What use for AV input?

[downunder]

Sorry for my ignorance but what does the AV input on the back of the centre console do? and what can be plugged in the "IN" and "OUT" plugs. My X5 4.4 comes with Sat Nav,TV. I asked my dealer but he didn't sound too knowledgable. information appreciated.

[asad]

Apparently you can add a video recorder or digital player to the AV -in to view on your screen and attach a TV screen to the AV-out as an add-on. However BMW cannot advise which hardware is compatible - not sure any one knows. Frustrating really as it has to have some purpose !!!

[mark_ireland]

my dealer hadn't a clue. I went to a local installer and he said it was a 3.5mm jack plug. I asked for the wiring pinouts so i could hook into it but no luck.
I know its for connecting an external av in (eg dvd) and you can watch it on the av station on the tv but i believe the sound is in mono.
The av out connects to say a screen. This output does not switch off like the front screen does when you start driving. If your watching tv on the av out you can change stations using the tv button.
If you get the connections be sure and let me know :thumbup:
Mark.

[downunder]

I know how u feel. A car of that caliber and yet even the dealer who sell them can't exactly explain or tell you which hardware cab be used to maximise the car's ability. Couldn't find any reference about this on X5world. I tried to plug in video out from a portable DVD player into the IN plug and tune to av channel on the front screen..no picture. Don't know how one can get sound..is it possible to have a combine 3.5mm plug that has video and audio...so anyone have any experience in this...please help. :cry:



Apparently you can add a video recorder or digital player to the AV -in to view on your screen and attach a TV screen to the AV-out as an add-on. However BMW cannot advise which hardware is compatible - not sure any one knows. Frustrating really as it has to have some purpose !!!

[asad]

Interesting - I tried my DV camcorder and a digital DVD player in the BMW screen AV mode - nothing happened !! On another forum a similar question was asked and the reply was "The wires on the AV input are reversed from that of a normal composite video connector, so you'll have to make a cable or open up the console and swap the wires" - any ideas what this means ? (Frustration levels are rising !! :mad:

[spydrz]

Are yall talking about the AV adapter in the back of the center console by the cigarette lighter? Unfortunately this isn't available in the states, so a lot of posters here won't be able to offer much help. But keep us informed if there's a solution...

[downunder]

Are yall talking about the AV adapter in the back of the center console by the cigarette lighter? Unfortunately this isn't available in the states, so a lot of posters here won't be able to offer much help. But keep us informed if there's a solution...
Oh ic. No wonder none of the post so far is from the states. yes, i was referring to the adapter in the back. Thanks for letting me know.

[amerikiwi]

Before I got the phatbox I hooked up a MP3 player to the AV in plug and it worked great. Problem was the TV needed to be on and set to AV channel in.

[swindonhost]

Interesting - I tried my DV camcorder and a digital DVD player in the BMW screen AV mode - nothing happened !! On another forum a similar question was asked and the reply was "The wires on the AV input are reversed from that of a normal composite video connector, so you'll have to make a cable or open up the console and swap the wires" - any ideas what this means ? (Frustration levels are rising !! :mad:


OK I'm going to get one of these and give it a try, the plugs may end up being the wrong colours but it should work

Its a 3 phono to jack plug

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29308&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=2&doy=9m11

[mark_ireland]

we will all wait for your test run :thumbup:

[asad]

Yes Good luck - and thanks for trying. :dunno:

[swindonhost]

Yes Good luck - and thanks for trying. :dunno:


First test confirms the video is on the yellow plug

I need to make up some phono female leads to test the audio so I'll do that sometime tomorrow.
:thumbup:

[downunder]

Thanks. Can't wait to see your results.

First test confirms the video is on the yellow plug

I need to make up some phono female leads to test the audio so I'll do that sometime tomorrow.
:thumbup:

[swindonhost]

Thanks. Can't wait to see your results.


Ok Guys for this experiment I used a Pioneer PDV-LC10 portable DVD player.

The Pioneer has a jack the sale size as the BMW and comes with a Jack to three phono lead.

I linked this with the Maplin Item to give 3 out to 3 in.

Yellow Video channel is Correct

White Sound Channel is Correct

Red Sound Channel is not live, this is either not wired in the car or we need a different plug. :dunno:

I checked the DVD was giving sound on the red channel by switching the red DVD out to the BMW white in, this gave a signal.

With one channel, the sound quality in the car is still very good and the picture quality excellent. This may not be the final solution but it does work

regards
Jon :thumbup:

PS I will continue to find out if red should be live

[mark_ireland]

I tried it with my laptop last night but the battery died as it was starting up :bawling:
the screen looked like it was trying to show something but ill try again when i get the chance.
I thing the sound input is in mono.
again well done :thumbup:

[downunder]

Excellent.:thumbup: :thumbup:

Would you be kind to show us a pic of the jack/cable you used to connect your Pioneer to the X5? and is the DVD picture on even while you are driving or only in stationary mode? I suppose it is only while stationary.

I have a Shinco DVD player which has separate video and audio out (3.5mm jack) but I don't have a cable that will combine those AV output to a single plug that would goes into the X5 AV in.


Ok Guys for this experiment I used a Pioneer PDV-LC10 portable DVD player.

The Pioneer has a jack the sale size as the BMW and comes with a Jack to three phono lead.

I linked this with the Maplin Item to give 3 out to 3 in.

Yellow Video channel is Correct

White Sound Channel is Correct

Red Sound Channel is not live, this is either not wired in the car or we need a different plug. :dunno:

I checked the DVD was giving sound on the red channel by switching the red DVD out to the BMW white in, this gave a signal.

With one channel, the sound quality in the car is still very good and the picture quality excellent. This may not be the final solution but it does work

regards
Jon :thumbup:

PS I will continue to find out if red should be live

[swindonhost]

Excellent.:thumbup: :thumbup:

Would you be kind to show us a pic of the jack/cable you used to connect your Pioneer to the X5? and is the DVD picture on even while you are driving or only in stationary mode? I suppose it is only while stationary.

I have a Shinco DVD player which has separate video and audio out (3.5mm jack) but I don't have a cable that will combine those AV output to a single plug that would goes into the X5 AV in.


No picture is on AV when stationary only

Part is here http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx...ldID=2&doy=9m11

[asad]

Thanks for the info - yes the sound can be heard but the image was extremely hazy - in fact could only make out a vague blurr - I used my yamada DVD player (not portable - got an extension lead ouit to the car) - does it make a differnce with the equipment used or is there a particular setting to use ?? Not quite there yet and I thought the issue was resolved !! :confused:

[swindonhost]

Thanks for the info - yes the sound can be heard but the image was extremely hazy - in fact could only make out a vague blurr - I used my yamada DVD player (not portable - got an extension lead ouit to the car) - does it make a differnce with the equipment used or is there a particular setting to use ?? Not quite there yet and I thought the issue was resolved !! :confused:


If you run off the house/garage electrics, you will get mains hum feeding through the car, this may impact both the sound and picture quality.

Do you have anything that can run from a battery or the car system ?

The only setting that works is the AV