A few questions about NTG2.5 COMAND

[keiron99]

I just bought a 2009 E220 with COMAND (I’m sure it’s NTG2.5) from an approved MB dealer. I pick it up in a week or so.

But am I correct in my understanding from research that using an SD card, it won’t put tracks in the correct sequence without me numbering them?! (ie by default it puts them in alphabetical order). How ridiculous!

In all other respects, does it operate like an iPod, allowing you to select Artist and Album?

Also, what is the maximum capacity memory card it will accept? I read it is 2gb...nowhere near sufficient for me, I won’t even get half my Jethro Tull collection on there!

Has anyone got a video of this in action?

I guess what I am trying to do is avoid having to pay out for the ipod connection kit if at all possible but it looks like I will have to do that after all!

 

[flowrider]

Answers in red......

I just bought a 2009 E220 with COMAND (I’m sure it’s NTG2.5) from an approved MB dealer. I pick it up in a week or so.

But am I correct in my understanding from research that using an SD card, it won’t put tracks in the correct sequence without me numbering them?! (ie by default it puts them in alphabetical order). How ridiculous! You are correct

In all other respects, does it operate like an iPod, allowing you to select Artist and Album?No

Also, what is the maximum capacity memory card it will accept? I read it is 2gb...nowhere near sufficient for me, I won’t even get half my Jethro Tull collection on there!Depends on the software version, the latest version supports 4gb

Has anyone got a video of this in action?

I guess what I am trying to do is avoid having to pay out for the ipod connection kit if at all possible but it looks like I will have to do that after all!Yes you will

 

[keiron99]

Thanks.

I picked up my car this morning. Lovely thing.

Having real problems with SD cards though.

I have tried a 1gb SD (not HC), an 8GB SDHC, 16GB SDHC, 32GB SDHC, all of whoch are a variety of makes, and although the system seems to recognise there is a card in there, it doesn't read any contents (I've tried different bit rate mp3 files and AAC files). Huge disappointment.

 

[markjay]

I had no issues using several random 4gb SD cards in my NTG2.5.

However Richard at comand online did update the firmware to the latest revision - maybe this has something to do with that.

 

[keiron99]

Thanks. Apparently, the dealerships did update to the latest software before I picked it up. How can I tell what version I have?

Can I ask what brand cards you are using, and what capacity? Thanks.

 

[markjay]

I don't have them handy, but they were all 4gb and at least one of them was made by Sandisk.

 

[markjay]

The firmware revision can be seen in the engineering menu.

'HDD Content' starts with '4,', so it's from DVD Maps v4.0 (it's an old pic - the latest is v8.0).

'DVD Firmware' is in this case is 1.800.

 

[Geezer]

How do I get to the engineering menu?

 

[npuk]

http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+APS+NTG2+5+FAQ-faq-14.html

 

[Geezer]

How can I find out what version of Comand I have and what software updates have been applied? 2008 Facelift SLK 350

 

[markjay]

This does look like NTG2.5, so if you get into the engineering menu as per npuk's posts and look up the screen posted in my post you should be able to see the map disk and firmware versions.

 

[keiron99]

So I accessed the engineer's menu and there are 4 screens. Not one of them makes any sense to me! How do I know if I have the latest firmware? What am I supposed to look for? Thanks.

 

[keiron99]

I have had some limited success - I tried a 2gb micro SD card from a phone (unbranded) in an adapter, and that worked. I have tried about 5 others though, and none do.

I suspect that despite being told yesterday by the dealer that I have been updated to the latest firmware, they may not have done this.

 

[sspeed]

Mine uses a 4gb SD card fine without any problems..
I use my SD card purely to copy music from to be honest..

You do know that you can burn an "MP3 DVD" dont you??
These will fit hundreds of tracks on even when mp3's are burnt at the highest quality (320 kbps which is what I do by default).

 

[keiron99]

Thanks. I am however used to having about 60gb plus of music on my iPod, even a 4.7gb DVD won't hold half my Jethro Tull collection!

That said, if I could get a 32gb card to work - as others seem to be able to do - I would be happy.

I'm not really prepared to just keep buying SD cards in the hope that one is compatible however!

I'm still assuming that it's the firmware version that might have something to do with it as I gather the latest releases removed some restrictions. Does anyone know how to identify what version I have, and what the latest is?

On another note, is there anyway to stream by bluetooth from my phone?

 

[st13phil]

On another note, is there anyway to stream by bluetooth from my phone?

Not by using the standard NTG2.5 bluetooth connection.

 

[sspeed]

Not by using the standard NTG2.5 bluetooth connection.

Wrong !!!!

My NTG 2.5 connects with my iPhone 4 perfectly and is totally integrated with the cars speakers..
When the phone rings, the audio mutes, just like it does when the phone is hard wired.
I will go and photo my Comand with my phone registered to it....

Photos to follow.

 

[keiron99]

Simon, my question - and I think Phil's answer - related to streaming music over bluetooth, not just voice calls.

 

[st13phil]

Simon, my question - and I think Phil's answer - related to streaming music over bluetooth, not just voice calls.

Correct

Music streaming is not possible using the standard NTG2.5 bluetooth connectivity.

 

[npuk]

You need the optional media interface, with the media interface plus add on for bluetooth music streaming.