BMW Video Module Questions
 

Hello Folks,
I have a question. I have a backup camera and I need a video module to operate it. I don't want TV nor do I need it. I have included the part numbers that I found through various searches and wanted to verify that these are the only things that I needed to make the camera work. I have a MKIV navigation system on my X5.

66210303083 I believe this is the video module itself?
66-21-0-397-639 I believe this is the wiring harness

Thanks for your help!

Part 66210303083 (ADDITIONAL KIT FOR CAMERA)

That's the install kit, it's not the video module

Check out www.realoem.com

Gnet should work fine - only $239 usd: http://www.navvideo.com/navvideo-models-nv_rgb_bmw.asp

http://www.navvideo.com/images/navvideo/nv_rgb.jpg

Thanks Kiwi. I can't find the video module on real oem. I am calling a local dealer to see if I can get the part number.

Zerochief,
Thanks for the link to Gnet. I may end up with that. I am just trying to compare the costs and quality of the units. I have seen some complaints about the after market unit.

Thanks!

I don't have the Gnet, but I have a similar product with the exact same enclosure and connectors; probably the same pcb inside. I can say that the quality is good and I've been using it for 3 years now with no issues.

Zerochief,
Thanks for the feedback. It is great to know and the price point is really good.

On the BMW side, I think what I am looking for is item number 66210303083. I called a BMW parts dealer and he is contacting BMW to verify that this is what I need tomorrow. I think it may actually have the wiring harness too. If not, I need to price that. The price on this kit is really competitive if it has the wiring harness. If not, it will be about $100 more expensive than the Gnet unit.

Thanks for you help so far and if anyone has any other information I would appreciate the information!

Thanks!

I have been looking and searching the past few months for whethr i need to add a backup cam or not, and then i decided that my X is not fully loaded if i didnt have this option within
i read alot about the original X5 reverse cam modul and found that its not that good quality, so did anyone try to install the one from bimmernav here
http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...-item-167.html
is it good quality? stable?
also the cam am looking for something will not need to dig deep to know how to install it like this one, as x5 original camera is so poor:
http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...-item-121.html

so what do you advice

whats that brand and how much does it cost?

Ashrafkh,
The complains I have seen about the BMW camera only related to the camera itself not the video module which is what I am interested in. You can use any camera you choose with the BMW video module. The video module allows you to display the camera input on the Nav screen. I am unsure whether the part number I have comes with the wiring harness or not.
The Video module from Bimmernav is the OEM BMW part that I am referring to. They sell two, one is just the video module and the other is the TV module which allows you to use the TV tuner. I am not interested in watching television. I believe the the video module also allows you to use your Ipod video but you need to have another audio source to play audio with the video.

Good luck!

I purchased mine close to 3 years ago and its no longer available.
However they do have a similar product here ($450 usd): http://www.peripheralelectronics.com/?ProductId=297

http://peripheralelectronics.com/prodImages/BMWV+.jpg

Yes and it works great. Audio is piped in via Dice. Here is my setup: http://www.xoutpost.com/bsws-mobile-e...av-screen.html

I purchased the 66 21 0 303 083 ADDITIONAL KIT FOR CAMERA last year from my local BMW dealer. At that time it included the necessary wire harness, and I would be very surprised if it doesn't today.
I'm very happy w/ the quality of the OEM camera. Mine is a model or two old now (purchased in 2005), so perhaps they had better quality ones back then?
The video switchbox included in the OEM kit has 2 video inputs that I've verified. Likely it has 4 total. The input for the rear camera has 2 triggers, one for when you select Reverse, the other can be actuated at any time and automatically turns off after 30 seconds.

When you do the install take a lot of pictures and post a write-up please.

Mgruber,
You wanna come over and help with the install? I will try and take as many pictures and explain as simply as possible. I still need to figure out where I will install the camera on my car. None of the instructions that I have found so far really details this.

Ripp,
Thanks for confirming the info. Based on your feedback and hopefully the feedback from the parts guy tomorrow, I am going to purchase this module. It costs about $265+shipping which is much cheaper than some of the after market kits that I looked at! I am going to order from this place first and then give feedback on them. I found the link to this vendor on the Bimmerboards. The price on the ULF for my car is unreal at just under $400+shipping. I may have all my toys by spring!!

Thanks for your help folks!

My recommendation:

Do not fit direct in the bumper.
Fit it above the number plate, in the region of the number plate lights.
That's where the OEM camera is designed to go. It actually comes with a plate and switch that replaces the boot switch on the E39 and E46.

Reason for not using bumper: for a reverse camera to properly work, you need to see the bumper of the car when reversing to give you a distance reference on the screen.

I fitted one to a friends bumper, worked perfectly BUT it is very hard to judge distance from the screen, when you cannot see anything of your own car on the picture.

abster641 I'd love to come by to help out but I'm not local to you! Any advice I can provide though let me know!

abster641, after looking more closely at the kit contents I do NOT recommend the 66 21 0 303 083 ADDITIONAL KIT FOR CAMERA. It does NOT include the reversing camera relay and it's wire harness. As you plan to use an aftermarket camera... I would get the more expensive 66-21-0-397-639 REAR-VIEW CAMERA & SWITCHBOX.
This kit includes almost all the parts from the 0-303-083 and you do get the relay and its harness... which is needed to run up into the tailgate and down to your liscense plate area.
I'm assuming you are mounting the aftermarket camera in some custom location? It would difficult to use an aftermarket camera with the "plate and switch that replaces the boot switch on the E39 and E46" which KiwiJochen mentions below. You do NOT get this plate w/ the 0 397 639 kit.

For a good example using the 0-397-639 kit check out this write-up from www.e38.org: http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/516841

Thanks Ripp. Great information. The other kit is only $20 more. I will place an order for it and the parts recommended. I have a Bumble bee camera and I wonder how I attach it without too many holes. The camera I loved was this one for the mini . Do you know the part number for the plate and switch for the boot switch?

Kiwi,
Thanks for the info!

Mgruber,
Thanks for the offer to help even if you are remote:-) I can definitely use the guidance!
Thanks!

That one for the Mini is exactly the same kit as for the BMW - well, the camera, mounting plate and switch is the same.
Maybe the wiring loom is a different length...

Kiwi,
Would you happen to know the part number? I went to real OEM and the only thing I see the Trunk lid switch but it does not have the camera as part of it.
Here is the bumble bee camera that I plan to use.

Ripp,
Just got off the phone with the BMW dude and he says 639 is for the X3 only. 083 is no longer available in the US either. Any reason the X3 module should not work in the X5? Will the wiring harness be a problem? Because this is an electrical component once I buy it I own it so I want to make sure I am getting the right item!

Thanks!

I just re-read your original post. Here is my advice and 0.02.

Since you already have a backup camera to install then take the other posters' advice and get an aftermarket solution. I don't see any huge advantage of using the BMW parts with an aftermarket camera. I'm sure the end result will be fine.

Having said that, I agree with rip222, I've heard good things about the E53 X5 backup camera. It's the E70 X5 backup camera that everyone complains about and that is a completely different animal.

If you do like the appearance of the Mini camera that you posted as a link then I suggest you buy the OE BMW camera kit and scrap the aftermarket camera. That is what rip222 did. See the link: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/e...amera-kit.html

The design of the camera has actually been updated to look like the one for the Mini (see the small posted drawing; it is the handle strip with the integrated camera; so you end up replacing the entire handle strip with this mod and it insures that the camera is pointed properly) and no longer looks like the one posted on that link (see the large photo of an actual camera), but I believe all the rest of the displayed parts are the same. You can buy it from the ebay seller roveractive. Yes it's more expensive, but you'll have an OE part with a super-clean install that will look and work great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-G...fAudioQ5fVideo

I have the bumble bee camera also but so far no time to install it. There is a good thread here about the bosch relay wiring in conjunction with aftermarket video modules. I'll post the link when I find it if your interested.

Zerochief,
Yes please post the information when you find it!

Mgruber,
Thanks for the link to Roveractive but I am finding better prices with a BMW dealer. Do you know that part number for the BMW Camera? The camera kit which is just the video module and all associated wiring is $280. The camera part number listed in the posting is no longer in production. The bumble bee camera was fairly cheap so I can do without it.

Good luck!

If you can get better prices with a BMW dealer then great, but this is usually a BMW euro part and lots of dealers don't want to or can't get it for whatever reason(s). (Nearly every BMW dealer I've ever spoken to has never heard of the front camera and it's in the ETK and Realoem! BTW, roveractive sells that one too!) As far as I know the 2 part numbers on Realoem are the same, IOW BMW just updated the camera and electronics in the kit and kept the p/n the same. If one or more of the part numbers is discontinued then I have no idea. I do know roveractive can get you the latest/current one (maybe he bought it before it was discontinuted?). Send him a note and maybe he can give you a few bucks off especially if you buy direct.

Found:

BUMBLE BEE THREAD


BOSCH RELAY


http://www.margraves.net/toys/x5/backup_cam/camwire.jpghttp://tworock.com/mjd/jeep/wiring/bosch_relay.jpg http://www.coolcatcorp.com/faqs/relay1.jpg

To answer an earlier question, the 639 kit should work for all I-Bus based vehicles (X3, X5, E38, E39, Z4, E46). That kit was paired w/ an aftermarket camera on an E38 in the write-up on bimmerboard.

If now you're considering going full OEM, just get the current kit that mgruber mentions: 66 21 0 397 648
It has the switchbox w/ multiple video inputs and the handle strip w/ integrated camera. Ask your BMW parts dept for the instructions from ASAP (AfterSales Assistance Portal). No reason they can't order it - is a US spec kit w/ the cheesy US warning label they want you to stick to your nav screen!

Thanks everyone. I have alot to think about. I will keep you posted about my final decision.
Thanks!

A few weeks ago I fitted an OEM camera to my E46 M3 with TV function, it is a very big job and literally took me all day to fit. There is a separate module for cars without TV and I think I have part of the loom left over for this.

I can't help you with an X5 installation but have you got the EBA instructions?

Nbtbrv8,
Thanks for the post. Sorry for the late response. What was the hardest part of the installation for you? The camera integrated into the handle is really slick. This bit looked very plug and play except for adding the 12v and tapping into the reverse lights. I went to the dealership today and got the instructions and the contents of each kit printed out. I now have a decision to be made. I hope to get this ordered within the next week. The dealer can get it in stock within a week.

Thanks!

The hardest part by far is fitting it in to the bootlid strip, This is very fiddly and takes a lot of time. The complete kit barely fits in to the strip and I would say this retrofit is the least "plug and play" I have had to do.
The wiring is the easy part and so long as you follow the instructions you will be fine.
Another difficult aspect for me (E46) was that you had to enlarge the hole in the bootlid where the loom comes through in to the back of the strip handle.

Here are some shots:

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0072.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0071.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0074.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0080.jpg

Thanks NBTBRV8. The pictures were very helpful!! Do you find the boot handle difficult to use or similar to your other handle?

That looks pretty good. Did your kit come with just the rectangular section containing the camera and the new trunk opening button or was it the entire handle strip?

The boot handle is a little bit harder to use as you have to find a smaller button now which is not central to the handle and when you lift the handle I press on the rectangular base (which came with the kit) instead of directly on the camera itself.

You have to massively cut in to the strip to get it to fit, you cut the wires going to the microswitch and solder in the new button. You also get too much loom for the new button and you have to cut nearly all of it off otherwise the wiring won't fit in to the handle.

One other word of warning which the EBA guide doesn't tell you. When you sit the rectangular base on the underside of the bootlid strip it you are meant to drill the 4 holes in each corner of the base and then use the self tappers to screw the base to the underneath of the handle. However the handle is not solid plastic, so if you don't drill the holes in the centre of the flat portions on the handle you'll find that the screws don't have enough plastic to screw in to and they strip the holes easily. So my suggestion is to see roughly where the plastic base wants to sit on the underneath of the handle to guage roughly where you have to drill, but draw two centre lines on the flats where the rectangular base sits so when you go to drill the holes you are drilling in the centre of the plastic base giving your screws the best opportunity to screw in to the meat of the handle.

It is a bit hard to describe, but essentially don't just drill the holes where the rectangular base sits, mark the holes first, remove the base and then see if the holes are central to the parts you are drilling in to. There is not much room for error, so if you drill the holes off centre there won't be enough thickness in the plastic for the screws to bite in to and they will strip.

One other thing, it took me a hour or so to run the loom through the rubber conveluted tube between the bootlid and body of the car. I ended up wrapping the loom in electrical tape and spraying copius amounts of CRC on the electrical tape and down the tube. I also suggest twitching wire underneath the tape on to the loom and pull this wire through. The plastic wire they give you to pull it through is a bit thick and it broke a couple of times on me rendering it useless.

If you get stuck or want any more info let me know.

I got my module form Ebay for $220.00 shipped to my DOOR..
Same seat up as pictures about my box is red theirs is Blue..
I will post link if you need it Franco

That is the NavTV BMWV+ .
NAV-TV Corporation: BMWV+

My local stereo shop recommends this piece... I'm debating whether to go this route with a camera or the OEM solution.

Ebay is the cheapest place to buy it

I dont see any on ebay at all?

Does yours use a toggle switch? Are you just doing one input?

yes I used the toggle switch and I a only using one input but I had both connected i hope this helps
Franco
X-3
BMW X3 Navigation Video Converter WATCH DVD MOVIES!! - eBay (item 220391195692 end time May-06-09 06:27:46 PDT)

X-5
BMW X5 Navigation NAV TV Video Converter DVD MOVIES - eBay (item 220405224237 end time May-08-09 17:13:14 PDT)

any one has stock number for small camera

Thats a different module than the one I linked... The one I linked goes into reverse camera mode when car is in reverse without the toggle switch

HEY BROTHER I am just trying to help
TRUST ME you will need the switch in order to used your OEM screen
maybe I am missing something

I appreciate the help... My shop told me that when they tap into the reverse wire, it automatically toggles the screen... A reverse camera is useless to me unless it automatically switches into reverse...

you are right I know you can hook up my unit into the reverse wire But I choice not to using reverse wire.
the toogle switch is to change navigation/radio screen to camera/video input
trust me on this.

here take a looknot my car but another member
Here's a full, all in one post, TVonNav / Backup Camera Install in my e38.....

My shop mentioned they could toggle the video with the clock button on the Nav screen instead of a toggle switch... Ever heard of this before?


Great link, thanks!

Anything is possible but too bad you r too far away I would help u do ur set up
:wow:YEap you can have set up when you put your car in reverse the monitor turn on the reverse camera on >:nanana:

Dietz 1250

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...pg&w=220&h=165

This is done by adding extra hardware

You can make your car do almost anything by adding extra hardware

If you want the car to flash headlights, perform a light show and flap it's mirrors in and out when locking the car, you can do that too.

Or make the car blink every exterior light when you press the clock button on the nav - that can be done too

All you need is the extra hardware, programmed to do what you want.

That's what the Dietz module does - it monitors the clock key press and then sends an instruction to switch video sources.

I have been meaning to ask you this, is there currently a way of having the navscreen turn of by the touch of a button? im thinking of either the clock button on the screen itself of the R/T on the steering wheel.

My dream would be to be able to switch from full screen to split screen with 1 button.

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 4.8is Retrofit backup camera
Here's the realoem link to the rear camera!!!! You don't need a tv module for the oem one as long as you have the navigation system, however you do have to get a switch for the camera to work!!!!

That function is implemented in the menu "Monitor Off"

To make any other button do any other function requires a hardware module (PIC) which you can program to do what you want. Requires electronics and software skills.

Personally on my E46 went the BMW TV Module with modified composite (2) inputs for video on my 16:9 NAV display. The picture is good for my carpc (not great but pretty good). For the E83 I bought a G-NET video module. I just sold it on Ebay for about $150. I wasn't impressed with the video quality off of the G-Net module. Initially I bought another BMW TV Module but never purchased the cables and never knew where to install it on the E83 (not really a whole bunch of space in the drivers side compartment with the MKIV, Sirius, BT, etc). The only thing I liked about the G-Net module was its size and plug n play setup. Recently I purchased a new interface. This one has a VGA input and built in IBUS interface. The quality of the picture on the NAV display is excellent. It's priced around 219 Euro (306 USD) which is a pretty good price for what it does. It is bigger than the G-Net module but still easier to place versus the VideoTV tuner module. It is custom made for the BMW where as what I see out there is more generic (like the G-Net) and typically is made for a variety of vehicles. The current challenge is the carpc. I am testing three and leaning towards a mini 6"X6" PC. This PC would fit inside of the side panel next to the Sirius module. The other two (one pictured - VoomII) and another one would have to be relocated. Just recently found another location which would work for the larger footprint PC's.

Which model did you purchase and where did you buy it?

They have only one model for the BMW with IBUS.

AC-Services - Shop - CIS-IBUS (Computer-Integrations-System-IBUS)

Now may be switching over to using a Pico-ITX PC or a smaller case for the another Mini-Itx PC motherboard that I have. I am wondering if there is a description some where of what brackets fit into the drivers side NAV compartment area. Currently I see the NAV unit, Sirius and BT ULF there. A little bit in front of these I see the amplifier. There is a bracket next to the Sirius module and wondering what that would connect to. I am looking for an easy way to mount the CarPC inside of that area. Is there a picture / parts list of additional brackets that fit there some where? I still have the OEM TV Tuner module and am wondering if it fits there somewhere with the brackets. I wouldn't mind still installing that module for additional composite video inputs and outputs (IE - rear camera and / or dvd player for rear passengers). Really just to see if it would fit as its just gathering dust.

I am ooking for a good price on the 069 x3 kit. The price I find is $541, whihc is way higher than shown here onky a few months ago. Is there a better pace to buy parts?

Thanks,

jknj