Making an MP3 CD for my Volkswagen..

[chaoticjelly]

Having trouble making an MP3 CD for my Volkswagen. I was wondering if anyone could please offer some advice as to how to burn it, utilising something like Nero Burning ROM.

I have an "RCD 200" radio and yes it definitely does MP3 CD's..

I have read the manual of course which doesn't really offer much help on the actual creation of the MP3 CD.. and only offers the following scant information;

"Requirements of the MP3 CD"

- Supported media: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW with a capacity of 650MB and 700MB.
- The CD must comply with the ISO 9660 Level 2 standard of the Joliet file system (single-session and multi-session).
- The maximum number of files per CD is restricted to 512 files (max. 255 files in a folder).
- The maximum number of folders per CD is limited to 255 folders on a maximum number of 8 levels.
- File names are restricted to 64 characters.

So basically I have tried altering the file system in Nero a couple of times under the burning settings, dragged a few MP3's onto the CD and burned.. but both times I tried it, the CD player beeped and came up with "CD-ROM" on the LCD display, and refused to play the MP3 CD and ejected it!

Before you say I should use an ipod or something.. I don't own one, and there doesn't seem to be any "audio in" anywhere!

Please someone help me!

[Cobertizo]

When you say you tried altering the file system in Nero a few times, what options have you tried? I would imagine that the default would be fine actually, but then I haven't used Nero for a few years.

As an aside, if you happen to use iTunes, then that has a very easy option for burning MP3 CDs. (WMP may too, but I don't use it...)

But what type/brand of disc are you using? Often the biggest issue with CDRs is the fact that players can be fussy about which ones they like... If you can try a different type, that could help you work out whether it is the issue. And try burning at as low a speed as possible, since sometimes that helps compatibility too.

[chaoticjelly]

Hi, I *think* that I tried the default.. and I also tried altering to something like what the manual describes.. but no joy..

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an option to reset to default? So I'm not sure what the defaults are either..

Hmm nah, I don't use iTunes..

The discs are white "Datawrite" CD-R's manufactured by "Datasafe". Only cheapies. I did burn at 8x too.. which is the lowest speed that my writer can do.. I always burn at this speed if I can wait..

[Cobertizo]

From what you've said, I would try getting hold of a different brand of CDR from somewhere, and trying one of those. Cheapie CDRs are often more than fine, but it may be that your particular head unit isn't very forgiving about what it will accept...

[dannywhac]

Have you tried just using 'Nero StartSmart' the user friendly front-end for Nero - just open that up, click cd, and then click 'data cd'? That should burn a compatible disc (done one for me friends car before with an old cd player n' it worked fine).

[briareos_kerensky]

Try these options when burning: under the ISO tab, data mode 1, ISO 9660 + joliet, name length 8+3, charset ISO 9660, remove all checks under the "restriction" menu; under multisession, no multisession.
This will create a very standard CD, I would be surprised if the radio CD won't play it. If it doesn't try to change the name length to max. 31 characters, this will force Joilet level 2, but it's the first time I heard of a radio only playing such CDs.

[chaoticjelly]

Meh.. I tried some more different settings last night, went for a drive, and the CD still didn't work..

Popped it in, beeps and comes up "CD-ROM" ejects the disc, then comes up with a message "LEARN" - WTF? learn??? Possibly my radio/cd player is sentient?

Here are my settings in Nero on the "ISO" tab (no multisession);

Data mode: Mode 1

File

File system: ISO 9660 + Joliet
File name length (ISO): Max. of 31 chars (Level 2)
Character set (ISO): ISO 9660 (standard ISO CD-ROM)

Relax restrictions:

I think I checked the first two boxes..

Sucks only being able to listen to the radio..

[chaoticjelly]

Just rang VW customer services, and they wouldn't tell me anything / provide any advice "as they couldn't look at it" - surely they can't look at anything anyone rings up about?

Anyway I did a few google searches and it came up that there are two versions and it seems this headunit is the NON-MP3 version, contrary to the manual!

Bloomin' eck!

The only thingy I can see on eBay is from China, looks a pain to install, and costs about 80 quids!

[charlesr]

I've used Nero to do mp3 cds and the default settings all work fine. i.e. Nero Express/music/jukebox audio cd

Can you buy a new headunit? The standard one is probably ****e anyway.

[Edame]

Have you tried looking at a connects2 adapter? I installed one in my old seat ibiza to give me a phono input though the pre-installed cd changer wiring. Mine was a basic aux input kit (so I could use different players) but it looks like they now do all kinds of versions (ipod specific etc).