RES. Worth it?
 

Read that the Rear Entertainment System isn't that great due to poor controls and no memory re-start (if engine is shut off, the DVD has to restart from the beginning).

What I want to know is where does the sound play out? Is it directly connected to the head unit/factory speakers or is it like many of the aftermarket solutions that put it through an FM Transmitter?

How do people rate the quality?

And is it a worthwhile upgrade?

The sound plays on the car's audio system. If I'm not mistaken, it's directly connected to the head unit/speakers not on FM transmitter. It does sound great when watching DVD movies. Mine came with the wireless headsets and they're great for the kids ( I have an 11 year old and a 2 year old).

As far as the actual design of the RES, I'm not totally thrilled about it.

I have a third row seat and with the screen sitting in the middle arm rest, my 3rd row passengers can't watch anything.

The location of the controls could be better. My 11 year old tends to kick the controls every now and then.

The non existent memory does not bother me, nor the kids.

You have to lift the screen (when not watching) to access the armrest compartment. It took me a while to get used to it so it doesn't bother me now.

I would have preferred the after market head rest system where you can watch a different movie from each monitor and the controls are located below the monitor. I just like the fact that it is a factory unit, no need to wire the audio cables and stuff, plus I'm leasing the X5 so part of the cost of the RES was resudualized on the lease, instead of paying the full amount up front.

It all comes down to personal preference and situations.

To answer your question "Is it worth the upgrade?" For me, it's a yes. It keeps the kids quiet on long trips. And that itself is worth every penny.

Good luck.

Also, can anyone confirm that for the factory RES, the controls do not appear on the Nav screen? You have to select Rear/Aux with the iDrive, and then to control the RES, you need to either use the remote (where all the control options only appear on the rear DVD screen), or use the buttons on the rear DVD unit itself (limited control options), i.e., there is no way to control some of the basic functions like start/pause/FF/Rewind, etc. directly from the front seat, correct?

at least for MY07, yes.

Control is only from rear panel or the remote. No idrive control.

Thanks for the confirmation. Of course, the lack of iDrive control for the RES only becomes an issue when you have little kids sitting in the back who don't know how to control the RES, but need to watch movies!

Thanxs for the replies.