FINALLY DVD FULL WIDESCREEN ON iDRIVE!!!

sunchild · 03-17-2006, 07:18 AM

Let me begin by thanking Dominic of TVandNAV2go.

He was very helpful, always available on the phone or through e-mail. I've run into many people in the "car audio" business and I would definitely recommend Dominic and his company to you. One thing that strikes me the most is how he has kept his word with the little things. Thanks Dominic!

As far as my background, I have been working on navigation hacks for quite some time now. A lot of it has been on the Acura and G35 boards... back in the day... haha before all these navigation hack vendors were even out. The 3 series, along with the 5 and 6 is very well built. There is no doubt about it, the Germans engineer even the guts of the car really well. For some reason, I find it highly hard to believe that another E90 has done this. The reason why I'm saying this is because the module is supposed to fit behind the screen. There is absolutely no space to stick the module near the screen, now we know that.

This installation is NOT for someone who thinks they know what they are doing. As easy as it looks by the pictures, this was one the toughest install on all the cars I've worked. I had to rip open the car, basically.

Well anyway, here are the goods. I would type more out but I stayed up Thursday night and it's 5 am now. I'll get a video out when I have some time this weekend so you guys can see and get a feel for the system.

-Stephen

larryn · 03-17-2006, 07:49 AM

Looks incredible!! Congrats. How long (total) did it take to install? I saw the remote, but do the steering wheel controls (or iDrive controller) handle any of the video playback functions?

Also, I can't wait to see your videos! Go get some sleep, so that you can get them posted when you wake up.

ksfrogman · 03-17-2006, 07:54 AM

Are you feeding video in by iPod?

hotsand5 · 03-17-2006, 08:12 AM

How is the picture quality? The same as it would be on an aftermarket car vid screen? I cannot tell too much by the pics, but maybe will be when you come out with the video of it. I'm starting to get excited.

ItalyBMW325 · 03-17-2006, 08:41 AM

That concerns me on the install. I was told it was easy...

ItalyBMW325 · 03-17-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Are you feeding video in by iPod?

Mine will be fed by IPOD Video...

sunchild · 03-17-2006, 03:28 PM

I'm actually, contemplating. I've tried using the iPod video for my entertainment for a few weeks and I couldn't handle using the iPod interface every moment in the car so I got rid of it. I'm thinking about putting in a Mac Mini with Front Row technology (remote) to control music, dvds, movie clips, pictures.

The quality on the screen, is gorgeous. It's like watching on a big widescreen.

The switching is done by a remote control, I cannot control anything with iDrive or the steering wheel buttons.

domoftvandnav2go · 03-17-2006, 03:47 PM

Hi Sunchild
Hope all is well and thank you very much for your support and help.
Please if you can tell me which I-Drive positions work in the car currently and what they do. This has been the hold up with the I-Drive control unit. I need to make sure that the free position in the 3, 5 and 6 are the same. If you are not sure what I am saying please call me at 718-763-7367 and I will explain.
Thanks Dominic www.TVandNav2Go.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunchild

I'm actually, contemplating. I've tried using the iPod video for my entertainment for a few weeks and I couldn't handle using the iPod interface every moment in the car so I got rid of it. I'm thinking about putting in a Mac Mini with Front Row technology (remote) to control music, dvds, movie clips, pictures.

The quality on the screen, is gorgeous. It's like watching on a big widescreen.

The switching is done by a remote control, I cannot control anything with iDrive or the steering wheel buttons.

domoftvandnav2go · 03-17-2006, 07:04 PM

Hi ItalyBMW325
Hope all is well.
Don't worry you will be fine with the install.
hanks Dominic www.TVandNav2Go.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItalyBMW325

That concerns me on the install. I was told it was easy...

magamaga · 03-17-2006, 08:01 PM

ItalyBMW325 how soon will you be doing your install?

magamaga · 03-17-2006, 08:02 PM

Dominic, would a portable dvd player work as a unit for feeding video into your unit? Maybe a portable unit that can fit in the glove compartment work and be neatly stored.

domoftvandnav2go · 03-17-2006, 08:45 PM

Hi
Yes but you must make sure they share a common ground. If the device is powered from the car this will be NO problem.
Thanks Dominic www.TVandNav2Go.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by magamaga

Dominic, would a portable dvd player work as a unit for feeding video into your unit? Maybe a portable unit that can fit in the glove compartment work and be neatly stored.

KevinC · 03-17-2006, 11:01 PM

Awesome! Mzkes me want to install a BMW dashboard on my living room wall.

ItalyBMW325 · 03-18-2006, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magamaga

ItalyBMW325 how soon will you be doing your install?

The unit gets to my parents in NM on Tueday, they will forward to my APO that same day so i should have it the following Wednesday. So not next weekend but the following.

poldim · 03-19-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Awesome! Mzkes me want to install a BMW dashboard on my living room wall.

hahah.... like wise...last shot is sexy!

Please feed us some of the details on how the unit works and what not....

BMW06 · 03-19-2006, 07:43 PM

sunchild,

Thank you for your pictures.
We all know that you had once installed older version of this mod from dom & had some problems. You had posted pictures then.

Now you have a successful one. Its good that we all know that what dom says is possible.

We all look forward to some detailed DIY pics & your thoughts about the ease of install & nuances.

Waiting for deatiled install steps pics.

Njoy your DVDs & we shall wait some more time

magamaga · 03-23-2006, 01:03 AM

sunchild, can you post a video of your install?

poldim · 03-23-2006, 10:27 AM

I would also be in the waiting for more pics/info bandwagon....

Squawks · 03-23-2006, 10:38 AM

Hey, sunchild - if you can also answer these questions:

1) What's your video source (DVD player? laptop?)
2) Is the widescreen a true 16:9 widescreen that doesn't stretch the picture? Do the various wide/zoom options from your video source work on the nav screen?

To me, those pictures show that that movie is still stretched with those huge letterboxes.

poldim · 03-23-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squawks

Hey, sunchild - if you can also answer these questions:

1) What's your video source (DVD player? laptop?)
2) Is the widescreen a true 16:9 widescreen that doesn't stretch the picture? Do the various wide/zoom options from your video source work on the nav screen?

To me, those pictures show that that movie is still stretched with those huge letterboxes.

I would think that the wide/zoom features depend on the video source. The iDrive screen is just that, a display. So it would only depend if you are capable of doing it on your video source and then send out the video signal to iDrive.

But thats just my logical thinking....

domoftvandnav2go · 03-23-2006, 04:38 PM

Hi poldim
Hope all is well.
You are correct the video source controls what the sceen looks like.
You can set the DVD to true 16:9 and it will display TRUE 16:9 on the screen. If you set the DVD to 4:3 and you still feel that the picture is stretched. The remote has a 4:3 key to change the size of the screen to 6.5" Which is TRUE 4:3 for this monitor.
Thanks Dominic www.TVandNav2Go.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

I would think that the wide/zoom features depend on the video source. The iDrive screen is just that, a display. So it would only depend if you are capable of doing it on your video source and then send out the video signal to iDrive.

But thats just my logical thinking....

sunchild · 03-24-2006, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squawks

Hey, sunchild - if you can also answer these questions:

1) What's your video source (DVD player? laptop?)
2) Is the widescreen a true 16:9 widescreen that doesn't stretch the picture? Do the various wide/zoom options from your video source work on the nav screen?

To me, those pictures show that that movie is still stretched with those huge letterboxes.

I will get back to you on that...

03-17-2006, 07:18 AM	#1
sunchild Lieutenant 25 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orange County, CAL iTrader: (2)	FINALLY DVD FULL WIDESCREEN ON iDRIVE!!! Let me begin by thanking Dominic of TVandNAV2go. He was very helpful, always available on the phone or through e-mail. I've run into many people in the "car audio" business and I would definitely recommend Dominic and his company to you. One thing that strikes me the most is how he has kept his word with the little things. Thanks Dominic! As far as my background, I have been working on navigation hacks for quite some time now. A lot of it has been on the Acura and G35 boards... back in the day... haha before all these navigation hack vendors were even out. The 3 series, along with the 5 and 6 is very well built. There is no doubt about it, the Germans engineer even the guts of the car really well. For some reason, I find it highly hard to believe that another E90 has done this. The reason why I'm saying this is because the module is supposed to fit behind the screen. There is absolutely no space to stick the module near the screen, now we know that. This installation is NOT for someone who thinks they know what they are doing. As easy as it looks by the pictures, this was one the toughest install on all the cars I've worked. I had to rip open the car, basically. Well anyway, here are the goods. I would type more out but I stayed up Thursday night and it's 5 am now. I'll get a video out when I have some time this weekend so you guys can see and get a feel for the system. -Stephen
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03-17-2006, 07:49 AM	#2
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Looks incredible!! Congrats. How long (total) did it take to install? I saw the remote, but do the steering wheel controls (or iDrive controller) handle any of the video playback functions? Also, I can't wait to see your videos! Go get some sleep, so that you can get them posted when you wake up.
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03-17-2006, 07:54 AM	#3
ksfrogman Major General 576 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Are you feeding video in by iPod? __________________
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03-17-2006, 08:12 AM	#4
hotsand5 hotsand5 49 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	How is the picture quality? The same as it would be on an aftermarket car vid screen? I cannot tell too much by the pics, but maybe will be when you come out with the video of it. I'm starting to get excited. __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
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03-17-2006, 08:41 AM	#5
ItalyBMW325 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 256 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Italy iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	That concerns me on the install. I was told it was easy...
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03-17-2006, 03:28 PM	#7
sunchild Lieutenant 25 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orange County, CAL iTrader: (2)	I'm actually, contemplating. I've tried using the iPod video for my entertainment for a few weeks and I couldn't handle using the iPod interface every moment in the car so I got rid of it. I'm thinking about putting in a Mac Mini with Front Row technology (remote) to control music, dvds, movie clips, pictures. The quality on the screen, is gorgeous. It's like watching on a big widescreen. The switching is done by a remote control, I cannot control anything with iDrive or the steering wheel buttons.
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03-17-2006, 08:01 PM	#10
magamaga - 25 Rep 526 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	ItalyBMW325 how soon will you be doing your install? __________________ 325i Sparkling Graphite/Navigation/Steptronic/HeatedSeats/ DRL Angel Eyes/Metal Pedals/Tail Pipe Tips/Rear BMW Spoiler/BMWAlarm/LoJack/BlackLineTailLights/Hardwired BeltronicsProfessionalRX65RadarDetector/Rear FogLights/Debadged/LUX 5.0/ACS Roof Spoiler
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03-17-2006, 08:02 PM	#11
magamaga - 25 Rep 526 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Dominic, would a portable dvd player work as a unit for feeding video into your unit? Maybe a portable unit that can fit in the glove compartment work and be neatly stored. __________________ 325i Sparkling Graphite/Navigation/Steptronic/HeatedSeats/ DRL Angel Eyes/Metal Pedals/Tail Pipe Tips/Rear BMW Spoiler/BMWAlarm/LoJack/BlackLineTailLights/Hardwired BeltronicsProfessionalRX65RadarDetector/Rear FogLights/Debadged/LUX 5.0/ACS Roof Spoiler
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03-17-2006, 11:01 PM	#13
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Awesome! Mzkes me want to install a BMW dashboard on my living room wall. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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03-19-2006, 07:43 PM	#16
BMW06 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 252 Posts Drives: F15 xDrive35i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	sunchild, Thank you for your pictures. We all know that you had once installed older version of this mod from dom & had some problems. You had posted pictures then. Now you have a successful one. Its good that we all know that what dom says is possible. We all look forward to some detailed DIY pics & your thoughts about the ease of install & nuances. Waiting for deatiled install steps pics. Njoy your DVDs & we shall wait some more time
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2006, 01:03 AM	#17
magamaga - 25 Rep 526 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	sunchild, can you post a video of your install? __________________ 325i Sparkling Graphite/Navigation/Steptronic/HeatedSeats/ DRL Angel Eyes/Metal Pedals/Tail Pipe Tips/Rear BMW Spoiler/BMWAlarm/LoJack/BlackLineTailLights/Hardwired BeltronicsProfessionalRX65RadarDetector/Rear FogLights/Debadged/LUX 5.0/ACS Roof Spoiler
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03-23-2006, 10:27 AM	#18
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	I would also be in the waiting for more pics/info bandwagon.... __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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03-23-2006, 10:38 AM	#19
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 53 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	Hey, sunchild - if you can also answer these questions: 1) What's your video source (DVD player? laptop?) 2) Is the widescreen a true 16:9 widescreen that doesn't stretch the picture? Do the various wide/zoom options from your video source work on the nav screen? To me, those pictures show that that movie is still stretched with those huge letterboxes. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
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