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Questions for Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex users

richardgregory
in Skoda Fabia Mk2 (2007-2014)

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I'm getting a bit confused as to what the best option is for me with the MDI on the Fabia vRS I have on order.

Originally I intended to get the ipod lead for my iphone until I learnt that this wouldn't work whilst the iphone was connected to the cars bluetooth, so i switched my attention to a hard drive (specifically the Seagate FreeAgent that I know a lot of you are using) which seemed to be the best solution as I could carry all my music with me and not have to worry about unplugging my phone all the time.

However, I was reading on another thread that only mp3's and wma's would work through the MDI on an external drive. All my music is on itunes in AAC format (.m4a) so this would be a big problem, is it right? The MDI compatibility chart downloaded from the skoda website ( https://mediaportal.skoda-auto.com/resource/documentation/manuals/en/Device/MDI/MDI_2011.pdf ) implies that multiple formats are playable through any external device so can someone with a Seagate confirm which is right? I'm planning on putting some tracks on a flashdrive to take to the dealer in the hope he has a spare usb lead (and a vRS!) to try it out for myself but any advise in the meantime would be greatly received.

Also, has everyone got the usb lead for the Seagate or has anyone chosen the mini-usb instead? I would prefer the mini-usb to reduce the length of cable that would need to be tucked out of the way but want to know that it will work.

Thanks!

I'm getting a bit confused as to what the best option is for me with the MDI on the Fabia vRS I have on order.

Originally I intended to get the ipod lead for my iphone until I learnt that this wouldn't work whilst the iphone was connected to the cars bluetooth, so i switched my attention to a hard drive (specifically the Seagate FreeAgent that I know a lot of you are using) which seemed to be the best solution as I could carry all my music with me and not have to worry about unplugging my phone all the time.

However, I was reading on another thread that only mp3's and wma's would work through the MDI on an external drive. All my music is on itunes in AAC format (.m4a) so this would be a big problem, is it right? The MDI compatibility chart downloaded from the skoda website ( https://mediaportal.skoda-auto.com/resource/documentation/manuals/en/Device/MDI/MDI_2011.pdf ) implies that multiple formats are playable through any external device so can someone with a Seagate confirm which is right? I'm planning on putting some tracks on a flashdrive to take to the dealer in the hope he has a spare usb lead (and a vRS!) to try it out for myself but any advise in the meantime would be greatly received.

Also, has everyone got the usb lead for the Seagate or has anyone chosen the mini-usb instead? I would prefer the mini-usb to reduce the length of cable that would need to be tucked out of the way but want to know that it will work.

Thanks!

I'm not sure about AAC format, as I've never heard of it, the important thing being you format the freeagent to FAT32, and then I believe it will play almost anything, I have the 250 gig unit with 100 gig of music on and it works perfectly, although most tracks are mp3 or wma...... I had an 8gig USB stick, and it was very poor.... it would work, but took anything up to 30 minutes to initialise.... with the freeagent, even 100gig of music takes less than a minute o initialise and start playing,sometimes just seconds.....

the seagate freeagent is definatley the way to go.... if your format of music doesn't work (which it probably will) then just download a program that will change the format of your tunes :thumbup:

but for sure, its the harddrive to go for!

I *believe* anything you download from iTunes' store would be unplayable, as it will be DRM protected.

That said, something's telling me that apple lifted the DRM restrictions a while back... perhaps I dreamed that.

Hopefully someone else has something more definitive to say.

Before you go out and buy a hard disk I'd take a sample of music and stick it on a USB stick to try it out.

Mine's running happily from a 16Gb stick.

You can play AAC files, but only when the MDI is connected to an iPhone / iPod / iPad. From a HDD you are limited to MP3 or unprotected WMA, just the same as using an SD card or data CD.

I have to use an .m4a to .mp3 converter for iTunes music.

No big issue though.

Sorry to hijack the thread as well, but does anybody have any idea how to create playlists to play in the car through the HDD?

I'm struggling like mad!

I have to use an .m4a to .mp3 converter for iTunes music.

No big issue though.

Sorry to hijack the thread as well, but does anybody have any idea how to create playlists to play in the car through the HDD?

I'm struggling like mad!

I think you will find Play list are the domain of a music playing device. I have all my music in folders and sub folders (up to 3 levels) on the drive and I would consider creating play list folders and move or copy the files into the new folders.

Ive got a ipod touch, and the saleman said it would play ok, im not so sure anyone got a ipod touch and does it play ok with just the lead suppled, cheers.... :yes:

As others have said, file converters are available if the files wont work.

The key to managing and searching files is the index.

My HDD has 2 top level files, basically HIS and HERS, each contains 26 files labelled A to Z, with albums dropped in these. This make it a bit easier to navigate. If you have a massive quantity of albums in a folder you spend ages scrolling sideways searching through them, so this system helps.

Came up with a rather unorthodox solution to the playlist problem...took advantage of the 250gb at my disposal...Basically instead of creating playlists, I created a folder and pasted copied songs into that folder basically replicating a playlist...so the song may be on the hard drive 2 or 3 times over, but it works to a degree. My file structure is now:

ARTISTS > A-Z Folders > Artists > Albums > Songs

PLAYLISTS > All Music (this is every single music file copied again into one folder so I can play them on random)

> Driving music (music copied into here which is suitable for driving, obviously) :)

I'll be doing what I'm doing now with my flash drive. I put good albums in separate folders and also have folders for different genres. This is because it's very rare I like a whole album. You can either leave it on random or number the tracks in the order you want.

I've ordered the MDI Mini-USB cable.

Will this simply plug into my Seagate hard drive or will I need an interface cable between the two?

I've ordered the MDI Mini-USB cable.

Will this simply plug into my Seagate hard drive or will I need an interface cable between the two?

Mini USB?

For the seagate you need a regular USB MDI cable.

Thanks for the info.

I think I'm being incredibly stupid. The Seagate has a Mini-USB SOCKET on it whilst the supplied cable has a standard USB PLUG at the other end. I was under the impression the Skoda MDI cable would plug directly into the drive i.e. Mini-USB without the need for Seagate's own cable.

Hopefully I should get it all sorted for August!

The Seagate is strange in the sense that it has it's own 'Flex' connector instead of MIni-USB, which in turns goes to a standard USB connector via cable.

I know where you are coming from, most external HDD's have Mini-USB, so you weren't being incredibly stupid :)

For the Seagate though you will need a regular USB MDI cable.

Hope this helps.

  • 3 months later...

I have just got round to ordering the free MDI cable for my vRS.

It is mini USB.

Can anyone tell me in simple terms what hard drive or any other gizmo I need (except iPod) to enjoy my music on (250Gb or less, if possible)?

So far I am totally confused, having read several threads.

Regards

Tony :doh:

I bought the samsung S1 mini 120gb £34.99 from maplins. I particularly like this as it's extremely small compared to other portable drives I've seen and fits snuggly up the back of the cubbyhole oh and it has it's on leather pouch for transporting. I posted it up earlier this week

Next thing on the shopping list is one of these drives. Roll on Wednesday!

I bought the samsung S1 mini 120gb £34.99 from maplins. I particularly like this as it's extremely small compared to other portable drives I've seen and fits snuggly up the back of the cubbyhole oh and it has it's on leather pouch for transporting. I posted it up earlier this week

Will my mini usb cable work with this?

Tony

The reason I elected to have the free MDI cable as Mini USB rather than USB itself is that it will plug directly into the Seagate rather than into the standard USB of the Seagate-supplied cable.

I am sure there is something in the current Fabia radio guide about not using USB cable extensions as it may impair the recognition of information from the hard-drive.

I have a seagate goflex 250gb which i got for £35 that has a mini usb socket on the back so your cable would fit with this Tony

Here is a pic of the socket

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT4tdOQZPps_e3SxDYVUUzBvhfLF9AqOOfCs5tWCg3IX8375hcZEg

I have fitted the Seagate Free Agent 250Gb drive to the car and it says 'PD Not Recognized'.

I tried to format it to FAT32, but I only had two options; exFAT or NTFS, so I chose exFAT.

These are the only options in Windows 7 Pro.

Anyone any ideas as to how I can proceed?

Regards

Tony :(

I'll be doing this now just having trouble finding a 250GB drive since it's been discontinued. Don't really want to go bigger and it fits in the gap too

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