MP3 Filename Limitations
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
MP3 Filename Limitations
The manual says the following -
Maximum 29 characters, including spaces, in
a file or folder name. (Note: 25 characters in the song title + 4 characters in the file extension - .MP3.
I see in some other posts that a song can be no greater than 18 characters and another person says 22 characters.
What is the real deal ? Is the manual incorrect ?
Maximum 29 characters, including spaces, in
a file or folder name. (Note: 25 characters in the song title + 4 characters in the file extension - .MP3.
I see in some other posts that a song can be no greater than 18 characters and another person says 22 characters.
What is the real deal ? Is the manual incorrect ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,433
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
I got tired of screwing with the damn MP3 disk thing - never could get it work right.
Installed an iPod Lockpick (took all of 5 minutes) and never looked back...
Installed an iPod Lockpick (took all of 5 minutes) and never looked back...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 20
From: Georgia
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
The actual file names don't matter so much as the information in the ID3 tag -- that's where the information for the song is stored such as song title, artist name, album name, track number, etc. A big bunch of my MP3 files where retrieved from my iPod so they have cryptic file names of only four characters. For example something like "XXIP.MP3". But luckily when I retrieved the files from my iPod (long story...) they were restored to my computer in folders by artist and album names. Once they are displayed in either iTunes or some other MP3 player the info in the ID3 tag is what shows up. I burned six CDs filled with MP3s for my '10 GS's changer with no problem. I only made individual folders named by artist name -- each folder only has MP3 files of that artist. That makes finding stuff pretty easy if you know who you're looking for. And I have them in alphabetical order across the six disks. So Disk 1 will have stuff starting with "A" artists and the last disk probably has some ZZ Top on it. I have no trouble at all playing the disks nor is there a problem with the information showing up on my disk changer's display. It seems like the manual says that a disk can only have a maximum of maybe 25-29 folders -- not true! (Unless they meant NESTED, which I do not have any sub-folders.) Most of my disks have 30-40-50 folders because some artist folders may only have 2-3 tracks each. I think each disk averages about 150-160 MP3 files. No problem with my player!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 118
From: F'burg VA
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '20,'22,'24 thru '26
I changed nothing in my tags. Yes, the display only has 32 characters and it will truncate the title if longer than that in your tag. I consider that insignificant compared to having the names within the correct length parameter.
About the folders, and creating an MP3 CD - from the Nav manual (should apply for all CD systems). If you follow these rules, you WILL NOT have any issues:
Code:
Using an MP3 MP3 Format When creating an MP3 disc, the following is a list of guidelines. If these guidelines are not followed while recording a CD-R(W), the CD may not play. • ID3 tag information is displayed by the radio if it is available. The radio supports ID3 tag information v1.0 or v1.1. The radio displays a filename, song name, artist name, album name, and directory name. • Maximum 31 characters, including spaces, in a file or folder name. • Maximum number of folders is 500 with 500 files with a maximum hierarchy of eight folders. It is recommended to keep the depth of folders to a minimum in order to keep down the complexity and confusion in trying to locate a particular folder during playback. • 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. • The files can be recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW with a maximum capacity of 700MB. • DVD with MP3 are not playable on this system. • The radio does not play a mixed mode CD-R/RW, a disc recorded with both *.cda and *.mp3 files. • The player supports a disc with multiple sessions, but it is not required that the disc be finalized. It is recommended to record the disc all at once. • Recording format mode 2 or mode 2XA with Romeo or Joliet file system is not supported with this player. • All applicable Mode 1 recording formats are supported. • MPEG 2.5 is not supported with this player. File formats MPEG 1 and MPEG 2 with all bit rates (including variable) except less than 16kbps are supported with this player. • Long files or folder names or a combination of a large number of files and folders could cause the player to be unable to play up to the maximum number of files or folders or affect the reading speed and time to play.
Last edited by Snake.Oiler; Feb 7, 2011 at 12:19 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 118
From: F'burg VA
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '20,'22,'24 thru '26
And for those with a 2011 w/Nav and USB port:
Code:
USB Supported File and Folder Structure The guidelines that must be met while using USB supported files and folders are: . Up to 699 folders. . Up to 8 folders in depth. . Up to 65,535 files. . Folder and file names up to 64 bytes. . Files with an .mp3, .wma, or .m4a file extension. . AAC files stored on an iPod. . FAT16 . FAT32 Some files may restart at the beginning of the track after the vehicle has been turned off and then turned back on again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
I appreciate the other responses with the suggestions, but the bottom line, it shouldn't have to be this way!Bought a new Jeep. Has a hard drive AND a cool iPod connector. All the info I can't get on the Corvette, shows up on the Jeep. No change in files. Same data inputed. Jeep doesn't give a hoot about anything I ID'd. Reads it. Corvette? NO!
Now, if I had a several year old Corvette, I wouldn't compare it to a 2011 Jeep. But I have a 2010 Corvette.
Jeep was twenty grand less than my Corvette. GM, are you listening?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 9
From: Citrus Heights CA
St. Jude Donor '12
NO!
(ignoring Nav/usb port debate for a minute and looking at old school).... 6 cd in-dash changer for the Corvette from the factory msrp $399 (should be standard equip on non-nav cars at this price point)
25k Toyota truck...I upgraded upon ordering for better speakers, steering wheel controls and 6 disc in-dash changer - $210 factory msrp.
GM gets it all right..... and your wallet is what they get........
(ignoring Nav/usb port debate for a minute and looking at old school).... 6 cd in-dash changer for the Corvette from the factory msrp $399 (should be standard equip on non-nav cars at this price point)
25k Toyota truck...I upgraded upon ordering for better speakers, steering wheel controls and 6 disc in-dash changer - $210 factory msrp.
GM gets it all right..... and your wallet is what they get........
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 20
From: Georgia
I've tried to burn music straight from my itunes on my macbook, but when I put it in the car, there are songs that are missing, or the car won't see it. But if I do it as a regular music cd it comes up fine. Is there a certain program that I can use for it to work properly? Roxio, etc? I would rather have 1 mp3 disk, instead of carrying my ipod in and out of the car. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Kansas
I have one CD that a certain .mp3 file causes the audio system to lock up. The only solution is to power down and back up. I haven't researched yet to see whether the problem is a long filename, corrupt file, etc., but I do know the CD played fine in other vehicles.
I also have an '09 Escalade with Nav, and it has the same filename and folder restrictions. Strangely, it has a tendency to display gibberish for the title, album and artist (first letter is right, the rest is symbols). Haven't seen this on the 'vette so I'm guessing the underlying software is different but the length restrictions are the same.
I also have an '09 Escalade with Nav, and it has the same filename and folder restrictions. Strangely, it has a tendency to display gibberish for the title, album and artist (first letter is right, the rest is symbols). Haven't seen this on the 'vette so I'm guessing the underlying software is different but the length restrictions are the same.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
If that is what the manual says now it is correct. It used to say 32 characters. After extensive testing I found the limit is 25 valid character plus ".mp3" if you want consistent results. 26 and 27 works sometimes. 28 and above never work. The symptoms of file names that are too long is that the file disappears as far as playing is concerned but the player still knows something is there so it tries to play it. This results in the following file getting played and then repeated.
ID3 tags are irrelevant as far as creating a playable disc. They are only used for displaying the Title/Artist/Album. They must be version 1.x and not the more current 2.x version. Version 1.x ID3 tags are physically limited by the protocol to 30 characters. It is impossible to create a tag that is too long. If you try the software will automatically truncate the tag. Version 2.x tags are unlimited in length. You can, however, have both version 1.x and 2.x tags in the same file. So if you see more than 30 characters you are looking at version 2.x tags that won't display in the car. You need a program designed to show both tags to be sure you have the right version in the files.
The manual is wrong when it says you can use VBR (Variable Bit Rate) files. Yes, it will play them but with errors. Sometimes the song will quit early and you will not be able to fast forward or reverse consistently.
The free programs you need to quickly and easily create MP3s that work every time are:
Edit: I just remembered ID3TagIt is sometimes hard to find. Try http://download.cnet.com/ID3-TagIT/3...-10544467.html
ID3 tags are irrelevant as far as creating a playable disc. They are only used for displaying the Title/Artist/Album. They must be version 1.x and not the more current 2.x version. Version 1.x ID3 tags are physically limited by the protocol to 30 characters. It is impossible to create a tag that is too long. If you try the software will automatically truncate the tag. Version 2.x tags are unlimited in length. You can, however, have both version 1.x and 2.x tags in the same file. So if you see more than 30 characters you are looking at version 2.x tags that won't display in the car. You need a program designed to show both tags to be sure you have the right version in the files.
The manual is wrong when it says you can use VBR (Variable Bit Rate) files. Yes, it will play them but with errors. Sometimes the song will quit early and you will not be able to fast forward or reverse consistently.
The free programs you need to quickly and easily create MP3s that work every time are:
- Exact Audio Copy (with L.A.M.E.) to rip the music from CDs.
- A.F.5 to manipulate filenames in groups although this isn't needed with a combination of ID3TagIt and Media Monkey below.
- ID3TagIt to create the ID3 tags and also manipulate the filenames.
- Media Monkey to create the disc.
Edit: I just remembered ID3TagIt is sometimes hard to find. Try http://download.cnet.com/ID3-TagIT/3...-10544467.html
Last edited by FortMorganAl; Feb 7, 2011 at 08:30 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
If that is what the manual says now it is correct. It used to say 32 characters. After extensive testing I found the limit is 25 valid character plus ".mp3" if you want consistent results. 26 and 27 works sometimes. 28 and above never work. The symptoms of file names that are too long is that the file disappears as far as playing is concerned but the player still knows something is there so it tries to play it. This results in the following file getting played and then repeated.
ID3 tags are irrelevant as far as creating a playable disc. They are only used for displaying the Title/Artist/Album. They must be version 1.x and not the more current 2.x version. Version 1.x ID3 tags are physically limited by the protocol to 30 characters. It is impossible to create a tag that is too long. If you try the software will automatically truncate the tag. Version 2.x tags are unlimited in length. You can, however, have both version 1.x and 2.x tags in the same file. So if you see more than 30 characters you are looking at version 2.x tags that won't display in the car. You need a program designed to show both tags to be sure you have the right version in the files.
The manual is wrong when it says you can use VBR (Variable Bit Rate) files. Yes, it will play them but with errors. Sometimes the song will quit early and you will not be able to fast forward or reverse consistently.
The free programs you need to quickly and easily create MP3s that work every time are:
Edit: I just remembered ID3TagIt is sometimes hard to find. Try http://download.cnet.com/ID3-TagIT/3...-10544467.html
ID3 tags are irrelevant as far as creating a playable disc. They are only used for displaying the Title/Artist/Album. They must be version 1.x and not the more current 2.x version. Version 1.x ID3 tags are physically limited by the protocol to 30 characters. It is impossible to create a tag that is too long. If you try the software will automatically truncate the tag. Version 2.x tags are unlimited in length. You can, however, have both version 1.x and 2.x tags in the same file. So if you see more than 30 characters you are looking at version 2.x tags that won't display in the car. You need a program designed to show both tags to be sure you have the right version in the files.
The manual is wrong when it says you can use VBR (Variable Bit Rate) files. Yes, it will play them but with errors. Sometimes the song will quit early and you will not be able to fast forward or reverse consistently.
The free programs you need to quickly and easily create MP3s that work every time are:
- Exact Audio Copy (with L.A.M.E.) to rip the music from CDs.
- A.F.5 to manipulate filenames in groups although this isn't needed with a combination of ID3TagIt and Media Monkey below.
- ID3TagIt to create the ID3 tags and also manipulate the filenames.
- Media Monkey to create the disc.
Edit: I just remembered ID3TagIt is sometimes hard to find. Try http://download.cnet.com/ID3-TagIT/3...-10544467.html
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
After performing the MP3 update, MP3 files, when selecting them through a list, were displayed by their actual file name. Albeit in ISO 9660 format (underscores instead of blank spaces, etc.).
When I had an issue with my NAV and had it replace under warranty, the new NAV seems to be reading the ID3 tag and using that information for the track listing.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Well I guess that all depends if your music is tagged or not.
After performing the MP3 update, MP3 files, when selecting them through a list, were displayed by their actual file name. Albeit in ISO 9660 format (underscores instead of blank spaces, etc.).
When I had an issue with my NAV and had it replace under warranty, the new NAV seems to be reading the ID3 tag and using that information for the track listing.
After performing the MP3 update, MP3 files, when selecting them through a list, were displayed by their actual file name. Albeit in ISO 9660 format (underscores instead of blank spaces, etc.).
When I had an issue with my NAV and had it replace under warranty, the new NAV seems to be reading the ID3 tag and using that information for the track listing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Yes, if you only have version 2.x tags and no version 1.x tags in the files, it can get confusing. If you create tags that it can read it shows them as it plays them.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,825
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I appreciate the other responses with the suggestions, but the bottom line, it shouldn't have to be this way!Bought a new Jeep. Has a hard drive AND a cool iPod connector. All the info I can't get on the Corvette, shows up on the Jeep. No change in files. Same data inputed. Jeep doesn't give a hoot about anything I ID'd. Reads it. Corvette? NO!
Now, if I had a several year old Corvette, I wouldn't compare it to a 2011 Jeep. But I have a 2010 Corvette.
Jeep was twenty grand less than my Corvette. GM, are you listening?
Where do you want to spend your money? On the stuff that makes a car one of the top performing vehicles in the world or on something that doesn't really matter when you have your right foot to the floor, the wind blowing through your hair and the speedo is pointing at a number well north of 130?
I sure hope GM keeps listening to people like me and others who like to run our cars hard and enjoy the power of the vehicle and not people who don't seem to know what the car is built for.
Bill