Contributed by: UCrewX5
My
TVonNav system is now
complete with the addition of a DVD player. First off I like to thank
Drex for all the help and lessons learned from his install. Now on to
the details....
The system I installed is from
TVonNav, which is
comprised of the OEM video module, antenna, harness, and a module that
provides video-in-motion as well as some nice additional features (more on
that later).
I installed the video module down in the
spare tire well, next to the radio module. The harness cost for the X5
is a slight bit more than for other BMW's due to its extended length, but it's
definitely the best and cleanest way to go.
The harness from
TVonNav is a one-piece solution and it
includes all of the connections for video-in, video-out, audio-in, audio-out,
as well as video-in for a rear camera. This is a true plug-and-play
install and it requires no splicing or tapping into any other wiring in order
to get the video or audio working.
There is an additional cable that goes
in-line with the provided harness that provides the in-motion capabilities, as
well as other features not available on the stock OEM video module such as
steering wheel controls for changing the channel and audio switching (you can
have a TV station or DVD displaying on the screen while listening to the radio
or a CD).
I installed my antenna in the rear
spoiler. To do this you will have to remove (5) T25 Torx screws, located
on the upper hatch door, on the sides and middle. Carefully lift off the
spoiler and then lay in the antenna in the trough. Fishing the wires
through the rubber grommet was a PITA, but I finally got it through.
With the antenna run and all of the wiring hooked up, you end up with a nice
new option on the display screen:
Having the TV is nice, but to take it one
step further I installed a DVD player. I was on the fence between
putting a DVD changer in the back or a single disk player up front. I
ended up going with the single disk player for a couple reasons. First,
it was much cheaper (the one I got was $100 on eBay - new in the original
box). Next, it gives the passenger the flexibility to pop in whatever
DVD that they want to watch at any given moment. And finally, the unit I
installed has AV input jacks on the front, so if my son wants to plug in his
Gamecube it is
quick and easy to do so. The
Audiovox AVD300 is what I went with, and it installed very nicely under
the front passenger's seat. I used zip ties to mount it to the underside
of the seat. No holes added or other modifications needed, and it
doesn't interfere at all with the movement or operation of the seat. As
an added bonus, it also plays MP3 CD's with on-screen display of the tracks
and artist info.
I ran the wire under the passenger's seat
and under the side rails, all the way to the back. You have to remove the
plastic doorsills of the rear seats to hide the wires properly.
I ran the remote eye up to the ash tray
compartment. A nice surprise was that the eye fit snugly into the
hole on the left side of the tray.
The installation instructions from
TVonNav are very straightforward. A very nice mod, for sure!
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