Can the factory DVD changer play on aftermarket screens?

[nkamar]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, but so far I think this is the best place to get my questions answered. I own a 2008 X5 with the premium audio (and factory DVD changer in the glove compartment), but without the rear entertainment option. I was wondering if there is some way I can hook the changer to play on headrest monitors in the back, or will I have to get a separate aftermarket dvd player?

I know that it will only play when the car is not moving, but a bypass should solve that problem.

Thanks in advance..

-Neil

[brian5]

:xoutpost:

That's an interesting question that I have not seen answered anywhere. It seems that a talented car electronics person would be able to figure that out.

I guess it's an opportunity for one of the vendors out there like Dice. I know I would be interested...

[Denalio]

I would suspect only if it has video & audio out connectors on the unit

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by nkamar

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, but so far I think this is the best place to get my questions answered. I own a 2008 X5 with the premium audio (and factory DVD changer in the glove compartment), but without the rear entertainment option. I was wondering if there is some way I can hook the changer to play on headrest monitors in the back, or will I have to get a separate aftermarket dvd player?

I know that it will only play when the car is not moving, but a bypass should solve that problem.

Thanks in advance..

-Neil

Sort of - we just completed a test install in a 645 last week with very good results:



Sharp eyes will notice that NAV is retained with the video display unlike other units that dominate the entire monitor display.

TV activation and installation is now a 100% DIY with no dealer trip necessary - more info will be released very soon.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

Sort of - we just completed a test install in a 645 last week with very good results:

Sharp eyes will notice that NAV is retained with the video display unlike other units that dominate the entire monitor display.

TV activation and installation is now a 100% DIY with no dealer trip necessary - more info will be released very soon.

That does look good but that's what I see on my 2008 X5 with DVD Changer when I'm parked (DVD plus small Nav). Am I missing something?

I assume that the DVD keeps playing when the car's moving?

Looking forward to your future posts on this

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by brian5

That does look good but that's what I see on my 2008 X5 with DVD Changer when I'm parked (DVD plus small Nav). Am I missing something?

I assume that the DVD keeps playing when the car's moving?

Looking forward to your future posts on this

We have a TVinMOTION module coming shortly for this model as well.

[nkamar]

You read my mind because I was going to ask that question sooner or later. I'm sure you are going to sell a lot of TVinMotion units for the new X. I'm just glad I don't have to dig through all the wiring by myself to try to find a way to trick the system

Thanks again all for the fast replies. I look forward to seeing what will be available in the future..

The best,
Neil

[jayo]

Hi Tom,

I know your YVinMotion module is not ready as yet, but can you tell me if you have to pull out the IDrive screen to fit it, or does it go some where else?

Originally Posted by Tom G.

We have a TVinMOTION module coming shortly for this model as well.

[rodybmw]

Originally Posted by nkamar

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, but so far I think this is the best place to get my questions answered. I own a 2008 X5 with the premium audio (and factory DVD changer in the glove compartment), but without the rear entertainment option. I was wondering if there is some way I can hook the changer to play on headrest monitors in the back, or will I have to get a separate aftermarket dvd player?

I know that it will only play when the car is not moving, but a bypass should solve that problem.

Thanks in advance..

-Neil

I have been looking into this and have purposely not ordered the Rear Seat Entertainment package (RSE) because I want the playback to be from the DVD changer and controlled by iDrive, rather than a separate DVD player at the back.

Here's what I've found so far. The BMW iDrive screen as well as the screen used in the Rear Seat Entertainment pack and the screens in the BMW seatback mounted screens (from the X5 accessories catalog) all have LVDS inputs (instead of the standard RCA composite inputs that all aftermarket monitors have). I did a quick search on the net and did not find an LVDS to composite converter, nor did I find any small-ish (6-7") screens that had LVDS inputs. In addition to that I don't know if there is a "standard" LVDS connector or not.....the one BMW uses is a 10 pin double row connector, sort of like the ones used on computer PC boards. I am not sure whether the actual output coming out of the DVD changer is LVDS or not, but the input to the main screen is LVDS.

So at this point I am planning on getting either the center mounted LCD screen that is used in the oem RSE package, or the two seat mounted screens that are part of the kit shown in the accessories catalog and route the LVDS signals to those screens. Neither option is going to be cheap.

IF the output from the DVD changer is in fact LVDS then splitting the signal there "should" show the DVD picture on the entire screen at the rear, but if I end up having to tap the LVDS signal at the iDrive screen then even the rear screens would show the split screen image......like the iDrive screen.

It may be a couple of months before I have more accurate answers as our car just finished production last Friday and it will take a while for me to get it. But once we get the car I will open it up and see what my options are.