iPod Random Mode problems... SOLVED!!

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 05:10 PM

Yes, I can now have random mode on ALWAYS and my track skip buttons go to the next RANDOM track, not SEQUENTIAL!

Send $50 to my PayPal account and I'll send you the instructions! Just kidding

It's only randomized each time you connect it to the computer, but meh, it's good enough for me.

If you like listening to all of your music in shuffle mode, do the following in iTunes:

1) Make a new Smart Playlist called "Random" (or whatever you like).
2) De-select "Match."
3) Select "Limit," and with a value of 65535 items, and use "Random."
4) Set it live-updating.
5) Sync this playlist to your iPod.

Now, when you choose that playlist in your car, EVERY song, EVERY time will be played in random order. Track forward/back buttons technically will take you to the next sequential track, but since they're all out of order..

I'm happy now.

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 05:36 PM

It just ocurred to me that if you want a little more randomness.. you can always manually enable the Random mode on iDrive, too.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 06:30 PM

Excellent approach.

Of course, I would call my Playlist Zufällige Wiedergabe but otherwise I will follow your simple instructions.

alpine 335 · 03-09-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

Yes, I can now have random mode on ALWAYS and my track skip buttons go to the next RANDOM track, not SEQUENTIAL!

Send $50 to my PayPal account and I'll send you the instructions! Just kidding

It's only randomized each time you connect it to the computer, but meh, it's good enough for me.

If you like listening to all of your music in shuffle mode, do the following in iTunes:

1) Make a new Smart Playlist called "Random" (or whatever you like).
2) De-select "Match."
3) Select "Limit," and with a value of 65535 items, and use "Random."
4) Set it live-updating.
5) Sync this playlist to your iPod.

Now, when you choose that playlist in your car, EVERY song, EVERY time will be played in random order. Track forward/back buttons technically will take you to the next sequential track, but since they're all out of order..

I'm happy now.

Huh. Please elaborate on items 2,3 and 4.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 09:51 PM

Works great!

Holeinoneboy · 03-10-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

Yes, I can now have random mode on ALWAYS and my track skip buttons go to the next RANDOM track, not SEQUENTIAL!

Send $50 to my PayPal account and I'll send you the instructions! Just kidding

It's only randomized each time you connect it to the computer, but meh, it's good enough for me.

If you like listening to all of your music in shuffle mode, do the following in iTunes:

1) Make a new Smart Playlist called "Random" (or whatever you like).
2) De-select "Match."
3) Select "Limit," and with a value of 65535 items, and use "Random."
4) Set it live-updating.
5) Sync this playlist to your iPod.

Now, when you choose that playlist in your car, EVERY song, EVERY time will be played in random order. Track forward/back buttons technically will take you to the next sequential track, but since they're all out of order..

I'm happy now.

Thanks... been trying to figure this out for sometime now...
What's your Pay Pal account number, I'll send you the $50...lol.

Hey.. another question about random mode on idrive. When I use this it does not seem to keep the randomness... it reverts to sequential after 1 or 2 songs. Have you found this?

JSpira · 03-10-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holeinoneboy

Hey.. another question about random mode on idrive. When I use this it does not seem to keep the randomness... it reverts to sequential after 1 or 2 songs. Have you found this?

It's random until you press FWD or REV.

LEDZEP · 03-10-2007, 08:20 AM

Very nice idea! You see Jonathan, this is what we call "Yankee inginuity"!

JSpira · 03-10-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Very nice idea! You see Jonathan, this is what we call "Yankee inginuity"!

Jingai00 lives in Florida.

I've never heard of a Southerner being referred to as a Yankee.

dolby · 03-10-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Jingai00 lives in Florida.

I've never heard of a Southerner being referred to as a Yankee.

Florida is not part of the south.

LEDZEP · 03-10-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Jingai00 lives in Florida.

I've never heard of a Southerner being referred to as a Yankee.

"Yankee inginuity" is a general reference to American Know-How... commonly used in the military, etc. We don't think much about the Civil War up here, but I guess in the South they're still pissed about losing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolby

Florida is not part of the south.

Don't consider the metro areas of Florida or what you see while at Disneyworld indicative of Florida. Trust me, the banjos are playing all day and all night there!

rlc · 03-12-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

Yes, I can now have random mode on ALWAYS and my track skip buttons go to the next RANDOM track, not SEQUENTIAL!

Send $50 to my PayPal account and I'll send you the instructions! Just kidding

It's only randomized each time you connect it to the computer, but meh, it's good enough for me.

If you like listening to all of your music in shuffle mode, do the following in iTunes:

1) Make a new Smart Playlist called "Random" (or whatever you like).
2) De-select "Match."
3) Select "Limit," and with a value of 65535 items, and use "Random."
4) Set it live-updating.
5) Sync this playlist to your iPod.

Now, when you choose that playlist in your car, EVERY song, EVERY time will be played in random order. Track forward/back buttons technically will take you to the next sequential track, but since they're all out of order..

I'm happy now.

Thanks for the idea - it works great. One question - once iTunes sets the random order and syncs to the iPod the songs stay in the same order on the iPod as they do in iTunes? What does it take to change the randomly selected order? Does this order change only if I add/subtract tracks from the Smart Playlist and re-sync from Itunes to the iPod?

Snowman811 · 03-12-2007, 02:39 PM

subscribing

jingai00 · 03-12-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc

Thanks for the idea - it works great. One question - once iTunes sets the random order and syncs to the iPod the songs stay in the same order on the iPod as they do in iTunes?

Yes, that's how this works. The BMW iPod adapter doesn't sort the tracks on your iPod at all (thankfully). It simply plays them in the order the iPod would play them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc

What does it take to change the randomly selected order?

I haven't actually tried yet, but to re-randomize I'd presume you'd delete the playlist and re-create it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc

Does this order change only if I add/subtract tracks from the Smart Playlist and re-sync from Itunes to the iPod?

You don't add tracks to a Smart Playlist by hand, unless you de-selected Live Updating -- iTunes will automagically add newly imported tracks to it.

To answer your question, I'm not really sure if the order changes if you add/remove tracks from iTunes. I would presume it does.

nicks3 · 03-12-2007, 04:51 PM

Thats great, thanks.

Just one question. Since I created the new random playlist I cannot see the other playlists on the i drive but they are still on the ipod. Any ideas?

JSpira · 03-12-2007, 05:01 PM

One thing about jingai00's excellent solution. You have to play a track (briefly) in the list and then select random.

MacAttack · 03-12-2007, 06:06 PM

Thx for the tip jingai. I'm going to try it this weekend.

nyc3r · 03-12-2007, 06:19 PM

any solution for those of us using cheapo mp3 cd?

jingai00 · 03-12-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicks3

Just one question. Since I created the new random playlist I cannot see the other playlists on the i drive but they are still on the ipod. Any ideas?

I have exactly the same problem. My iDrive only shows the first playlist in the list.. I have no idea why, unfortunately.

nicks3 · 03-13-2007, 09:13 AM

Mine di show all playlists until I loaded this smar playlist. Perhaps that is the reason. I am going the delete the smart playlist and see if they all return...

rlc · 03-13-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicks3

Thats great, thanks.

Just one question. Since I created the new random playlist I cannot see the other playlists on the i drive but they are still on the ipod. Any ideas?

Just for the record, my non-IDrive Logic7 displays the Smart Playlist along with normal playlists. It shows up in alphabetical order with all the playlists.

jingai00 · 03-13-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicks3

Mine di show all playlists until I loaded this smar playlist. Perhaps that is the reason. I am going the delete the smart playlist and see if they all return...

You know, I was wondering this myself. It might really be something about the smart playlists that it doesn't like.

Which is a shame, since I'm not making playlists for 10,000 songs by hand lol

03-09-2007, 05:10 PM	#1
jingai00 Private 6 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	iPod Random Mode problems... SOLVED!! Yes, I can now have random mode on ALWAYS and my track skip buttons go to the next RANDOM track, not SEQUENTIAL! Send $50 to my PayPal account and I'll send you the instructions! Just kidding It's only randomized each time you connect it to the computer, but meh, it's good enough for me. If you like listening to all of your music in shuffle mode, do the following in iTunes: 1) Make a new Smart Playlist called "Random" (or whatever you like). 2) De-select "Match." 3) Select "Limit," and with a value of 65535 items, and use "Random." 4) Set it live-updating. 5) Sync this playlist to your iPod. Now, when you choose that playlist in your car, EVERY song, EVERY time will be played in random order. Track forward/back buttons technically will take you to the next sequential track, but since they're all out of order.. I'm happy now. __________________ 2007 E92 328i Space Grey over Coral Red with Grey Poplar trim Premium / Sport / Steptronic / Comfort Access / iDrive / Park Distance Control / Power Rear Sunshade iPod Adapter / Chrome Exhaust Tips / Cargo Organizer / Clean Bag / Roundel Valve Stem Caps
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03-09-2007, 05:36 PM	#2
jingai00 Private 6 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	It just ocurred to me that if you want a little more randomness.. you can always manually enable the Random mode on iDrive, too. __________________ 2007 E92 328i Space Grey over Coral Red with Grey Poplar trim Premium / Sport / Steptronic / Comfort Access / iDrive / Park Distance Control / Power Rear Sunshade iPod Adapter / Chrome Exhaust Tips / Cargo Organizer / Clean Bag / Roundel Valve Stem Caps
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03-09-2007, 06:30 PM	#3
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	Excellent approach. Of course, I would call my Playlist Zufällige Wiedergabe but otherwise I will follow your simple instructions. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-09-2007, 09:51 PM	#5
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	Works great! __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-10-2007, 08:20 AM	#8
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Very nice idea! You see Jonathan, this is what we call "Yankee inginuity"! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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03-12-2007, 02:39 PM	#13
Snowman811 Black Sapphire 330i 32 Rep 362 Posts Drives: Black Sapphire 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (1)	subscribing
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03-12-2007, 04:51 PM	#15
nicks3 First Lieutenant 31 Rep 309 Posts Drives: 335d Xdrive Msport Plus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midlands, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	ipod Thats great, thanks. Just one question. Since I created the new random playlist I cannot see the other playlists on the i drive but they are still on the ipod. Any ideas?
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03-12-2007, 05:01 PM	#16
JSpira Freude am Fahren 336 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	One thing about jingai00's excellent solution. You have to play a track (briefly) in the list and then select random. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-12-2007, 06:06 PM	#17
MacAttack Colonel 29 Rep 2,134 Posts Drives: fast enough Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Afghanistan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW [0.00]	Thx for the tip jingai. I'm going to try it this weekend. __________________ 2007 E92 335i Coupe: Monaco Blue/Premium/Sports/Winter Package/Nav/CA/6MT/TT/Active Cruise/Active Steering/iPod/Rear Shade/Tint/Short Shifter/OEM Alum Pedals//
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03-12-2007, 06:19 PM	#18
nyc3r Colonel 112 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (24)	any solution for those of us using cheapo mp3 cd?
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03-13-2007, 09:13 AM	#20
nicks3 First Lieutenant 31 Rep 309 Posts Drives: 335d Xdrive Msport Plus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midlands, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	ipod Mine di show all playlists until I loaded this smar playlist. Perhaps that is the reason. I am going the delete the smart playlist and see if they all return...
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