X5 E53 Rear Entertainment System
 

Hi everyone! Please I need some help bad! I have been struggling with this for a few weeks already and I got so frustrated and it's not making anymore sense to me because I have tried everything. I have installed Rear Entertainment System myself on my X5 and I'm pretty sure that i did all the connections right! I have the installation manual from BMW and I found it pretty easy to install. everything is working find... the system powers up and the dvd plays movies and the sound is fine but th eonly issue I'm having is most time I get the picture in black and white! sometimes I get it in color for 5 or 10 minutes but then the image starts to stumble and it goes bakc to black and white! someone told me that the filter that's connected to the dvd harness it might be damaged so I went and I bought one for $75 and still it wouldn't solve the problem. then I spoke to a few guys and and they all sugested that my module was damaged so again I went and I bought another module and still wouldn't solve my problem. I tried different monitor from a friend... same thing, I even tried another bmw dvd player same is my system dvd player again nothing changed. it's driving me crazy because I tried all diifferent parts and I spent $150 on parts for nothing. the only thing that is left and I havn't tried is to buy new monitor cables but I really don't wanna spend anymore money for nothing!! does anybody have this system and experienced the problem I'm having? and what is the solution for it? I spoke ot my dealer and they couldn't help me much and they asked me to bring my car in and they said it can take a few hours, so that mean it can run for a few hundred dollars and I really cant affored to pay any money. I would appreciate any help and advice!! thanx guys!!!

BMW = Invision
 

Really enough said. They are a marginally reputable company. I thought they were a great company, then it all went wrong.......

The next news you are going to get is, "if you installed it yourself, the warranty is void" that is what I got.

Let me know if you need more info.

Wow I didn't see that coming! By installing it myself that would void my warranty? Did you have the same system?? Wow I didn't realize how much I wrote until now! I hope that people are gonna be bothered to read this long thread and get some replies! So do you have any advice for me what it might wrong with my system? Thank you!

sam this is a longshot. you said the color is fine...then messes up... is the color fine without putting a dvd meaning.. a blue screen the main dvdplayer menu screen.. can that screen come up and stay clear.. if that comes up and stays clear ... then we might be able to eliminate the monitor cable being the issue. Next what is the hidden menu set to pal/ntsc or auto.. hold menu for like 7 seconds. ... finally does it make this distortion on every input meaning aux 2 and aux 3.

Man... thank you so much for contacting me!! I really appreciate that! I didn't know about this hidden menue! I just tried it... it was set to Auto, I tried to play around with it and set it to Pal and NTSC and no difference in the picture still black and white. ok when I turn on the monitor I get the blue screen but when I turn on the dvd it turns to black and white and if I turn off the dvd player it does back to blue screen. hope that answer your question? as for the aux 2 and aux 3 im not familiar with that and not sure what that option is for but I tried once to have it on aux 2 and hooked it my iphone to the monitor I got sound but no picture. I don't see what the cables would be damaged because they are brand new cables but then again I can't think of anything else to do except the cables. I would really appreciate any advice or sugestions man!! thank you!!

I do have the same system and have been sent several communications by the MFG stating they will not honor or stand behind their system.

If you run into the same problem, let me know how it works out.

Are you having some issues also with your system?

sam_x5 - I am interested in buying one of these. I know that they are outdated but I like how well integrated they look with the interior. Can you show a picture of yours? Front, back, and maybe a side view? Also how much did it cost?

okay sam serious i am begining to think the dvd player is at fault. Okay here is how we are going to test. We are going to make a cable that you can plug into the monitors as aux input 2. The pinout for the bmw cable is kinda of reversed.. you will need a 3 ring headphone connector.. and like pigtails to connect to rca.. this adapter from bmw cost 21 bucks.. not sure why.
okay the pinouts for the bmw are just like this webpage

Getting Video out of an Apple iPod with a standard Audio Video RCA Cable - Scott Hanselman

• Tip - Left Channel white signal
• First Ring - Video yellow signal
• Second Ring - Ground all grounds
• Ring closest to the cable - Right Channel red cable

if you look on this webpage it also tells you what the ipod uses. so then you can make and adapter to work with IPOD.

Again this is just to verify that the monitors are good and possibly the dvd is hosed.

this is what i use to give you and idea of what it looks like
http://img102.exs.cx/img102/357/p10100141ng.jpg

It most likely is not the player because in the first post sam_x5 said that he tried another player and it had the same problem.

sam_x5 - do you have an external monitor that you can connect directly the the dvd player?

Invision update
 

I have communicated with the MFG and they are sending me out a new system. My faith has been renewed! I am hopeful you have the same results as I...

Thank you so much nig for taking the time to write a reply to my post! I honestly don't know what else to think? I'm gonna try to connect my iPhone to the monitors but I honestly doubt that the issue from the monitors because I tired another monitor and it was the same result. I never thought about the player that it could be the issue because I tried different player and again it was the same result black and white picture. So the only thing that I havn't tried is to buy new monitor cables, although when I installed my system the cables were brand new!! I really don't wanna give up on this system because I really like having it in my X5! I checked the instruction manual and it mention something about having black and white picture and it says that's due to the player been overheated so I don't know? But sometimes I would just turn it on and I would get a black and white picture right away. Please guys anymore ideas let me know. Thanx you all!!

RSE
 

Sam, did you get your problem resolved? If not can you please post a picture of your system? I am the BMW Specialist for INVISION Automotive Systems and if this is our system I would be happy to help you out in any way I can.

Chris

Hi Chris and thank you so much for contacting me!! No I still havn't resolved the problem that I'm having with my system and it's really driving me crazy! specially after spending money on new parts... such as new module and new video harness(although my system was new) and I still have the same problem. I'm sorry Chris but I really don't know how to upload a picture on Xoutpost, if you have an email you can give me I can email you a picture of my system, although I don't think it's an invision system because it dosen't say on it, all it says BMW on the dvd and the monitors. here's the part number for the whole system if that's gonna be any help to you to find out what system it is 8411 0399 307. I really appreciate any help you can provide me with to solve this issue! thank you so much chris!! P.S if you have a number I can reach you on I think that would be even better for us to comunicate and to explain to you what's going on with my system. Thanx again!!

You can call me or email me at below. I believe that system is made by Vizualogic, I think I still have some friends over there...is your system still under warranty? If not I still may be able to get you in contact with the right person over there to help.

Chris Bartelson| Account Manager
2822 Commerce Park Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Direct: 407-284-1397
P877-468-4746 ext. 397
F407-842-7010
E [email protected]
W http://www.invisionindustries.com

Hi Chris! I just emailed you pictures of my system. No my system is not under warranty because I bought it of someone about six months agao and I don't have contact with that person anymore to ask him for the original reciept. But the system was brand new in it's original BMW packaging but I bought the player used. Thank you again for offering to help!! I'll give you a call tomorrow because I'm at work now

OP...I assume you have the BMW OEM headrest system...concerning the b&w issue, the trouble shooting pages in the manual describes this as resulting from the DVD unit overheating. I've experienced this issue and took the system apart to drill down on the cause...also had the system inspected by audio/video techs at dealer. Even after new headrest monitors and wires, it still played in b&w. The techs believe the culprit is in the DVD unit itself. They claimed a "burnt module"...eventually one of the monitors stopped showing pictures. I swapped with a friends unit and even purchased a new DVD unit but the issue persists.

Since the dealer techs were unable to pinpoint the root cause, i found an independent specialist that claims he can either pinpoint the issue or consult on remedy. I plan to make a final attempt to resolve when the weather warms up. Keep me posted and i'll do likewise.

Hey man and thanx for your post! Honestly I don't know what else to think because I have tried everything... I tired different monitor and different DVD player and bought new module for the monitors and new dvd harness and the issue still the same!! Yes I do have the BMW OEM headrests, my whole system is OEM! yes I saw that in the manual saying due to overheating but honestly I don't believe that is the case! Because a lot of times I would turn on the system in the morning and bam I get a b&w picture right away. I still have to more things to do narrow down the possibility, today I'm going to buy a aux input for the monitors and going to connect a video device to see whether the issue from the monitors themselves or not, I doubt it anyways that it will be from the monitors. The second thing is I'm going to buy new monitor cables in case the cables pins that I got are messed up, although my whole system was brand new! If that's not going to change anything then I have nothing else to work with!! I'm really really disappointed with BMW and their system!! Was your system fine then started acting up this way or it was like that from the start? Sure let's stay in contact to see if we can help one another ok. Here's my email if you wanna contact me [email protected] thanx man!!

Also was the system already installed when you bought your vehicle or you installed it yourself? Forgot to mention I went down to a stereo shop to get his opinion and he told me I need a video amplifier, never heard of that one before but he said my system is not getting enough power and that's why it's acting like that. He also said you can have this issue if you have even weak battery on your vehicle. Not sure if I can trust this opinion but look into those two possibilities if you want and somebody's opinion and let me know. Thanx again!

Don't F with me Chris, I am and always will be the BMW Specialist for this site. You are infringing on my territory. Damn bro pretty slick title J/K...LOL!


Brazilian Jiu Jitsu above all else.

Sam...thanks, will keep you posted. I guess i should mention more background:

This is the second E53 i've experienced this issue with(both 4.6iS). Both systems were ordered through and installed by dealer. Regarding the setup on the first X...about 3 years later the exact symptoms we're discussing revealed itself. I was convinced it was due to use over long road trips (and as per manual). A buyer was interested in the X5 as-is so i didn't look further into it and sold it.

My current E53 was a gift from the Missus...i had been looking into the 4.8iS and supercharging but no major tuners were pursuing development...only on the 4.6iS. I specifically set out to find a low mileage 4.6 that didn't have any performance or electrical work done (i.e audio/video/radar) so i could build my dream X5. Long story short, the Missus found a needle in a haystack and i had all my dream mods installed (except SC) then heard rumors of X5M...obviously, new pipe dreams began. The results of the dealer diagnosis was a "bad module" in the DVD player...no issues with battery or other components.

I'm slightly out of warranty so i'm on my own. Coincidentally, there's a fella that's been interested in purchasing my X so the search for a remedy may depend on potential buyer.

Sam curious you never posted your results with the aux in cable. I remeber you posting saying you was going to buy 1. I also listed the pinout for you. As the standard red,white and yellow cable wont work. BMW changed the pins.
My thinking is that aux 2 or aux 3 will work in color and fine.

aux 2 is the video input jack on the monitor. aux 2 is separate video on each screen so try both screens and post results with a pic.
aux3 is global meaning both screens will display aux 3 at the same time..
shared video. My aux3 is currenlty just audio for hd radio so i can hear it or let the back passangers have they own radio.

We are going to make a cable that you can plug into the monitors as aux input 2. The pinout for the bmw cable is kinda of reversed.. you will need a 3 ring headphone connector.. and like pigtails to connect to rca.. this adapter from bmw cost 21 bucks.. not sure why.
okay the pinouts for the bmw are just like this webpage


Getting Video out of an Apple iPod with a standard Audio Video RCA Cable - Scott Hanselman

• Tip - Left Channel white signal
• First Ring - Video yellow signal
• Second Ring - Ground all grounds
• Ring closest to the cable - Right Channel red cable

if you look on this webpage it also tells you what the ipod uses. so then you can make and adapter to work with IPOD.

Again this is just to verify that the monitors are good and possibly the dvd is hosed.

this is what i use to give you and idea of what it looks like
http://img102.exs.cx/img102/357/p10100141ng.jpg

Holy shid... Sam I think I might know what it is.. It all makes sense .. the previous owner changed the reigion code. The firmware is accessed through the monitors .. Unfortunately I never figured out that hidden menu. Read this email from a forum member to me a while ago.

"> Subject: RE: 1 more question regarding the BMW rear seat entertainment monitors
> Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 09:16:15 -0400
> From: > To:
> Wow you really impress me. Find the hidden region code menu in the software and I may hire you to come work for me. If you would like to call me to discuss we can, but the answers I have for you are corporate policy so please don't get upset with me after I answer them. Promise? Ok! Shoot me a call when you have a chance.
>
>
> National Account Manager
> Audi / BMW / Porsche Division Lead
> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
> Automotive Systems
> PO Box 470
> Celebration, FL 347
> P 877.
> D 407.2
> GV 407.
> M 407.
> F 407.>
> W Rear Seat Entertainment
> This e-mail transmission contains information intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. Further, it contains information that may be privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your mail system. Thank you for your compliance.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> FROM> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 10:41 PM
> To: > Subject: 1 more question regarding the BMW rear seat entertainment monitors
>
> Sorry to bother you agian. You have been so helpful.
> I found the hiddem menu by holding down the menu key for more then 5 secs. It lists a firmware.
> Is there any way possible to upgrade the firmware, or create a screensaver. Reson being if i switch to aux 2 or 3 and there is no video source the monitors stay on blue which is normal. I currently have a hd radio connected to aux3 and aux2 so my passengers can have there own hd radio.. Only drawback no video is on the screen so it just bright blue.. If there is a firmware upgrade maybe there is a screensaver or abillity to turn monitor off and still transmit the sound through the wireless headphones or lcd head phone jack.
> thank you have a great day.
"
Sam
Reasons I think that. 1. it comes on correctly the blue startup screen then you stick a movie in and it starts the rolling.. because it cant play the movie because your movies are reigion 1 USA. Maybe that player was bought or shipped from overseas. Man I really need you to test that aux inputs now to confirm my theories.

But thats my new guess. Also what version firmware you have. When they replaced my monitors (bmw) under cpo warranty the firwmare of the new monitors now gave me a black screen with only input flashing instead of annoying blue screen that could damage monitors .. So i almost got my screensaver wish.

Just listed: Factory Invision DUAL DVD headrest system

BMW X5 FACTORY INVISION DUAL DVD HEADRESTS BLACK | eBay

that ad is funny "low low low" (I bid 5 bucks )crap reserve not met.. lol. joking.. Good luck with the sell to be honest. I hardly use my dvd player too I use the aux 3 (wdtV) and aux2 (hdradio) all the time.