Hifi, ICElink, DVD, etc...

[X5_44_v8_nl]

Hello All,

In the past weeks I have been upgrading my sound system in my X5.
I will post some install pictures soon.

My car used to have factory DSP, but thanks to the instructions of El_duderino I was able to convert it back to normal 4ch output.

To interface with the balanced outputs I used the Alto Mobile UI-4, which works reasonably. Not perfect because it picks up alternator whine/noise which I have not been able to solve. I will check out later if I can fix this, but for the time being I use a rather cheap LOC from caliber which actually works fine and noiseless.



For Amps I use:
-1x Alto Mobile Class D ADP 204
- 1x Alto Mobile Class D ADP 304
- 1x Helix A2 Competition for the Subs.

Both in the front and rear doors I have the Boston Competition 16,5cm woofers + tweeters. And for mids in the dash I currently use Omnes 6cm midranges.
For sub I use 2x Phase Linear Alliante 12" LTD

Finally to optimize the sound I use the Alto Mobile UCS Pro DSP signal processor which can be configured with a laptop.

I also have the Dension ICElink for my Ipod. This works fine, and shows the track titles on the NAV screen, but in the MID/Dash screen it does not show the titles (just CD 1…, etc.). I have the latest firmware (2.b2) on the ICElink. Is it possible to enable track titles in the MID display??

I am also planning to buy a DVD player. Unfortunately my car has the ‘older’ radio BM24 module, without aux-in. However I think it should be possible to connect the DVD line-out to the red, white and black wires from the ICElink and use some relays/swithches to switch between ICElink input and DVD input. Has anyone tried this yet?

Final question: is it possible to have the NAV screen (16:9) display the DVD picture and thus ‘overriding’ whatever it is displaying (Nav, radio, TV, etc.)??


Many thanks!!!

[Mindfull]

Wow. Sounds like an interesting project. I'm sure others would like to see pics as much as me.
I believe display on Nav screen is possible, but may be restricted to OEM without major rewire. Hope someone else who's retro'd that can post on it...
Good Luck!
M

[X5_44_v8_nl]

I was thinking about hooking the DVD video output up to the TV module using the same connections as a back-up/rearview camera. Only then I would not connect it to the reverse lights/switch but to the DVD player power-on (or a separate switch).
Does anyone here have the rearview camera installed? What happens with the sound if the camera is used, does the CD sound keep playing, or does it mute??

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by X5_44_v8_nl

I also have the Dension ICElink for my Ipod. This works fine, and shows the track titles on the NAV screen, but in the MID/Dash screen it does not show the titles (just CD 1…, etc.). I have the latest firmware (2.b2) on the ICElink. Is it possible to enable track titles in the MID display??

The ID3 text can display in either field - but not both.

Originally Posted by X5_44_v8_nl

I am also planning to buy a DVD player. Unfortunately my car has the ‘older’ radio BM24 module, without aux-in. However I think it should be possible to connect the DVD line-out to the red, white and black wires from the ICElink and use some relays/swithches to switch between ICElink input and DVD input. Has anyone tried this yet?

Since you have the ice>Link already - you can utilize it's AUX-in, we will be releasing this next week. It's already programmed into the ice>Link.

Originally Posted by X5_44_v8_nl

Final question: is it possible to have the NAV screen (16:9) display the DVD picture and thus ‘overriding’ whatever it is displaying (Nav, radio, TV, etc.)??

Many thanks!!!

I'm guessing you haven't seen this thread yet:

http://www.xoutpost.com/vendor-forum/...reen-more.html

[X5_44_v8_nl]

Hello Tom,

Thank you very much for your reply!
It seems that your video source module is just the device I need!
If I understand correctly I can combine it with my existing ICElink plus, and connect a DVD player

Where can I get this device?! I live in the Netherlands, I dont know if you already have a dealership here.
If not, you could send me a PM, I have a company which sells hard&software.

Thanks

Michel

[bart]

Really great to hear about your sound upgrade - well done! Big questions - how much time did it take and was it worth it? Can I ask that you provide some details on the change in the quality of the sound. A critique!!

cheers, Brett

[X5_44_v8_nl]

Hello Brett,

The total upgrade took quite some time. All together I think about 40-50 hours.
The first thing I did, was the upgrade of the speakers. This is something you can easliy do in one day (if you have the right torx screwdrivers of course :-) )
Be sure to use some acryllics sealant to make sure the door woofers are nicely sealed in the plastic 'tubes'.
I would recomment to use the stock speaker wiring.

The most work was to make a nice extension of all the speaker wires to run them to the center of the boot (where the amps are) and to run the power and signal cables orderly.

As the Alto amps do not produce so much heat (because they are class D), I was able to mount them on the cover under the boot-floot. I reinforced the cover by mounting an MDF 10mm panel underneat it, with a small hole on the place where the spare wheel spindle (dont know if that is the correct word )is.
On the spindle I mounted a nut with a large washer/ring, so the whole construction is supported in the center.

I had to cut out a piece of the cover on the left/rear side to be able to mount the alto devices. I filled the hole with glassfibre reinforced epoxy and re-upholstered the cover in grey fabric.

Everything fits perfectly under the boot-floor and have not yet had any temperature problems.

The upgrade is definately worth all the effort. The system really starts to sound like a high end system. I ordered a CREOS FFT spectrum analyser which will hopefully enable me to tweak the system to the fullest.

Keep you updated.

grtz
Michel

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by X5_44_v8_nl

Hello Tom,

Thank you very much for your reply!
It seems that your video source module is just the device I need!
If I understand correctly I can combine it with my existing ICElink plus, and connect a DVD player

Where can I get this device?! I live in the Netherlands, I dont know if you already have a dealership here.
If not, you could send me a PM, I have a company which sells hard&software.

Thanks

Michel

Michael,

We can ship to the Netherlands, send me a copy of your post along with your shipping address via email and I'll provide a shipping quote for the pieces.

Installation is easy for the DIY type.

[el_duderino]

Sounds great!

I tried the Alto amps and they had a serious QC problem... I'm sure it's fixed by now.

The processor is a sweet unit to use, I understand.

Glad the info was useful... now post your pics!

[bart]

Thanks for your approach/details! Look forward to seeing the pic'ees.
Brett