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      07-07-2017, 09:53 AM   #1
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MHD Display on iDrive

I have MHD gauges working on my iDrive.

Couple hours work so not too bad.

I can post more details another day...




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      07-08-2017, 06:40 AM   #2
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Wow, that's awesome! Do you not need a phone hooked up to the OBD anymore? I'd definitely love to see how you did it :O
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      07-09-2017, 04:42 PM   #3
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My plan is to not need to do anything other than start the car.

The main solution here is an Android based mini pc and a video display device that is often sold for after market backup camera systems.

No phone needed. But.... I will use my phone as a tethered wifi device to get internet for the mini.
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      07-12-2017, 06:09 PM   #4
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This solution uses an HDMI Android Mini PC and a BMW specific HDMI video display device that integrates with the iDrive controller, Canbus and CIC video display.

This is what I used:





I power the Android Mini from the Video device with a USB power adapter cable:



These worked perfectly with the exception that the CIC display connector plug was a different style than what we have on the Z4. I was unable to locate the AMP/Tyco plug so I just made an adapter myself.

I plan to try out some touch screen overlays to see if I can operate the Android apps with just my finger on the screen instead of the RF mouse I am using now.

I have a bunch of pics of taking the dash apart:































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      07-14-2017, 09:54 AM   #5
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That is very cool! I'm definitely interested in more details and trying this someday soon
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      07-14-2017, 02:47 PM   #6
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Not sure I have much more to add.

Specifics on connecting the video controller will depend on which one you get and the Android mini pc works just like your phone or tablet.

If you have specific questions, feel free to ask. Glad to help!


I did learn what NOT to do the other day..

This video controller gets it's power from the same source that drives the CIC display. Very convenient! No need to make a new power source, etc.

I power the Android mini pc from the video controller. Also very easy and convenient!

However, flashing the DME causes the CIC to cycle power, killing the Android pc just as it starts the flash process. This makes the car undrivable until the flash can be completed.

For me, I got another cable and completed the flash with my phone. Next time I take it apart to work on the touch screen I will change the power source so it does not use the CIC power.
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      07-15-2017, 09:11 AM   #7
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Thanks for the info... So being that its a mini pc, Im assuming with no internal battery, does it harm anything by just killing the power to the mini pc, like when shutting of the car? Or do you have to shut down the mini pc (I'm thinking like a Windows desk top) before disconnecting the power to it? I've owned nothing but problem free Apple products for the last 10 years, so I'm kinda numb to the pc world now lol... My only Android experience is with my dedicated tablet for flashing MHD tunes, and thats pretty aggravating at times lol


That video controller looks interesting... How do you select the MHD source to show up on the screen? Does the audio from the mini pc play though the car also? That would be sweet to play videos with sound from the mini pc via You Tube and so on... It looks like you could also add a back-up camera? That would be cool too...

I used to be a car audio/tech junkie and was a certified installer for over 10 years, but that was 10 years ago
So, now you have me hooked on figuring this all out, thanks a lot!
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      07-17-2017, 09:30 AM   #8
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I just turn the car off and the power to the mini turns off shortly after along when other systems finally "sleep". It always starts up correctly.

For the video devices, when you get one that is specific to the model vehicle, it connects to the cars network system (called canbus) and it works with the iDrive controller. A 2 sec press of the menu button on the iDrive knob switched the display to the video controller inputs such as front camera, rear camera, and other sources - in this case the Android video.

There is no need to tie into reverse light power or anything like that - the device automatically switches to the reverse camera and it includes the backup sensor display if you have it.

Audio often must be integrated separately such as though the Aux port cables.
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