Easiest android headunit conversion for Navigation and DSP

[Homerlovesbeer]

I installed the I-Bus app and module weeks after the initial install. Yep the factory CD changer is in the boot left hand side but no longer working.

All I know is the Xtrons unit worked out of the box from memory. I downloaded the I-Bus app separately and had to wait until the physical USB module arrived before it would activate.

Originally Posted by wpoll

Nice looking setup, by the way..

Thanks yep I'm pretty happy with it

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Homerlovesbeer

All I know is the Xtrons unit worked out of the box from memory. I downloaded the I-Bus app separately and had to wait until the physical USB module arrived before it would activate.

This is confusing. You said above that you didn't need the Riesler interface:

Originally Posted by Homerlovesbeer

Actually that's not true....the Xtrons unit I installed worked perfectly without the Resler Ibus USB being installed.

Which is true. The radio doesn't need the interface if it doesn't cut out. But Wpoll is correct:

Originally Posted by wpoll

The Resler USB interface is solely to allow the android head unit to communicate with the car's data bus

The Android radio can work and the Riesler app will launch- But the app alone cannot tell you anything without a physical interface that is connected into the IBus. You indicate above that you *did* install the USB (Rielser Interface). Xtrons has simplified the connections for Reisler by including a harness for the physical USB. They followed the guys at AVIN who have sought to make the easiest- and therefore the commonly most expensive option for Android radios in the E53.

So I think we're solving two different problems here:

(1) The OP and the thread focus on the Riesler Interface enabling the DSP amp to think there is a radio in the loop. If I may, I think for your install, the radio worked fine without cutting out the audio.

(2) A USB Interface and a physical connection to the bus is absolutely necessary to enable the IBus app to function with communication to the bus.

Your radio worked fine as you say, but the confusion arrived between the function of the radio- which does not necessarily require the USB interface- vs the function of the IBUS app, which does.

[Homerlovesbeer]

Sorry about the confusion.

Yes 1) My Xtrons unit powered the factory DSP amp on natively without requiring the Resler I-Bus app and the USB interface.

2) The OP may require, in their case, the Resler I-Bus app and USB interface to maintain power to the DSP amp and have the audio not cut out.

3) the Resler I-Bus app and USB interface is required to access the X5 factory canbus system to allow the ability to do things as reset trip computer, set the time, control all the factory dash operations, control lights, mirrors, reverse sensors etc.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

). Xtrons has simplified the connections for Reisler by including a harness for the physical USB. They followed the guys at AVIN who have sought to make the easiest- and therefore the commonly most expensive option for Android radios in the E53.

Not for all the Xtrons units. I had to solder mine in following the Resler instructions and this YouTube video.

https://youtu.be/1oH6wIK2ZcQ?si=LJ-CdXZJbMWQ20Cg


This is what I bought
https://shop.ibus-app.de/en/i-bus-ap...le-incl.-cable



Installation instructions here
https://wiki.ibus-app.de/index.php?t...sler_Interface

Connection to the adapter radio cable
The ideal connection is the adapter cable supplied with the radio.
NOTE: The cable colors specified refer exclusively to recommended radios and extensions!
Other radios/extenders may have different cable colors. The only thing that matters here is the correct PIN number in the plug, NOT THE CABLE COLOR!!!

Here the module/interface can be soldered onto the radio connections. The cable colors on the adapter cable (recommended radios!) are:

12 V -> yellow
Mass -> Black
I-BUS -> Green
New Generation Connections:
Block A:

PIN 9: I-Bus
PIN 12: Ground
PIN 15: 12V
Connections Old Generation:
Block A:

PIN 7: I-Bus
PIN 15: Ground
PIN 9: 12V

[Fifty150hs]

I installed the Avin Avant 4 about 4 years ago. You need the Resler interface and IBUS app both tor OBD functionality and for the DSP to work. I'm very happy with this unit. I like that it looks just like the Nav head unit that it replaced. You will need the extension cable for the radio and DSP. You'll also want the extension for the GPS antenna wire so you can plug into the GPS antenna already installed in the car. I also recommend getting the microphone, the one built into the unit sucks. I also added a back up camera. Overall I'm very pleased with this unit.

[seanbreaux]

What is the benefit of using the factory DSP? Is it just easier to install a headunit if you use the factory DSP? I was seeing some android head units that come with DSP. Is this a better option? Harder to install?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by seanbreaux

What is the benefit of using the factory DSP? Is it just easier to install a headunit if you use the factory DSP? I was seeing some android head units that come with DSP. Is this a better option? Harder to install?

A car fitted with the factory DSP amp has all the speakers wired to that DSP amp (in the trunk/boot), so to fit an after-market system either requires the continued use of the factory DSP amp (the head units feeds into the DSP amp) OR you can re-wire all of the speakers to by-pass the factory DSP amp (a LOT of work!).

Most folk seem to use the factory DSP amp when doing this upgrade - hence all the talk about the Resler interface and the iBus app.

As you mention, many android units also sport a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) stage. To simply things, you can think of DSP as a fancy equalizer and having two equalizers in the system isn't really needed but also isn't really a problem either.

[seanbreaux]

Originally Posted by wpoll

A car fitted with the factory DSP amp has all the speakers wired to that DSP amp (in the trunk/boot), so to fit an after-market system either requires the continued use of the factory DSP amp (the head units feeds into the DSP amp) OR you can re-wire all of the speakers to by-pass the factory DSP amp (a LOT of work!).

Most folk seem to use the factory DSP amp when doing this upgrade - hence all the talk about the Resler interface and the iBus app.

As you mention, many android units also sport a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) stage. To simply things, you can think of DSP as a fancy equalizer and having two equalizers in the system isn't really needed but also isn't really a problem either.

Thank you for this. That makes total sense. I guess I need to buy an Android headunit, the resler interface, IBUS app, and some cable to go to the truck from the headunit. Any cable recommendations?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by seanbreaux

Thank you for this. That makes total sense. I guess I need to buy an Android headunit, the resler interface, IBUS app, and some cable to go to the truck from the headunit. Any cable recommendations?

The cable is usually an option when you purchase the head-unit, since some cars (like mine) don't need this cable.

For example, this Xtrons unit has the cable as an option: -

https://xtrons.com/bmw-x5-e53-androi...gb-rom-pe7253b

Optional Cables: -

Add either...

https://xtrons.com/bmw-e38-e39-e46-e...n-cable-exl005

Or...

https://xtrons.com/extension-cable-exl007

And...

https://xtrons.com/bmw-antenna-adapter-ant001

Or...

https://xtrons.com/antenna-adapter-isofz

[wpoll]

One the members here (Crowz) has a very good installation write-up: -

BMW X5 Aftermarket Seicane Android Radio Install

He also added the iBus adapter (but maybe without the optional DSP license): -

BMW IBUS Adapter – Android | Crowz Nest

HTH...

[flinkpoyd01]

First post, I've used SO much info from XOutpost since buying my basket case 2004 4.4i about a month ago. Working through things one at a time :-). Years ago I was big into car audio and I have been in the tech space for my entire career so I have comfort in dealing with tech related stuff.

Mine came from the factory with DSP, Nav, and the 6 disc changer.

I just finished installing the current Xtrons unit (this one https://xtrons.com/bmw-x5-e53-androi...l-4g-ix1253bhl).

I purchased the unit, the 6m cable, and the long fakra cable, as well as a third party 3.5mm microphone. Ran the cables from front to back (admittedly time consuming and a pain, but worth it in the end) and just connected up the cables as expected. Ran the GPS antenna to the top of the dash and the external mic up the A pillar and stuck it to the top left corner of the windshield (didn't need to remove the A pillar trim, just shoved the cables in and they are snug and secure).

I have full functionality of all of the features without installing anything else. The only issue I have found so far is that adjusting the fader from Front to Back doesn't seem to work correctly- it just turns the volume down in the vehicle. I haven't spent any real amount of time messing with settings so it may be that there's a setting that will fix that.

Totally happy with the investment, both $ and time, to add such technology to the vehicle. Feel free to ask any questions about install as it's relatively fresh in my mind :-)