Cannot insert CDs into 2012 NTG 4.5 Comand E350 Saloon - what about the SD card slot?

[MrGreedy]

I thought I would go old school, and insert some CDs into my Comand unit, with the overly optimistic hope of getting the best sound possible from the system.
Currently I stream from a playlist on my phone via bluetooth connection. It works robustly, but I don't know about quality.
This is what the build sheet lists for the Comand unit:
512 COMAND APS WITH DVD CHANGER
518 UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE (UCI)

It looks like this, which I'm pretty sure is NTG 4.5:



When I try to insert a disc, the unit feels like it won't accept the disc, and I can't push a disc into the slot (it feels 100% like the disc is in the correct place).
If I go into the CD menu on Comand (pressing the stacked multi-disc button to the right of the "DISC" button in the picture above), I can see 6 empty slots in the internal CD changer for discs.
Choosing eject (all) does nothing.
I've never used it in the 5 years I've owned the car, so have no idea if it ever worked.

Question 1
Am I doing something stupid/not doing something obvious to get this unit to accept discs?

Question 2
As someone who is very handy with DIY, if it is broken, how can I fix it?

Question 3
If it's broken and won't accept CDs, can I load high quality audio on to an SD card and what format, and insert it into the slot below the rewind/back button to get better quality audio?

Many thanks in advance

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

If it is anything like my w211 there is a separate slot for the 6 CDs and then there is a CD/DVD player as well. I’m not sure about your particular car to be honest but it might just be a one CD slot with a CD in it that needs ejecting and to put the 6 CDs in you need to put them in the glove box slot/ boot or in the case of my 211 a panel slides out of the centre console James Bond style. Might be totally wrong but worth a go. It will probably say in the manual - I might have a look out of curiosity

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

It looks like the do all go in the main slot - slightly less cool than the 211, but I suppose one less thing to break

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[MrGreedy]

It looks like the do all go in the main slot - slightly less cool than the 211, but I suppose one less thing to break

Ha ha, yes, but I get the feeling it's broken itself anyway!

Thanks for looking @WilliamMaldivess211

 

[markjay]

You can copy audio files in mp3 format to an SD-Card on your PC, and then insert the SD-Card into the SD-Card slot in COMAND. You can even arrange the mp3 files in folders. You'll obviously need either a PC with an internal SD-Card reader, or an external USB card reader.

Once the SD-Card with the mp3 files is inserted into the COMAND unit, you can then either play the music directly from the SD-Card, or you could copy the mp3 files from the SD-Card onto the Music Register on the COMAND internal HDD.

The HDD in COMAND NTG4.5 has a total capacity of 100gb, of which 10gb are alocated to the Music Register. However, be warned - copying mp3 files from the SD-Card to the internal Music Register takes a l-o-n-g time.

 

[MrGreedy]

You can copy audio files in mp3 format to an SD-Card on your PC, and then insert the SD-Card into the SD-Card slot in COMAND. You'll obviously need either a PC with an internal SD-Card reader, or an external USB card reader.

You can then either play the music directly from the SD-Card, or you could copy the mp3 files from the SD-Card onto the Music Registere on the COMAND internal HDD. The HDD has a tital capacity of 100gb, of which 10gb are alocated to the Music Register. However, be warned - copying mp3 files from the SD-Card to the internal Music Register takes a l-o-n-g time.

Awesome. Thanks @markjay

I've got several SD cards laying around from when they were used for PC stuff.

To keep things simple, I'll try only copying 2 or 3 albums worth on to each on to keep finding music a bit easier. I can manage without using the music register whilst I try this.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Awesome. Thanks @markjay

I've got several SD cards laying around from when they were used for PC stuff.

To keep things simple, I'll try only copying 2 or 3 albums worth on to each on to keep finding music a bit easier. I can manage without using the music register whilst I try this.

@markjay’s right. From memory, I’d add that sequencing and order is quite a pain. You need to write files in the order that you intend to use them. (This is 15 year old tech)

Personally I stick with a Bluetooth stream, or a wired connection. It’s easy, voice activated, and gives you Waze, podcasts and Spotify at your verbal command.

No menus, no buttons …”Hey Siri, on Spotify, play “Slave to the Rythmn” by Grace Jones.”

 

[Mickyh7]

Have you tried 'ejecting' first?
Is it possible it's already got 6 in from the last owner?

 

[MrGreedy]

Have you tried 'ejecting' first?
Is it possible it's already got 6 in from the last owner?

Yeah, it does nothing unfortunately

 

[Mickyh7]

That's a shame, worth a try though.
Sometimes, it's just the simple things.
Good luck with it.

 

[MrGreedy]

So, I ripped 8 CD albums last night using CDex free programme, which does the disc in one go and ID tags all the files correctly.

I found a 32GB micro SD card and an SD card adapter which I formatted to FAT32 and copied all the files across.

It slotted right in and was immediately recognised.

Thankfully the files structure is preserved, so if left to run it seems to play one album at a time, and each song in order. I can navigate with Comand to a specific folder (album) and just play the songs in there. It's a revelation.

Radio has taken a back seat as I ramp up my guitar learning to specific songs. Making good use of the fairly 'recent purchase' Ibanez.

 

[jdrrco]

So, I ripped 8 CD albums last night using CDex free programme, which does the disc in one go and ID tags all the files correctly.

I found a 32GB micro SD card and an SD card adapter which I formatted to FAT32 and copied all the files across.

It slotted right in and was immediately recognised.

Thankfully the files structure is preserved, so if left to run it seems to play one album at a time, and each song in order. I can navigate with Comand to a specific folder (album) and just play the songs in there. It's a revelation.

Radio has taken a back seat as I ramp up my guitar learning to specific songs. Making good use of the fairly 'recent purchase' Ibanez.

Is there a USB socket in the centre armrest? If so, you can copy your music onto a USB stick (I used a 128GB sticknin my 2012 CLS, which held over 1200 CDs on it).

Comand will recognise albums, tracks, composers, folders.

 

[markjay]

So, I ripped 8 CD albums last night using CDex free programme, which does the disc in one go and ID tags all the files correctly.

I found a 32GB micro SD card and an SD card adapter which I formatted to FAT32 and copied all the files across.

It slotted right in and was immediately recognised.

Thankfully the files structure is preserved, so if left to run it seems to play one album at a time, and each song in order. I can navigate with Comand to a specific folder (album) and just play the songs in there. It's a revelation.

Radio has taken a back seat as I ramp up my guitar learning to specific songs. Making good use of the fairly 'recent purchase' Ibanez.

If the name of a folder or an mp3 file is too long to be displayed in full, you can press the * button on the COMAND telephone keypad and it will show the full title

 

[markjay]

Is there a USB socket in the centre armrest? If so, you can copy your music onto a USB stick (I used a 128GB sticknin my 2012 CLS, which held over 1200 CDs on it).

Comand will recognise albums, tracks, composers, folders.

That works as well, though some might prefer to keep the USB port free for charging. Of course, this is easily resolved with a 12V USB charger plugged into the 12V 'cigarette lighter' socket... but then the 'ashtray' flap won't close

 

[jdrrco]

That works as well, though some might prefer to keep the USB port free for charging. Of course, this is easily resolved with a 12V USB charger plugged into the 12V 'cigarette lighter' socket... but then the 'ashtray' flap won't close

It closed ok in mine. You just need a small charger and it will work ok.