Actually, thats not a bad idea for old/new model X5 (before the new X5;s that use HDD based navigation). In theory, you could replace the DVD drive w/a computer interface that would feed the Screen w/the appropriate info.

If BMW opened their source code, or published API's, this could easily be done. alternatively, someone would have to reverse engineer how to sit in the middle (between MAP info, and Car computer). This seems like a time consuming effort. If there was a market $$ for this, then it may happen in the future.

For all the vendors on this board, is something like this on your R&D plans?

Thanks

Rest assured that VDO-Siemens will not be making public the source code of their most successful nav product, which is now no longer in production and no longer in development.

The only way to achieve this is for an expert in CD/DVD drives to emulate the drive control system (which is relatively standardised) by referring to the drive manufacturer's data sheet and standard software design.

PS: I know of a company that has done exactly what you are after but with the CD changer - they have replaced the CD changer with a plug-and-play SD-card reader that reads mp3, wma, etc formats. But the car believes the CD changer is still fitted. And the car shows ID3 tags as well.

Exactly like that. Just keep the MK4, but the MK4 should think there is a DVD drive in it. But the challenge is to replace the Diskdrive and make an interface to a (IDE, PATA, SATA, SCSI or USB) HDD or SSD.

That's a clever idea, just replace the cd/dvd lasers and loading mechanism with a 40Gb laptop drive and away you go, give it a usb port to upload new OS and maps.

hmm, I wonder how doable that is.

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Sept 03, M3, Silver Grey. Retro-fits: Modded Mk4 DVD Drive, OEM Bluetooth, VR Control, Rainbow Speaker Upgrade, Sony SOT Amp, HK Sub, CCFL, Intravee II, NightMode.

That's a clever idea, just replace the one-way disposable rocket with a resuable rentry vehicle and away you go, give it a nice payload capability and upload a new space station.

hmm, I wonder how doable that is.


My point is: anything is possible with enough time, knowledge, and money ... so who can provide those 3 key resources?

lol, yes funny mate; Pssst, it's been done.

I agree and your point is well made I'll get my coat...

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Sept 03, M3, Silver Grey. Retro-fits: Modded Mk4 DVD Drive, OEM Bluetooth, VR Control, Rainbow Speaker Upgrade, Sony SOT Amp, HK Sub, CCFL, Intravee II, NightMode.

Yo mate,

first things first: The idea is there, so you have my input.

How to solve the functional question, tecnically?

I guess, there is running power to the drive and there is data comming from the drive.

Maybe someone has the technicel scematics of a MK4 unit and someone knows how to convert it to standarised IDE, PATA, SATA, SCSI or USB.

We are all car lovers, but I hope there is a genius among us

Thats the rub is it not, lol

There are 2 interfaces (from memory) that connect the loading mech to the motherboard, 1 is a jack type plug (power) and the other is a ribbon connector interface.

That would be the place to start, any one have these?

I suspect that the ribbon is not a IDE, PATA,SATA or SCSI (it could well be though), Also does the loading mech just provide raw data from the reading head direct to the motherboard or is there some processing on the Loading mech?.

I suspect (and its just a guess) that the loading mech just transports the raw data to the mother board via the ribbon and the MB does all the processing, its just a case of sorting the correct protocol to and from the laser.loading mech.

So an interface for the MK3/MK4 MB (IDE,SCSI,SATA or PATA) and the ide/usb stick/hdd will need to be made.

Then some onboard code to make sure it all works together.

Of course the other problem is the format of the data help on the usb (stick/hdd), do you use the different stick for maps and OS (emulating the disc headers (for os = NAV_SW), the map has something else (I remember for the minute).

Indeed.

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Sept 03, M3, Silver Grey. Retro-fits: Modded Mk4 DVD Drive, OEM Bluetooth, VR Control, Rainbow Speaker Upgrade, Sony SOT Amp, HK Sub, CCFL, Intravee II, NightMode.

The hardware is standard hardware, it is likely the interface and controller is standard as well.

So get hold of the specs of the DVD drive... who has access to the drive manufacturers specs?

And the drive simply delivers the DVD data over a parrallel interface to the main board.
So emulate the interface and you emulate the drive.

Ao you need to know the interface specs, and interface data protocol.

This is low-level hardware coding and physical design, not Visual Basic :-)

I think the interface is NOT IDE, PATA,SATA or SCSI because those are made for PCs with powerful, multipurpose PC processors, not dedicated controllers like in an automotive system.

And remember: the nav was designed in the early 90s and the DVD drive added in the late 90s. So think back 10 years as to what technology was available then...