[Gravitydrop]

Hi, I have a friend that can download couple of hundred movies into a USB stick 256gb. My question is what format does it need be in? Can it still be in its original 1080p file? Thanks

 

[Norbert]

It has to be in mp4 format and in 720p. At least that's what's been working for most of us here. Once quick tip, if using handbrake to compress your movie, you must deselect chapters for handbrake to make mp4's, if not, it'll output m4v which won't play.

 

[jhopster]

Like Norbert said, most success is with 720p, in MP4 format. I have found this to be the most frustrating part of the Uconnect theater.

I use avi's for home but they don't seem to work in the van. I wish there was an official guide on the format, but so far it seems to be just trial and error. Not all usb sticks work, so I would make sure your van sees what media you put in before filling up a USB stick that may or may not work.

It is my mission to one day to get to the bottom of this. I just download them from a respectable site for only the movies I own. Right now the kids just want to watch Trolls over and over and over and over.

 

[generaltso]

I haven't had any issues playing mp4, mkv, or avi files. Both 720p and 1080p have also worked fine for me. Just make sure the flash drive is formatted with NTFS or FAT32 (not exFAT). If you go with FAT32, keep in mind that the maximum file size is 4GB.

 

[mtmgtz]

I haven't messed with the USB video files too much yet but I threw a couple movies on a stick and did have an issue with one of them. One played fine. The other played but no sound. I think that was due to the fact that Uconnect doesn't like DD 5.1 audio encoding. I think it only will accept stereo.

 

[Cr0nis]

USB Drives with UConnect 8.4

I've been looking at this as well since i have a 20TB home media server. You can find details in the following link but i'll outline it below:

pacificaforums.com/forum/401-electronics/1929-uconnect-max-file-size-video-files-2.html#post35162

- Convert all movies to maximum width of 1200 (height is automatically scaled within Handbrake)
- Keep file sizes at or around 2GB (thread shows it working with a 2.99GB file)
- When first connecting drive, may take a few minutes ti initialize
- Not all USB ports will accept media since most will only charge your device
- If you use chapters in your movie the movie will be named the first chapter (so by default, movies would be named "Chapter 1)
- You can disable chapter markers
- You can rename Chapter 1 to the name of the movie

The thread has a good amount of info on uConnect 8.4 and external hdd movie playing

Hope this helps.

 

[kilimats]

What is the maximum USB drive capacity that we can plugin ? are regular hard drive supported? or just USB stick

 

[Cr0nis]

in the thread someone mentions having a 1tb Western digital drive

 

[Norbert]

Another fyi. If you're a mac user, download MetaMovie from the App store. Its all of $4! It will automatically get all the meta data for your movies. I set the artwork to "small" as I've read UConnect has problems with big artwork. I've tagged all my movies and they are read perfectly. As noted though, the artwork is cut off as its made to be horizontal, but most artwork MetaMovie finds are vertical. It inserts chapters too so that's not a problem for UConnect.

The best thing about MetaMovie is it does all the tagging instantly. I was using another app that was free but it re-writes the whole file and takes 4-5 minutes per movie. And doesn't fill all the tags like MetaMovie does.

 

[ElectricGuy]

So far this is working great. I used Handbrake to convert 7 movies so far and I've removed the chapter markers. I set the quality a little low and ended up with files around 600MB. Also, since the screens are so small I use 1280 as the width. For the next set I may try to boost the quality to see if it is noticeable.

Also I was able to then select and play different movies on the two screens and have them play at the same time. That is really cool. The only problem is the wireless headsets will only work with the first movie selected. I have a spare wired set that works with the 2nd screen though.
I am using a 32GB USB 2.0 memeory stick. It is fairly small and will hold 40 movies at least. I'll probably get a 2nd one as a "backup" and put different movies on it.

Does anyone know how to get the one wireless headset to work with the 2nd screen? And (I have not tried this), is it possible to get the same movie to play on both screens without both having to start it (and the screens being out of sync)?

 

[krkdnose]

The only problem is the wireless headsets will only work with the first movie selected. I have a spare wired set that works with the 2nd screen though.

I haven't tried this yet, but I thought you could select which screen the headphones work with. At least that's what it says in the manual.

 

[Norbert]

Yes there is a physical switch on the headphones to select which screen you want to listen to.

 

[chrissbu]

So far this is working great. I used Handbrake to convert 7 movies so far and I've removed the chapter markers. I set the quality a little low and ended up with files around 600MB. Also, since the screens are so small I use 1280 as the width. For the next set I may try to boost the quality to see if it is noticeable.

Also I was able to then select and play different movies on the two screens and have them play at the same time. That is really cool. The only problem is the wireless headsets will only work with the first movie selected. I have a spare wired set that works with the 2nd screen though.
I am using a 32GB USB 2.0 memeory stick. It is fairly small and will hold 40 movies at least. I'll probably get a 2nd one as a "backup" and put different movies on it.

Does anyone know how to get the one wireless headset to work with the 2nd screen? And (I have not tried this), is it possible to get the same movie to play on both screens without both having to start it (and the screens being out of sync)?

With respect to the headset, isn't there a button on the headset to switch the channel to the other screen? And I just saw in the uConnect clip that it's entirely possible to have both screens playing the same video file, and not necessarily be watching the same exact part at the same time.

 

[ElectricGuy]

With respect to the headset, isn't there a button on the headset to switch the channel to the other screen? And I just saw in the uConnect clip that it's entirely possible to have both screens playing the same video file, and not necessarily be watching the same exact part at the same time.

I guess I missed the button to pick the screen for the headsets. I'll look tonight.

I already know both screens can play the same movie but different parts, or they can watch different movies from the same USB source. That works great. But if someone starts watching a video on screen 1 can screen two also view the same video in the same part like they do with DVDs? I'd like everyone to be able to watch a video together.

 

[Autumn Thunder]

Yes, each screen has an input option to view the other screen. When done, both screens will be watching the same thing at the same time.

 

[Bluesfox]

The rear entertainment system is amazing, kids love it. And rest assured, the headphones can be instructed to select screen 1 vs screen 2. We ordered an extra kit from ebay and all 4 are working great together. Just need to keep an eye out on the volume levels, as the headsets can play pretty loud and need to have the kids hearing past age 10. So some occasional reminders in force.

 

[ElectricGuy]

Thanks to everyone.
I found were each screen has the option to view whatever is playing on the other. It is the first option! I had already scrolled to the right and could not see it.

It really could not be easier.

I put 20 music albums (are they still called that?) and 15 movies on my 32GB USB memory stick and still have 16GB free.

I especially like that there are several ways to sort movies including an easy to use alphebetical selection. Touch a letter on the screen and all movies begining with that letter are listed. This will help once I get 50 or more movies loaded.

I also plan on getting some better wired over the ear head phones for anyone who wants to listen to music and not listen to whatever is playing. I can still (barely) hear the car speakers with the wireless headsets.

 

[Dmilmo]

Stuck on Reading

I have a SanDisk 64 gb stick formatted to FAT32 with only two movies one 1080p one 720p - and it just says reading, left it for 15 min - no change. What kind of drives do you guys have, must it be NTFS if its larger than 64 gb? Any ideas

 

[konnerbllb]

NTFS, 128GB. My videos are MP4, less than 3GB each, and width is 1200 or less.

I've found that if it is refusing to read the flash drive it may read it the next time the car is completely turned off and on. Turn car off, open driver door, close door, wait for parking light and e-brake light turn off, turn back on and try again. Once it reads my drive it continues to work without issues until the drive is removed then it can be stubborn reading it again next time.

 

[Norbert]

Try unplugging the quickly replug the USB drive. Works for me and a few others.