Audi A4: Playing media

Media sources

The following sources can be selected depending on the vehicle equipment:

• Alexa
• USB device
• Connect external device: you can connect external devices via Bluetooth and use the Bluetooth audio player, or you can connect an external device directly to the Audi music interface
• Streaming services

Accessing media

Playing media files using the MMI

• Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: MEDIA > Source > a source. Depending on the connected device or online media service*, the symbol for a source may change. The device name may be displayed (for example: my- Phone).
• Select a track from the categories in the media center.

Playing media files using the multifunction steering wheel

Requirement: a media source must contain media files.

• Select the radio/media tab in the instrument cluster.
• Press the button to toggle between the radio and media or to select a different source.
• To select a media file/source, turn and press the left thumbwheel.

Tips

• For safety reasons, the video image is only displayed when the vehicle is stationary. Only the sound from the video plays while driving.
• Applies to: multifunction steering wheel: Depending on the selected function, operation through the MMI may be required.

Media center

Fig. 152 Center display: media center

There are various categories available in the media center. You can also search for media files across sources. The current music track continues playing while you search the MMI.

Opening the media center

• Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: MEDIA > Source > a source > a category.

1. Source symbol
   The symbol for the source that is currently in use is displayed. Depending on the connected device or online media service*, the source symbol may change. As an example, a USB stick is shown connected to the Audi music interface.
2. Source device name
   The device name of the source that is currently in use is displayed.
3. Categories
   The media center will display categories depending on vehicle equipment, the connected device, the content of the selected source, and the connection type:
   • Last played tracks
   • Artists
   • Compilations
   • Composers
   • iTunes Radio
   • Audio books
   • Podcasts
   • Genres
   • Videos
   • Tracks
   • Albums

Other categories may be available depending on the service.

Playlists

All playlists and smart playlists in the source are displayed.

Smart playlists

• Last played tracks
• Most played tracks

Folders

The folder structure or track/chapter list is displayed.

Note

Applies to: vehicles with Audi connect Infotainment

• Cloud services and the iTunes radio category always require an Internet connection.
• Read the information about Audi connect, and be sure to note the connectivity costs section in General information.

Tips

• Only the categories supported by the medium/ service are available.
• For safety reasons, the video image is only displayed when the vehicle is stationary. Only the sound from the video plays while driving.
• When synchronizing a mobile device with Cloud services, playlists may display incorrectly in the MMI. Use the media center in the device.
• Applies to: iPod touch/iPhone: Note the information about the Audi music interface and the supported devices.

Media functions

Fig. 153 Center display: left side: playback view; right side: playlist

Operating

• Applies to: MMI: To open the playback view (1), select on the home screen: MEDIA > Source > a source > a category (for example, Artists > Album) > a track.
• To open the playlist (2), select List in the playback view (16).

The following functions may be available depending on the selected media source and the vehicle equipment:

Tips

Not all functions are available in every source and on every touch display.

Free text search

You can search across all active sources, for example for tracks and artists.

Opening the search

Requirement: the selected source must support the search function.

• Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: MEDIA > Search.

Entries that contain the entered search term are listed in the results list. Each result is marked with the symbol for a category in the media center.

You can search for the following categories:

• Artists
• Albums
• Tracks
• Genres
• Videos

Options and settings

Options

Context-dependent functions and settings may be available depending on vehicle equipment, the selected source, the connected mobile device, and the connection type.

Requirement: the playback view must be displayed (1) fig. 153.

• Press More (11).

Play more like this

The track currently playing is quickly analyzed for features such as artist, genre, mood, and beat, and a smart playlist with similar tracks will be shown.

Aspect ratio

Audi recommends the Auto setting for the picture format. If you press on an aspect ratio, you will see a preview of the setting on the screen.

Press OK to apply the selected aspect ratio.

The following table gives an overview of the aspect ratios. The possible aspect ratios depend on the source or video file being played.

Auto  The MMI detects the picture format of the source and displays the image in the optimal ratio.

4:3, 16:9   The image is fixed in the corresponding ratio. Select one of these options if the image is distorted or a section of the image is cut off or blurry when Auto is selected.

Zoom   The image is enlarged to fill the entire display.

Original   The image is displayed in the ratio of the source format. Select this option if the image is distorted or a section of the image is cut off or blurry when Auto is selected.

Settings

Accessing settings

• Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: MEDIA > .

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the following settings may be available:

Online additional data

Requirement: the MMI must be connected to the Internet. A data plan must be available.

When the function is switched on, additional information (such as album cover, artist, track) will be loaded depending on the availability.

Supported media and file formats

Overview

Depending on the vehicle equipment, media files with the following properties may be supported by the connection for USB storage devices:

Tips

• The media sources do not support the Windows Media Audio 9 Voice format.
• For compressing MP3 files, Audi recommends a bit rate of at least 160 kbit/s. The display showing the remaining play time may differ for audio files with variable bit rate.
• Special characters (such as those in ID3 tag information) may display differently or may not always display, depending on the system language.
• The manufacturer of the storage device can provide information about its "USB Device Subclass".
• Some MTP player functions are not supported, such as rating music tracks and video playback.

Troubleshooting

The information that follows lists some troubleshooting options. They depend on the equipment.

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