I can't remember where I read it, but am I right in thinking only certain types of memory sticks will work with the USB slot on the Mini? I will probably use this instead of my ipod, simply for convenience of not keeping my ipod in the car. What is the experience of this setup by others here and what memory sticks are you using?

im glad ive read this, as i was off to buy a 8gig stick from tescos today for my new mini which should be here in june!

shedracer: To date I have used PNY 2GB stick and Integral 8GB stick with no issues.

L1UNK: If you are getting in Mini in June, you shoud wait until just before you get your Mini before buying a stick, prices are falling fast and capacities are going up.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks for that Paul. I was looking at this in a mobile phone shop the other day,
SanDisk 8GB Micro SD HC/ Transflash Card plus HC Card Reader


Wonder if it would work, its quite a bit more expensive compared to normal USB memory sticks, but its tiny and I guess you can use different size micro sd cards in it.

very true paul! ill take up that advice!

has anyone tried a removable harddrive yet on the usb controller? ive heard people have got them to work on a BMW, the drive just has to be formatted righr (fat32 i think) tesco is selling Western Digital 160GB Portable Hard Drives for 54 quid! bargin!

very true paul! ill take up that advice!

has anyone tried a removable harddrive yet on the usb controller? ive heard people have got them to work on a BMW, the drive just has to be formatted righr (fat32 i think) tesco is selling Western Digital 160GB Portable Hard Drives for 54 quid! bargin!

I have tried a couple of different hard drives including a Western Digital 80gb drive formattted as FAT32 with no luck. I think I have read the same articles as you related to getting them to work on BMWs. I have a couple of other drives I would like to try, I'll keep you posted.

I did manage to get hold of a 32GB Integral USB stick which seems to work ok.

32 gig is near enough all my Mp3 collection!! that would do fine! :)

32 gig is near enough all my Mp3 collection!! that would do fine! :)

Just as an FYI - I ordered it from Amazon - Amazon.co.uk: Integral 32GB USB2-Pen Drive: Electronics & Photo (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000WMU6H8)

This was the cheapest I could find, you may find it cheaper elsewhere. The price on Amazon has gone down by a couple of pounds since I ordered mine a week or so ago!!!

Here is an account of a hard drive working, although it was only a temporary success:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135899

For memory sticks, access performance does matter on which one you get. SanDisk was reported to be good (see post #9 in the linked thread). Performance makes a difference for cataloging the songs when you insert the stick. Different units use different flash memory and firmware, and when selecting you have to balance between performance, cost, and capacity.

Has anyone ever used a sd card with an sd card reader setup? Because my thinking is you coul dbuy an sd card reader that plugs into th usb port them download songs onto the sd card then put it in the sd card reader connected to the usb port in the car then hey presto the car would recognise the songs and play them! Anyone done this? Or is it just not possible??