Basic Pre-Purchase Questions

[Peter Smith]

I'm planning to transfer music files from a portable drive to the B2. From what I can see, in order to do this, the portable drive has to be of the 'FAT32' format. 

The drive I have is 'NTFS' but I've noticed a post that states the B2 can convert the drive to FAT32. Is that correct and can that be done without the data on the drive being lost? I don't want to risk this.

Can I also check whether the B2 can upload files from the USB drive in bulk? Is there a limit to how many the B2 can upload in one go? 

Lots of questions, but, I have several CD-R's that I burned from my computer. Will the Brennan 'rip' these types of CD's? Earlier posts in the forum suggest not.

Thanks

Peter Smith

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Peter.

1) Yes for the B2 to "see" a USB drive containing files, that drive MUST be FAT32 format.

2) the B2 will not be able to deal with an NTFS formatted device.

3) if you convert the format of a Drive from NTFS to anything (including FAT32) ese, ALL DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST/erased. DO NOT do this to a drive contain any data that you want to keep. Formatting a Drive is a DESTRUCTIVE Process no matter what is doing it (B2 or PC)!.

4) You must first Format an empty USB drive (please not most USB thumb sticks sold on the internet are FAKE - use an SSD or HD device or a Thumb stick from a shop) using the B2's utility to do this - (it will appear not to recognise that there is a USB device plugged in but just go ahead and do it). 

5) Copy all your music (which must be in folders conforming to this structure) onto the USB device

6) you can then bulk upload the contents of the USB device onto the B2 - there is no limit to the size provided it will fit onto the B2's internal disk.

7) to answer your CD-R question we would need more information but if they are NOT in standard commercial CD format then the B2 will not recognise their contents (although it could read CD-R). Best way is to copy the CD-Rs onto the USB as described in step (5) aboove.

Hope this helps

Fred

[Daniel Taylor]

Usually Fred doesn't leave anything for me to add.  ;o)  However, one additional minor point:  Provided the CD-R is in standard Audio CD format (as Fred did say), unless it exactly matches an official release, the B2 will not be able to label the songs with appropriate Artist, Album, and Song title.  So (again, as Fred said),  it's best to just copy them to the USB disk you'll use for the Import process.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Got this to my private E-mail

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Hi Fred,

Thanks for that clear advice. Much appreciated.

Is there a particular SSD or HD or Thumb stick you'd recommend?

Also, in relation to point 4, is there guidance on the Brennan website about 'formatting the empty USB stick using the B2's utility to do this'?

Sorry if that seems a basic question, I'm not too 'techy'.

Regards

Peter  

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Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply I will provide answers below, but when responding to stuff from the Forum (ie replies to your Thread Question) please can you do so from within the Forum.

Go to the forum, find your Thread (question) and use the "reply all" button to send a reply.

This is so that we have a complete record of the conversation/solution for others to loo and and use and so that other Forum members can see the complete status of the question and jump in and help if they can,

Thanks

Fred.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Peter,

Is there a particular SSD or HD or Thumb stick you'd recommend?

No not really ANY Kosher (ie not fake) USB device will work. In your circumstances I personally would go for an SSD USB device because these are fast, and draw very little power I use something like this

When thinking about what to get, then it is probable that you can use the device (after you have loaded all your music onto the B2 using it) as the backup device for your B2, so the size needs to match what you anticipate to be you final

music collection size (and your B2 HDD size). My backup SSD is 1 TB in size and I have a 2TB B2. This is what I have on it

--------------------------

29948 tracks in 2000 albums 499 artists

0 WAV 28739 FLAC 699 MP3 510 AAC

Capacity 2000.00G Used 656.77Gb

USB 0 tracks in 0 albums 0 artists

27 Youtubes

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That should give you some idea.

Also, in relation to point 4, is there guidance on the Brennan website about 'formatting the empty USB stick using the B2's utility to do this'?

It ia a good Idea to read through the "Questions Page" on the Brennan Web Site, in particular familiarising yourself with the "Menu System". 

There are 3 ways to control the B2

1) the Remote (I hardly ever use this)

2) the Front Control Screen and Round Knob - Used to get through the Menu System (I use this when getting the B2 to do things other than play music)

3) the (various) Web UIs/App interfaces (I use these to control the B2 when listening to music.

Some people on the forum have developed Menu cheat pages (a Summary) to help when using the Menu System I will place a link to these, on the forum, below

https://groups.google.com/g/brennanb2/c/-BAbr5d_Q_M

In the case of Formatting a USB device what you should do is

With the B2 powered OFF plug in the new USB drive and power on the B2

Once it has finished booting, using the Front knob and Menu System, go

"Main Menu > Settings > Maintenance > Format USB A (or C)"

NOTE before you do this Format the B2 will behave as if nothing is plugged into USB A or C (even though there is)

Once the Format has completed power down the B2 and remove the USB Drive.

Then load it with the Music you want on the B2

NOTE the music to be loaded must be in this Structure 

Artist 1

            Album 1

                            [Tracks for Album 1]

Artist 1

            Album 2

                            [Tracks for Album 2]

Artist 2

            Album 1

                            [Tracks for Album 1]

etc.

see

When you are ready to load the music from the USB device onto the B2,

With the B2 off, plug it in and power up.

Then using the front controls go

"Main Menu > USB Menu > Import from C (or A)

When the import is complete, press and hold in the "Stop/Play" button on the front of the B2 until "Saving" Appears on the screen. then let go of the button and wait until the time reappears before removing the USB deivce.

Then run

"Main Menu > Settings > Scan Disk" 

Then press and hold in the "Stop/Play" button on the front of the B2 until "Saving" Appears on the screen. then let go of the button and wait until the time reappears. 

You music should then all be on the B2 OK.

NOTE PCs can use FAT32 formatted USB devices just fine, it is just that they will not allow you to create them!

Fred

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Peter,

Don't want to overload you, but you should also be aware that the B2 has a NAS function that can be switched on that allows you to look at (and change) its music contents from the file manager of a PC.

Fred

[Peter Smith]

Hi Fred,

Thank you so much for these detailed instructions. Very helpful. Thanks for your time and effort! Feeling more confident about purchasing a B2.

Peter