MP3 Track Order (again!)

[MikeL]

Okay just a quick post in hope rather than expectation.

The Toyota IQ (Panasonic based Nav/audio system) is throwing up a quirk in MP3 track order:
It ain't always correct - one of the following happens:

1 - All OK
2- Out of order, this is not as you would think - it isn't in alphabetical order from the FILENAME, neither is it in order from the ID3 TAG.
e.g. Track is tagged number 14, alphabetically would be 11 but in actual fact appears as "file" (The system uses the term file - significant?) and in position no. 9.

Tried the usual such as erasing all tags, re-writing etc. The obvious solution is to start the filenames with 01,02, etc - slightly annoying as the system allocates its own leading number so I end up with "1 01 title.mp3".

Finally - I know the system is reading the tags as it identifies Album, Artist etc.
I presume the unit isn't arbitrarily placing the file in this position - so just a question of finding the logic behind it.

Mike

 

[Shude]

I presume the unit isn't arbitrarily placing the file in this position - so just a question of finding the logic behind it.

It might be using the same logic an old MP3 player of mine did: order the files were added to the file system.

Simplest way to make sure they're copied in the correct order is to sort the files correctly in explorer (by date, name, track number etc), highlight all the tracks then drag them onto the removable media or whatever you're using to store them. My new MP3 player just uses ID3 tags or filename for the order and that's hopeless for podcasts unless you diligently copy them into dated folders etc.

 

[MikeL]

....
Simplest way to make sure they're copied in the correct order is to sort the files correctly in explorer (by date, name, track number etc), highlight all the tracks then drag them onto the removable media or whatever you're using to store them. ....

I'll give that a whirl

 

[MikeL]

Success

I'll give that a whirl

We have a winner - thanks.

This is the whole sorry scenario:

1 - iTunes to rip CD (this automatically generates numbered filenames)
2 - Remove the number portion of filename - ID3 programme of choice
3 - Copy tracks one at a time (!)

Laborious but functional, at least it works and is only a one off effort.

Mike

 

[Shude]

3 - Copy tracks one at a time (!)

What OS are you using?

If you get the tracks in the right order then select and drag it should be fine! I can post a couple of screenshots of what I'm talking about if you want.

 

[MikeL]

What OS are you using?

If you get the tracks in the right order then select and drag it should be fine! I can post a couple of screenshots of what I'm talking about if you want.

Win 7 64 bit - I tried the drag and drop (all files) and it didn't work.

The car is at the dealer for a proper polish - guy was sick when we collected the car - so will try again tomorrow.

Mike

 

[MikeL]

Win 7 64 bit - I tried the drag and drop (all files) and it didn't work.

The car is at the dealer for a proper polish - guy was sick when we collected the car - so will try again tomorrow.

Mike

OK, drag and drop works, for some reason only if I start the drag from the last track?

Any way, happy bunny :bannana:

Mike

 

[Shude]

OK, drag and drop works, for some reason only if I start the drag from the last track?

Any way, happy bunny :bannana:

Mike

Glad you worked it out in the end!

Windows is actually very strange with the way it orders the files when dragging and dropping. You might assume that if you select track one and then drag the mouse down to track 10 that they'd be copied in that order but often in some dialogue boxes it does them in the order of track 10, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1! Why swap the first and last files?!

You might find that having the files listed in the order you want them, then clicking on the first track, pressing and holding the shift key then pressing the last track you want will later copy them in the correct order. Sounds stupid but I had to do all this sort of stuff with my old mp3 player and frankly it just became natural and no effort!