bestfad I do have the same AV input in my car but it dos work. you have to use a jack with 3 layer heads 1AV AND 2 audio , also you have to set your screen either NTSC or PAL and it will work for you

Hi guys. I have played successfully with my AV input in the past and can add some information for you.

The AV input will take both sound and picture to the front screen. You need a 3.5mm AV jack - it is different from the usual audio type. It has the usual left channel, right channel and earth but also another contact for video. Your next question is where do I find such a lead? Well… I am trying to find one too. At the moment all I can do is unplug the input in my daughter’s headrest style DVD screen and plug it into the X5’s AV input. This give me a picture and sound but leaves her without. Sigh. If you like, I can take a photo of what the jack looks like.

All the best,

Simon

In the dv camcorder market they are very common. I have one in front of me that came with a camera ( I think I have a couple that came with different cameras). It is a normal jack but with an extra ring for the video. The other end is 3 phonos but you can also easily get dual phono to jack to plug into your headphones socket on the Ipod (or anything). I haven't tried it yet I have only had the car for 4 days but I will soon. In the UK I would think that Maplins or the like would sell the leads. They definately sell the dual phono to jack (for audio only). Any camera place should have them. In general they are the only way you can attach a small camcorder to your PC for analogue connection (i.e. not firewire or USB) also for connectiing your camera to a video recorder. By the way by convention Yellow is video.

John

HI Again

Just been out to try the AV input and sure enough it sort of works? That is if the connector is fully in the screen comes up mute. If I pull it out a bit it plays and the screen flickers as an earlier post. This could be because of a couple of things one the connector is non standard (do not think so) or it needs a signal on the video input to decide there is a signal there and com eout of mute. In older AV equipment you could 'blow up' the video if it just 'free ran' so they would mute the signal if one not in range could be detected.

I will record a film and try again to prove the point. This may take a bit longer though.

John

Hi John,
I tried to use the same cable your talking about, but nothing is coming on the front screen and still on mute position, bellow i added a link for the cable pic that i used:
http://globalretailsolutions.dollard...2/vmc-20fr.jpg
I talked to BMW dealer and asked for the cable, they are selling it by 150$!@!
its very expensive there and i dont know even if it will work, i need to find out whats the model number of that cable maybe ill get the assembly layout to fix a similar one.
but 2 post says its should work with the cable i already have but i ll have a crazy screen with the sound, but nothing happen on my screen, is it possible that AV input is not connected from inside?, i bought my car from the agency brand new, and nobody opened or played with electronics inside before, thats why i think nothing wrong with the port.

Thanks for your replys guys...:)

An easy check to see if the wiring is OK from the socket to the TV module is to press the TV button.
If this increments the channel on the TV then the wiring to the TV unit is OK.
The TV button is a momentary switch that puts the video input lead to ground and causes the TV module to increment the channel.
This test won't however test the video socket, but will confirm that the wiring to the TV module is OK.

I have same AV input/output plug.I am in SOUTH KOREA.
In here any body don't know how can we use it.
If you have some tips,please tell me.
thank you.

X5 2003 Nov. 4.4i

1. try to pull the A/V cable out about 1-2 mm the sound will appear, but you cannot get stereo sound on the tv input (the tv sound is always mono in our bmw even when it comes from the tunner, remember?)
2. if you are using a simple stereo cable (which is a better way of doing it imho) you will still get a monoaural sound.

the reason you a getting mute mesage all the time is simple: the signal which comes on the channel where video signal shouild come i s too low (remember what happens when u r watching tv in the car and the signal is weak - yes, is mutes the sound completely to prevent noise from the tuner). solution? turn you ipod's volume up all the way. but remember this is onluy a temporary solution, as you will never get stereo sound through this input.

Ill try
 

ill try and tell you what will happen, and my TV button is working...


Thanks

Here is a photo of the 3.5mm plug I use with the X5's AV IN from my portable DVD player.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y11...AVwithplug.jpg