MP3 CD's in the 6 CD Changes on Audi A6

[sapstar]

I recently bought an Audi A6 which came with a 6 cd changer, bose sound system and sat nav. I guess the interface is MMI 2g. I tried inserting a MP3 cd into the 6 cd changer and it is identified as a CD-ROM but greyed out. I read somewhere online that in late 2006 some cars got MP3 changers which can be enabled by software update. My car was originally purchased in Nov 2006. Is there some update on MMI which I can try out to see if MP3 works?

[Guest 2]

It's hardware not software.

You will need an mp3 compatible changer.

Make sure the files are not in folders and are actually in mp3 format and not exported from iTunes etc.

[sapstar]

Hi Chris, Thanks for the quick response. I haven't put anything in folders. Just burnt all the mp3 files onto the disc directly (there can be some which are aac, but majority are mp3).
I know hardware has to be compatible, but the same 6 cd changer is able to read data for system upgrades right. So theoretically shouldn't it be able to read mp3's (if the software to interpret them is installed)?

[Guest 2]

It's hardware - believe me ;)

The non mp3 changer has a different part number than the mp3 changer.

Mp3 changer - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-MOST-MMI-6-DISK-MP3-CD-CHANGER-WITH-NEW-WIRING-HARNESS-single-din-/261092441040?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3cca527bd0&_uhb=1#ht_1204wt_922

Part Number - 4EO 035110 A

Compare this with the PN on your changer.

[gupsterg]

So theoretically shouldn't it be able to read mp3's (if the software to interpret them is installed)?

I also initially believed there must be a firmware upgrade for the 6 disc changer which could upgrade it to having mp3... as I have an IT background ;)

But the CD changer really only communicates over the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport Link 1:- Intro (http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/introduction/index.html) Link 2:- Network (http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/most-network/index.html) Link 3:- Applications (http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/most-applications/index.html) Link 4:- Wiki - MOST (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOST_Bus) )

So my belief is as there is only 2 connections on MOST ie data upstream/downstream then NON-MP3 changer is missing a piece of hardware within it to decode MP3's...

Hence if you buy a MP3 changer and swap out it works for all variants of MMI 2G... as that processes MP3's then later down loop AMP,ETC process to speakers... :)

So the STD changer can process:-

i) Audio CD's

ii) Data CD's with data formats contained with in say MMI Firmware upgrade

iii) Data CD's with data formats contained with in "Car On-Line Manual CD" which has HTML files Link:- Notes on Audi MMI CD-ROM handbooks (MMI 2G vs. MMI 3G) (http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/mmionlinemanual.html)

The embedded processing chip somewhere falls short on being able to process MP3's so different hardware needed so MP3 CD Changer...

[sapstar]

It's hardware - believe me ;)

The non mp3 changer has a different part number than the mp3 changer.

Mp3 changer - AUDI 'MOST' MMI 6 DISK MP3 CD CHANGER WITH NEW WIRING HARNESS. single din. | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-MOST-MMI-6-DISK-MP3-CD-CHANGER-WITH-NEW-WIRING-HARNESS-single-din-/261092441040?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3cca527bd0&_uhb=1#ht_1204wt_922)

Part Number - 4EO 035110 A

Compare this with the PN on your changer.
Hi Chris, where can I check the part number.... want to test my luck :).

[sapstar]

I also initially believed there must be a firmware upgrade for the 6 disc changer which could upgrade it to having mp3... as I have an IT background ;)

But the CD changer really only communicates over the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport Link 1:- Intro (http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/introduction/index.html) Link 2:- Network (http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/most-network/index.html) Link 3:- Applications (http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/most-applications/index.html) Link 4:- Wiki - MOST (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOST_Bus) )

So my belief is as there is only 2 connections on MOST ie data upstream/downstream then NON-MP3 changer is missing a piece of hardware within it to decode MP3's...

Hence if you buy a MP3 changer and swap out it works for all variants of MMI 2G... as that processes MP3's then later down loop AMP,ETC process to speakers... :)

So the STD changer can process:-

i) Audio CD's

ii) Data CD's with data formats contained with in say MMI Firmware upgrade

iii) Data CD's with data formats contained with in "Car On-Line Manual CD" which has HTML files Link:- Notes on Audi MMI CD-ROM handbooks (MMI 2G vs. MMI 3G) (http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/mmionlinemanual.html)

The embedded processing chip somewhere falls short on being able to process MP3's so different hardware needed so MP3 CD Changer...

Hi Gupsterg, thanks for the detailed explanation. So sad that it needs a complete swap. I will probably have to live with it for now and consider the Dension kit in the future :(. But as Chris suggested, I will check the part number to see if I am any lucky. I read in some forum that some late 2006 models also had the right hardware.

[gupsterg]

My view is that 2008 was when MP3 changers became standard fitments...

Remember you need component protection removal...

These guys do it for £60 Fee, no appointment just turn up on day link:- Audi Volkswagen Skoda Seat Independent Specialist London (http://www.audivwsc.co.uk/)

I maybe going there as soon doing an upgrade to my MMI :)

[sapstar]

I won't bother about it now. Will consider dension gateway 500s for the future. That seems to give me all I need.

[sapstar]

I maybe going there as soon doing an upgrade to my MMI :)
Does MMI upgrade effect component protection?

[gupsterg]

I am adding a module which has component protection in it... hopefully if I get it at right price ;)

Say if you add i) AMI ii) DAB that has no CP in it... some other modules in car have CP like J519...

A trove of info... ;) Link:- VolksPage.Net - Technik - SSP - Self Study Program VAG (http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/index_eng.php/)

[AudiCraig]

I cannot recall how to do it now, but there is a "hidden" config menu which you can load up by pressing a certain combo of buttons in the car.
Once you get this up, it'll show you the hardware options your car has... here's a picture of mine which shows it's a mp3 changer and not a 'normal' changer.

17937

Maybe that'll be some definitive proof you can find out before you invest in something.

Good luck

[Guest 2]

Press RADIO then hold in SETUP + RETURN.

[Mantas]

Hey Guys.

I have a similar issue. I have this MP3 6-CD Changer in my Audi A6 2008. (had it checked by entering hidden menu when clicked on RADIO and then SETUP+RETURN)

Problem is that i cannot get mp3 cd's working. CD is recognized as CD-ROM but grayed out. I know my player do support mp3, because i found some very old mp3 cd which works perfectly, but these new ones I'm trying to burn are not working.

My question is, can these CD-R discs be the cause of this problem? Or Mp3 cd's must be burned in some special way? I tried Nero, Itunes and Ashampoo to burn cd's but still no luck.
Maybe this could also be my laptop?


Thanks!

[royclark]

Hey Guys.

I have a similar issue. I have this MP3 6-CD Changer in my Audi A6 2008. (had it checked by entering hidden menu when clicked on RADIO and then SETUP+RETURN)

Problem is that i cannot get mp3 cd's working. CD is recognized as CD-ROM but grayed out. I know my player do support mp3, because i found some very old mp3 cd which works perfectly, but these new ones I'm trying to burn are not working.

My question is, can these CD-R discs be the cause of this problem? Or Mp3 cd's must be burned in some special way? I tried Nero, Itunes and Ashampoo to burn cd's but still no luck.
Maybe this could also be my laptop?


Thanks!

I burn all of my own CD's with iTunes (MP3), make sure that you have the add info box ticked so that the track titles are displayed on the MMI screen.
I have never had one not work

[Inkblot]

Deleted - wrong information.

Hmmm, seems I cannot delete the picture :(

[Guest 2]

Removed the pic for you :)

But to answer your question, just remember that the HW version is different from the actual part number of the changer.

[Mantas]

I burn all of my own CD's with iTunes (MP3), make sure that you have the add info box ticked so that the track titles are displayed on the MMI screen.
I have never had one not work


Thanks for the reply, but still no luck. :(

[Tel2]

Removed the pic for you :)

But to answer your question, just remember that the HW version is different from the actual part number of the changer.

I seem to have a problem with playing mp3 files but different from all the issues above. I checked the hardware and the CD changer is listed as MP3-changer 0x0101. I can burn mp3s to a CD and it gets recognised by the player but every track it pl;ays 1 second of music then half a second silence and repeats that throughout the track.

I have tried burning the mp3 files as data disk (unrecognised) CD and as both a normal CD and one that can be read on both cd players and computers. Both of these are recognised but play in 1 second gasps. Any ideas?