USB Hardrive

[marcvaf]

Hi ,

I was thinking of getting a portable USB harddrisk to put all my music on, I have the standard RCD310 which comes with the SE with the usb/ipod leads.

Does anyone know what the maximum capacity that the stereo can play?

Was even thinking something like a 60GB unit, has any one has any experience of using a portable harddrive in terms of time to flick through songs/albums or are there any restrictions.

thanks

[james_tiger_woo]

I can't comment on restrictions, but if this 60Gb drive is a proper spindle type device, I'd think twice about it - I have a 30gb Video ipod that usually lives in the car. When it's been left in the cold, it doesn't work - I can't imagine for a second it's doing it any good...

A quick google suggests that as long as the drive format is correct (FAT, I think), then it should be ok - one forum fella had a 320gb drive working ok.

Me, I'd consider a 32gb solid state USB key - or equivalent.

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9494 is another link - but this is with a 500Gb drive.

[marcvaf]

Thanks for link i will take a look . Cheers :)


I can't comment on restrictions, but if this 60Gb drive is a proper spindle type device, I'd think twice about it - I have a 30gb Video ipod that usually lives in the car. When it's been left in the cold, it doesn't work - I can't imagine for a second it's doing it any good...

A quick google suggests that as long as the drive format is correct (FAT, I think), then it should be ok - one forum fella had a 320gb drive working ok.

Me, I'd consider a 32gb solid state USB key - or equivalent.

Rcd310, MDI and external hard drives - VW GTI MKVI Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVI Forum / VW GTI Forum - Golfmk6.com (http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9494) is another link - but this is with a 500Gb drive.

[Keithuk]

I don't know why you want a 60GB drive I use a 4GB flash drive on my RCD310 and that has 310 tracks on it and its only half full. An external drive is going to be big so you need somewhere to store it, plus they take more power to drive it.

Volkswagen Media Device Interface (MDI) Specifications (http://www.my-gti.com/443/volkswagen-media-device-interface-mdi-specifications)

[SC03OTT]

Because if the OP is like me, they'll change their mind every five minutes about what music they want in the car? And I can't be bothered whipping out a USB flag drive, starting my laptop and finding what I want etc etc.

USB "passport" drives are not that big either (clue is in the name).

Operating temp might be an issue though, as pointed out. A quick Google suggests that operating temps are from 5°C, with storage temps from -20°C.

[Keithuk]

USB "passport" drives are not that big either (clue is in the name).

Passport drives are still big compared with flash drives. If the OP whats one then get one.

[Keir]

Did you guys have any luck with this?
USB hard drive would need to be powered so that might be an issue, I had an old kenwood unit that it worked fine with.

[J400uk]

Keep meaning to try out a hard drive in mine. Can't see why it wouldn't work with the MDI to USB adaptor as this provides power. Plenary of space in the armrest for storage.

[Teflon]

I've got a 64GB 2.5" SATA SSD drive in one of my cars with a USB-SATA cable plugged in and it has all the music I'll ever need. For the other, I've just ordered a 64Gb USB flash drive for the princely sum of about £15 and will copy the same music on to it.

Don't bother with normal disc type 2.5" drives like out of a laptop- they need too much current.

[Keir]

Any recomendations?
£15 seem nothing for easy of use.

[lucid]

For anyone still interested in this I've been using a 500GB western Digital passport drive on mine with the MDI id usb since 2010. Formatted to FAT32. Of that i reckon its got about 150GB on it. My MDI is in the glove box not the arm rest. The dealer fitted it there as VW forgot to fit the armrest and MDI when i bought the car. I did have the dealers fit a set of USB leads to the armrest but the lead run is too long and it used to cut out a lot. It does sometimes take a fair while to spin up and get recognised maybe 5 min or so but then works ok. I have mine velcroed into the glove box so it doesn't fly about. my connector is micro USB (USB2) but I would suggest getting a USB3 one. It will be quicker to copy your music over and the connection is more sturdy and less likely to pop out when you're driving. Large format memory sticks can now be bought fairly reasonable so I will eventually replace it with a 256GB USB3 flash stick instead.