MP3/WMA Format
The Single CD and the Six-Disc CD Radio will play MP3/WMA files that were recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW disc. The HDD Radio is similar and can also play MP3/WMA files recorded on DVD +/- R discs or a USB storage device.
The files can be recorded with the following fixed bit rates: 32 kbps, 40 kbps, 56 kbps, 64 kbps, 80 kbps, 96 kbps, 112 kbps, 128 kbps, 160 kbps, 192 kbps, 224 kbps, 256 kbps, and 320 kbps or a variable bit rate. Song title, artist name, and album can display when files are recorded using ID3 tags version 1 and 2.
Creating an MP3/WMA Disc
If you burn your own MP3/WMA disc on a personal computer:
| • | Make sure the MP3/WMA files are recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW disc. |
| • | Do not mix standard audio and MP3/WMA files on one disc. |
| • | Make sure the CD does not have more than a maximum of 50 folders and playlists, and 255 files to read and play. |
| • | Create a folder structure that makes it easy to find songs while driving. Organize songs by albums using one folder for each album. Each folder or album should contain 18 songs or less. |
| • | Avoid subfolders. The system can support up to 8 subfolders deep, keep the total number of folders to a minimum to reduce the complexity and confusion during playback. |
| • | Make sure playlists have a .m3u or .wpl extension (other file extensions may not work). |
| • | Minimize the length of the file, folder or playlist names. Long file, folder, or playlist names, or a combination of a large number of files and folders, or playlists can cause the player to be unable to play up to the maximum number of files, folders, playlists, or sessions. |
| • | Finalize the audio disc before burning it. Adding music to an existing disc can cause the disc not to function. |
Playlists can be selected by using the previous and next folder buttons, the SEEK arrows, FWD, or REV buttons. An MP3/WMA CD-R or CD-RW that was recorded using no file folders can also be played. If a CD-R or CD-RW contains more than the maximum of 50 folders and playlists, and 255 files, the player lets you access and navigate up to the maximum, but all items over the maximum are not accessible.
The HDD Radio can support more than 255 files on an MP3/WMA disc.
The HDD Radio does not support playlists on a disc or USB storage device.
Root Directory
The root directory of the CD-R or CD-RW is treated as a folder. If the root directory has compressed audio files, the directory displays as F1 DISC. All files contained directly under the root directory are accessed prior to any root directory folders. Playlists (Px) are always accessed after root folders or files.
The HDD Radio displays the root directory of an MP3/WMA disc as F1 MP3 and the root directory of a USB storage device as F1 USB.
Empty Directory or Folder
If a root directory or a folder exists somewhere in the file structure that contains only folders/subfolders and no compressed files directly beneath them, the player advances to the next folder in the file structure that contains compressed audio files.
No Folder
When the CD contains only compressed files, the files are located under the root folder. The next and previous folder functions do not display on a CD that was recorded without folders or playlists. The radio displays F1 DISC for the root directory.
When the CD contains only playlists and compressed audio files, but no folders, all files are located under the root folder. The folder down and the folder up buttons search playlists (Px) first and then goes to the root folder. The radio displays F1 DISC for the root directory.
Order of Play
Tracks recorded to the CD-R or CD-RW play in the following order:
| • | Play begins from the first track in the first folder and continues sequentially through all tracks in each folder. When the last track of the last folder has played, play continues from the first track of the first playlist. |
| - | Playlists can be changed by pressing the next and previous folder button. |
| • | Play begins from the first track in the first playlist and continues sequentially through all tracks in each playlist. When the last track of the last playlist has played, play continues from the first track of the first folder. |
When play enters a new folder, the display does not automatically show the new folder name unless the folder mode has been chosen as the default display. The new track name displays.
File System and Naming
The song name displays the song name that is contained in the ID3 tag. If the song name is not in the ID3 tag, the radio displays the file name without the extension.
Track names longer than 32 characters are shortened. Parts of words on the last page of text and the extension of the filename is not displayed.
The HDD Radio will display file names with the extension.
Preprogrammed Playlists
Preprogrammed playlists that were created using WinAmp™, MusicMatch™, or Real Jukebox™ software can be accessed, however they cannot be edited using the radio. These playlists are special folders containing compressed audio song files. Playlists must have a file extension of PLS or M3U.
Playlists can be selected using the previous and next folder buttons. Tracks can be changed by pressing the seek buttons or turning the tune knob. Songs are played sequentially; press the REV or FWD to reverse or advance through the playing song.
The HDD Radio does not support preprogrammed playlists. To create a playlist on the HDD radio from songs recorded to the HDD, see "Saving HDD Favorites" earlier in this section.
Playing an MP3/WMA
Insert a CD partway into the slot (Single CD Player), or press the load button and wait for the message to insert disc (Six-Disc CD Player), label side up. The player pulls in the CD and should begin playing.
For the Single CD Player, the track number displays at the left and center of the screen. A Shuffle label appears below. Press the pushbutton located under the Shuffle label to play the MP3/WMA files of the CD in random order.
For the Six-Disc CD Player, the disc number displays at the upper right side of the screen. The track number displays at the left and center of the screen. The Shuffle, Disc, and Folder labels appear below. Press the pushbutton located under the Shuffle label to play the MP3/WMA files of the currently selected CD in random order. Press the pushbuttons located under the Disc or Folder labels to change to another disc or folder.
As each new track starts to play, the track number and song title displays.
(Eject): Press to eject a CD. If the CD is not removed, after several seconds, the CD automatically pulls back into the player and begins playing. For the Six-Disc CD player, press and hold this button for two seconds to eject all discs.TUNE/TONE: Turn to select MP3/WMA files on the CD playing.
SEEK : Press the left arrow to go to the start of the current MP3/WMA file, if more than five seconds have played. Press the right arrow to go to the next MP3/WMA file. If either arrow is held or pressed multiple times, the player continues moving backward or forward through MP3/WMA files on the CD.
(Previous Folder): Press the pushbutton under the Folder label to go to the first track in the previous folder.
(Next Folder): Press the pushbutton under the Folder label to go to the first track in the next folder.
REV (Reverse): Press and hold to reverse playback quickly within an MP3/WMA file. Sound is heard at a reduced volume. The elapsed time of the file displays. Release to resume playing the file.
FWD (Fast Forward): Press and hold to advance playback quickly within an MP3/WMA file. Sound is heard at a reduced volume. The elapsed time of the file displays. Release to resume playing the file.
Shuffle: With the shuffle setting, MP3/WMA files on the CD can be played in random, rather than sequential order, on the CD currently playing. To use shuffle:
| • | To play MP3/WMA files from the CD in random order, press the pushbutton under the Shuffle label until Shuffle On displays. Press again to turn shuffle off. |
