Howdy, folks
New member here. Got a few questions about a project i'd like to do in my 05 MCC with factory nav and the cheaper, standard stereo system with no cd changer or extras.

I'd like to have a computer under the passenger seat, feeding into the nav screen (MK4). My plans are as such:
Get the basic OEM nav module, hook it up
Get a computer with composite out signal (what happens here? do i need a 16:9 signal, will it stretch a 4:3, or letterbox it? i'm betting it will stretch...
Hide computer under seat, plug composite signal into OEM module
the hard part:
Somehow hook sound up into the CD changer slot of my standard HU?
My questions are largely centered on the sound : anyone have a good idea as to how to get the sound out of the computer into the speakers? I do not have the CD changer, so if i could convince the car that the computer sound is CD changer sound, i would be able to swap between am/fm, in dash cd, and computer with the mode button, correct? Does anyone know how to fake the CD changer? is there an easier way to do this? or, since i don't plan on getting sirius, could i use that port instead? obviously, i would like my nav voice to work the same, really, just add the computer sound as an additional option that wouldn't interfere with the way things are currently working.

If you're curious, i plan on putting a wireless card in the computer, and loading movies and music onto the computer from home. Then i can travel around, looking for wifi signals for email, playing movies and music from the computer. going to use a RF wireless keyboard and mouse pointer to navigate.

Another question for people who have used this module: (so far, the best price i've found is tvandnav2go.com's oem module without tv) What kind of signal is it expecting? Do you have any further advice for what i'm doing here?

I appreciate the help, thanks!

 

I don'thavethe nav, but am doing a similar thing to the stick head unit. To fake a CD Changer (or SatRad), you have to hook into the IBus (network that sends data around the car) and fake the right messages to the headunit. There is a Yahoo group called Hack the IBus that has a lot of information publicly available. You can look at the thread below to see where I am at in my quest...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=35319

 

Look for CarX or Varan.org for computer bmw installs. And keep me in mind when you figure it out. I am making a IBUS interface for my laptop to try out CarX before I start the TV tuner $$$ portion.

Paul

 

OK, that helps, thanks

I'm picking up my OEM video navigation shortly.

Does anyone know what it does to the main-menu screen if you *don't* have the TV tuner? the dude i'm buying it from is less-than-helpful, i just want to make sure i'm not in for any costly surprises.

And does anyone know how hard/easy it is to mount/connect this thing(the OEM video module) in an 05 convertible?

thanks!

p.s. Anyone here found/purchased for less than $399?

 

I may be wrong here, but you could get the OEM MINI aux adapter, it takes the cd-changer port on the back of the head unit and brings it to a stereo mini connector. Then you could just run a mini to mini jumper from your computer's line out to the aux input. If the nav takes up the port i'm talking about (I dont have it so i dont know) then you could get a blitzsafe, which does the same thing but you'd run the RCA from the trunk.

 

Zknezo - that's a great idea, i'd forgotten about that. I'll look into it, ask the dealer how it is done, where the sound goes!

Update: I got the Coax-> nav box, which is activated by a toggle switch, not an item in the menu. Somewhat disappointing, but i'll make it work well. Does anyone know where i can get replacement mini toggle switches for the center console? i'm going to mount the switch there!

So i had to remove the seat (4 torx screws) to get to the nav unit. Hookup was a snap. Now i am playing around with different video cards to get a 16:9 aspect coming out, so things look right. This is tricky!

i'll keep everyone posted. well, everyone who is looking at this.

 

Excellent, where did you purchase Coax box?


Paul

 

How are you dealing with Power for the computer? Will it be running Win XP?

I've been wanting to do this in my car for sometime now but little problems here and there plus $$$$ have stopped me.

 

Hi

I've gained some success:

http://www.navwithtv.com/product.asp?specific=jnnpomo0
is where i bought the box from, for $399, there's a post somewhere about how he'll sell it for 100$ less.

I plan on powering a win2k (i just hate XP) small ITX computer with a 60W inverter.
Your standard nvidia geforce 2 video card will allow you to customize to any resolution, but *not* if you are using a TV out card. So i picked up a VGA->NTSC converter off of newegg, so i can use a 16:9 res.
I'm going to make or find a case that can hold all of this under the passenger seat. I plan on having a DVD drive and wireless card in the computer, wireless keyboard and mouse.

i'll post pics when it is done - right now, i'm waiting for the VGA converter, and if the pic looks good (no flicker or lines), i'll continue to buying/building the computer for it.

Does anyone know what is involved in this dealer install of the aux headphone jack? is it just a port in the back of the 05 HU? is the sound always on, or does it become a menu item?

thanks

 

The dealer install will be fairly expensive, I'd recommend just getting the part and installing it yourself. It's a simple matter of taking apart the dash, reaching behind the stereo and plugging in the adapter. Once installed it will come up with an AUX source when you press the mode button. You can even adjust the line-in level with the music note button.

Here is a link to a how-to install guide with the part number, courtesy of Motoring File

 

OK!

So here's another update.

I am using a VGA-> NTSC converter, which seems to work fairly well. A video card that lets me customize a resolution (such as the nvidia geforce series) will be helpful for getting 16:9 picture, which matches the screen, and looks better

also: I purchased the aux adapter from mini and proceeded to install it.

For those of you disappointed by the lack of instructions on how to install the aux adapter with the nav system, here you go:

AUX adapter with navigation system installation

perform all instructions as without the nav adapter, but, when installing the plug in the back of the unit, note a preexisting plug with two wires (For me, yellow/brown and yellow/red.

pull this preexisting plug out. Remove, with a pin or small screwdriver, the two wires, noting their previous position in the original plug (mine were vertical, second set in from the left.

jam these two wires in their corresponding places in the new aux plug, which will be vacant.

stick new plug with aux and nav combined in the hole.

smash your dash back in place and rejoyce.

Since every laptop i've tried in this setup has sucked, i'm now working on a small desktop for under the pass. seat. I am contemplating both fixed and removable setups, weighing the pros and cons of both.

A portable system could be removed easily for upgrades, in insecure areas, or to transfer large amounts of data inside my home instead of over wifi or dvd drive.

a fixed system would be, well, fixed. probably less rattle, an install-and-forget.

i'm probably going to go fixed, since i could make my own case, custom, at work. I will keep anyone interested up to date on this project. I'm expecting to finish in a month or so. (i am very lazy and unmotivated to do car work in 10 degree weather.)

 

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one thinking about this, but have you thought about using a Mini-Mac instead? It's a smaller footprint, has bluetooth and 802.11G, uses 18v power, and you can use the Apple video adaptor to use composite out.

Scott

 

I'm looking at doing something very similar with a mac mini. Problem being, I'm super picky about visual quality. I'm a photographer among other things, and I want to be able to use this as a fully functional computer (photo, music, video, even nav?).

That I know of, no current solution with the oem nav screen will be high enough res. etc... The two alternatives I've come up with:

Use the oem bezel for the nav screen and mount another lcd behind it. The advantage of this is that I could conceiveably get VGA or better resolution and use vga or dvi cable. The buttons and such on the front could be wired up appropriately. I don't really like having the speedo on the column, so this is probably not going to happen.

Another option is to buy one of those video head units. Input type and aspect ratios are my concern here. I don't mind plunking down a bit of change for a good one (especially if I'm saving $1700 by not getting nav). I'm a bit of an audiophile, so I'd prefer to get the hk package. I've thought about putting the hk head in the trunk and wiring the controls back up front, then use the aux in from the video head. Another option is to modify the center pillar. Mount the video head where the stereo usually is, then mount the hk head where the climate controls are and shift those down. Extending connections isn't hard. I don't have a mini on hand to see if this is doable, unfortunately.

Thoughts on any of this?

Thanks, all.

 

sorry i haven't checked this thread in awhile...

I am not going to use a mac mini, because, well, because.
That, and i want to write custom jukebox software/video/etc. i can do a PC cheaper and smaller.

some news:

i plugged a computer with an Nvidia geforce 4mx video card into the car.
How did i plug it in? using a VGA->NTSC converter and the standard video in module. Why so specific? because Geforce cards are the only ones i've found which will allow you to customize a resolution down to the pixel and hz. (you can have 800*450 resolution at 72hz (i've found this works well for the screen)

I'm waiting on not being so busy with work to build a case and purchase the mobo/drives/video. mini-box.com has DC->DC power supplies for computers which account for the draw that starting the car creates, and seem really well tuned to this application. and the things are tiny!

current problem: under the passenger's seat doesn't seem to be too friendly to mount a computer permanently. Any suggestions? (05 MCC). I'm toying with the idea of a removable computer, or pulling up the passenger seat and seeing if the 05 frame design still has the space for the nav package. (my nav is under the driver's seat, i notice that older ones were under the passengers seat. Anyone know about this?)

 

Cool. I would think the glovebox would be good(I don't keep much in there. Or in the back in the boot where the CD changer goes/HK amp. How are you going to get the sound? What will be used to control the computer? CarX uses the buttons on the screen and steering wheel.



Paul

 

hey now, read the whole post.

audio is going through the AUX input. I'm not putting it in the trunk because i have the convertible, and the glove box is decidedly full.

how is yours going?

 

Eric,

We need pics!

I can't wait to do this one day.... when funds allow.

 

I'm about to do the same thing! I just picked up my 05 MCC today, and have had this in mind for some time. Have you completed your project? You should compile a how-to-guide!

 

Chanman:

i'm still thinking through the computer issue. I just don't know where to store it. That, and it is way too cold out to play with the car right now. Also, i'm working on removing all the rattles from my roof.

let me know how you go about it, i'm curious for other ideas. let me know if you need any help.

i'll post pics when the project is done, folks. make NY warmer, i'll move faster.

 

i have the 2005 MCC and I'm considering building a box to put it under the glovebox, above the feet of the passenger. I think they will still have leg room and that will even minimize the length of the wires i have to run. i should be able to make a box that holds a small pc and match it to the car. we'll see. im trying to figure out where i'm going to put the lcd, i don't really want to remove the center gauges.

 

Chanman:

you read my mind. This past weekend, i fooled around with the car, and decided that storing the comp under the passenger seat wasn't going to work. I did notice that latching it under the glovebox in the passenger footwell will work nicely

so i went and bought my computer. Parts will arrive shortly. Details:
600Mhz VIA processor, chipset that can handle mpeg2 decoding
slimline DVD reader
samsung 40 gig 2.5" laptop drive
Automotive ATX powersupply (12v to ATX to minimize components)
and all the necessary cables/etc.

i'm storing the composite video injector box in the nav box under the driver's seat. I'm going to make the computer removable, attached with velcro and straps. We'll see how well that works

note for people doing this: If you're going to use a DC to DC power supply, please keep in mind that there is serious havoc caused by starting an engine, and you will need to get or build a power supply that can handle this! alternately, have your power switch physically disconnect the power supply from the power during engine cranking.

i would suggest starting a search for a computer at
www.mini-box.com
that's where i got my mobo and power supply.

I'm going to build a custom PC case at work, this should be easy where i work.

The parts should arrive in a few days, and a week or so after that, i should have pics for everyone. Much thanks for everyone who lended a hand.


p.s. Eliminating rattles in the convertible is very time consuming and difficult.

 

Have a URL for carX?

Doug

 

CarX - http://www.creative-nightshifts.de/carx.htm

 

Here you go. http://www.creative-nightshifts.de/carx.htm

There is also a forum, don't have that link. I'm still in the plan stage. I can't wrap my brain around how I can get this and use the car controls and have stereo sound.

My ultimate goal would be Carx and a cell phone integrated so I could internet and call all from my steering wheel. Imagine pulling up the weather on your trip etc. Through the roof factor. ODB reading etc.

The navwithtv box would give it but the wheel and nav controls would be doing something else while the CarX is on the screen.


Paul

 

I was thinking about this too.

Good forum:
http://mp3car.com/

The only thing I'm afraid of is the small practical things you dont think about, how easy would this system be to operate, will it work flawless or need reboot after restarting car and such.