[zenren]

I purchased a very compact Sandisk pendrive a few months back. From last month, I've noticed that it shuts down all of a sudden while playing songs from the USB. I can switch it on and it would start playing again. Even if I seek to the song where it crashed the first time, usually it plays that song without issues next time but would crash at some other song next time around.

I tried formatting the USB and re-loading the songs. It worked fine without any issues for some time but after that, it started showing the same issues again since yesterday.

Any idea what could be the issue? Is it a compatibility issue with the pen drive or is there something wrong with the HU?

USB make/model: Sandisk CZ15 (8GB)
Sample item:
http://www.ebay.in/itm/SanDisk-CZ15-...item43d107b996

I have a 6 year old Sony CDX-GT460US HU.

[nfsfreak]

Originally Posted by zenren

Any idea what could be the issue? Is it a compatibility issue with the pen drive or is there something wrong with the HU?

USB make/model: Sandisk CZ15 (8GB)
Sample item:
http://www.ebay.in/itm/SanDisk-CZ15-...item43d107b996

I have a 6 year old Sony CDX-GT460US HU.

What is the filesystem format of pendrive? NTFS or FAT32?

It would be better if you try formatting the pendrive to FAT32 with File Allocation Size as 4096 (some HUs will find it difficult to read bigger file allocation size).

[zenren]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

What is the filesystem format of pendrive? NTFS or FAT32?

It would be better if you try formatting the pendrive to FAT32 with File Allocation Size as 4096 (some HUs will find it difficult to read bigger file allocation size).

It is FAT32, I don't think most old USB HUs even recognize NTFS format. It would just give device error if I'm not mistaken.

Allocation size is currently 4kB. Would it help if I bring it down to 2kB, or anything <=4kB is immaterial?

[nfsfreak]

Originally Posted by zenren

It is FAT32, I don't think most old USB HUs even recognize NTFS format. It would just give device error if I'm not mistaken.

Allocation size is currently 4kB. Would it help if I bring it down to 2kB, or anything <=4kB is immaterial?

4KB allocation size should be fine (that is the default, actually) and as you said old HUs (even some newer ones) would have trouble reading NTFS formats.

It could be bad sectors on the drive then, if it is already formatted with FAT32 and the allocation size is 4 KB.

• You can try running chkdsk on the pendrive. Go to command prompt (start -> run -> cmd)
  
• run the following command and see if you are getting any errors:
  chkdsk <DriveLetter>
  
• if you see any errors, run the same command with /f switch:
  chkdsk <DriveLetter> /f

That should fix the bad sectors if any, and then your pendrive should work normally.

If that doesn't work, then try formatting using a tool called guiformat.exe with allocation size as 4 KB.

[Intrepidspy]

I just got a Scandisk Ultra USB 3.0 32GB (image attached) its Fat32 Formatted.

I have a Pioneer System in my car with the following specifications in the service manual:
Pioneer (DVH-3290UB/XNID ; DVH-3250UB/xnri)
USB standard specification:
USB 2.0 full speed
Maximum current supply .... 500 mA
File system....FAT16, FAT32
MP3 decoding format ...MPEG-1 & 2 Audio Layer 3
WMA decoding format ...Ver. 7, 7.1, 8, 9, 10, 11 (2ch audio)
(Windows Media Player)
AAC decoding format...MPEG-4 AAC (iTunes encoded only) (.m4a) (Ver. 8.2 and earlier)

Problem:

I am trying to play mp3 audio. The drive is detected but the tracks play in a fast forward mode (skipping a few lines)

Assumption:
1. The system cannot play 3.0 USB (but again the drive is backward compatible & can work as a 2.0 )
2. Drive size (32GB) is too large (but again it plays tracks without error but in FF mode)

Now, Has any of you faced a similar problem? Any Suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[sheldon4888]

@Intrepidspy: I faced the same problem with a san disk pen drive the tiny model that too USB 3.0 tried formatting and other options but faced the same problem. Guess its some issue with format.
Can any one help?

[navdeep]

I think most of HU have issues playing on USB3.0. Capacity will not be an issue.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by navdeep

I think most of HU have issues playing on USB3.0. Capacity will not be an issue.

None of the HU's support USB 3.0, as higher read rates are not necessary for playing back music / video. All of them support USB 2.0 or lower pendrives. Pendrives with 3.0 pinout work in 2.0 mode when connected to HUs.

[navdeep]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

None of the HU's support USB 3.0, as higher read rates are not necessary for playing back music / video. All of them support USB 2.0 or lower pendrives. Pendrives with 3.0 pinout work in 2.0 mode when connected to HUs.

Most people are buying 3.0 because of size without considering compatibility with HU.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by navdeep

Most people are buying 3.0 because of size without considering compatibility with HU.

Nothing to worry. They are 'backward compatible' with HUs with USB2.0. Only if both sides are 3.0 capable do 3.0 pendrives work at higher read speeds. The connectors are different (3.0 has extra pins where 2.0 had empty space), so no confusion.

[sheldon4888]

Looking at the suggestions its better to stay with USB 2.0 for now there is a model in San disk which is small enough and USB 2.0 have got the same now.

[DwarkaDelhiWala]

I've been using 8GB Verbatim Store 'n' Go car audio drive each in my Honda city and Innova. Used to have one or other issue with other pen drives.

The Store 'n' Go is designed for use in the car. Its low-profile design doesn’t protrude from dashboard. It's not much more than a USB plug, and that's the point: It's meant to be loaded up with music, plugged into a USB-equipped sound system, and left there. Only the black plastic of the plug and the white Verbatim logo will remind you of its presence. Removing the drive may be the most difficult part, as the small plastic end doesn't give you much to grip. The tiny drive comes with no software beyond the basic plug-and-play drivers, and comes preformatted in FAT32. It's compatible with not only all Windows and Mac operating systems, but also with the stripped-down WinCE and Linux used in many stereos.

[Intrepidspy]

Since the drive itself is backward compatible the HU should not have a problem playing the file formats (mostly mp3) in normal speed.

Also, I have tested my Kingston 2GB (USB 2.0) pen drive and the same music plays perfect.
I assume this will soon catch up with new buyers since thy will be buying 3.0 drives.
Has anyone found a solution to this unique problem of fast forwarding music using USB 3.0?

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by Intrepidspy

... Has anyone found a solution to this unique problem of fast forwarding music using USB 3.0?

Did not understand connection between FF and USB3.0. FF is an internal function on HU, which accesses more of the file (beyond the buffer it holds) whenever the new frame start (e.g. due to FF) is beyond buffer.

Could you elaborate, please?

[Intrepidspy]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Did not understand connection between FF and USB3.0. FF is an internal function on HU, which accesses more of the file (beyond the buffer it holds) whenever the new frame start (e.g. due to FF) is beyond buffer.

Could you elaborate, please?

By FF I mean that a normal mp3 song when accessed through a 3.0 USB (32GB) on the HU will play by missing a few lines then again play a few lines normally and then again skip a few lines. this goes on...


Hope i could explain the actual scenario.