S80: Stereo/SatNav/Phone - Tip - See mp3 music files on USB stick in alphabetical order

andyg · Dec 30th, 2015, 18:34

Like many VOC members I use a USB stick plugged into my car's USB port to play a whole load of music mp3 files. I use a 16Gb stick that contains a huge number of music tracks, all sorted using one folder per album. The problem is that when the car reads the USB stick it lists the folders / albums according to the FAT file system that sorts by the date and time that the folder was created. This results in an album list displayed in the car that appears to be random and unhelpful.

There is a small and handy Windows PC app called "FAT Sorter" that reads the USB stick and processes the folders in just a couple of minutes. The result is the next time you plug the USB stick into your car it displays all the folders / albums in alphabetical order! Makes it much easier to find the exact music that you want. Just Google the name of the app to download the exe file. Take normal anti-virus precautions before running the app and you should have no problems.

I-S · Dec 30th, 2015, 20:10

This is a good suggestion, and one that I looked into.

The other way of getting tracks to be int he correct order is to suffix their filename with the track number - so instead of

Code:

Bohemian Rhapsody

you get

Code:

 1 - Bohemian Rhapsody

There are various mp3 retagging utilities that you can get which will use the track number from the ID3 tags to automatically rename the files, and will do batch processing of an entire directory structure. I used mp3tag: http://www.mp3tag.de/en/

CTCNetwork · Dec 30th, 2015, 21:01

Hi,

Or just play the music on "Random"..

Des. . .

pacman67 · Dec 30th, 2015, 21:07

As nearly all my music is on Spotify and I have an android phone, my 2010 V70 limits me to using the jack lead. I've considered an ipod touch as ios is USB compatible. Anyone else done this?

andyg · Dec 30th, 2015, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-S

This is a good suggestion, and one that I looked into.

The other way of getting tracks to be int he correct order is to suffix their filename with the track number - so instead of

Code:

Bohemian Rhapsody

you get

Code:

 1 - Bohemian Rhapsody

There are various mp3 retagging utilities that you can get which will use the track number from the ID3 tags to automatically rename the files, and will do batch processing of an entire directory structure. I used mp3tag: http://www.mp3tag.de/en/

Agreed that these kind of batch programs like mp3tag are good for naming or tagging unknown or random mp3 files by referring to databases like IMDB. But that does not help for the specific application in Volvo cars where it is the listed order on the car display that matters. Volvo cars list not by folder or track name, but by the date & time that each folder was created in FAT. The FAT Sorter app does not change the name of any mp3 files, but changes the date & time attributes so that they are listed in alphabetical order on the car display.
Andy

I-S · Dec 31st, 2015, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyg

Agreed that these kind of batch programs like mp3tag are good for naming or tagging unknown or random mp3 files by referring to databases like IMDB. But that does not help for the specific application in Volvo cars where it is the listed order on the car display that matters. Volvo cars list not by folder or track name, but by the date & time that each folder was created in FAT. The FAT Sorter app does not change the name of any mp3 files, but changes the date & time attributes so that they are listed in alphabetical order on the car display.
Andy

Sorry - yes, that's correct... but...

FAT has a tendency to write things in alphapathetic order, which is why the file order goes wrong in the first place. Putting the track numbers into the filenames means that track order = FAT order (because it will sort the numerical list) so it tends not to go wrong then.

xco · Dec 31st, 2015, 02:23

Thanks for all these solutions chaps...l too use the usb stick in my xc90 and find it a P.I.T.A. trying to sort the random tracks into order...

16gb is hellavalot of music .....I'm running a 4gb and 8gb and on a 13 hour run from Devon to Scotland I never managed to get to the end of the 8gb one!

I will try these ideas and see how I get on.

Dec 30th, 2015, 18:34	#1
andyg S80 D3 Geartonic 2013 Last Online: Oct 28th, 2019 17:01 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Warminster	Tip - See mp3 music files on USB stick in alphabetical order Like many VOC members I use a USB stick plugged into my car's USB port to play a whole load of music mp3 files. I use a 16Gb stick that contains a huge number of music tracks, all sorted using one folder per album. The problem is that when the car reads the USB stick it lists the folders / albums according to the FAT file system that sorts by the date and time that the folder was created. This results in an album list displayed in the car that appears to be random and unhelpful. There is a small and handy Windows PC app called "FAT Sorter" that reads the USB stick and processes the folders in just a couple of minutes. The result is the next time you plug the USB stick into your car it displays all the folders / albums in alphabetical order! Makes it much easier to find the exact music that you want. Just Google the name of the app to download the exe file. Take normal anti-virus precautions before running the app and you should have no problems. __________________ ____________________ 1980s: 1 x 745 petrol. 1990s: 3 x 855 petrol. 2000s: 1 x S60 diesel. 1 x S80 diesel. 2010s: 1 x S80 diesel. Last edited by andyg; Dec 30th, 2015 at 18:38. Reason: Typos

Dec 30th, 2015, 20:10	#2
I-S Premier Member Last Online: Jul 22nd, 2021 23:43 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huddersfield	This is a good suggestion, and one that I looked into. The other way of getting tracks to be int he correct order is to suffix their filename with the track number - so instead of Code: Bohemian Rhapsody you get Code: 1 - Bohemian Rhapsody There are various mp3 retagging utilities that you can get which will use the track number from the ID3 tags to automatically rename the files, and will do batch processing of an entire directory structure. I used mp3tag: http://www.mp3tag.de/en/ __________________ Our Car 2011 V70 D5 Geartronic Polestar - 38.6mpg over 45524 miles Replaced by

Dec 30th, 2015, 21:01	#3
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Or just play the music on "Random".. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Dec 30th, 2015, 21:07	#4
pacman67 VOC Member Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 14:09 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Richmond N Yorks	As nearly all my music is on Spotify and I have an android phone, my 2010 V70 limits me to using the jack lead. I've considered an ipod touch as ios is USB compatible. Anyone else done this? __________________ Regards, pacman67 previously held: V40 TD & S40 2ltr P1,V40 P2 sport lux, V70 XC P1, XC70 P2, V70 D5 P2 and P3, V40 T4,V70R, C30 R Design. currently held: V70 P3 D5 SE LUX, XC90 MK2 Inscription Pro.

Dec 31st, 2015, 02:23	#7
xco Premier Member Last Online: Today 04:01 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Near Plymouth	Thanks for all these solutions chaps...l too use the usb stick in my xc90 and find it a P.I.T.A. trying to sort the random tracks into order... 16gb is hellavalot of music .....I'm running a 4gb and 8gb and on a 13 hour run from Devon to Scotland I never managed to get to the end of the 8gb one! I will try these ideas and see how I get on. __________________ MY14 XF S V6 3.0 Sportbrake Portfolio in Ultimate Black Metallic and black 20"alloys MY08 Xc90 D5 185 Se Lux Satnav Geartronic. Much loved gone now but not forgotten. Wherever you go............There you are!!!

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