Need help with USB and Bluetooth audio

Go to Setup/Bluetooth/Phone and there should be a category to Setup the iPhone for Music. This is all your iPod functions. I listen to music and my Audible books via the Bluetooth connection.

For internet you need to hook the iPhone directly to USB. USB port connection also moves the iPod controls to the Prius screen vs. iPhone screen.

MP3 player I'd think you'd plug in to the Prius Aux connector vs. the USB.

 

Yep, you have to make sure you set up the iphone for bluetooth audio streaming as well as the bluetooth phone. On my 4Runner, as you set up the iphone, it asks if you want to set it up as an audio device as well.

Having the entune setup, you should be able to use that to get to your music on your iphone as well. Have you signed up for entune and downloaded the app for your phone?

 

Under Bluetooth setup you need to select paired devices. If you see your phone you will see three icons next to it. The first is a picture of your phone. If your phone is connected via Bluetooth it will be highlighted. The next icon is for music. Just select the icon and it will ask you if it is ok to hook the device for music. Just select yes, and you're good to go.

If your phone has never been used with Bluetooth you will not be able to get into paired devices. You will first have to register the phone. You did say your phone works so going under paired devices should be an option that can be selected.


iPad ?

 

Acutally, some of the stuff you guys told her can be taken a lot of ways.

You can also use an iPod/iPhone USB connection cable to allow your Prius v to just directly control the player on your iPhone/iPod. Just in case you have had problems with your bluetooth.

As for the Zen x-fi or the USB flash drive, you just need to have your mp3s put on the root of the drive or in a folder. You may want to make sure your music is encoded to be about 128-320bit, no higher, and I believe with a 22-44.1 khz bit rate. It should also support WMA files and a few others, you should check your manual for the Nav system for the supported audio formats it will support. You will also need to make sure you are in the USB section on your system. Your devices should also be 'hard drive readable' to allow the system to access it and see files.

 

The reason the MP3 is quiet for Bluetooth, is that the Bluetooth Media player uses both the car's volume and the player's volume. Think of your car system as one big plug in speaker. Problem with plug in speakers, is that if the player is playing at one volume, the speakers play thinking at that volume. Weak signal (low volume) == weaker signal on the plug in speakers.

Ideally, I would recommend using the USB to iPhone/iPad/iPod connection, as the nav unit has sort of a native iTunes controller that maybe more ideal to your situation.

 

Actually, I have not noticed any difference between the volume via Bluetooth or direct USB connection with my iPhone 4. I do have the volume on my iPhone at max when using Bluetooth. When connecting via USB, you don't have a volume option on the iPhone.

But I agree, a USB connection should theoretically give you better sound quality... however due to the quality of the v3 sound system, I doubt anyone would notice.

 

Is the drive FAT32?
My drive was annoying the devil out of me until I reformatted even though it reported it was FAT32. It's been working fine ever since.

 

I am having trouble permanently pairing my phone (not a smart phone) with my car too. i do not understand the "registering" process. hints?

 

registering is setting your car and your phone ready to accept the other device's information. On the 2012 prius it actually says register on the menu. On your phone it can be called many things. It might just say enable bluetooth, or search for other devices. To pair the devices one of the devices will ask for a 4 digit code. Just enter the 4 digit code and you are now paired. Once you are paired the units will try to connect every time they are within range of each other

 

my phone is listed under the paired devices list so i've gotten that far but something is affecting the ability for the car to pick up the fact that the phone is on and now in the car: to be "connected". frustrating.

 

i appreciate your help but nowhere on the screen does it say "register" and though it mentions a PIN, nowhere on the car or the phone does it ask for one to be entered. it does list a code or something that should match (and does) the one on the other device. i think the phone must be registered because for a time i have been able to use the hand-free feature, until the car is turned off. i'm happy for more suggestions!

 

Do you have a Prius v with navigation? If you do there is a register command on the Bluetooth menu. If you already registered the phone it should be under paired devices. If it is click the 1st icon to the right of your phone. That represents Bluetooth for your phone. The second icon is for music, and the 3rd icon is the Internet.

Edit. I see you said it is under paired devices. Ok if the phone icon is not highlighted then select it with your finger and you should be connected.

 

Are you positive that bluetooth is activated on your phone when you start the car. On some phones bluetooth is not automatically turned on when another bluetooth device looks for it. My wife's smartphone, an LG Thrive, is like this. She turns bluetooth off if she is not in the vehicle, to save battery time, and she has to manually turn it on before starting the Prius or the car will not see it. On my non-smartphone, a Motorola Krazer, the car communicates with my phone and my phone turns bluetooth on and they are automatically paired.

 

i know the screen you are talking about. no, the phone icon is not lighted, though one time it was. it has not done anything when i've touched it. i'll try again.
thanks!

 

the phone bluetooth is always on.