Chevrolet Captiva Owners Manual: MP3

MP3 CD-R or CD-RW Disc

The radio plays MP3 files that were recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW disc.

The files can be recorded with the following fixed bit rates: 32 kbps, 40 kbps, 56 kbps, 64 kbps, 80 kbps, 96 kbps, 112 kbps, 128 kbps, 160 kbps, 192 kbps, 224 kbps, 256 kbps, and 320 kbps or a variable bit rate. Song title, artist name, and album are available for display by the radio when recorded using ID3 tags version 1 and 2.

Playing an MP3

(Tune): Turn to select MP3 files on the CD-R or CD-RW currently playing.

SEEK: Press SEEK to go to the start of the current MP3 file, if more than 10 seconds have played. If   SEEK is held or pressed multiple times, the player continues moving backward through MP3 files on the CD.

SEEK: Press SEEK to go to the next track. Press  SEEK and hold or press multiple times to continue moving forward through tracks.

(Previous Folder): Press the softkey under the Folder label to go to the first track in the previous folder.

(Next Folder): Press the softkey under the Folder label to go to the first track in the next folder.

REV (Reverse): Press and hold to reverse playback quickly within an MP3 file. Sound is heard at a reduced volume. Release to resume playing the file. The elapsed time of the file displays.

FWD (Fast Forward): Press and hold to advance playback quickly within an MP3 file. Sound is heard at a reduced volume. Release to resume playing the file. The elapsed time of the file displays.

RDM (Random): With the random setting, the MP3 files on the CD-R or CD-RW can be listened to in random, rather than sequential order, on one CD-R/CD-RW. To play MP3 files from the CD-R or CD-RW in random order, press the softkey under the RDM label until Random Current Disc displays. Press the same softkey again to turn off random play.

  (Music Navigator): Use the music navigator feature to play MP3 files on the CD-R or CD-RW in order by artist or album. Press the softkey below the music navigator label. The player scans the disc to sort the files by artist and album ID3 tag information. It can take several minutes to scan the disc depending on the number of MP3 files recorded to the CD-R or CD-RW.

The radio can begin playing while it is scanning the disc in the background. When the scan is finished, the CD-R or CD-RW begins playing again.

Once the disc has been scanned, the player defaults to playing MP3 files in order by artist. The current artist playing is shown on the second line of the display between the arrows. Once all songs by that artist are played, the player moves to the next artist in alphabetical order on the CD-R/CD-RW and begins playing MP3 files by that artist. To listen to MP3 files by another artist, press the softkey below either arrow button. The disc goes to the next or previous artist in alphabetical order. Continue pressing either softkey until the desired artist is displayed.

To change from playback by artist to playback by album, press the softkey below the Sort By label.

From the sort screen, push one of the softkeys below the album label.

Press the softkey below the Back label to return to the main music navigator screen. Now the album name is displayed on the second line between the arrows, and songs from the current album begin to play. Once all songs from that album are played, the player moves to the next album in alphabetical order on the CD-R/CD-RW and begins playing MP3 files from that album.

To exit music navigator mode, press the softkey below the Back label to return to normal MP3 playback.

Compressed Audio

The radio also plays discs that contain both uncompressed CD audio (.CDA files) and MP3 files. By default the radio reads only the uncompressed audio and ignores the MP3 files. Pressing the CAT (category) button toggles between compressed and uncompressed audio format.

MP3 Supported File and Folder Structure

To burn an MP3 disc on a personal computer:

• Make sure the MP3 files are recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW disc.
• Do not mix standard audio and MP3 files on one disc.
• The CD player is able to read and play a maximum of 50 folders, 50 playlists, and 255 files.
• Create a folder structure that makes it easy to find songs while driving. Organize songs by albums using one folder for each album. Each folder or album should contain 18 songs or less.
• Avoid subfolders. The system can support up to eight subfolders deep; however, keep the total number of folders to a minimum in order to reduce the complexity and confusion in trying to locate a particular folder during playback.
• Make sure playlists have a .m3u or .wpl extension; other file extensions may not work.
• Minimize the length of the file, folder, or playlist names. Long file, folder, or playlist names, or a combination of a large number of files, folders, or playlists can cause the player to be unable to play up to the maximum number of files, folders, playlists, or sessions. To play a large number of files, folders, playlists or sessions, minimize the length of the file, folder, or playlist name. Long names also take up more space on the display, potentially getting cut off.
• Finalize the audio disc before burning it. Trying to add music to an existing disc can cause the disc not to function in the player.

Playlists can be changed by using cand , the tune knob, or the SEEK arrows. An MP3 CD-R or CD-RW that was recorded using no file folders can also be played.

If a CD-R or CD-RW contains more than the maximum of 50 folders, 50 playlists, and 255 files, the player can access and navigate up to the maximum, but all items over the maximum are not accessible.

Root Directory

The root directory of the CD-R or CD-RW is treated as a folder. If the root directory has compressed audio files, the directory displays as F1 ROOT. All files contained directly under the root directory are accessed prior to any root directory folders. However, playlists (Px) are always accessed before root folders or files.

Empty Directory or Folder

If a root directory or a folder exists somewhere in the file structure that contains only folders/subfolders and no compressed files directly beneath them, the player advances to the next folder in the file structure that contains compressed audio files. The empty folder does not display.

No Folder

When the CD contains only compressed files, the files are under the root folder. The next and previous folder functions do not display on a CD that was recorded without folders or playlists. When displaying the name of the folder, the radio displays ROOT.

When the CD contains only playlists and compressed audio files, but no folders, all files are under the root folder. The folder down and up buttons search playlists (Px) first and then go to the root folder. When the radio displays the name of the folder the radio displays ROOT.

Order of Play

Tracks recorded to the CD-R or CD-RW are played in the following order:

• Play begins from the first track in the first playlist and continues sequentially through all tracks in each playlist. When the last track of the last playlist has played, play continues from the first track of the first playlist.
• Play begins from the first track in the first folder and continues sequentially through all tracks in each folder. When the last track of the last folder has been played, play continues from the first track of the first folder.

When play enters a new folder, the display does not automatically show the new folder name unless the folder mode is chosen as the default display. The new track name displays.

File System and Naming

The song name displayed is the song name contained in the ID3 tag.

If the song name is not present in the ID3 tag, then the radio displays the file name without the extension (such as .mp3) as the track name.

Track names longer than 32 characters or four pages are shortened. Parts of words on the last page of text and the extension of the file name do not display.

Preprogrammed Playlists

Preprogrammed playlists created by WinAmp, MusicMatch, or Real Jukebox software can be accessed; however, they cannot be edited using the radio. These playlists are treated as special folders containing compressed audio song files.

The MP3 capability in a 2014 Chevy Captiva allows drivers and passengers to enjoy a wide range of digital music formats directly through the vehicle's audio system. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer carrying their music library in digital form rather than traditional CDs. By supporting MP3 files, the Chevrolet Captiva's audio system provides a versatile and convenient way to listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts during drives.

Using the MP3 feature is straightforward. Drivers can load their MP3 files onto a USB drive, an SD card, or other compatible digital storage devices and connect it to the vehicle's audio system via the appropriate port. The system typically includes an intuitive interface that lets users browse and select their favorite tracks, albums, or playlists. This setup not only enhances the in-car entertainment experience but also ensures that drivers have easy access to a vast array of audio content without the need for multiple physical discs.

Overall, the inclusion of MP3 capability in the 2014 Chevy Captiva's audio system reflects the vehicle's commitment to modern technology and user convenience. It allows for a more personalized and enjoyable driving experience, catering to the digital lifestyle of contemporary drivers. This feature ensures that all passengers can enjoy their preferred audio content, making every journey more pleasant and entertaining.