Yaris Cross And Playing MP4 Files

[dannyboy413]

I have a USB stick on which I have stored 100s of MP3 files and 100 or so MP4 music videos. The Corolla would play either. However, the Yaris Cross does not recognise the MP4 files - when it shows me the file folders, the one with the MP4 videos does not exist. Having read, (some of), the multimedia handbook, MP4 is not a recognised file format, so obviously, I can not play them. The recognised file formats are all Audio formats. Is the mulimedia head unit just not capable of playing videos, or is there any way round this does anybody know?

[James T]

Hi

.MP4 is a video format, it may be the old car read the audio content, and ignored the video bit.  You could try to rename a .MP4 fire as an .MP3 file, and see if it works.  Otherwise you will need to convert the MP4 to MP3.

I purchased the Windows software below years ago, and it works well.  It allows you to copy / link the whole list of files, and it batches the files out so you don't have to convert them one at a time 🙂

https://www.alloksoft.com//3gp_psp_mp4_ipod_video_converter.htm

Best regards

James T 

[flash22]

video playback only works in park with the handbrake on, do you have the touch2 or 9" connect ?

iirc the resolution is also a limitation

[dannyboy413]

Just to clarify a couple of things mentioned in the two above replies from @James T and @flash22 , for which I thank you gents.

 

The 'old' car, 2022 Corolla, would happily play MP4 (Video) files, as well as MP3 (Audio). The 'new' car, 2023 Yaris Cross, will play MP3 files no problem, but does not even show any MP4 files on the USB stick, so it obviously does not recognise them. Most of the MP4 files are also on the USB as MP3 files, (i.e. the same track, but one in video format and another one just in audio format). I have tried just sitting in the car in 'P' - the handbrake is automatically on, but it makes no difference. I had the touch2 on the Corolla but the Yaris Cross has the new 9" screen. I can not find anything on t'internet that relates to the problem and I can only presume that the 9" set up is not capable of playing an MP4 file. I will try it, but I do not think renaming an MP4 to MP3 would make any difference, as the file would still have the same codecs. I do have a programme that will extract the audio from a video. As I mentioned in the original post, the multimedia handbook does not mention MP4 when it comes to acceptable formats., **so I will have to send the Yaris Cross back and cancel, as I can't watch my music videos. 😢

(**I am joking of course! 😀)

[Cyker]

My Yaris can play MP4s, although it won't play them as part of the random song selection (At least not that I've seen!) - I have to manually select them to play on the head unit.

That said, mine has the older type head unit with the buttons and 2 knobs; The new one may have different support...

I was thinking maybe the MP4s have the wrong format (There are 2 types of video format which can be called MP4!), but if they play in the Corolla that shouldn't be an issue...

 

[dannyboy413]

35 minutes ago, Cyker said:

My Yaris can play MP4s, although it won't play them as part of the random song selection (At least not that I've seen!) - I have to manually select them to play on the head unit.

 

 

Thanks @Cyker

That is exactly how they would play in the Corolla - no 'random' capability. I have a sneaky feeling that the new 9" unit can not play an MP4 file - I might have to get on to the dealer or Toyota Ireland.

[Cyker]

I'd be interested to hear what they say; It'd be a bit of a weird step backward if they have removed that, although TBH I suspect very few people use it...!

 

[IT Troll]

Annoyingly, it is not possible to play video with Apple CarPlay. Apple only permit certain categories of apps to use CarPlay. Some folks have used jailbreak techniques which enable CarPlay for any app and video playback works really well. It would be a very useful feature to allow when parked.

[flash22]

Just pulled the tech spec and manual, MP4 is not supported on the 9" smart connect - as above CarPlay doesn't support video but Andriod does

edit. You can use carplay to play mp4's without a jailbreak, it takes a little work

[dannyboy413]

@flash22

If I am understanding you correctly Bob, Android supports MP4 video playback, but it is irrelevant, because the 9" unit is not capable of playing them. ??

[flash22]

The 9" will not play it directly but AA and AC mirror the phone via a GUI, so the processing and decoding is done by the phone

[dannyboy413]

Thanks for that Bob - I will have a play with the phone and car shortly. 👍

[Cyker]

That's so weird, but I'm going to guess this is another thing that will be blamed on 'chip shortages' (Despite the fact news in the IT industry are reporting chip manufacturers in the far east are winding down plants due to lack of demand?!?! )

[flash22]

The new gen touch2 can play mp4 as can the aygo cross, but the Smart Connect can not - nothing to do with supply it is just the fact the system doesn't have the support/isn't programmed for MP4

[Cyker]

I know, I was just making a half-joke that they omitted the chip for MP4 decoding because of shortages!

[avag1980]

Hi dannyboy413

i hope to be well! 

do you find anymore solution of your problem (play mp4 to yaris cross) ??

i have the same problem my friend...

i am waiting for your answer!!

[dannyboy413]

hI @avag1980 Short answer = 'No'. The Yaris Cross would appear to be incapable of playing MP4 files. However, I have not tried mirroring the phone, so that might work as suggested earlier.