currently have about 23,000 files hanging off of a 256GB SSD on my 8100NEX. It works. However, the queue up time when you switch to USB1 takes about 45-90 seconds before you can play music. the same thing goes for when you first turn it on. Luckily, that time barely even gets me off my street, so I've learned to deal with it. It's not a perfect solution, but it does work. I formatted to fat32 because my tests showed that it loaded a bit faster than NTFS. I also manually sorted the files using the fatsort linux utility (I think such utilities exist for Windows and others) so I can browse music alphabetically by folder.

 

an iPod is definitely a bit more of a seamless solution, but my issue was that a certain portion of my files (I believe due to something in the metadata that I hadn't been able to determine) would not play on the iPod. It's not an uncommon problem from what I've seen and I'd been trying to figure out for years how to reliably fix it.

 

 

Reviewing the manual http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/AVIC-8100NEX

Page 245

The max amount of files withing usb storage/sd memory card is 15,000........so your system works fine with 23,000 files :/

 

He is using SSD and the way I follow, the limitation is with SD not SSD. He also stated his SSD is formatted to FAT 32 which also has limitations but I have no idea what those are. However, FAT 32 is the format requirement for the head unit. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can format a drive over 500GB w/FAT 32.

Not to often I answer my own question. 32GB is format limit with FAT 32 and that is due to format operating system. I.e. Windows. This article explains how to format (using 3rd party software ) a SDD 250 GB to FAT 32 allowing use of USB interface.

http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm

So if I use a 256 SSD (formatted to FAT32 using a 3rd party software) I can exceed Pioneers file count limitation? 

[deleted post]

I'm using 64 GB microSD card with NTFS file system (formatted using Windows 7), this working perfectly in my unit. Try NTFS file system.

How many files/folders do you have in your microSD?

[deleted post]

This thread is about the NEX Series file index limitation....I'd like to keep it on topic

So if I use a 256 SSD (formatted to FAT32 using a 3rd party software) I can exceed Pioneers file count limitation?

 

I would say yes based on previous poster's comment that he was suscesfull using a SSD drive. I personally have not tried this but I have an SSD with a USB interface ordered from Amazon and plan to try. I will let you know my experience but it's going to be a few weeks. I would think several are doing this and invite their comments.

I would say yes based on previous poster's comment that he was suscesfull using a SSD drive. I personally have not tried this but I have an SSD with a USB interface ordered from Amazon and plan to try. I will let you know my experience but it's going to be a few weeks. I would think several are doing this and invite their comments.

Thanks...looking forward to your response

Can anyone verify if the file/folder limit is the combined total for the device or whether it's per input?

128 GB SSD and NTFS works fine here, more than enough music, video data, .jpg splash screens

I do no see anywhere in the manual where the limit is combined. The SSD and the SDcard just have the exact same limits, The head unit only uses 1 input at a time and does not read them both at the same time. No matter which 1 you use, if you put 15000 files on it, just expect it to take up to 2 minutes to read, each time you start the vehicle or answer a BT phone call. My 256 SDcard with 200+ ripped DVDs takes maybe 10 seconds, my 256gb SSD with 15000 files will take up to 2 minutes. From what I understand, the head unit reads the device and stores info in memory or writes it on the drive(not sure which). I say this, because I took my SSD that had 120gb of mp3s on it and deleted about 6000 songs(my sons rap music), then hooked it up and all the deleted files showed up on the head unit, but when i hit play, it would skip and go to the next file, yet it was still listed on the head unit. I assumed the info was saved on the SSD, because the only way to get rid of them on the head unit was to delete all files on SSD and reinstall only the music I wanted, it read the SSD and all was well 

I've always assumed the limit was per input.  Waiting several minutes for the unit to read the drives sounds awful, though.  I put 10K+ files (FLAC + MP3) on a 128GB Micro SD card in my 2 year old Samsung Galaxy S4 phone and it took my music app about a minute to read them the first time, but has been instantaneous every time since.  I can understand a delay on first connection, but it's pretty weak that the Pioneer struggles with this every time.

Finally had time try a Toshiba 1TB SSD drive with USB interface. I formatted the drive to FAT32 using Ridggecorp FAT32 tool. http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/. Format was seamless and quick. Loaded about half of my FLAC file, about 2,000, and tried on my NEX 8100. A few folks here said it took their player 3 mins to load, well I timed my setup and it took 5 mins 43 seconds. Once loaded, music played fine and switching between tracks using library was no problem. FLAC files sure do sound good on the 8100, I love it. Boot up time sucks, and each time I turned off and back on, you go through the same ritual. For me, this ain't gonna work unless I plan to be in the vehicle for a long time. I'll stick with the 64 GB sticks, they work well with FLAC and pretty fast. I like option to store music type by memory stic anyway. At least I ended up with a pretty decent 1TB backup drive that works well with USB3

Finally had time try a Toshiba 1TB SSD drive with USB interface. I formatted the drive to FAT32 using Ridggecorp FAT32 tool. http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/. Format was seamless and quick. Loaded about half of my FLAC file, about 2,000, and tried on my NEX 8100. A few folks here said it took their player 3 mins to load, well I timed my setup and it took 5 mins 43 seconds. Once loaded, music played fine and switching between tracks using library was no problem. FLAC files sure do sound good on the 8100, I love it. Boot up time sucks, and each time I turned off and back on, you go through the same ritual. For me, this ain't gonna work unless I plan to be in the vehicle for a long time. I'll stick with the 64 GB sticks, they work well with FLAC and pretty fast. I like option to store music type by memory stic anyway. At least I ended up with a pretty decent 1TB backup drive that works well with USB3

I should have said the first load could take up to 20 minutes or longer, depending on how many files you have. After that it usually takes  up to 90 seconds each time you select that input.

I should have said the first load could take up to 20 minutes or longer, depending on how many files you have. After that it usually takes up to 90 seconds each time you select that input.

I didn't load that many files on the 5 min mark. I didn't time the reload restarts but I'm pretty sure it was same 5 mins. In any case, the same files on a memory stick with almost instant load is a win for me. I think there is more issues to reading files on a large SSD drive than there is on a smaller memory stick. For me it's way to long to wait for music when you compare against a 64k mem stick.. IMHO, most people will be satisfied with the memory stick, I don't see any benefit with a large SSD other than saying you did it!! And to be honest, I'm a little embarrassed I tried it and posted as such. But I did hoping for a miracle, and I found none.. There is chance I did something wrong in formatting process but I followed the process as others posted and simply didn't see the same results. If I did this wrong, then I invite someone, or anyone, getting better results to tell us your trick. Thanks

To the OP of this thread, I have tried so many variations in the last 1 1/2 years with my NEX I ended up running this. I have 20000+ mp3 song on iTunes match, and iPhone6 64gb phone hooked up to usb1, 200+ movies on 256gb SDcard, 480gb SSD hooked up to usb2 with 64gb of my favorite songs in FLAC format, another 200 movies in mp4, as i rip more DVDs, will add to SSD.

I do not use CarPlay, and have phone calls thru BT. CarPlay will not allow the movies to play on the headrest monitors(except DVDs and I don't put DVDs in the car)

So I have all my songs, movies available at a touch. 

PS. I also have my whole music collection available using the google music app(like iTunes match, but free)