DVD Changer in Glove Box
 

Hi,

I've got a UK MY2008 E70 with the professional sat/nav, TV, Rear DVD and upgraded sound.

Threads on this board and the user manual state that I should be able to play DVD's to the front screen through the single slot player in the dash and through the 6 disc changer in the glove box.

I've tried and it doesn't work. The entertainment menu only shows me CD, I don't get the DVD option. If I press on CD through the idrive it tells me that no suitable media is installed in the changer/single slot.

Do the UK cars enable DVD's to be played to the front? Can someone in the UK test this please? If the UK can't, why the flipping heck not?

Many thanks
Nick

Anyone pls?

I believe the DVD changer is only an option on the UK-Spec 08 X5s. I'm sure I read that somewhere, but I could be wrong. I believe you can play DVDs through the Nav Drive (i.e. the lower of the two) not the single slot CD drive (upper).

Edit: tried a DVD in my Nav Drive, and nothing happens. I do know however that a DVD with MP3s is readable. Obviously no software included to show movies, just read data. Mine is an 07, but perhaps viewing DVDs is blocked due to UK/european safety regs.

I think you're right re it being blocked.

I got a call back from BMW UK today and they confirmed that the UK spec cars cannot play a DVD movie from any of the factory fitted devices (nav dvd, single slot & 6 disc changer) to the front screen.

I guess we're just unlucky in that we can't and other countries can.

If this is for legislative purposes it seems rather inconsistent in that the UK cars can be specced with the TV option (which I have).

I can't see the problem/risk in having DVD's played to the front screen if they turn off, as the TV does, when you move the selector from P

Nick

I have the dvd changer but haven't tried any dvds yet, I'll post later with results.

FYI
The OP has a UK model question. There is no question about the U.S. model DVD changer. It plays DVDs.

Yes, my X5 from Netherlands with DVD changer also plays on the front screen and of course the screen is locked when driving.
One good thing, when you play Music DVD's you can actually enjoy Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 playback.That's kinda cool. At first I thought this was not possible, but after selecting the right sound track and setting the sound to Surround it worked.

I do have an outstanding question @ BMW why the DVD changer does not play DVD's on the Back Screen. Isn't that strange?
It's simply not connect and this is certainly why I upgraded to the DVD changer, to be able to have multiple DVD's loaded for playback on the back screen.

I too have premium sound and the DVD changer... didn't really want it, but the car had every other option the way I wanted it. I'm eagerly awaiting the new Invision entertainment specs. I'm hoping it will have an option to play DVD's from the front factory changer to their rear screens. If not, I'm tempted to pull out my screwdriver and tinker around with it.

My dealer says that in order to link the DVD Changer video to the rear screen, you also need to unblock the "TV in motion" security screen.
I'm not convinced that this is true, but who knows.

Also, they claim to have exeperience with people enabling the TV in Motion, that this might stop working with a software update.
Also not a very convincing argument.

I guess they simply don't want us to mess around with all of this,

The main question remains: Why sell a DVD changer if you can't use it (on the back screen) while driving.

I don't have rear DVD installation but DVD changer in the glove box, Pro navigation screen as weel as TV-tuner.
Video DVD works well on the front screen with Dolby Digital sound if you select it.
I have installed a cable for unlocking TV on motion so my passengers can enjoy DVDs while driving.
You may also play audio CD.

I just have a bug: english subtitles are selected by default and I didn't find how to change this default.

Crax,

Can you tell me where you got your cable and how much it cost pls?

(I've got someone installing a cable in the next couple of days, cost is approx £200 for the cable and fitting - and I wanted to make sure the price is reasonable. I think ICD(?) supply the cable?

I had it on eBay from Techtronics for 135€ including shipment. It is the same cable than E90 E91 E60 E61 E63 and E87.
I installed it myself, not so hard (6 Philips screws to remove), it takes around 15mn to put in place.
Each time you start your car, you still have the motion protection. You have to press "Menu" for 3 secs to unlock.
It look like this.

DVD changer connection solution
 

I did some investigation last few weeks but it is hard to find.

This seems to be the only proper one.
It is not cheap (€. 371,-) but it seems to work fine.


Attachment 24070


When someone has an other option, I am interested.

Regards, :thumbup:

This is not at all the same product.
You should make a search on eBay with these words "bmw tv free" (select advanced search and "Worldwide") and you will find a lot of offers.

My message replies more to the questionss of Toadmazter and PvanDam.
And any other people who wants to connect the DVD changer to
the factory installed back sceen or two headrest screens.
With this item it is all possible. It includes also the TV in motion.

Call me we can talk about the INViSiON kits!

Crax,

I've tried two different cables now which don't work. The specialist at the last company said it's because I have the reversing camera.

Do you have a reversing camera installed?

Thanks
Nick

how do you unlock the front screen so the dvd will play when driving?

I did speak to Lawrence, and while the new Invision kit does have some neat features (USB MP3 audio and MPEG-4 video), it does not integrate to the existing factory sound system nor can the glove-box DVD player act as a source for the rear displays.

I'd really like to find an adaptor/harness that would output the DVD changer AV to the rear. That way it could all be controlled via iDrive, which is especially useful when younger rear passengers aren't savvy with the Remote Control yet.

I have those specs and I would love to talk to you about what the new system can do. Thanks!

-Law

Sorry for late answer. Your "specialist" is wrong. I have the reversing camera and it works fine.

Thanks for the reply Crax.

I'll check into this again then. It's strange though because the device you refer to sold on Ebay looks identical to the cable that the guy tried to fit from ICD & Nav TV - both of which didn't work.

It is maybe an installation problem. What doesn't work?

So you have installed it in an E70 ? Looks like you have to take some of the front dash off from the install instructions... ??

Hi Crax, Did you get E70 install instructions for the cable I purchased mine a while ago and only got E60 instructions ? Thanks~~

You have to connect it to the main unit which is located at the center bottom of the dash, under the climate control. So you have to remove the center air grill, then the center plastic cover and you gain access to the unit by removing 4 screws.

I've no sat-nav option but tv. Single Dvd slot is just working for data dvd's(audio) but no Dvd movies.

You're right for the single slot DVD, you need the DVD changer in the glove box to watch DVD's.
The location of the unit should be the same, even if you don't have Nav.

Unlock Front Screen for DVD while Driving
 

So has anyone out there tried this? Is it possible for an 08 E70 in the US to disable this function and allow play of DVD's on the front screen while driving?

I have this setup, while it is not recommended ;-)

is this a BMW DVD unit? my dealer's parts dept. had no clue!!!!

Yes it is: 696 Multi-Media Changer

I'm in process of adding the DVD changer to my 2008 e70.
I will be installing it in the glove box as intended by BMW.

Can someone tell me if the car should have a harness or if I need to get one added.
I find some info that I will have to connect the fiber optic cable in the back.

Any install instructions would be helpful.

Afterwards I know I will have to code the car.

Is the DVD changer a single DIN, standard size device? If so, maybe I'll replace mine with a Windows computer.