chileboy

I have a long commute (1-1/2 hours each way) and use my iPod a lot via the USB port. I usually load a playlist that encompasses about 3300 tracks and set it to Random play.

Fairly often, maybe once every-other time, near the beginning of a track, the iPod will lock up and I have to give it a hard reset (Menu+Select). It always happens after the track info appears, but before the album art is displayed. I can't discern any pattern, e.g., specific tracks, or right after taking a call on my Bluetooth-linked phone, etc.

Is anyone else having this issue? I'm using the newest iPod Classic (7th Gen) 160GB, which I'm guessing not many people are using, but don't know if others are seeing it during music playback with other Apple products.

- Mark

mspearl95

which os does your iPod have? I have an iPhone 5/ios7, and I always use it via USB, and have never experienced this problem. Have you upgraded your iPod software since creating your device profile?

chileboy

There's no "iOS", as such, in the iPod, but the firmware (in Settings -> About) says 2.0.5, which is the same version I had when I first got it some months back. Whenever I check in iTunes, which is the means by which the firmware is updated, it always tells me I have the latest version.

I guess I should mention that my previous ES had an after-market system (a Parrot), and I never experienced any issues using the iPod in the same way.

Mike728

I stopped using my 160GB ipod and went with a 128GB flash drive. For some reason, after about 3 to 4 songs it started playing them slow. It only did this while connected through the car's USB. Weird, but I really don't miss it.

imz14u2nv

I recently started using (about a week now) a brand new 160gb iPod Classic and it actually locked up the other day (Was completely frozen with display still on), I actually pulled over, searched the net on how to reset it (I’m so used to the new iPod touch and iPhone ). First lock-up so far though, hope it doesn’t happen again, but now that you mentioned it happened to you I’m not so confident that I’m out of the deep waters.

Arty101

Is your Bluetooth also connected?

chileboy

Well, my Android phone is connected via Bluetooth - but the iPod in question is not, it doesn't have Bluetooth.

@imz14u2nv, your symptoms are exactly like mine. So it looks like a bug in the Lexus software.

I will talk to my dealer about it the next time I am in for service, but I don't expect them to be able to do anything about it. I guess in the meantime I will try and figure out how to contact Lexus directly and file a report. Anyone know how to do that (or if it's worth it?)

- Mark

imz14u2nv

Hi,
Well it happened again, I had another lock-up this past Thursday, wasn’t too bad this time only because I knew how to reset it before getting on the road, but it really does suck that this problem exist at all.

Mike728

Just get a cheap flash drive and sell the ipod. Flash drives never lock up. Ipods are going the way of the dinosaur.

imz14u2nv

I think it is unfortunate that you see life so simply, that is a great response except that the only reason I am using the iPod is because my dealer suggested it due to the problem that I reported to them:

I have had problems with the usb port playing music from flash drives (I have tried several drives of varying brands Sandisk, Lexar, PNYand capacities 4gb, 16gb 64gb, with various file formats mp3, m4a, wma), I have read all of the manuals, adhered to all of the limitations (file formats, encoding, kbps, files per folder, total number of folders, total number of files) and I still had many issues with it, they have a case open and a specialist from Lexus is currently working on this.

So if I come off as rude, I apologize, it’s just that so many people like to come in and say things like: I have never had a single problem with mines and act as it that means that there are no issues with something.

Mike728

My ipod played slow. I chalked it up to "ipods are dinosaurs", not worth the hassle of fighting a losing battle. Switched to flash drives and it's a non issue. Life's too short to fight losing battles.

chileboy

Well, maybe that works for you, but not me. In addition to my car, I listen to it on plane trips, subways, etc. A flash drive can't do that. Nor does it have the storage I need - I have a 240GB modified iPod as well as the 160GB newer one. Each has around 10,000 tracks. The iPod also supports lossless audio files, which the Lexus app does not, and can be used with some pretty awesome earphones for a true audiophile experience. Add to that the software management tools I use for folder and playlist creation (not iTunes!) and it's pretty obvious that for serious mobile music listening, any portable player is far better than a flash drive.

Dinosaurs? I don't think so. If they become extinct, it will be because everyone's used to listening to low-bitrate MP3s and couldn't care less about audio quality.

Besides, iPod support has become pretty standard in the automotive industry. If the feature is there, it ought to work properly, and users have the right to expect that.

- Mark

imz14u2nv

I agree with you 100% and that is why it makes the hair on my neck (Actually I have no hair. lol) stand up when people come with answers based on very narrow simplistic views.

I wasn’t going to go into details but I am really happy you did, people who are not serious audiophiles could never understand.

I also use my iPod with a Ray Samuels Audio “The Hornet” portable Amp, Connect via an ALO “Triple Pipe” being used to power my Custom UE-11’s.

Nice to see that there are others who understand that there are some things that are just better even if not as convenient.

And to your last point, you are correct again, When a manufacturer implements a feature and touts it as a selling point, it is not un-reasonable to expect it to work.

Always nice to communicate with someone who can look beyond the surface.

Mike728

That's kind of funny, if you think about it. iPods came to being for that exact reason.

Don't get me wrong. I was upset that I couldn't use my iPod as intended. It never locked up, it just started playing slow after a few tracks. It works fine outside the car. If both of you are playing lossless files, that may be contributing to your issue. There's only so much room in the data pipe. This could also explain my issue. While not lossless, all of my files are 320k.

I wish you luck in finding a resolve. I just wouldn't count on it being fixed in your current model Lexus. Also, if you have the ML, you can play DVD-A's to get your hi-res fix. There are some limitations to it, though. And it's a PITA to start a disc on the proper layer.

imz14u2nv

That is actually funny that you mention DVD-Audio, if you read my previous post I mentioned having issues playing my DVD-Audio disc as well, they are working on that at Lexus also. Out of a very large collection of DVD-Audio disc, I have only been able to get 1 to play without issue, this was demonstrated to Lexus so I currently have an open case with them. The problem is that I agree that by the time they fix this issue and do a software refresh, I will more than likely have a new vehicle or be dead.

And that is the pain of this whole situation, I had the 2007 ES350 Ultra Luxury with Mark Levinson and DVD-Audio worked just fine, every one of my disk played, now I have the newer version of the same car and suddenly these things that I took for granted just don’t work correctly.