How to set up USB stick with MP3s?

Okay, yesterday I dumped a bunch of folders from my iTunes library onto an USB stick and stuck it in my TNS510 system. Some folders and files were visible, not all. Some of the visible folder did not contain any playable music. Some music did work.
So I figured I needed to convert all my iTunes files (not all mp3) to mp3.
Nothing recognized!
So I compared a few mp3s that did work on the first try with my new mp3s. Apart from the bitrate, which should be no problem, only the IDtag version was different. 2.4 instead of 2.3. So I converted 1 file to 2.3 and it worked. Great! Or so I thought. I then converted all my mp3 in the firsst set (about 100 or so) to IDtag version 2.3. Stuck it in my Prius, and,.... nothing!!! No files playable.

Can anyone please give me a hand in converting my music to the correct mp3 file/folder format?

Thanks!!

Marco

 

No, just MP3.
I use a handy little tool on my Mac called TuneClone. It enables you to burn a virtual CD from iTunes (protected songs or not) into TuneClone, which in its turn converts the "cd" to MP3 files. Works like a charm.

I've just played around further. I renamed a few folders on the stick with a prefix of 001_ and 002_. Now suddenly several folders are visible, though not the ones with the 00x_ prefix.
Stranger still, I reformatted the USB stick (FAT32 extended) and copied the folders (artist-album-songs) back onto it. NOTHING! It didn't even recognize the USB stick even though it was FAT32 before.

It's absolutely crazy!

Marco

 

Okay, I think I solved it.

The TNS510 and thus the Prius is NOT compatible with a Mac!
Since we only have 1 Windows (7) PC (an oldie in my sons room), we do almost everything with a Mac.
But after reformatting the USB stick on the Win7 PC and copying the MP3 files from the Win7 machine to the stick, the TNS510 accepted everything without a hitch.

So Mac users be warned, make sure you' got a Windows PC or Windows install on your Mac when you fill-up you USB sticks!

[edited]
If you're not scared about using the Terminal, you can build a good USB MP3 stick.
Here's what I do:
1. Install TuneClone. This installs a virtual CD burner and converts the tracks into MP3. It works with protected files!
2. Select the Playlist in iTunes you want. Right click on the Playlist and select Burn to Disc
3. Select the TuneClone burner. Check the Sound Check and the Include CD Text options.
4. Burn It
5. In TuneClone you can see the tracks coming in and being converted to MP3
6. Copy all the folders TuneClone created of your favorite music to the USB stick
7. Start Terminal and do
7a. cd /Volumes/<USBname> If you use spaces in the USB stick name enclose the /... part in double quotes
7b. ls -al to show even the hidden files
7c. rm -r .* this will delete the files/folder that are causing the problems. The .Trash, .Spotlight, etc.
7d. Repeat this for each folder on the USB stick. So:
7d1. cd <folder> go to the next folder
7d2. rm -r .* remove the extra files
7d3. cd .. go one folder up
8. Eject the USB stick and enjoy your music



Cheers,

Marco