What happens to NAV TV TV on NAV when US signals go digital
 

I was thinking about installing the Nav-TV or TV on NAV, but then a thought came that the US TV stations are going to digital broadcast at the end of this year..?

So, are folks selling the analogue ones on the cheap on ebay now because they wont work come next January ? I've also seen some "hybrid" offerings (which I guess is combination of digital and analogue).

Just wondering before I spend even more money on modifications..

Thank you

ED in Metuchen, NJ

That's a great question. I know BMW sells 2 types of TV tuners, one is analog and one is digital/analog. However I've always been told that the digital/analog one will only work in Europe. I wonder if come January it would work in the US?

I am in the process of getting ready to install a CarPC in my X3. I purchased a GNET Video module and purchased a MiniPc. I put a digital tuner (minipci) inside of the MiniPC. Works well with antenna that came with it. Not sure yet how it will work in the X3.

It will have to be the digital version, or the hybrid module if you are looking to purchase now.

As far as I know, BMW does not offer an OE video module that compatible with the US digital broadcast TV standard. Furthermore, I do not know of any aftermarket offering that integrates like a BMW OE TV module and provides digital TV.

I haven't had a chance to test out the digital version yet, only analog here on our vehicles as most people are watching prerecorded content over the networks.

I have not seen anything about the digital version. I take it that is something different from the hybrid video modules available in Europe? Do you have the digital TV/Video modules for sale on your site yet?

There really never was a US version since we never see the option here in the states. I'll work on getting one here so we can get a full report.

I'll need something to replace my analog version anyway on the M3 ;)

Tom, that would great info; since I believe the digital signal in europe is different from the US.

I personally have only heard of two versions of the tv tuner: the analog version and the analog/digital version, both only for the european market. I have never heard of a digital only version.

In any case, much like regular analog tv's that will require a relatively simple analog to digital converter (around $50) to work after February 17, 2009, can't the same be done for the BMW analog tv tuner?

We could, but it probably would not be that effective. The converters work like the old school VCRs. It is a digital tuner that outputs its "converted" signal through an RF modulator output to channel 3 on the TV, or some composite output to a TV's separate input. This presents a few limitations.

First, there would be no integration. If you used the composite video output, you would have to set the BMW TV on the A/V setting, and then use a separate remote to change channels on the digital tuner. Second, the BMW TV module is designed to use the diversity amp TV antenna feeds. My hunch is that reception from these antenna feeds might not be so great into a converter box, so you would have to use a separate TV antenna.