The ultimate digital TV upgrade for hiline satnav cars...
 

After much browsing, trying to uncover the ideal solution for digital TV upgrade of hiline satnav systems, this is what I believe to be the ultimate solution, one that allows to keep the whole system and genuine looks of the board monitor, while providing digital TV, DVB-T radios for those who have them in their country (I believe the UK does)...but also media player capability with USB port for keys or external hard drives, all taking place within a replacement for the original analog TV module...

Back information : the BMW hybrid module is (was) the ideal solution, but it retails for quite a bit of money. Furthermore, it's now of an old design and only provides MPEG2 video/audio decoding, which is (was) used for standard resolution TV. However, some countries are phasing out MPEG2 and will only use H264 (already used for high-definition TV) for all channels.
This is what will happen in France, starting from next april, so from then on, the BMW hybrid module will be as useless as the old analog ones. And you can bet other countries will follow suit shortly.

So as I owned an hybrid TV module, I looked for an alternative solution, and came across this one, from a small vendor in Romania :

http://mca.electricmura.ro/en/produc...ital-tv-tuner/

http://mca.electricmura.ro/wp-conten...ma-260x190.png

Basically these guys developped an alternative TV module that replaces the original one. And it provides the following :
- full MPEG2 AND H264 compatibility, for both standard and hi-def TV channels
- USB ports for media player capabilities (the unit comes with a USB male/female cord so you can move that USB port up front, somewhere within the car
- full controls from the original board monitor (whether the original 4/3 one or the widescreen BMW one)
- handles aspect ratio fine for widescreen picture on 4/3 monitor (adds up and bottom black bars to respect the original aspect ratio)
- comes with a remote control and an IR receiver which you can place within the car, if you want to access additional feature not available from the monitor controls. Quite honestly, all useful functions are available from the controls on the monitor so I've not even set up the receiver in mine)
- capability for stereo sound through the BM54 (if you've upgraded to BM54) through its AUX-IN capabilities (requires a bit of rewiring). The original and hybrid modules only provided mono sound
- uses the original antennas within the rear screen, no need to setup additional antennas
- TV-in-motion enabled, and much better reception while on the move than the hybrid BMW module.
- much improved audio quality over the hybrid module (the sound is richer and more detailed, while it sounds quite flat with the BMW hybrid module).

These guys are very helpful, when you order from them, they make sure you have the necessary requirements in your car, and the dispatch was quite fast.

The only thing to remember is that this module will not be recognised through T4, and as such, any T4 session on the satnav subsystem will fail as the T4 is not able to communicate with the video module (which makes perfect sense of course). If that's needed at some point, you can always swap your original analog module back in place.

Ah, most important thing : the cost is less than that of most BMW hybrid module, only €399...and free shipping

OK so 69 views and no comments...:getmecoat:

I will reply.

From a personal point of view it does look like a good piece of equipment for people with highline satnav systems.

However I have never really understood why anyone would want to watch the television in a car, a camper van of some sort I can understand but a car no, sorry.

But each to their own as they say. :}

£399? You could get a Navall 3 for that with Satnav, bigger screen etc etc? Understand the Hi Line would have to come out but all the same? However to preserve the original look I suppose its an option

Only seen/read the post today. Just not interested in a TV in the car. If I'm honest, a radio is all I use, and the CD player on occasion. I don't use the cars sat-nav 'cos it's dated, so the Garmin sits on a pad double sided taped to the eye brow. Maybe I just like the sound of the engine.:shrug:

It's a good all round package that brings our Highline systems right back up to date.
But at £399 I could have a very messy weekend in Prague and return to the UK missing a few brain cells and probably needing a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection

399 Euros, is about £302 over here. Looks interesting and I'm tempted if it can integrate with a standard 4:3 bordmonitor and original mark III nav Rover drive without issue.

Can you set the aspect ratio to '4:3 centre cut out' on 16:9 programme material, so that you fill the top and bottom of the screen and chop off the black pillar boxes on the sides Nicolas?

Yes you can do that. Though you'd miss some of the image left and right of course...
I go with the letterbox format myself, black bars top and bottom on 16/9 material...

I'll try and do a short video of its operation in my car (still have the original 4/3 monitor) later on...

Hi.
I agree each to their own. I'd say its a useful addition if you are a TV addict. Although a TV Service engineer for long and weary I have no great interest in watching it. When I do I am extremely picky regarding quality, size of screen, reflections and other minor annoyances.
I'd most likely fiddle with it than actually watch a program, but I'd rather do that in the house than in a car!
When an add on unit costs as much as the car for me I'd really need to justify it, which I couldn't.
Good luck with the project though.

It's certainly a new idea and if people want to keep the original look of their interior then it sounds very attractive. If my car had the Hi-Line gubbins then I would think about this if I wanted to keep it looking 'factory'.