(2) I tried the 'mix' functionality. It only selects from music in the current folder, but there is an option in the setup screen to include sub-folders as well. When I tried 'mix' in a folder with sub-folders, it randomly included songs in the sub-folders in amongst the others, i.e. it didn't play all of one sub-folder before moving on. However to get this to work you need to start the mix at the top level folder - if you're already in a sub-folder when you start 'mix', it will only play that folder. Tonight I'm going to try putting one song at the top level of the card so that if I hit 'mix' whilst playing that track it will hopefully randomly play from everything on the card - I'll report back if that works!

Well I tried out this idea, and it kind of works, but suffers from the Bolero's "interesting" definition of random.

Once you hit 'mix' on a track at the top level, it then plays a random track from the first folder, then a random track from the second folder, and so on, playing one track from each folder in alphabetical order! It does 'mix it up' a little, in that occasionally it will play 2 or even 3 tracks from the folder before moving on, but it always moves on to the next folder alphabetically.

So you do get a bit of variety, but it's somewhat predictable and definitely not random!

Well I tried out this idea, and it kind of works, but suffers from the Bolero's "interesting" definition of random.

Once you hit 'mix' on a track at the top level, it then plays a random track from the first folder, then a random track from the second folder, and so on, playing one track from each folder in alphabetical order! It does 'mix it up' a little, in that occasionally it will play 2 or even 3 tracks from the folder before moving on, but it always moves on to the next folder alphabetically.

So you do get a bit of variety, but it's somewhat predictable and definitely not random!

So they've fixed the speed issue and destroyed what worked of the random feature then.... It gets better

Nuff Said...

I would too, IF it did things properly. As it can't, I use MDI + Ipod.

i think you'll find I was only answering your comment about the size/storage In which case I stand by my comment that a few SD cards would be much more convenient to me than an Ipod on a lead for using in the car through a functional Bolero

Its very difficult to have a conversation about something if you move the goalposts halfway through!

Sorry, been up since 3am!

Did I miss something?

Yep - I had an MDI interface specced as an aftermarket purely on the threads slating the Bolero's access speed (or lack thereof), but after sticking a 4GB SD card in and it taking a few seconds to fire up and play, I was more than impressed and have canned the idea of an MDI.

I have just received the manual for the bolero - so will be playing around with it - there must be a way to obtain the firmware version.. If I find out, will post it here.

I was thinking of upgrading to a Columbus sometime - but if there is an access speed issue on this, I might just stick with this one and buy a Tom Tom..

That's the annoying thing - there's NO problem with the Columbus SD card at all!

So, any further info on whether it might be possible to flash the new Bolero firmware onto older units?

This is a good little web site for things like SD cards etc - 7dayshop.com (SDHC section)

Amazon currently have 16gb SDHC (class 4) cards for £17.99.

That's the annoying thing - there's NO problem with the Columbus SD card at all!

HEAR HEAR. I think its terrific.

dill

Amazon currently have 16gb SDHC (class 4) cards for £17.99.

A link - ByteStor 16GB SDHC Class 4 Memory Card £17.99

I have just received the manual for the bolero - so will be playing around with it - there must be a way to obtain the firmware version.. If I find out, will post it here.

Actually it is VERY easy to find the firmware version...

Just enter the SECRET MENU on the Bolero...

Push the setup button and keep pushing it

First you will get to a menu with a fm and a am button.

DONT let go of the setup button.

Then you will enter THE SECRET MENU, where the first menu item is: version info.

There you can see SW version and HW version :0)

Btw: my info on the bolero is:

HW index: 009

SW index: 0053

SW version: 08.11 / 0801

Bootloader version: 01.02

Edited 21 July, 201015 yr by MartinKaer

Actually it is VERY easy to find the firmware version...

Just enter the SECRET MENU on the Bolero...

Push the setup button and keep pushing it

First you will get to a menu with a fm and a am button.

DONT let go of the setup button.

Then you will enter THE SECRET MENU, where the first menu item is: version info.

There you can see SW version and HW version :0)

Btw: my info on the bolero is:

HW index: 009

SW index: 0053

SW version: 08.11 / 0801

Bootloader version: 01.02

Nope - pushed the SETUP button, got into the Radio Service menu - kept pushing the button and nothing else happened.

Any ideas?

Nope - pushed the SETUP button, got into the Radio Service menu - kept pushing the button and nothing else happened.

Any ideas?

+1

+1

Just tried again with a stopwatch.

Kept pushing the the setup for 10 secs. And then came the menu

I tried for a lot longer than that and only got as far as the radio menu.

Do you mean press & hold? Will have a look at mine tomorrow as the sd card reading is painfullly slow. Would be interesting to know the firmware version of the units that read the sd card quickly to see if the dealer can do an update!

I've bought and filled a 32Gig Class 10 SD card in readiness for the arrival of my Bolero equipped Octavia next week.

I'll report back soon

Does the secret menu need unlocking via VAG COM like the Columbus?

Actually it is VERY easy to find the firmware version...

Just enter the SECRET MENU on the Bolero...

Push the setup button and keep pushing it

First you will get to a menu with a fm and a am button.

DONT let go of the setup button.

Then you will enter THE SECRET MENU, where the first menu item is: version info.

This does not work on my Bolero. My car was built around October 2009.

After reading this post i asked my dealer if the firmware was "upgradeable". He said no as the newer Bolero units were physically different to the older units with the slower SD read speed.

Well,

If your basic dvd player at home can have a firmware upgrade done via loading the bios flash on a cd and stick it into the player then surely the Bolero would have a similar system?

anyone know who actually makes the Bolero??

I just spoke to the Service Manager at my dealer (whom I trust) and he checked and said that there are no upgrades showing for my car and that if Skoda do release an upgrade it will be automatically loaded on my next service. He is going to ask Skoda Australia if they know anything.

I suspect as mentioned above that it may be something that requires a new Bolero unit to resolve. It could quite well be a hardware issue (SD card read speed for example) rather than a firmware or BIOS issue.

IIRC - I believe it's made by Blaupunkt, whereas the Columbus is made by VDO Continental (formally Siemens VDO).