Old Car Head Unit - Unable to Play MP3s

tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:13
Last edited 07/08/2023 - 10:38

So I recently purchased an old Holden Rodeo ute (1998). It's had an aftermarket Sony CDX-R3300S head unit. No bluetooth :( but it does support MP3 CDs. Except the ones I've burned don't work. Audio CDs I've burned work fine.

Possibly the unit is faulty but wondering if there is some trick to this. I remember burning MP3 CDs back in the day but TBH can't really remember if there was a trick or specific settings. Found the manual online but no real help.

This from the manual:

Notes on discs
You can play MP3 files recorded on CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs. The disc must be in the ISO 9660 1 level 1 or level 2 format, or Joliet or Romeo in the
expansion format. You can use a disc recorded in Multi Session 2.

Thoughts/suggestions?

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried again with CDBurnerXP (free) and it gave the option of ISO9660 or UDF. Burned on lowest speed an voila it works!

Automotive Car Audio Head Unit

Comments

  • ESEMCE on 07/08/2023 - 09:25
    +2

    The disc must be in the ISO 9660 1 level 1 or level 2 format, or Joliet or Romeo in the expansion format.

    Have you done this?

    and does the disc play in a PC or in another device that might be less picky than Sony gear (ie was the actual burn successful?)

    • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:31

      I'm not sure. It definitely works in a PC but I'm not sure of the format. The burner software I used had "mp3 cd" as an option.

      • pjetson on 07/08/2023 - 09:44

        The burner software I used

        What software did you use?

    • HeWhoKnows on 08/08/2023 - 20:10

      Some advice from by-gone days
      Do not burn at maximum speed
      Burn at much slower spped - maybe at 10x or 12x
      You get a better burn result
      Try burning 1 MP3 disk at 10x and see if that works

  • geekcohen on 07/08/2023 - 09:29
    +6

    Option 1 - Replace the after-market head unit with something better that does have Bluetooth? Should be a straight swap as long as you get the size right.
    Option 2 - Find the trick on burning in the right format. I know what you mean, there is a trick but its been a long long time since I've had to do it.

    • Euphemistic on 07/08/2023 - 09:32

      Option 3: listen to the radio.
      Option 4: set it up for aux in.

      TBH if i didn’t listen to the radio much and wanted to listen to my selection of tunes I’d be buying a new head unit.

      • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:37

        The stupid thing doesn't have AUX. I was going to just add one of those BT to AUX adapters.

        Radio signal is pretty crap around the Hawkesbury. Fine with my main car.

        I'll see if I can find some sw to burn in ISO 9660 format. If that fails I'll change the unit I'm thinking.

          • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:55
            +1

            @Qazxswec: I think I'd be better off just replacing the head unit with a low end unit.

            • RockyRaccoon on 07/08/2023 - 13:14

              @tonydav: I bought one like this. for $20+ (this one is cheaper $17+)

              Its radio, and Bluetooth, with SD card slot in built microphone and a few more. Used it in the old ute today with waze, music and handsfree phone calls . Light as and relatively easy to fit if you have some electronic skills like cutting wires from existing harness and wiring it. Speakers and power cables. Just google your utes wiring diagram.

              Even has remote NO CD/DVD player - you store your music on the SD card

              https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/394546898586?hash=item5bdcd3e69a…

            • coxjon on 07/08/2023 - 16:20

              @tonydav: You should get another Sony so you don't need to mess around with wiring harnesses, just plug and play.

    • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:33

      Exactly my thinking. There's some pretty cheap units on Ebay that would do the job. The ute is really just to take to golf, tip runs, loan out etc. I don't drive it much but it's a bit painful listening to the same 18 songs on the music cd. #firstworldproblems lol

  • JimmyF on 07/08/2023 - 09:30
    +1

    Thoughts/suggestions?

    Burn the disc correct.

    Ensure the MP3 files are in the right codec/bitrate.

    • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:34
      -1

      So how would you suggest I ensure it's correct? The software I used only had the option "mp3 cd". The burn worked but there was no option for ISO 9660 etc.

      • Protractor on 07/08/2023 - 10:02
        +3

        If your software can't tell you the details you need to know,(hard to believe) then it's not the right software for the job. Sack it. Employ another one

      • JimmyF on 07/08/2023 - 10:09

        Check the properties of your mp3 files for the bitrate etc Windows will tell you this, right click properties. Is it within spec of what the head unit plans? Try a pretty generic low bitrate like 128.

        Do the files have a extension of .MP3 as per the manual?

        No bluetooth

        Or just give up and buy a new headunit that supports this if you want it. They are generally under $200.

  • try2bhelpful on 07/08/2023 - 09:36
    +1

    https://superuser.com/questions/987292/why-wont-a-mp3-cd-pla…).

    This website has some ideas. It has been a while since I burnt a CD, our Merc’s unit seems to be a similar vintage to your unit, but the closing of the CD seemed to be the one I fell over.

  • SnowDragon on 07/08/2023 - 09:40

    What software are you using? That could be part of the problem.

    If you don't want to spend hours burning CDs, grab a Bluetooth FM Transmitter for $5-10.

    • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:44

      I'm trying CDBurnerXP as that specifically mentions ISO 9660.

      If this fails I think I'll just replace the headunit.

      I tried a BT-FM transmitter years ago and didn't have much luck - had to keep trying different frequencies due to local stations. Are they better now?

      • SnowDragon on 07/08/2023 - 09:48
        +1

        I've been using a transmitter for the last 7 years or so.

        I just have it set to 88.5 or something - whatever the lowest frequency my radio can go to. It's quite rare I come across any other broadcasts, and if I do it only lasts a few seconds as I pass the area.

        • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 09:49

          That might be worth a try then. What's the unit you have?

          • SnowDragon on 07/08/2023 - 10:13
            +2

            @tonydav: No longer available according to Aliexpress. Got it in Nov 2016!

            But it looks exactly like this - my pickup/hangup buttons skip and go back songs though - this one may not. I assume they mostly all work the same though - maybe just a different accented voice saying "pairing" and "connected!" lol.

      • Gunnar on 07/08/2023 - 12:01
        +1

        Yeah much better now. I used to use one 10 years ago which sucked. The one I have now that I got from Amazon and it is a lot better quality (I'd probably look at Temu for one though, same junk but rebranded on amazon but a lot cheaper).

        I've got my second car that has a single DIN headunit with no aux port that only plays MP3 CDs - I feel your pain. I would have to hack the car to put in anything other than a single DIN in there never mind that any screen would be straight infant of the gear stick

        This is my amazon one (but get something that looks like this from Temu - you can also use it for calls but it's crappy):
        https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08L3WX26S/ref=ppx_yo_d…

    • AdamFury on 07/08/2023 - 16:23

      +1 to the FM Transmitter recommendation. There are some great models out there. Personally, I'd grab something by Basues. I have reccommended them to a lot of family who drive older vehicles and have used them without issue.

      Something like this is great because it also gives you a set of controls. This is more slimline without controls. This one gives you a type c charger.

  • deme on 07/08/2023 - 09:55

    Can you try with a single file called a.mp3 (no folders)

  • Drakesy on 07/08/2023 - 10:27
    +1

    Aliexpress - new headunit, new wiring harness about 1 hour and 1 youtube video and voila.

    • Mechz on 07/08/2023 - 10:55
      +1

      Or just get one from Supercheap and wire it up in 10 minutes yourself.

  • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 10:38
    +4

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried again with CDBurnerXP (free) and it gave the option of ISO9660 or UDF. Burned on lowest speed an voila it works!

  • Montyjpm on 07/08/2023 - 10:59
    +2

    Make sure you burn the disc and close the session/disc. Use Mode 1 ISO and do not overburn. Use Nero portable or the old Nero should be fine. Try different blank cd brand to see if it will help. I've used to use TY to TDK.

  • prisonmike on 07/08/2023 - 15:08

    Have you tried burning the Old Car ahead Unit yet? Nah seriously burn it and install a portable Bluetooth speakers instead.

    • tonydav on 07/08/2023 - 15:16

      Funny I have had the portable speaker with me. The unit also plays up. But actually has good sound when it works correctly.

  • CandyMan on 07/08/2023 - 15:43

    If it has a cassette player you can also try a BT cassette adapter
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QSW6KNY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie…

  • lyl-Lychee on 09/08/2023 - 14:08

    Op if upgrading the head unit is out of question, you could instead hijack the radio with a FM transmitter. Interference is hit/miss depending where you're driving, but it's a much cheaper trade-off than changing the head. And less annoying than having to always burn new CDs.
    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/bluetooth-fm-car-transmitte…

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