Originally Posted by Hobi' date='Sep 9 2005, 09:32 PM

Hi All

Thanks to Peter530i in Prague, the 6.5" interface has been fully tested again and is WORKING AS DESIGNED.

We met earlier this afternoon and Peter530i kindly let me disassemble his iDrive screen in the dashboard and we hooked up the 6.5" interface to it.? We then connected two devices to it as input sources: a Nikon Coolpix8400 set to NTSC output, and my Sony DVCAM set to PAL.

We tested all combinations of NTSC/PAL and inputs and happily we can confirm now that the 6.5" interface is working correctly.

The 8.8" interface that I received last week is MOST LIKELY a defective unit since the circuitry and board design is common to both types of interface.? Therefore, I've requested a replacement 8.8" interface to be sent so that I can re-test.

IN ANY CASE:

The 6.5" Interface AutoDetect of NTSC/PAL signals is FINE.? Incidentally, Peter530i was IMPRESSED by the picture quality on his 6.5" iDrive screen.? Colour, brightness levels were very good and the resolution is fine.? There were forum members that were asking for confirmation that the 6.5" screen can handle more than 256 colours.? Well, IT CAN.? Although the 6.5" screen in Peter530i's car is made by VDO (and the 8.8" in my car by ALPINE) they have the same quality picture, just different screen ratios and pixel dimensions.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>IT WORKS IN PAL!!!</span>

All the Best

Hobi

Originally Posted by Hobi' date='Sep 7 2005, 08:37 PM

...you'll need an unlocking black box that is available from a company in Austria.

Originally Posted by Hobi' date='Sep 9 2005, 09:51 PM

I bought one of these too.? It plugs into the back of the CCC which means taking out the front panel of the CCC etc..? I haven't done this yet - hopefully this weekend...

Originally Posted by Hobi' date='Sep 9 2005, 02:51 PM

Hi Iceman

I bought one of these too.? It plugs into the back of the CCC which means taking out the front panel of the CCC etc..? I haven't done this yet - hopefully this weekend...

All the Best

Hobi

Originally Posted by Hobi' date='Sep 7 2005, 12:08 AM

Hi All

I have now completed my testing of the new iDrive Interface from Dominic (navwithtv.com) in New York.? This NEW AutoDetect version is Version 3 of the original design released last year.? New for this version is AutoDetection of NTSC/PAL signals, regular RCA phono sockets for ALL FOUR inputs - V1, V2, V3 and REAR, and now available for native 6.5" iDrive screens or 8.8" ProNAV iDrive screens.? Also, there is a new label on the front of the unit "I-WIN" instead of "X-Box".

Both 6.5" and 8.8" derivatives of the interface share the same extruded aluminium case, approx 12cm square and 3cm thick.

Attachment 10237

On the front of the case are the two 15pin D-Sub sockets that connect to the signal cable to and from the iDrive Screen itself.? The rear panel has four RCA sockets for the four video inputs, designated as V1, V2, V3 and REAR.? There is also a 2 pin keyed connector for power (+12V) and a 4 pin connector for the Infrared Remote eye and RearCam activation circuit which will automatically switch the interface to show whatever is connected to the video input socket marked REAR.

Attachment 10239
Attachment 10240

Inside the case is a custom made PCB.? This PCB is common to both 6.5" and 8.8" models since all that is different is the embedded software of the interface.

Attachment 10241

The package is rounded off with a small infrared remote control (only one button on the remote is ACTUALLY USED), battery for remote, infrared remote eye, power cable and the two LCD signal cables.? A basic instruction sheet is included as well.

Attachment 10242

The following images show the interface connected up and in place within the upper dashboard section.? Bear in mind that my car is RHD and therefore the interface is pushed into the void to the LEFT of the iDrive screen.? The unit basically sits between the screen and the front passenger airbag cavity.? There is no danger of fouling up the airbag deployment - there is enough space there.? One tip for installation, use some padding to ensure that the interface doesn't rattle inside the dahsboard.? Don't rely on friction to hold it in place.? I found that a couple strips of VELCRO stuck to the top and bottom of interface did the job.? For LHD cars, you need to install the interface to the RIGHT of the screen.

Attachment 10243
Attachment 10244

IMPORTANT:? There is ANOTHER WAY of getting 12V supply to the interface instead of looping down to the steering column as described in the instructions.? You can tap into the 12v supply to the iDrive screen itself.? For my car, I made a harness adapter that splits the 12v off the power cable to the iDrive screen.? Suffice to say that it is 100% plug and play, using BMW connectors and not a splice ANYWHERE.? I'll post details of how to get this from me later on...

The last series of images below show the unit in action.? The input source I used for these pictures were from a DVD player and DIVX HD player (Silverscreen).? Shots from The Peacemaker and The Italian Job.? I do NOT have images of the 6.5" iDrive screen in action because I didn't take my cameras with me when I borrowed an E60 with BusNAV from a dealer.? They let me disassemble their demo car to test for functionality of the interface.? I can confirm that the 6.5" model of the interface WORKS.

Attachment 10245
Attachment 10246
Attachment 10247

You will note that the picture is now displayed ENTIRELY in the iDrive screen.? There is NO BLANK section to the right of the display in the 8.8" models now!!!

On certain input sources/devices, you MAY notice aspect ratio distortion caused by the extra width of the 8.8" screen, but this can be corrected by adjusting the aspect ratio settings of your input device.? At the very worst, you will get slightly fatter people than normal.? The 6.5" model has no particular aspect ratio problems since it is more "normal" in terms of physical screen aspect ratio.

========================

You will no doubt know now that this interface is working, displays the right pictures etc....

HOWEVER, there is one small caveat...? there is a slight glitch in the autodetect/sync function.? This glitch has been reported to Dominic by myself already and hopefully it will be quick to fix.? It should just be re-programming rather than hardware re-designing!

THIS GLITCH ONLY APPLIES TO PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DISPLAY PAL INPUTS USING THE INTERFACE (6.5" and 8.8" models).? NTSC USERS DO NOT HAVE THIS GLITCH!!!!!!!!!!!


I will describe the glitch by giving you TWO scenarios:

Scenario ONE:

V1 Input has a DVD player connected PAL OUTPUT : Region - not relevant
V2 Input has a Sony Playstation connected PAL OUTPUT

You switch on the DVD player.? Then you switch the iDrive interface ON and select V1 input.? You get an expected PAL picture from the DVD player.

You switch the iDrive interface to V2 input.? You expect to see the Sony PS2 PAL picture...? DOES NOT WORK.? You will get a BLACK screen with occasional flickering.? This is because the autodetect algorithm has not detected the PAL sync from the V2 input.? It doesn't matter what you connect.... if it is outputting PAL, there will be no picture.

REASON:? When the autodetect mechanism works for the FIRST time from interface power up, it successfully detects the signal type - NTSC or PAL.? When you SUBSEQUENTLY change input sources, the autodetect FAILS and the interface DEFAULTS TO NTSC.

Scenario TWO:

V1 Input has a Silverscreen HD DIVX player set at NTSC ouput
V2 Input has a Sony Playstation connected with PAL output

You switch on the interface and Silverscreen.? You get an expected NTSC picture on the iDrive screen.? Everything OK at this point.? You now SWITCH to the V2 input.? You now get a BLANK screen because the autodetect has not successfully switched into PAL mode from a NTSC input previously.


<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>My Conclusions:</span>

For anyone ONLY interested in NTSC playback and switching -

If you haven't got it already, then BUY THIS NOW!? If you already have a previous version of the interface, I would still suggest upgrading it because the FULL 8.8" picture is FANTASTIC!? Much better than seeing a 2/3 picture on the left and a blank in the right 1/3.....? For 6.5" screen owners....? you now have an interface that will work for you!!!

For anyone needing ANY KIND of PAL playback -

Bear with us as I am sure that Dominic will get the interface programmers to fix the glitch and I promise to test again ASAP.? I am FULLY expecting that I will hopefully receive a PROM chip that I will just plug into the interfaces that I have already and do a quick 10 minute test.

Sorry for the length of this post, but I hope that it is useful to those European and Far East members that have been "dying" for a PAL version of this interface.? As for me, I AM using the interface now in my car and I get around the switching problem by doing an OFF/ON with the interface where necessary.? PAL Users: the interface is 90% COOL - it will be worth the little bit of extra wait time for the autodetect to function 100% of the time.

All the Best

Hobi

PS:? My testing included a 16 hour drive-time trip from London to Prague via Buchloe (Alpina), five movies during the journey, a few laps of Nurburgring on GT4, and endless presses of the video input switching button on the remote control...

For those going to IAA... you HAVE to visit the Alpina stand because the B6 Coupe and Cabrio will be there... I have pictures but have promised not to post them until Alpina officially present the car at IAA.? All I can say now is that the M6 sounds and drives ordinary... And the rear diffuser on the B6 cabrio is ..... brilliant.? The whole B6 package is #*!@*! FANTASTIC!!!? Production expected in the 1st half of 2006...? Alpina also have a surprise car presenting at IAA...