TV function.

[pezho405]

Is it as simple as buying a tv module, coding it in and then i can watch TV on my nav screen?

Is there other options besides the BMW module?

[ArmyX5]

It is not that simple since all the US channels are digital now. You would need to get a digital converter, a separate antenna and an additional cable that connect your Nav computer, TV module and the Radio. It took me a awhile and some $$$$, but it is working now for me. The bad part is that you can only watch TV while the car is stopped because the reception. Aerial antenna is not possible in the US. I take that back. it is possible but too expensive, lol.

Here is how I have my set up.

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

It is not that simple since all the US channels are digital now. You would need to get a digital converter, a separate antenna and an additional cable that connect your Nav computer, TV module and the Radio. It took me a awhile and some $$$$, but it is working now for me. The bad part is that you can only watch TV while the car is stopped because the reception. Aerial antenna is not possible in the US. I take that back. it is possible but too expensive, lol.

Here is how I have my set up.

Oh yeah thats right about it being digital now. Guess ill just not bother with it.

Now what about, still using the stock screen, having a video input such as from my iphone?

[Brandon002]

Why even bother having video on your nav screen? What's the point? Unless you enjoy sitting in your car to watch TV as opposed to sitting in the house watching TV.

[ArmyX5]

I believe it works the same way, you still need to convert that signal to a 3 colors AV input in order for the monitor to display it, but don't quota me on that. I am just going by what I experienced during my set up. I tried to connect a dvd player and it didn't work. Maybe someone with more electronic knowledge can help you more.

[TerminatorX5]

Pezho, i am in process of doing just that - i will post a write-up, once i have it up and running...

and no, in my application, the point is not to watch video but have, say, Waze on the main screen...

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

Pezho, i am in process of doing just that - i will post a write-up, once i have it up and running...

and no, in my application, the point is not to watch video but have, say, Waze on the main screen...

Looking forward to it! and thats an even better idea, didnt even think about it.

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by Brandon002

Why even bother having video on your nav screen? What's the point? Unless you enjoy sitting in your car to watch TV as opposed to sitting in the house watching TV.

Like Term said the possobility of using something like waze.. google maps.. watching stocks tick..

But in my case i actually do enjoy and spend time in my car sitting around sometimes (like at school warming up or cooling off between a class or something) and i would just sit and watch some news/tv.

[TerminatorX5]

Let me give you a quick run-down of what is involved:

you need a factory nav

you need a factory TV module with RCA inputs activated

you need a picture-in-motion hardware (not firmware mod) that also allows you to have the TV activated with the radio/CD/tape/AUX still activated (video from the tv module, but not the audio from tv module)... There are modules on ebay.de from german sellers that do just that

you need an AUX input activated

you need a BT to 3.5mm AUX input adapter (about $20 from wal-mart)

you need an MHL enabled phone, i think iphone does it... MHL converts phone picture to HDMI, so you need to downgrade HDMI signal to RCA signal (about $30 from amazon)

and of course, you need a phone that can do MHL and BT channel for phone and a separate BT channel for stereo audio output (to preserve the ability to use the car's BT module)

my roadblock at this moment is the fact that the phone's charger can not keep up with the power requirements of the phone, and it discharges while connected to a charger, and lasts me for about 60-90 minutes running Waze and Tune-In application for radio broadcasts.

from my research, the GSM can use up to 2.5 Amps of current, the charger that came with phone was rated at 1 amp, i found a 2 amp charger and finally got myself a 3 amp charger that i had to hardwire... but, even the 3 amp charger can't keep, as the phone is obviously using more current than that - to be exact, once the power requirements exceed the charger's capacity, the voltage of the charger drops and is not capable of charging the phone any longer... i did locate a 5 amp power supply that i am studying now, and in worst case scenario, i will have to built an 8 amp power regulator - it does not mean that the phone will dissipate 40 W of energy, all it means that the 5V DC will not drop below charging level once the demand goes up...

i hope i did not overwhelm anyone on the technicalities here...

[nigwhyrito]

Well there is the the other option tracvision A7 ( aka directtv for the X solution)
my setup = used unit of ebay.
I just recently scored another tuner and remote at half price.
right now pasangers all see the same tuner.
now i have to spend $30 for a dc blocking splitter + a another programming card one time activation fee $21
then add on another 6 bucks to directtv bill. 2 tuners = 12 bucks additional monthly.

my setup will have left side of x watching one channel, right side watching another
channel. Navunit and left rear tied to same input. Left rear monitor capable of 3 inputs. Right side sunroof 2 inputs and right rear pasanger have 3 inputs.

I would do it again if i could. I had to buy cross bars for the X.
I lost 75% of my pano roof. I cant look up no more and see the stars from the rear seat instead i see starz movies from my lcds.

I'm in backed up traffic about an hour a day to and from work. So sometimes i have fuse, mtv, espn cnn or digital music channels, or local news on. Reception is about as good as sirius. Get around a lot of trees or go under an overpass lose signal for no more than a second. Comes in handy when you waiting on people like (make a quick store run) ill be in the car while you buy walmart up.lol

people are amazed that we doing 60 down the highway and they watching hbo, showtime, fx, fox , football on sundays. No picture loss until you hit that underpass.

trying to get my engineer friend to modify my rear seats to recline more- and im working getting myOEM nav and OEM tv unit installed so a total of 4 screens