2021 AUDI A8 USB

Media

Media
General information
There may be different media sources and con-
nections available depending on the vehicle
equipment. For example, you can play media files
using a connected USB drive or connect your mo-
bile devices to the Audi music interface and oper-
ate them through the MMI.
Media and format restrictions: the MMI (includ-
ing the USB storage device connection) was test-
ed with a variety of products and media on the
market. However, there may be cases where indi-
vidual devices or media and audio/video files may
not be recognized, may play only with restric-
tions, or may not play at all.
Restricted functionality: reset the MMI to the
factory default settings if functionality is restrict-
ed > page 264.
Digital Rights Management: please note that
the
audio/video files are subject to copyright pro-
tection.
Files that are protected by DRM and are identi-
fied with the symbol f@ will not play.
Data security: never store important data on
CDs/DVDs or mobile devices. Audi is not responsi-
ble for damaged or lost files and media.
Loading times: the more files/folders/playlists
there are on a storage medium, the longer it will
take to load. To reduce the amount of time it
takes the audio/video files to load, use a storage
medium that only contains audio/video files, and
create subfolders (for example, for each artist or
album).
Additional information: when playing, audio
files are automatically displayed with any addi-
tional information that is stored (such as the ar-
tist, track and album cover). If this information is
not available on the medium, the MMI will revert
to the local Gracenote metadata database or
search online if necessary. See > page 258, On-
line additional data. However, in some cases, the
additional information may not be displayed.
250
@) Note
Read the information about Audi connect, and
be sure to note the connectivity costs section
=@ in General information on page 222.
DVD drive
General information
Applies to: vehicles with a DVD drive
The functionality of individual storage mediums
may be limited due to the variety of blank CDs/
DVDs available and the various capacities. Audio
CDs or video DVDs with copy protection, CDs/
DVDs that do not conform to the standard, and
multisession CDs may have limited playback or
may not play at all. Audi recommends finalizing
the recording process when creating multisession
CDs. Multisession DVDs are not supported.
(1) Note
To reduce the risk of damaging the drive and
data carriers:
— Always store data carriers in a protective
sleeve and do not expose them to direct
sunlight
— Do not use damaged, dirty, or laminated da-
ta carriers
— Do not use single CDs/-DVDs with a 3.1 inch
(8 cm) diameter, non-circular CDs/DVDs
(shaped CDs), cleaning CDs, and protective
rings
— Never force CDs/DVDs into the drive. Discs
are pulled in automatically.
G) Tips
The thermal protection switch stops playback
temporarily when outside temperatures are
too high.

Media

» Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
MEDIA > Source > Amazon Alexa.
@) Note
Read the information about Audi connect, and
be sure to note the connectivity costs section
> page 222.
Multimedia connections
USB adapter cable

[RAH-9202

Fig. 172 Audi Genuine Accessories: USB adapter
You can connect your mobile devices through the
Audi music interface to the MMI using the USB
adapter and charge the battery at the same time.
You can purchase the USB adapter cable from an
authorized Audi dealer or at specialty stores:
@ USB adapter for devices with a mi-
cro USB connection
@ USB adapter for Apple devices with
a Lightning connection
@ USB adapter for devices with USB
type C connection
@) Note
Handle the USB adapter carefully. Do not al-
low it to be pinched.
G) Tips
Apple devices with a dock connector can only
be charged using a USB adapter designed for
devices with a dock connector. Data cannot be
transmitted.
252
ONU reat em Tale)
Connect your mobile devices to the Audi music in-
terface in order to operate them through the
MMI and charge the batteries.
The Audi music interface USB ports are located in
the storage compartment under the front and
rear* center armrest and are labeled with the +<
symbol. If multiple USB devices are connected to
the USB ports (for example, a smartphone and a
USB flash drive), all of these devices can be used
as the playback source.
Connecting or charging mobile devices using
a USB adapter
> Connect the matching USB adapter to the Audi
music interface USB port and connect it to the
mobile device, such as a smartphone.
The battery will charge automatically.
Mobile devices connected to the Audi music inter:
face can be started and operated using the MMI
=> page 253.
Disconnecting a mobile device from the Audi
music interface
> Remove the USB adapter cable from the Audi
music interface.

ZA\ WARNING
Driving requires your complete and undivided
attention. As the driver, you have complete re-
sponsibility for safety in traffic. Never operate
mobile devices while driving, because this in-
creases the risk of an accident.
@) Note
— Pull the cable out of the Audi music inter-
face carefully so that the USB ports are not
damaged.
— Use a USB extension cable to connect devi-
ces that have an integrated USB connector
(such as a USB stick) to reduce the risk of
damage to your USB device and the Audi
music interface.
— Extremely high or low temperatures that
can occur inside vehicles can damage mobile
devices and/or impair their performance.

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Media

Never leave mobile devices in the vehicle in
extremely high or low temperatures.
@ Tips
— Always follow the information found in
=> page 94.
— When you switch the ignition off, the USB
ports are still supplied with power until the
energy management intervenes.
— Do not use an additional adapter cable or
USB extension cable to connect mobile devi-
ces to the Audi music interface that already
have a cable or that must be connected with
a USB adapter cable (> page 252, fig. 172).
Using an additional adapter or US extension
cable may impair functionality.
— Functionality is not guaranteed for mobile
devices that do not conform to the USB 2.0
specification.
— USB hubs are not supported.
— Video playback through the Audi music in-
terface is not supported on Apple devices
and MTP devices (such as smartphones).
— iPod touch or iPhone malfunctions also af-
fect the operation of the MMI. Reset your
mobile device in these situations.
— Audi recommends updating the iPod touch
or iPhone software to the latest version. Re-
fer to your mobile device owner's manual
for more information.
— The USB adapter on the Audi music inter-
face will support iPod touch or iPhone devi-
ces from the 5th generation or newer with
the lightning connector.
—Aselection of supported devices can be
found in the database for tested mobile de-
vices at www.audi.com/mp3.
Playing media
The following sources can be selected depending
on the vehicle equipment:
— Amazon Alexa > page 251.
— USB device > page 252.
— DVD © page 251.
— External device: you can connect external devi-
ces via Bluetooth and use the Bluetooth audio
player > page 251, or you can connect an exter-
nal device directly to the Audi music interface
=> page 252.
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, the symbol for a source may
change. The device name may be displayed (for
example: myPhone).
> Select a track from the categories in the media
center > page 254.
Playing media files using the multifunction
steering wheel
Requirement: a media source must contain me-
dia files > page 253.
> Select the radio/media tab in the instrument
cluster.
> Turn the left thumbwheel to display the play-
list.
> To switch to a different source, press the
button.
> To select a media file or a source, turn and
press the left thumbwheel.
> To switch between radio and media, select in
the instrument cluster: the LE] button > Switch
to radio/Switch to media.
Playing media files using the Rear Seat
Remote
Applies to: vehicles with Rear Seat Remote
Requirement: the Rear Seat Remote must be con-
nected to the MMI > page 28.
> Applies to: Rear Seat Remote: Press MEDIA on
the home screen.
Operation of the available media functions with
the Rear Seat Remote is very similar to operation
in the MMI > page 255.

Z\ WARNING
Observe the safety precautions > page 26,
Rear Seat Remote. >

253

— For safety reasons, the video image is only
displayed when the vehicle is stationary. On-
ly the sound from the video plays while driv-
ing.
— Applies to: multifunction steering wheel:
Depending on the selected function, opera-
tion through the MMI may be required.
Sone
fe
S| x Ea ee
Fig. 173 Upper display: media center
There are various categories available in the me-
dia 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.
@ Source symbol
The symbol for the source that is currently in use
is displayed. Depending on the connected device,
the symbol for the source may change. As an ex-
ample, a USB stick is shown connected to the
Audi music interface.
@ Source device name
The device name of the source that is currently in
use is displayed.
@ Categories
The media center will display categories depend-
ing on the connected device, the selected source
content, and the connection type.
Last played tracks
The last played media file will be played.
254

Artists
All available artists are displayed.
> Select: an artist > an album > a song.
Playlists
All playlists and smart playlists in the source are
displayed.
> Select: a playlist > a song.
Smart playlists
Last played tracks: the tracks that were dis-
played last are displayed.
Most played tracks: the tracks that are played
most frequently are displayed.
Folders
The folder structure or track/chapter list is dis-
played.
> Select: a folder > a song.
Compilations
You can control your compilations through the
MMI.
> Select: a compilation > a song.
Composers
All available composers are displayed.
> Select: ad composer > an album > a song.
iTunes Radio
> Press on a radio station.
Audio books
You can control your audio books on the MMI.
» Press on an audio book.
Podcasts
You can control your podcasts through the MMI.
> Select: a podcast > a podcast episode.
Genres
All available genres are displayed.
> Select: a genre > an artist > an album > a song. >

Media

Online additional data
Requirement: the MMI must be connected to the
Internet. A data plan must be available
=> page 225.
When the function is switched on, additional in-
formation (such as album cover, artist, track) will
be loaded depending on the availability from the
different providers.
DVD playback parental cntrl.
Playback of video DVDs can be restricted based
on age restrictions using parental control.
Displaying the DVD parental control menu
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
MEDIA > ©} > DVD playback parental cntrl..
> Enter the PIN for parental control. The PIN set
at the factory is 1234.
> Press OK.
Switching the rating level on and off
Requirement: the DVD parental control menu
must be displayed.
> Select: DVD playback parental cntrl. > a rating
level (for example, level 5) > *, or
> To remove all restrictions, press Off.
Eight different protection levels can be set for
parental control. If you set the parental control
level at level 5, all DVDs from levels 1 - 5 can be
played. Video DVDs with a higher level will not
play.
Changing the PIN
Requirement: the DVD parental control menu
must be displayed.
> Select: Change PIN > enter a new PIN for pa-
rental control > OK.
> Repeat the entry and press OK.
G) Tips
— Not all video DVDs have parental control.
— The protection levels for the parental con-
trol are based on the US standards from the
Motion Picture Association of America
(MPAA). Note that the age levels for video
DVDs in European countries may differ.
— PIN entry for parental control will be locked
for approximately one minute if you enter
the incorrect PIN three times in a row. The
PIN can only be reset by an authorized Audi
dealer.
Supported media and file formats
OTe TN]
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the follow-
ing properties for media files may be supported
by the DVD drive and the connection for USB stor-
age devices:

Audio/video files

DVD drive: audio CDs (up to 80 min) with CD text (artist, album,
Supported media
song)*, CD-ROMs with a capacity of up to 700 MB; DVD+R/RW; DVD
video; DVD audio with audio tracks that are compatible with a DVD
video player;
Audi music interface: mobile devices > page 252 (such as an iPhone,
MTP player, USB storage device in “USB Device Subclass 1 and 6” that
conforms to USB 2.0: USB sticks, USB MP3 players (Plug-and-Play-ca-
pable), external USB flash drives and hard drives

File system

USB storage device: exFAT, FAT, FAT32, NTFS
USB storage device partitions (primary/logical*): 2 per USB connec-
tion
CD/DVD file systems: ISO9660, Joliet, UDF

258

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Media

Album cover: GIF, JPG, PNG with max. 800x800 px. The album cover

Metadata from the medium or from Gracenote®* is displayed, depending on
availability.
Playlists -M3U; .PLS; .WPL; .M3U8; .ASX

Number of files
DVD drive: max. 1,000 files per medium
USB mass storage device: max. 50,000 files per medium; max. 1,000
files per playlist/folder


Format File extension
MPEG 1/2 Layer 3 -mp3
Windows Media Audio 9/10 .wma
Up to maximum 320 kbit/s
48 kHz sampling frequencies



MPEG 2/4 .m4a; .m4b; .aac
Opus Opus; .0gg; .oga
FLAC flac
ALAC -m4a 48 kHz sampling frequency
Monkey's Audio -ape

Format File extension

MPEG 1/2 -mpg; .mpeg
MPEG4 AVC (H.264) .mp4; .m4v; .mov; .avi
up to maximum 15 Mbit/s and
1920x1080 px at maximum 30 fps


Windows Media Video 9 .wmv; .asf
MPEG-H (H.265/HEVC) -mp4; .mov
VP8/VP9 .webm
Flash video flv; .f4v

— The media sources do not support the Win-
dows Media Audio 9 Voice format.
— For compressing MP3 files, Audi recom-
mends 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
Troubleshooting
The information that follows lists some trouble-
shooting options. They depend on the equip-
ment. >
not always display, depending on the sys-
tem language.
— The manufacturer of the storage device can
provide information about its “USB Device
Subclass”.
—Some MTP player functions are not support-
ed, such as rating music tracks and video
playback.
259

Media


Problem Solution

Audi music interface/Bluetooth
audio player: the mobile device is
not supported.
Read the instructions in the chapter > page 252, Multimedia
connections/> page 251, Bluetooth audio player.

Audi music interface: the mobile
device is not recognized as a
source.
For many mobile phones or mobile devices, playback is not possi-
ble when the battery level is too low (less than 5% charge level).
The mobile device will only be recognized as a media source in
the MMI after connecting if the battery charge level is sufficient.

Audi music interface: malfunc-
tions during audio playback
through an iPod touch/iPhone.
The Bluetooth audio player function is switched on. Switch this
function off > page 264 when you are not using the Bluetooth
audio player.

Audi music interface: audio play-
back through the connected mo-
bile device is not possible.
Make sure the USB mode MTP is selected in the settings on your
mobile device.

Bluetooth audio player: interfer-
ence with track display and audio
playback.

Playback interference can occur when using the Bluetooth audio
player if a music player app from a third party provider is open.
Audi recommends using the integrated media player on your
Bluetooth device (such as a smartphone).

260

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Audi smartphone interface

Audi smartphone
interface
Setup
Applies to: vehicles with Audi smartphone interface
You can connect your smartphone to the MMI
with a cable or wirelessly* using the Audi smart-
phone interface. Certain content on your smart-
phone is adapted in the MMI while driving and
can be operated through the MMI.
Requirement: the vehicle must be stationary and
the ignition must be switched on. iPhone genera-
tion 5 or higher with Lightning connector and iOS
7.1.2 operating system or higher, or smartphone
with Android Auto app and Android 5.0 Lollipop
operating system or higher.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
SETTINGS > Connected devices > Audi smart-
phone interface > New connection.
> Connect your smartphone to the Audi music in-
terface > page 252 using a USB adapter
=> page 252, fig. 172, or
> To connect your iPhone wireless*, switch on the
Bluetooth function and Wi-Fi on your iPhone.
Open the Apple CarPlay settings in your iPhone.
In the MMI, press on your iPhone in the list of
displayed devices.
> To update the list, press O.
> Follow the system instructions.
> Pay attention to any additional system prompts
on your smartphone, if applicable.
> Applies to: MMI: If you declined use of Apple
CarPlay or Android Auto the first time you con-
nected your smartphone, then select on the
home screen: SETTINGS > Connected devices >
Audi smartphone interface > a smartphone.
> Follow the system instructions.

Z\ WARNING
Driving requires your complete and undivided
attention. As the driver, you have complete re-
sponsibility for safety in traffic. Never operate
mobile devices while driving, because this in-
creases the risk of an accident.

CG) Note
Read the information about Audi connect, and
be sure to note the connectivity costs section
=> page 222.
G@) Tips
— The functions that can be used depend on
the following factors, among others:
— The brand of your smartphone
— The version of the operating system in
your smartphone
— The software version of the app used
— The USB adapter cable and correct connec-
tion
— Your cell phone service provider
— The customized settings on your smart-
phone
— One of the factors above or a combination
of any of them could cause your smart-
phone to be incompatible with the Audi
smartphone interface. Compatibility cannot
be guaranteed for all types of smartphones.
For more information and assistance, refer
to the user guide and the manufacturer of
your smartphone.
— Please note that you can only connect your
smartphone via the front Audi music inter-
face in order to use the Audi smartphone
terface.
in-
— Wireless Apple CarPlay* is not available in
all countries.
— Wireless Apple CarPlay* was a planned func-
tion at the time this manual was printed.
Wireless Apple CarPlay* is not available in
your vehicle.
— Wireless Apple CarPlay* is only possible i
vehicles without a navigation system or
without a detected vehicle position (GPS
n
da-
ta) if the following requirement is met: the
embedded SIM card for the vehicle must
logged into the mobile phone network
=> page 222.
be
— If the connected smartphone has voice con-
trol, you can operate your smartphone using
the external voice recognition system
=> page 35.
261