Best IPod/UBS/Hard Drive Music Option

[GTA SOL]

New member here so I hope I’m following the right protocols for the forum. I’ve searched various threads but can’t find a definitive answer so here goes.

I’m about to take delivery of a MY19 XC60 Momentum and I want to understand the best way to play music on the Sensus system. I don’t have space to store music on my phone and the car doesn’t have apple car play.

I currently use an iPod classic connected to my VW CC which works great and I’d like to try and replicate this functionality with my XC60.

- will the IPod classic work on the XC60 if I connect it via the USB in the arm rest? If so, will it give full accessibility via the Sensus (ie can I search through the iPod file structure for albums, artists, songs etc as I currently can on my VW CC)?

- if the IPod classic is not supported, what’s the next best option? More modern IPod? UBS stick? External hard drive?

- which of these alternative options would give the best functionality via the Sensus system to search, select and play songs via albums, artists and songs?

Many thanks

[SuffolkBoy]

Originally Posted by GTA SOL

New member here so I hope I’m following the right protocols for the forum. I’ve searched various threads but can’t find a definitive answer so here goes.

I’m about to take delivery of a MY19 XC60 Momentum and I want to understand the best way to play music on the Sensus system. I don’t have space to store music on my phone and the car doesn’t have apple car play.

I currently use an iPod classic connected to my VW CC which works great and I’d like to try and replicate this functionality with my XC60.

- will the IPod classic work on the XC60 if I connect it via the USB in the arm rest? If so, will it give full accessibility via the Sensus (ie can I search through the iPod file structure for albums, artists, songs etc as I currently can on my VW CC)?

- if the IPod classic is not supported, what’s the next best option? More modern IPod? UBS stick? External hard drive?

- which of these alternative options would give the best functionality via the Sensus system to search, select and play songs via albums, artists and songs?

Many thanks

First of all, welcome to the Forum, and hopefully you will soon be enjoying your new XC60.

This question about iPod Classic compatibility was raised recently, and I checked this in my MY18 XC60, and found that it worked in by plugging it in via the USB socket and then using the IPOD icon on the Sensus screen.

Other members with MY19 models seem to have an issue with the iPod Classic model in their cars, however.

My car has not had any software updates since February when it went in to the Dealer for the 3 month check up, so I can only say that it works in my car and hopefully it will work in your car when you get it.

I also have a couple of 8gb flash drives with some of my music on them, and they work well in the USB port.
Good luck.

[Fursty Ferret]

Originally Posted by SuffolkBoy

First of all, welcome to the Forum, and hopefully you will soon be enjoying your new XC60.

This question about iPod Classic compatibility was raised recently, and I checked this in my MY18 XC60, and found that it worked in by plugging it in via the USB socket and then using the IPOD icon on the Sensus screen.

Good luck.

iPod Classic definitely doesn't work on MY19 cars. No issues with an iPod Nano though. I think you'd be fine too with a USB memory stick - the only reason I still use the Nano is because I have a load of audiobooks stored on it and the handling of the chapter structure is better. I might do some experimentation with the USB stick approach, as I've used an iPod in the car for 6 years now.

[Haldex]

IMO nothing beats an USB key.. I got myself one of those tiny metal ones that is almost flush with the port when inserted. And 64GB stores more music than I can handle..

[dchbrown]

I'm sure I've seen something about iOS 8 or newer being required for the MY19 cars. Perhaps that is the issue with the iPod Classic?

[GTA SOL]

Originally Posted by Haldex

IMO nothing beats an USB key.. I got myself one of those tiny metal ones that is almost flush with the port when inserted. And 64GB stores more music than I can handle..

Haldex - can I ask how the Sensus system handles searching for music on the USB key? Is it easy to scroll through album and artist lists? Can you play an entire album? Can you play all songs from a particular artist?
Thanks

[Goodshot]

Originally Posted by Haldex

IMO nothing beats an USB key.. I got myself one of those tiny metal ones that is almost flush with the port when inserted. And 64GB stores more music than I can handle..

Me too. Only difference was that using the same system in my previous car, the music actually downloaded from the flash drive onto a hard disc on the car - and from there you could shuffle or do what you want with the music in a sort of jukebox setting. Then you could take away the flash drive and still have a USB slot available. I don't know whether it's a backward step or a forward step by volvo to not provide a built in hdd. Most of its market are probably a long way from happy about having to use streaming services!

The basic flash drive works fine though.

[GTA SOL]

Originally Posted by Fursty Ferret

iPod Classic definitely doesn't work on MY19 cars. No issues with an iPod Nano though. I think you'd be fine too with a USB memory stick - the only reason I still use the Nano is because I have a load of audiobooks stored on it and the handling of the chapter structure is better. I might do some experimentation with the USB stick approach, as I've used an iPod in the car for 6 years now.

Fursty Ferret
Before I pick up a nano off ebay, can I ask what 'generation' Ipod nano you have connected as I read somewhere that only IOS enabled ipods will work?

Also, when you access the nano through the Sensus infotainment system, can you browse through the nano's menus and playlists? For example, can you select a particular album to play, or all the songs from a particular artist? Is it as easy to use as selecting music as if you were listening to the nano directly?

Finally, did you need to convert the music files into a specific format to play through the Sensus or does is it ok in the standard apple ipod music format?

[Nerdy Norm]

If you have a large music collection, bear in mind the file number limit in the car's handling of the USB system. I was unable to access all my music via flash drive or portable HDD. The best solution I've found has been to put a large-capacity SD card into a budget Android phone and access the music via Android Auto.

[Fursty Ferret]

Originally Posted by GTA SOL

Fursty Ferret
Before I pick up a nano off ebay, can I ask what 'generation' Ipod nano you have connected as I read somewhere that only IOS enabled ipods will work?

Also, when you access the nano through the Sensus infotainment system, can you browse through the nano's menus and playlists? For example, can you select a particular album to play, or all the songs from a particular artist? Is it as easy to use as selecting music as if you were listening to the nano directly?

Finally, did you need to convert the music files into a specific format to play through the Sensus or does is it ok in the standard apple ipod music format?

I have a 7th gen ipod nano. Doesn't run iOS. When you access it through Sensus it essentially uses the same menu structure as the ipod - artists / albums / playlists etc.

No special conversion needed, just let iTunes do everything.