Functionality |
| How many root folders/virtual playlists ? |
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Usually 6. On Toyota, new Honda and Nissan you can have up to 99 folders.
We recommend using smaller drives with manageable number of folders ~20 and change them.
GROM will remember 4 sticks and will be able to restore all positions in up to 20 folders for them all.
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| How many files per root folder (playlist) ? |
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We have tested with ~1000 files in a playlist. So technically no limits but be aware that it might take longer to switch between tracks and proper track ordering may not be possible.
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| ID3 tags on MP3 files cannot be seen |
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Make sure all tags are ASCII encoded. Some tools like Windows Media Player use Unicode which makes it unreadable on most stereos.
To make sure you sync all ID3 tags properly you may use the following utility
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| What formats/bitrates it supports ? |
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MP3 layer 1,2,3 bitrate up to 320Kbps
WMA (no DRM) bitrate up to 384Kbps
AAC/MP4/iTunes+ (no DRM). Bitrate up to 384Kbps
OGG/Vorbis bitrate up to 384Kbps |
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| How do I switch between USB/AUX/Ext ? |
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Switch to CDC (GROM mode)
1. Press FM (or AM), wait for 1 second.
2. Press CD/MODE/DISC. You should hear announce of the currently active mode.
3. Immediately press > (next track button).
4. Voice will announce the mode. If mode is not desired, repeat #3
5. Wait for 2 seconds for selected mode to become active
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| What limits GROM-USB2 have ? |
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Positions preserved for 4 different USB sticks
Positions preserved for 20 playlists per USB stick
Random will work for 2000 files only, the rest may not shuffle properly or repeat during play |
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| Can GROM-USB2 power up my portable HDD ? |
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Yes. It is able to provide steady 1A @ 5V which is enough for the most portable hard drives
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| I see iPod on one of the ports. Is iPod can be connected ? |
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Yes. iPod can be connected using our custom C-IPD2 cable. It will charge, control and playback your music directly through the USB2 interface.
Check our store or add to your cart along with USB2 module
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| How many tracks device support ? |
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USB2 has been tested with ~10000 tracks on a drive (~80GB) with 20 playlists (root folders)
All supported stereos are not able to show the track number larger than 99.
It is normal and will not affect the track currently playing.
In case if you play track 1467, the stereo will show Track# 67
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| Should I name folders in certain way and place all files into the same folder ? |
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No. We do not recommend using 1 directory for all your files. It will make it hard to preserve the file sequence.
It is better to organize your music like: Playlist -> Artist -> Album as shown below
Folder "01-Mine" will be mapped to the first DISK and all files inside directory "Extreme Behavior" will play in ascending order (01, 02, 03 etc) and will not mix up with any other album.
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| I see that device supports CONFIG file. What is it ? |
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Config file functionality allow to remap some buttons or adjust behavior of the device.
More information is available here
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| Audio tracks are not sorted and play out of order |
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In order to have your files organized you can either add number in front of the file name or use this sorting utility. Just place EXE file in the root of the stick and run.
More information available here:here
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Troubleshooting |
| Tracks play not in order |
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Make sure you name tracks as shown below. Check that you have no gaps in numbering and numbering starts with 1 (not 0!)
You can use formats like: "01." or "01-" or "01 "
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| Some tracks are not playing, some duplicate |
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Make sure that tracks have no gaps in numbering. And either all tracks have numbers or none. In example below the underlined track will not play and the circled one will play twice (as 2nd and 4th).
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| Some folders are not playing, some skip |
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If you need folders to be assigned to a particular disk, they have to be named as shown below. Make sure root folders (playlists) are named in latin characters with no spaces in names !
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| Firmware update does not seem to happen |
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If you do not have any issues with the unit do NOT update !
In some rare cases when update process failed GROM goes into corrupt mode.
You will need to disconnect the unit from the main harness or remove the car stereo fuse
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| Update "bricked" the unit |
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Double check that you applied the right firmware to the unit.
If you apply Mazda firmware to your Toyota (for ex.) it will disable the device and you will need to
apply the right update after you recycle power for GROM-USB2 box
Then do the following steps:
- Save the latest firmware for your car make on a stick formatted FAT/FAT32
- Make sure you name the file as gromusb2.hex and it resides in the root
- Disconnect the GROM box from white harness
- Attach USB stick with latest firmware to the GROM box
- Attach the GROM box to the white harness
- The led on USB should blink 1-2 seconds and then become solid or go off
- Turn on ignition and switch over to GROM (SAT/CD changer) !
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| External audio player does not produce good sound through 3.5mm jack |
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Make sure you switch GROM box into AUX mode
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| On my radio MIX/RND mode will not allow to advance tracks in random order |
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This is stereo limitation. Turn the MIX/RND mode on and let the track advance
in random order upon track completion
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| While in AUX mode I hear background noise and whine |
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It is normal when the other end of AUX cable is _not_ connected to anything.
Once iPod or MP3 player connected there will be no noise or whine.
If noise still present after the audio source is connected then contact Technical support.
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| I'm not sure if firmware update did go through |
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832-12-****** units: To check firmware version switch to USB mode. Remove USB stick. The track number will show build number.
Please note: Build number displayed will NOT match the firmware version that is displayed on download page. So in order to see if firmware changed do this operation before and after update !
834-13-****** units: To check firmware version switch to USB mode. Remove USB stick. The track number will show VERSION number.
Please note: Build number displayed WILL match the firmware version that is displayed on download page
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| GROM box is recognized by stereo but do not play from USB. Only shows CD 1-01 |
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GROM is in AUXILIARY or IPOD mode. To switch to USB you should:
1. Press FM (or AM), wait for 1 second.
2. Press CD/MODE/DISC. You should hear announce.
3. Immediately press > (next track button).
4. Announce should say "USB". If not, repeat step 3
5. Wait for 2 seconds for USB to start playing.
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| USB playback is screwed, playing some files, skipping directories, etc |
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If you are using USB extension cable, try to connect your stick directly to the GROM box and test again
Make sure the USB stick is formatted with FAT32. Use full format in Windows desired.
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Bluetooth |
| I cannot pair the phone with the GROM with BT option |
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1. Please make sure the latest firmware installed
2. Turn the car off. Wait 30 seconds
3. Turn the car on. Now your phone should see the GROM-CAR device. Note that your stereo may be in any mode (FM, AM, CD, SAT etc)
4. Also note that GROM-CAR will be discoverable 3 minutes and if you do not pair the phone you have to repeat items 2-3 again
5. Follow your phone manual and pair it with GROM-CAR
Now the pairing is done and after each ignition start your phone will automatically connect to GROM-CAR !
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| GROM-CAR is visible but when trying to pair or connect I get an error |
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BTD module may go into corrupt mode. Do the following sequence:
1. Enable mode switching state (GROM-FM-GROM)
2. Once voice announcing the mode is heard press SCAN button
3. There should be voice beep confirming full reset
You should be able to select and connect to GROM-CAR now
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Questions?
Please contact us via support form. Your question will be answered within 8 business hours.
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