If you already have a usb drive full of music, you can skip to "Creating the playlist".
I have the basic MyFord and Sync system, but this might work just as well on MFT. Also, these instructions and the program explained below are for Windows computers.
I recently ripped all my CDs to MP3s and wanted to use a USB drive with the "MyFord and Sync" system. I was having difficulty figuring out how to create playlists. I can sometimes find Microsoft Media Player confusing and I needed something simple. I ended up finding a free program called "Playlist Creator" to easily create playlists straight off the USB drive files.
I'm pretty sure there are dozens of ways to do this using other programs and invite others to share complete and detailed instructions on this thread. Also, please provide links to other threads that explain utilizing USB drives to their fullest potential with the "MyFord and Sync" system.
Here's a description of the folder structure created automatically when I ripped my CD's. I then copied the files directly to my USB drive. On the top level are Artist folders and inside those are the Album folders and inside those are the individual MP3 files. This structure is typically how ripping software will save MP3s. I used Windows 7 Media Player 12 to rip my CDs and selected to rip at 256bit MP3 format. I set the "rip on CD insertion ON" and just kept feeding my computer CDs until I was done.
Artist
-AlbumX
--Song.mp3
--Song.mp3
--etc.
-AlbumY
--Song.mp3
--Song.mp3
--etc.
Artist
-Album
--Song.mp3
--Song.mp3
--etc.
Etc...
Creating the playlist
Free Shareware that I used (be sure to deselect all of the extra software they want to install during installation)...
http://oddgravity.de/app-opc.php
Once you have Playlist Creator installed and running on your Windows PC, plug in your USB drive and drag songs from the USB drive to the Playlist creator window. Once you have your list complete, set the Save location to the top level of the USB drive. Enter a simple file name that sync will voice-recognize easily, select .M3u as the file type and click Create Playlist. Now go test your new playlist.
I haven't tried any other folder structure but if you open the playlist created, you can see that the file locations are "relative" so I assume just about any folder structure will work.
If you try this out and find more interesting ways to use the program, please post details. Also, if you know of different ways to create playlists on USB drives, please leave detailed instruction on how you do it.
Below are instruction I found while researching this from a Ford rep on using Windows Media Player to create a Playlist.
EDIT: Feedback from using the instructions...
I have the basic MyFord and Sync system, but this might work just as well on MFT. Also, these instructions and the program explained below are for Windows computers.
I recently ripped all my CDs to MP3s and wanted to use a USB drive with the "MyFord and Sync" system. I was having difficulty figuring out how to create playlists. I can sometimes find Microsoft Media Player confusing and I needed something simple. I ended up finding a free program called "Playlist Creator" to easily create playlists straight off the USB drive files.
I'm pretty sure there are dozens of ways to do this using other programs and invite others to share complete and detailed instructions on this thread. Also, please provide links to other threads that explain utilizing USB drives to their fullest potential with the "MyFord and Sync" system.
Here's a description of the folder structure created automatically when I ripped my CD's. I then copied the files directly to my USB drive. On the top level are Artist folders and inside those are the Album folders and inside those are the individual MP3 files. This structure is typically how ripping software will save MP3s. I used Windows 7 Media Player 12 to rip my CDs and selected to rip at 256bit MP3 format. I set the "rip on CD insertion ON" and just kept feeding my computer CDs until I was done.
Artist
-AlbumX
--Song.mp3
--Song.mp3
--etc.
-AlbumY
--Song.mp3
--Song.mp3
--etc.
Artist
-Album
--Song.mp3
--Song.mp3
--etc.
Etc...
Creating the playlist
Free Shareware that I used (be sure to deselect all of the extra software they want to install during installation)...
http://oddgravity.de/app-opc.php
Once you have Playlist Creator installed and running on your Windows PC, plug in your USB drive and drag songs from the USB drive to the Playlist creator window. Once you have your list complete, set the Save location to the top level of the USB drive. Enter a simple file name that sync will voice-recognize easily, select .M3u as the file type and click Create Playlist. Now go test your new playlist.
I haven't tried any other folder structure but if you open the playlist created, you can see that the file locations are "relative" so I assume just about any folder structure will work.
If you try this out and find more interesting ways to use the program, please post details. Also, if you know of different ways to create playlists on USB drives, please leave detailed instruction on how you do it.
Below are instruction I found while researching this from a Ford rep on using Windows Media Player to create a Playlist.
EDIT: Feedback from using the instructions...