Why doesn't my 16:9 look like this at all?
 

I was searching eBay UK and finally came across a screen shot of an X5 monitor:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/03/20/2d72_1.JPG


I've taken the one out of my car three times and no matter what angle I hold it at, I cannot get it to look that dark! Do you think something is wrong with my screen? Looking at that makes me jealous!

Here's mine. I'm about to give up...

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC00685-1.jpg


I've adjusted the contrast in the service menu and nothing. I've emailed people on an internal adjustment but seems like it won't do much. Hell, now if I sell it I will feel bad the next owner is gonna get something super bright. I'm lost!

Looks faulty to me if you cannot reduce Brightness using control.
There is internal adjustments (unit out, front off)
I will try and find link for doing this.
been a while since I did it on a E46. 16:9 screen.

Obviouys question, maybe, but thinking back to my E53...

Have you tried dimming the instrument panel backlights? As far as I remember this also dims the nav screen backlight at night....

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Here is a link to my story.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/567574

Here is a pic to the finished product

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a...6-9Monitor.jpg


My camera does not take good pictures of that thing at night without the flash on but there is a definite improvement compared to the other pic I posted.

Like I said on the BB post, number four screw was what did it for me. I found out the p/o took it apart too and that is why it was so bright. He said he lived with it but I couldn't. HUGE difference now with the adjustment. You can still tell it's a X monitor in some spots but it looks sooo much better now. I can actually see things on the map!

My nav head is too dim. What exactly do you mean by the number 4 screw did it for you? Is there a adjustment that I can make after taking the head apart? I did a search and found nothing specific. TIA

What version software are you running?

Yeah I should of been more specific on that. Here is a pic of that screw:

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/t...cture%2012.JPG


Some of those screw don't do anything and some do everything! You have to play around with them. I did a lot of adjusting while my screen was green but when green vs normal color, the only screw that was doing a whole lot was that fourth one on the right. The one above it was like the 'tint' screw if that makes sense.

I would try this. Definetly get somebody to help so it goes eaiser but getting it out of there to work on is not hard at all. Totally worth it too if it works!

Good luck!


Which version am I running? I think it's 29 but may be 29.1? It's a euro computer that was coded to the US mode. I did a navi retrofit and let it be until one day about a year ago the car froze up with the CODE thing and I had to use my old MID to countdown from 9:59. It was a PITA! Took it to the dealer a few days later and I am guessing it was coded right but don't have an MID to check just in case. Need to get one!

Thanks for the update. After digging deeper into the thread, I found the picture you posted, I was a little confused as to which number four screw you adjusted. Your answer above clairified which schrew though. As to my software, I'm at version 4/00. Just did the latest update at the dealer.( they did not charge). I too did the update to the wide screen. After updating the software, I felt the screen was dim. So I will try to adjust it.
Also, just for information, ALPINE USA will repair any of these units for a flat $125.00 If the screen is bad, they will replace it! You have to send the radio into Alpine in NJ. They claim it takes about 1 week, but people I've talked to say its more like 3 weeks.

Please everyone, they are NOT SCREWS.

They are potentiometers (pots) with a 270-degree range of adjustment.
Or just call them adjusters if you wish.

If you approach them thinking it is a screw, and try and turn it multiple times, you WILL DAMAGE IT. And then you'll be sorry...

And I thought they were Variable Resistors. Though I too followed the prior posters and called them screws.