Want CD player for new truck

Gdetrailer wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:


my solution was to import all my CD's to Itunes. From there they also then went to Google play (now gone) but I also from Itunes arranged them into playlists and then copied everything to a USB stick. Now at least on all my vehicles (4) the format from Itunes lets the car radio see them as playlists, or to select by artist, album, genra, etc. and then play them.

Or just put them on a ipod (get an older one from ebay) with enough storage (64Gb)

For me, I had to do some selecting for the IPOD route, I need about 300GB of storage for everything, but the USB memory stick worked fine for all my music.

One thing is that on my vehicles on first insertion of the USB memory stick it took several minutes before I could start selecting music, probably the time it took the radio to sort all the data out to display.

I DON'T do anything "i" brand related, that means no "i" phone, no "i" pad, no "i" mac, period.

Besides, the ONLY way you will get those to work is going to be through the BT adapter on the radio, a pretty hokey at best round about way to get your music fix.

I prefer the more direct route without the "i" tax price tag and lack of universal compatibility of the "i" products.

Not everyone is fully convinced of "i" products superiority.

Even just the simple act of sending a jpg photo from a non "i" product to a friend of mine that owns a "i" product results in total failure. He can't get my photos and I can't get his photos.. To me, that is an epic failure.

My friend went with "i" products because he couldn't figure out how to properly setup music files on a generic MP3 player, but in doing so has isolated himself to only those others that own "i" products.

Works great if you really want to live on island.. The "i" product company started life with 100% proprietary parts and software and they have continued on that road all their lives while the entire world has passed them by.. The only thing that salvaged that co was the invention of the "i"pad..

I'm not an "I" fan either, but
(1) Itunes is free and works just fine on a windows computer

(2) I've never had to use bluetooth to connect an Ipod to the radio head unit in a car, and I've used it in dozens of cars of various brands, just plug it in through the USB port. you CAN use Bluetooth if you want but is NOT necessary.

(3) you don't need an I pod. just rip the CD's to Itunes then transfer them to a USB memory stick from I tunes, plug the stick in the vehicle and on all my vehicles the head unit will show the albums, artists, playlists, genra's etc. scroll through and pick what you want.

(4) I have the Ipod in the car mostly for a convenient way to listen to my music elsewhere or if DW wants to listen to other music with headphones while we are traveling. Not necessary but comes in handy.

I have had not so favorable experiences with some of the generic MP3 players I've tried, but that was a decade or more ago. transferring files problems, compatability with other head units, lack of ability to control the MP3 player from the head unit etc. So I bit the bullet and bought an older generation IPOD on ebay.

Gdetrailer wrote:

Kavoom wrote:

RoyF wrote:
I'm excited about my 2021 Ford F350 diesel, but it has no CD player. I suppose that only old folks listen to CDs, but that's what we like to do.

I have the Lariat entertainment system with a USB input, but do NOT have SYNC. I'll see what my local automobile stereo store has, but I welcome a suggestion.

Yes on a suggestion... I have NOT been able to find a decent substitute for a CD. I'm actually about to learn how to create digital versions of my CD's it is so frustrating. Imagine having to learn how to use new tech to replace the OLD new tech... And don't even get me started on the bluetooth...I'll used the darn cord...

And imagine, they had CD's down... I could put five in at one time and get to all the songs in my 07 Subaru easy peasy and now they don't even put on in the car and the OEM ordered one only holds one with little programability. Grrr.. I can't even get Android Auto to work half the time... Grrr

Follow my suggestions on how to properly put the files on the USB drive.

Do not just place all the files on the "root" of the USB drive.

Instead you use a folder for each album.

This separates and groups the files for each album ripped.

Then your radio will have the option to play just that folder (just like playing only one CD at a time) or you can set to play all files (like a multiple CD changer) or you can set to random play (like a juke box).

Thanks, will do... Just an old fart needing to rant about technology...

From the OP: I have learned quite a bit since my original post. I'm using iTunes to convert my CDs to AAC format.

I like to listen to classical music, which needs to be organized by composer (rather than by song title). So after copying the iTunes files to a flash drive, I create new folders (directories) and organize them to my own liking.

So I have a Puccini folder, which contains a Tosca folder, which contains a Callas folder, which contains the folders created by iTunes. (One Itunes folder per CD. Most operas require two, three, or four CDs.)

To find what I want on my flash drive, I use the command EXPLORE DEVICE. That displays the folders (directories) at the top level. From there I can go down the chain, just like on a computer. So, if I want the Milanov version of Tosca, I go to Puccini, to Tosca, to Milanov. Then PLAY ALL.

I use to make copies of my original CDs and keep the copy in my truck to prevent the original from getting damaged. My new truck does not have a CD player so I copied many of my CDs to a USB drive and plug the drive into a USB port in my truck. Now I don't have a stack of CDs in my truck (clutter). I have 43 CDs on my USB drive. I also checkout audio books on CD from my library and copy them to a separate USB drive I keep all of my audio books on.

I have also copied many of my old LPs to a USB drive and paly my old LPs in my truck.