Waze on the factory Nav screen

TerminatorX5 · #1 12-08-2013, 07:02 PM

the credit for this idea goes to a friend of mine off the HackiBus group on Yahoo, from the Middle East, who is using this setup for some time now...

Here is a rough wiring of an android phone to the factory Nav headunit. This concept needs a lot of fine tuning but the main idea is that it is much easier to upgrade your smart phone (some folks I know do it twice a year!!!), than to rewire your car everytime a new gadget comes on market...

The pre-requisites:

an iBus BMW - in my case it is an E53, 2006 4.8iS
factory Nav system - in my case it is a 16:9 screen with MK4 nav computer
factory TV module - in my case the module is retrofitted, as it is not available as an option in US spec'd BMWs.

The things needed to make the setup work are:

the TV module should have the AV input wired up
the Android phone should have the MHL ability, which is ability of the phone to put out the screen image onto a TV screen, usually in HDMI format (I am not an Apple "person" but I think iPhone has similar abilities)
you will need a video converter that will convert the HDMI signal into a regular, 1 volt peal-to-peak video signal (about $30 from Amazon)

in my particular setup, the phone i am using is an HTC One X+, that can transmit HDMI signal wirelessly to a special Media Adapter, seen on this picture. (about $50 without cables, about $100 with the cables). this particular setup allows a completely wireless integration of the HTC display into the factory headunit.

here is a link to the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R94c3kzF_wQ - ignore my attempt to run SlingPlayer, the main reason for the setup to be able to have the real-time navigation with the traffic updates, and on-line radio... ability to get weather updates, and some google search abilities are nice too...

here is another video, that proves a possibility of a touchscreen for the main screen - Testing Android 2.2 on a 23 inch LCD Touch screen - YouTube. this particular setup is possible thanks to the MimicsX2 module, MimicsX2 Module + Sender - customGadz. However, there are reported issues with the seller/company - some report that the seller is not responding to emails, the product is shipped with almost a YEAR delay, some report that the hardware is not working as advertized... this module, however, seems to be a direct device needed to retrofit a touchscreen overlay for the factory nav screen using a BT connection. It also seems that there are other possible options for this matter, i have not had a chance to explore them yet...

Now, the issues that come with this set up

the factory TV module is MONO only
the factory TV module will cut off ANY video source from being displayed on the main screen (the reverse camera is an exception) once the car is in motion
the factory TV screen resolution is 640x420 or something like that = super crappy

This will call for a key component that is not a factory authorized device - a TV-in-motion microcontroller, sold in abundance on german ebay.de... This device will allow the picture to remain on while the car is in motion, thus allowing the actual usage of this set up... There is another function that comes as a side function of the TV-in-motion device, and some of them have it, and some - do not... The function i am referring to is the ability to pull the picture from the TV module but keep the audio source previously selected, such as radio, or a CD playing over "muted" TV picture.
The benefit of this function is very simple - it will allow us to overcome the MONO limitation of the TV module. And once an AUX input is activated in the car (AUX input is factory pre-wired but not activated), the red and white wires from the HDMI-to-RCA adapter (see the picture) can be plugged into the AUX for the STEREO sound.

the benefits of this setup are clear - no permanent changes to the car's wiring, no loss of factory computer functions, the reverse camera, if wired via the TV module still cuts into any image projected on the main screen, you can always go back to your pre-purchase state, should you wish to sell the car...

opinions? suggestions?

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Brandon002 · #2 12-08-2013, 10:11 PM

That's freaking awesome.

Thanks for posting this.

ArmyX5 · #3 12-09-2013, 01:32 AM

Terminator,

Thanks for the update. I am running almost the same set up as you, minus the wireless connection. I am working on connecting my Iphone5 to my set up using your set up here minus the wireless. Here is what I have: Iphone5, Lightining Digital AV adapter, waiting on the MINI HDMI to RCA Converter( I just ordered from Amazon). I am already running different input: TV, DVD and PS2 game console to all three all my monitors.

I do have one question for you. I see that you have a different AV display on your monitor and it will disappear after a couple of second. I cannot get my AV (blue line) to go away

. see pictures below. Do you know if there is a setting somewhere that I am missing?

As soon as I get the MINI converter I will hook everything up and let you all know if it is possible with the Iphone5 to mirror it. I will work on the wireless connection after.

pezho405 · #4 12-09-2013, 02:41 AM

Wow, What a great job! Molodets!!
This is really cool, i can only dream of this for now, i dont even have Tv function yet

Off topic question but for the GPS time sync..
GPS_UHR is the name for this function in NCsexpert right? Which module is it under? I couldnt find it under Gt Gm3 or LCM.

TerminatorX5 · #5 12-09-2013, 03:12 AM

Hello Army...

I did not put into the post my complete set up, that includes a manual 4-in-1-out switch, AUX with the iLive Bluetooth for the stereo audio, power supplies that feed off a dedicated power line from battery, controlled by wake-on-LAN signal (when car goes to sleep after 16 minutes, all my aftermarket things lose power). The whole setup is hiding in the central console, where the CD holder is...

The phone's cradle is by iBolt, the phone goes into CAR mode the moment i drop the phone into cradle, i set up the profile that the BT is active when the screen is active, which is active when a power supply is connected... the power supply for the phone cradle that i am using is a 5V, 3A power supply, which has proven to INSUFFICIENT to power the phone... i was going to source a 5A power supply but later decided to built my own, 5V, 8A supply...

also, the iLive is calling for its own microUSB power source, the HTC MediaLink needs a MicroUSB source, the Mini HDMI-to-RCA calls for MiniUSB supply, and naturally, the iBolt cradle will get an 8A power supply...

I will list the set up with more details as time permits...

As far as the line PROGRAM AV goes - i noticed that your wording for AV is in RED, while mine is green... also, in mine, i can have the clock and the channel number (in this case, the letters AV) turn on and off by pressing the clock symbol on the right side of the monitor... as a matter of fact, on mine, that clock symbol also allows me to turn the TV function by bypassing the TELEVISON choice in the main menu, and keeping the audio source (like CD, or AUX)... that is a function of the TV-in-motion microcontroller... Anyways, i digressed... I do not know about the firmware versions of the TV modules but it could be due to internal programming... mine is hybrid, analog/digital... is yours too? can you try the clock symbol, see if that makes any difference?

TerminatorX5 · #6 12-09-2013, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pezho405

Wow, What a great job! Molodets!!
This is really cool, i can only dream of this for now, i dont even have Tv function yet

Off topic question but for the GPS time sync..
GPS_UHR is the name for this function in NCsexpert right? Which module is it under? I couldnt find it under Gt Gm3 or LCM.

thanks Pezho... initially i was going to set up a CarPC using CIS-IBUS module, but i installed it over a year and a half ago in the 4.6, and did not like the fact, that it was not integrated into the list of the main manu items (alongside the Nav, the Monitor Off, the Setting, the Telephone, the Aux Vent). you had to press the clock button (used by many ibus hackers for various purposes), and that would evoke the CIS-IBUS menu, that visually was mimicking the standard BMW interface screen... I was disappointed, to say the least, for about $800...
using the smart phone as the replacement of the CarPC is much better idea, and i like the fact that the whole thing is wireless, as all i have to do is drop the phone into the cradle, slide three fingers across the screen and that is all...

As far as the time sync - you watched my other videos on the youtube, didn't you?... lol...

I need to dig it up to see where it was - i think it was in GM, but could have been in the Nav module... you need to search for it, if you have the factory nav, you should have that line hidden somewhere...

ArmyX5 · #7 12-09-2013, 04:26 AM

Term,

As you saw my first picture, most of my set up is on the right rear compartment. I am using a AC/DC power converter for some my power needs, but I need to go back there and unplug it after I am done using it, it is only my PS2 that needs the AC/DC power supply. The rest of my AV input devices, TV, DVD are powered up by connecting the power to the purple( ignition) cable in the back of the vehicle. The same cable that power the rear camera. I need to wait an see how you connected the wake-on-LAN power supply so that I can do the same. I can see from your pictures that we have a different set up.

I was searching the web for a wireless adapter for the IPhone and I may have found one, the 3rd generation Apple TV3: Apple TV - Buy Apple TV with 1080p HD - Apple Store (U.S.). The only thing that I am not so sure about is the fact that it asks for a WIFI connection. Also, I am not sure yet if the IPhone gets charged at the same time it is streaming video thru the lighting adapter!

My TV tuner is not a Hybrid. I am using a digital converter for the TV channel. I went to the vehicle and tried the clock symbol and I can see the green AV and clock, same as yours, but the blue line and the RED AV is still there. As you said, it must be some internal programming. I am going to start looking for another TV tuner and see if a newer model will fix that.

TerminatorX5 · #8 12-09-2013, 02:51 PM

for the power distribution, i got myself some very low gauge wires, a relay that could candle 30A at the switching contacts and bunch of terminal posts... in short, you need to find yourself a line that has power when car is awake, and goes to sleep once the car is asleep... I found that line under drivers seat, tapped into that line (used a 2-pin factory connector, actually there was a spot to fasten the factory connector, so it looks like it was born with it), and ran that line to the relay - the relay is using very low amperage to throw the contacts, i sourced a Panasonic relay that matched my specs (see my TO DO LIST thread for the specs of the relay), and the rest is more of electromechanical than electronic setup... the signal from under the drivers seat controls the relay... the relay contacts control the fat cables wired directly to the battery, at the 200A fuse location, that is always hot... I also wired a bunch of free hanging power leads from the box for future power needs, should i need to tap into the power...

very convenient setup, this way I am certain, that if any of my aftermarket devices have a parasitic draw, the relay will cut it off after 16 minutes... and since the main line is fed from the battery directly, the GM module that controls the sleep pattern will not stay awake (it stays awake if there is a draw over certain threshold) indefinetely, and WILL go to sleep - tested with the DVD players playing two DVDs in the headrests, and then just being cut off once the car fell asleep...

that thread that i mentioned, should have pics too...

ArmyX5 · #9 12-09-2013, 04:20 PM

Founded it, post #25 on your TO DO LIST. That is quite a lot of electronic stuff, too much for my knowledge of electronic. I am sure that I can do it if I read more about it, but have had my set up for over 3 years and no problems with my battery or power supply. The only thing that I always had is a small alternator whining sound. I am in the process of disconnecting everything and making sure that I don't have a ground loop.

ArmyX5 · #10 12-12-2013, 01:57 AM

TerminatorX5,

How are you providing power to the Mini HDMI-to-RCA? Did you buy an adapter to connect IT to your Wake-on-LAN? I know that you have it connected to the home made control box, but how are the ends connected since the HDMI-to-RCA has a USB end?

I got the rest of the equipment to connect the Iphone5 to the NAV and it is working just like your Android system.

Here is the link: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tml#post969111

Thanks for your help in setting this up.

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