Invision SL Active DVD system and Disneyworld trip
 

Just picked up a Invision SL Active series Rear dual DVD system for our 2009 X5 with the active headrest from a friend.
I wasn't sure how the installation was done so I called the company Invision and spoke to Lawerence, he sent me the installation instruction for the X5, but as we spoke I found out that they are located near Disney World and were planning a trip to Disney for vacation. Lawerence was nice enough to offer to install the DVD system for us since we were going to be in the area.
I packed up the DVD system when we drove to Orlando, Florida from Ontario, Canada. It was a long drive but our new X5 35d was smooth as silk and comfortable to drive. The best part was the fuel consumption, averaged 999km (~600Miles) per tank of diesel.

The X5 was so smooth that it is hard to tell that you are speeding and by the time you realize it, the state trooper police is signalling you to pull over. And that's what happened in NY State, so we got a ticket for speeding for an unspecified amount... strange ticket??!!
Anyone have experience in fighting out-of-state/country tickets? Do we have to pay it? What are the consequences?

So, when we arrived in Orlando, Florida, we stopped by Invision first to have the DVD systems installed.
The installation was done very professionally, no wires showing at all. The power of the DVD system was wired to the X5s cold power source so that was it doesn’t drain the battery when the X5 is off.
Everyone from Invision especially Lawerence was very nice and hospitable. They provided truly world-class professional customer service.
We didn't have time to do a tour of their factory because we had to check into the Disney resort and dinner reservations.
But the surrounding area is so nice and clean, green cut grass and white picket fences by a premium golf course. It was like from the movie Stepford Wives.

So the DVD system actually kept kids quiet while we drove around the resorts and to each theme parks (Epcot, Hollywood Studio, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom) and also kept the kids quiet on our long long drive home to Canada.

Here is what I liked about the Invision SL Active DVD system

• The leather trims on the DVD system match the leather of the seats
• It looks like it was BMW factory quality and installed.
• The screen is best quality I seen in any car DVD system (I been shopping around)
• The entire construction was high quality material and workmanship
• Dual independent screen with DVD player so the kids can watch their own DVDs/videos
• It can play DVDs and Mpeg4/Divx/avi formats so you can download videos from the Internet
• Two wireless headphones and remote controls

The reason we didn't get the single BMW factory DVD system at the dealer because it can only play DVD/CD formats, I wanted a system that supported MPG or AVI formats.
Also the kids may get a neck/eye cramp/strain if they are forced to watch at such an angle for long period of time.
I heard some people/kids gotten motion sickness from watching at such an angle for long period of time. (looking downward while vehicle is in motion)

Thanks again to Lawerence and the awesome staff at Invisions Industries.

Here are some pictures of the installed Invision SL Active Duel DVD system.

(some technical issues with some pictures, will fix it later)
http://img2.pict.com/41/c6/d6/fd2a4b...adrest0111.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/c9/36/2e/32dc02...adrest0113.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/0a/33/ca/dc0f27...adrest0114.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/08/c0/06/46c7f2...adrest0115.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/5f/22/11/e41825...adrest0118.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/cb/ab/2a/027782...adrest0119.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/68/57/04/48fcdc...adrest0130.jpg

I have heard good things about the Invision product, too bad it's such an ugly looking system though. I certainly wouldn't want those things hanging from the back of my headrests! Completely ruins the nice clean interior in my opinion :damn:

- I've gotten a parking ticket in Canada and didn't pay it - it should be fine, but I don't know what the US will do to you. ;)

- That is one long drive, done the NY -> FL drive before and really would not be willing to do it again, even in a nice ride like the X5.

- I am also waiting for a more integrated solution. Invision seems to have a very good, functional product, except I'm not a fan of the integration into the seat - I wish the active headrests never became an issue. Hopefully they'll work around that in the near future. As in the other thread, if they can throw the screen inside a leather-wrap console that merges almost seemlessly into the seat-back like in the 7, that would be a good sell in my opinion.

I think the Invision looks pretty good and well designed compared to the many boxy ugly system out there...

Besides the Invision system plays MPEG4 and Divx, when DVDs are phased out, you can still play those formats.

I got a speeding ticket last year in NY state (before I installed a radar detector). The state of NY and Ontario have an agreement to share info on out of province and out of state speeding tickets. I hired a lawyer to take care of it. It was pleaded down to a traffic violation (failing to yield to a stop sign or something like that). They do all the work and I ended up paying about $60.00 for the fine plus lawyer fees. Was it worth it? For me yes since I travel extensively in the U.S. Some say the is no bilateral agreement and I know people that just have not paid a U.S. speeding ticket and nothing happened.

Hsing, Thanks for the write up and kudos... I would have to say that you have become, yet another...dare I say it... Satisfied Customer!

-Law :thumbup:

Well i am sorry that my product apparently is not going to win any beauty pageants anytime soon, she definitely has got it where it counts... and that is in the technology department. However with the active headrests in the equation you pretty much have 2 choices. Either the BMW Factory System (INViSiON) or DVD in a bag with a velcro strap. Neither are the prettiest option but then again I was never the one to judge a book by it's cover.

I am going to have to get up with Ed Hardy and Juicy Couture to design the next product to please the masses. LOL! ;)

-Law :thumbup:

Yep! indeed we are, but I believe that our kids are more satisfied! :popcorn:

Thanks again!

Your children are my biggest critics. They ultimatley choose whether or not to give INViSiON the thumbs up! :thumbup: Hsing it was an absolute pleasure meeting you and your family. I look forward to your next visit. :cool:

-Law :thumbup:

I second the kudos to Law & the Invision DVD system for the X5. I have a 6 & 3yr old and its a HIT! Enjoy!!

Oh..look at this, another satisfied customer. In Florida no less, go figure!

Thanks for the kudos... Who's Next?

-Law :thumbup:

Ummm - how about the actual BMW Factory System, namely, the one with the screen in between the front seats. We got that on ours. It's elegant, integrated, not ugly, and, yes, the kids love it.
http://www.bmwusa.com/Image_53da9ed4...162b15302.arox

X5Meister....Where are you when I need ya.

You want to handle this?

Both systems are actually BMW Factory. INViSiON is the supplier for BMW NA with respect to the Dual DVD Headrest Systems. I am not sure who manufactures the BMW Factory Center Console DVD unit, but both units can only be purchased through BMW in the US.

BTW I absolutely love that center console unit...

-LAW

Hi,
One of the reasons we didn't get the single BMW factory armrest console DVD system is because it can only play DVD format.
I wanted a system that supported MPG4, Divx/AVI formats.
I can copy all my kids video on a memory stick and just play them.
I figured eventually the dvd format will be phased out like VHS was, then we'll be out of luck with the Single Armrest DVD console system and not able to get new movie releases then eventually stop using it all together.
At lease with the Invision system which is a BMW OEM part and fully warranteed full has the Mpeg4 and Divx format capability so it can still play new released videos and I can't see these formats being phased out. This was a big deal, at lease for us.

2nd reason:
Your kids don't fight over what to watch on the single screen?
How do you determine which one of your kids gets their way? I hope not by discrimination of age? Maybe rock, paper, sissors is a fair way, I guess?
But if they can all agree on what to watch, that's great!

My kids (boy and girl) like different type of cartoons/movies.
Sometimes one child wants to watch what the other is watching just because he or she is watching it or just bored with their video, but luckly I can switch the source for either screens to display what the the other one is watching.

3rd reason: Also I heard people complaining of adults and even kidss getting neck/eye strains and/or motion sickness from watching at such an angle for long period of time (head looking angled-downward and while vehicle is in motion).

Other than that I think the Armrest system is a nice system too...
What do you mean by integrated? is it integrated with you iDrive or just the wirings are integrated/hidden within the panels.
Where do you input the DVD?

Hsing,

Chuck Norris plays Rock, Paper, Scissors all the time, but somehow always manages to win with the roundhouse kick!

Nobody can beat Chuck!

Attachment 31870

-Law

Factory DVD
 

I stronlgly doubt that DVDs will cease to exist any time before my X5 ceases to exist (at least in my garage), so that wasn't much of a concern of mine.

Nope.

No complaints so far (about a year).

By integrated I mean that the audio is integrated with the factory audio, and not by way of an FM modulator. Back when I got my X5 (and ordered the factory RSE), I considered the Invision system but at that time the audio was not yet integrated. Perhaps that has changed now. The DVD player is below the folding screen, toward the bottom of the center console.

[quote=///MG]I strongly doubt that DVDs will cease to exist any time before my X5 ceases to exist (at least in my garage), so that wasn't much of a concern of mine.


//MG>>>

Hsing meant that the factory center console system only plays DVD's, it does not play MP3's, MP4's, MPEG-4, avi, and dvix files.

I honestly don't know if it even plays burnt DVD's or CD's as well.

The INViSiON Factory BMW product plays all those formats, that is what Hsing meant by ceasing to exist. DVD's will not be phased out anytime soon, but the center console product is not future proof with respect to USB Interfacing and reading different types of media files. The multimedia wave is really opening up to iPod's and Personal Storage Devices that don't involve an entire collection of DVD or CD discs. For example, a 2TB HardDrive that costs $200 can hold like 200 Entire DVD's in it's internal memory, however the center console unit isn't compatible with this type of technology because it lacks a USB port. The center console unit also only has 1 DVD player whcih is a big mistake when letting 2 children watch it. They can never seem to agree on what to watch.

-Law :thumbup:

Missed this thread! Sorry about the late response!

Starting at the beginning...

- The original poster's (hhhm3) story, if it wasn't confirmed by both parties already, I'd think was a big fat lie! Seriously, customer service like that just doesn't exist anymore. Acedeucy is the 'mom & pop's hardware store' in terms of customer service and everyone else is 'home depot.'

- hhhm3, congrats on the setup. Looks absolutely amazing and your kids probably are counting the days to the next trip.

- You brought a system to him that you already bought and he had them professionally install it. You didn't mention how much the installation cost; though I can probably guess the answer. :thumbup:

- Speeding ticket. You live in Canada and got the ticket in NY. I'd let them find you. A buddy got a ticket in Nevada 25 years ago and they still haven't found him in California.

- I think Acedeucy is a Stepford Husband.

- I agree with your assessment of this setup versus the other BMW option which is the center console mounted setup. There are too many disadvantages to that system to list (can play only 1 dvd at a time, 1 screen for 2 passengers, not mounted in front of passengers, mounted low, will not play any advanced tech sources, small screen, low resolution, etc.) and have been discussed on the board in great detail for those interested. Plus the original poster did a great job explaining why he chose one over the other. It is clear that he put some thought into it and personally I think he made the better choice. At an MSRP of less than $300 more for the dual screen setup I know which one I'd pick.

- BTW, for those people that are still confused, both options are OE BMW. One is installed by the factory (center console unit) and the other is installed by the dealer (Invision system). Just check the BMW USA accessories website.

- For the people who don't like the add-on look of it and say it's ugly (which btw, I don't think looks any more or less 'add-on' than the BMW center console mounted setup which I personally think looks completely stupid...and reminds me of the BMW gooseneck map light (has anyone ever bought that thing?!)) your beef is with BMW. Because of changing headrest designs they have consistently backed themselves into a corner forcing any headrest screen to sit physically away from the headrest. There are already 3 previous examples of such setups. The Invision is now the latest and greatest one. It's obvious they realized their problem and tried to work around it by designing the center console system, but that clearly left a lot to be desired as can be attested by the fact that they now have another, better, option.

- For the people who are waiting for total seat integration etc, (!) I think are completely missing the point of a rear entertainment system. I want total integration when it comes to something having to do with the critical functioning of the car like an aftermarket exhaust system whereas other people are fine with a local muffler shop welding on a piece of x-pipe on their $80,000 German car. Someone mentioned the new 7 series screens. Good luck waiting on those. My guess is that if such an option ever became available as a retrofit from BMW, it would cost so much that no one would buy it. It the whole diminishing return argument... Keep this in perspective, for rear seat entertainment for kids I'd bet $50 that they couldn't give a crap if the screens were better integrated into the headrests just as long as Sponge Bob was playable.

- The last comment made by Acedeucy is dead-on IMHO. A single DVD holds 4.7 GB of data and basically 1 movie. You can get a USB memory stick now that holds 64 GB of data which is basically 13-14 movies. Seems like a lot more convenient option than having to carry around a stack of DVD's. It's only a matter of time before larger capacities are available which will increase your choices. Basically it's the iPod argument. Why carry 500 CD's in your car when you can plug in an iPod that has 1,000 CD's on it! Honestly, I feel BMW really dropped the ball big time on this, by not offering a USB connector and ability to play Mpeg files in the center console setup. Had they not learned their lesson already?! Or maybe they HAVE learned their lesson and that is why they now offer a 2nd better option! Game, match, set.

Whew! Hopefully I caught up!

X5Meister,

Hadn't seen you in a few days, did you have a great Easter. You have depleted my referral budget! And by the way, Thanks yet again. I don't know what I would do without ya.

-Law

PS: Hsing, I hope you had an awesome Easter as well!

Easter was great, thanks. What's a 'referral budget' and what did I win?!

A set of steak knives!

Darn! Already have a set. Give them to charity instead. I'll find her address for you.

You know her as well?? LOL!

:iagree: ha ha ha!
Life is good!!!


Oh' just totaled my fuel bills for the trip and it cost me $240USD for diesel fuel. To and from Disney and also side trip to Myrtle Beach on the way back.
That's about 3000+ miles.
I just love this X5 35d!

I did the same thing and can back up Law's customer service. He is aces and the product is outstanding.

We have 3 kids and the ability to have 2 different things going on is invaluable. Ours gets alot of use - 3 hours each way to the cottage every weekend. Having the ability to run something off the usb, dvd or ps2 has been a real benefit.

I still haven't bothered with the fm modulater as the wireless headphones work great and mom and dad get to listen to the Ipod while the kids are busy in the back.

Even the dog seems to watch the movies!

Great system, good value, solid, durable installation.

The other thing I like is that it is totally reversible. I can take it with me to the next one and I'm sure Law will hook me up with matching trim when we move on.

Another Satisfied Customer!!!! :thumbup:

-Law :thumbup: