Wow, I thought this wasn't possible? Are you sure it will work? Artec makes four different models, is this the best one for using in the BMW? I looked at all their specs and they all seem the same except 2 have receiving frequency of 55.25-864.25 MHZ and the other two have receiving frequency of 57 - 861 MHz. Otherwise I don't know what makes them different.

You can easily use a small digital converter meant for your home too (110v). I got some for free with the gov coupons. They are TINY, maybe 5" x 3" x 1". Came with remote. Total cost with a tiny AC/DC converter from Walmart, $17. Now just need a remote extender so I can hide the new digi tuner completely.

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Why wouldn't it be possible?
The BMW TV is the same as your home TV
You connect the new digital receiver to the AV input, same as on your home TV.

The best model for the car will have the following features:
1. Direct 12V power supply
2. Remote infra-red eye capability
3. Screw on antenna socket (ie: vibration proof)
4. Small in size to allow for easy mounting

I am sure Bimmernav.com are considering making a plug-in wiring kit available :-)


NOTE: a moving vehicle is a different situation to a static home receiver, so these home receivers only work to about 10 or 20 kmph, then the picture breaks up.

To resolve this problem a diversity (dual) tuner is needed. They exist in Europe, but I haven't seen any for the USA market yet.

Great explanation. For some reason I thought there was a thread a while back discussing this issue and the consensus was that it couldn't be done.

Give what you have said, I guess it can be done. What is still confusing is are we talking about a "converter" for the analog tuner or an all new digital tuner altogether?

I looked into digital tuners a little while back and got the same answer you mentioned, that the picture would be a disaster after 20 mph or so.

For the other guys talking about it on the thread, could you please post photos and installation information. Thanks.

They are one and the same thing. The digital TV tuner AKA converter is a physically separate 'box', which wires into the TV AV connector, and has antenna & power connections, as well as some sort of infrared remote control capability.

The marketing people in the USA have "dumbed-down" the name of the box, from "digital TV tuner" (which is what it is) to "converter" (which means nothing!)

Your radio tuner is also a "converter" (converts radio waves to sound)

Your TV is also a "converter" (converts TV signals to picture and sound)

And your BMW engine is also a "converter" (converts fossil fuel to power to propel the vehicle)

I see your point. What I meant by converter, and what I thought others meant as well, was a physically separate box that integrates with old BMW TV tuner. As opposed to a new stand alone digital tuner which replaces the BMW TV tuner altogether. Does that make sense?

You'll still utilize the old BMW TV tuner, but you won't use the device as the channel selector. Instead you will use one of these "converter" boxes we are discussing to receive the digital TV broadcast signal and provide the input to the old BMW TV tuner.

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The problem with this is that the home converter boxes don't have a diversity tuner and therefore have the signal go bad once the car starts to move. JAMES on bimmerboard has tried it. He and I with Jochens help have come up with a cable to hook it up to the antenna but it only works when not moving. I contacted Microtune to see if they were going to make a diversity tuner module for the ATSC system and they said no. They do make on for the overseas market that I think is the module used in the BMW hybrid tuner to get analog and DVB-T system used overseas. The Artec unit is 12 volt and I am still going to get one to play with. JAMES has tried two units I think and he is still looking for a diversity tuner type. You might go the Microtune web site and look for Part MT2131 which is for the ATSC converer boxes and Part MT7402 which is the DVB-T hybrid unit. I hope some of you out there will find a diversity Tuner for us all to use.

The new digital TV tuner is a physically separate box

It "integrates" with the existing analogue TV tuner, because the analogue TV tuner provides the AV-in facility, and shows "Television" on the main nav menu

It you remove the original analogue TV tuner, you will
1. Loose the native AV-in facility
2. Loose the AV-out facility
3. Loose the reverse camera facility
4. Loose the "Television" option on the main nav screen (great to show guests that yes, the car _does_ have TV)

So to connect the digital TV tuner _without_ the BMW analogue TV tuner requires fitting of new video-on-nav interfaces.

Hence my recommendation is always to KEEP the old analogue TV tuner, and add the digital TV tuner to the AV-input - which, when you think about it, is exactly what you do at home with your home TV...