[flac-dev] Playing FLAC Files on Audi MMI

[elio manes]

Hello,


I am hoping that perhaps you know the answer to my car audio question,
or can at least point me in the right direction. I own a 2013 Audi S4
that has the 3G-Plus Multi Media Interface (MMI) with the Bang & Olufsen
Sound System.


The MMI is able to playback lossy, compressed audio files (MP3, WMA and
AAC), but does not have native support for FLAC, ALAC, or WMA Lossless.
However, I've read that the MMI system in other 2013 Audi models do have
native support for playing back lossless FLAC and WAVE files.


Is there some type of FLAC decoder “plug-in” that I can download (or
save on to an SD card) that I can then “flash” onto my car’s MMI
software so that it could playback FLAC files?


As I understand it, the MMI employs programmable processors and runs on
a Unix-like RTOS (Real Time Operating System) that can be updated using
a SD card/USB/CD containing the software. MMI software update menu
enables import/export settings saved as an AES (Advanced Encryption
Standard) encrypted zip file.


Audio files can be played back on the MMI via various drives: two SD
card readers, a CD/DVD drive, iPod (MDI), USB, Aux-in, as well as by
Bluetooth Streaming and WiFi hotspot. However, I would be happy just
being able to play back FLAC files off the SD card reader!



I'm a bit of an audiophile and am enjoying the Bang & Olufsen Sound
System in my S4. It would be a shame to have two SD card slots on the
MMI - each capable of holding up to 32 GB of music! - and only be able
to play off them “lossy” audio files.


Any thoughts/suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

Elio

[Cristian Adam]

Post by elio manes
Hello,
I am hoping that perhaps you know the answer to my car audio question, or
can at least point me in the right direction. I own a 2013 Audi S4 that
has the 3G-Plus Multi Media Interface (MMI) with the Bang & Olufsen Sound
System.
The MMI is able to playback lossy, compressed audio files (MP3, WMA and
AAC), but does not have native support for FLAC, ALAC, or WMA Lossless.
However, I've read that the MMI system in other 2013 Audi models do have
native support for playing back lossless FLAC and WAVE files.
Is there some type of FLAC decoder “plug-in” that I can download (or save
on to an SD card) that I can then “flash” onto my car’s MMI software so
that it could playback FLAC files?
As I understand it, the MMI employs programmable processors and runs on a
Unix-like RTOS (Real Time Operating System) that can be updated using a SD
card/USB/CD containing the software. MMI software update menu enables
import/export settings saved as an AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
encrypted zip file.
Audio files can be played back on the MMI via various drives: two SD card
readers, a CD/DVD drive, iPod (MDI), USB, Aux-in, as well as by Bluetooth
Streaming and WiFi hotspot. However, I would be happy just being able to
play back FLAC files off the SD card reader!
I'm a bit of an audiophile and am enjoying the Bang & Olufsen Sound System
in my S4. It would be a shame to have two SD card slots on the MMI - each
capable of holding up to 32 GB of music! - and only be able to play off
them “lossy” audio files.
Any thoughts/suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Elio

Hi Elio,

FLAC devs can't do anything about this.

You should talk to Audi. But I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
3G-Plus MMI is old and most probably only in maintenance mode.

Audi is using QNX as their "Unix-Line RTOS" OS, which is
proprietary nowdays and developing something for the Audi MMI
is impossible for 3rd parties.

Cheers,
Cristian.

[Elio Manes]

Hi Christian,

Thank you so much for getting back to me! Yeah, I contacted Audi, who told me to contact my local dealer, who told me that there is no MMI firmware upgrade to play FLAC files. I found that hard to believe, so that's why I reached out to the FLAC community to see if there was someone out there has worked on Audi MMI systems.

Again, thanks for getting back to me!

Cheers,
Elio

Post by Cristian Adam

Post by elio manes
Hello,
I am hoping that perhaps you know the answer to my car audio question, or can at least point me in the right direction. I own a 2013 Audi S4 that has the 3G-Plus Multi Media Interface (MMI) with the Bang & Olufsen Sound System.
The MMI is able to playback lossy, compressed audio files (MP3, WMA and AAC), but does not have native support for FLAC, ALAC, or WMA Lossless. However, I've read that the MMI system in other 2013 Audi models do have native support for playing back lossless FLAC and WAVE files.
Is there some type of FLAC decoder “plug-in” that I can download (or save on to an SD card) that I can then “flash” onto my car’s MMI software so that it could playback FLAC files?
As I understand it, the MMI employs programmable processors and runs on a Unix-like RTOS (Real Time Operating System) that can be updated using a SD card/USB/CD containing the software. MMI software update menu enables import/export settings saved as an AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encrypted zip file.
Audio files can be played back on the MMI via various drives: two SD card readers, a CD/DVD drive, iPod (MDI), USB, Aux-in, as well as by Bluetooth Streaming and WiFi hotspot. However, I would be happy just being able to play back FLAC files off the SD card reader!
I'm a bit of an audiophile and am enjoying the Bang & Olufsen Sound System in my S4. It would be a shame to have two SD card slots on the MMI - each capable of holding up to 32 GB of music! - and only be able to play off them “lossy” audio files.
Any thoughts/suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Elio

Hi Elio,
FLAC devs can't do anything about this.
You should talk to Audi. But I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
3G-Plus MMI is old and most probably only in maintenance mode.
Audi is using QNX as their "Unix-Line RTOS" OS, which is
proprietary nowdays and developing something for the Audi MMI
is impossible for 3rd parties.
Cheers,
Cristian.