Cazman

HillbillyInBC

Apple lossless files play on my system just like lossy M4As (purchased and ripped), MP3s, and FLACs (stereo and 5.1). All of these file types play flawlessly sometimes, play with occasional dropouts sometimes, play with significant dropouts sometimes, randomly stop playing for no good reason sometimes.

Cazman

Hmmmm.... Apple lossless are m4a files so I'm not sure how to interpret your response. Are you saying that your system will play m4a encoded files directly from a USB memory stick? Mine definitely will not play them. I even took them to the dealer and tried it on a newer build of the RDX gen 3 and a recent MDX. Neither would play them.

DR1

Ive seen the same thing. I would suggest you use a new OEM Apple cable and leave the phone in the tray when connected. It may be that the in-car connector is not the best. Also playing music via bluetooth is really fantastics as well. Take an A/B test between them.

Cazman

thoiboi

but the mp3 files on the same stick do?

Cazman

Yes, mp3 files play as expected and I converted them directly from the m4a files that will not play !! I use multiple memory sticks which behave in the same way so they are not the issue. I can also plug them into my iMac and iTunes will play the m4a files so the files are not corrupt. I believe the codec in the ELS system does not support m4a files as stated in the owner's manual.

gtssenior

My m4a files play just fine off a memory stick. My m4a files were created by Itunes ripping off a music CD and stored directly into m4a format. In theory I would think m4a file types would be identical in format no matter how they are created, but perhaps in practice there are minute differences from different conversion techniques that the Acura is finicky about. That is just a guess, but all I can say is mine work that were created as I described. Perhaps if you have the setup, create a m4a file ripped off a CD using Itunes and see if it works for you. mp3 files work fine too. Incidentally I just tried this test this morning on a 1.0.7 software level.

89kraus

While Apple lossless uses the m4a file extension, Apple Lossess is a different codec, and just uses an m4a wrapper. Only m4a's with an AAC codec are readable by the infotainment system.
As a result the infotainment system may see the file, but it won't be able to play it.

The Wikipedia page for Apple Lossless may better explain it:

"Apple Lossless data is frequently stored within an MP4 container with the filename extension .m4a. This extension is also used by Apple for lossy AAC audio data in an MP4 container (same container, different audio encoding). However, Apple Lossless is not a variant of AAC (which is a lossy format), but rather a distinct lossless format that uses linear prediction similar to other lossless codecs."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Lossless

Apple Lossless files probably play fine if you are playing from an iPhone, as the phone is doing all of the decoding.
However playing from a USB drive requires the infotainment system to do the decoding, and Apple Lossless (ALAC) is not a supported codec. I believe the only lossless audio format/codec that is supported from a USB drive is FLAC.
See page 314 of the owners manual. Files need to be BOTH a compatible format/codec and file type.

I know it's a pain, but your best bet is probably to convert your ALAC files to FLAC. The good news is that because they are both lossless formats you should not loose any quality. It just takes time.

Cazman

Thanks for the information. All my m4a files were ripped directly from original CDs using iTunes on my iMac. I'll try ripping a few again directly to a "clean" USB stick and give it another try.

gtssenior

Mine was using iTunes on a Windows 10 PC. I would hope that would not matter.

HillbillyInBC

Sorry, I misunderstood your question. I've only played Apple Lossless files from my phone via CarPlay. Never tried copying the files to a thumb drive and playing them from there.

Cazman

89kraus

I don't think using a mac vs pc will make a difference in this case. If you are ripping using iTunes and selected lossless encoding, then you are likely forced to use Apple Lossless (ALAC).
I did a little research and it does not look like iTunes supports FLAC, so your best option is probably to use a 3rd party tool to convert your existing Apple Lossless files to FLAC.

Below are a couple of links from Google that may help:
https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-con...ssless-to-FLAC
https://www.boilsoft.com/audioconverter/alactoflac.html

Note: I have not used any of the software noted in these links. Please research and use at your own risk.
The only program I have used and know is safe is Audacity, however there is no easy fully automated way to convert a large quantity of files.
Good luck.

89kraus

If you are willing to pay for an app, I have used dbpoweramp for years.
The latest software supports both Apple Lossless and FLAC.

There is a 21 day free trial if you only have a limited number of files you are looking to convert. https://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm

gtssenior

At this point I would take the memory stick in to the dealer to your sales rep and ask to try it on a vehicle in inventory. If it works then you schedule a service appointment for your vehicle when convenient.