BMW 540i Project Part 2

DarthTater · 10-05-2006, 02:42 PM

Been motoring along with my current setup for the past year or so:

The only thing I find annoying about using the factory nav screen for the PC is having to switch back and forth between the two.

Sooooooooo, I guess it's time to add another screen dedicated to the PC! Here's what I have so far:

Wiredwrx · 10-05-2006, 03:12 PM

Which unit is that up top?

Also, will it be too far from you as the driver to make good use of it?

Michael

DarthTater · 10-05-2006, 04:44 PM

It's a factory screen from a Z4 - low res like my current factory screen, but I wanted something that would blend into the interior well without much modification. I think it fits the bill. It's not a touchscreen so there's no issue with the placement. To each his own, but I think touchscreens are highly overrated as a means to control anything in a car unless you have a really big one. I'm currently using one of the factory knobs to control pc but I'm thinking of putting some type of knob or control closer to the center armrest.

Wiredwrx · 10-05-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarthTater

It's a factory screen from a Z4 - low res like my current factory screen, but I wanted something that would blend into the interior well without much modification. I think it fits the bill. It's not a touchscreen so there's no issue with the placement. To each his own, but I think touchscreens are highly overrated as a means to control anything in a car unless you have a really big one. I'm currently using one of the factory knobs to control pc but I'm thinking of putting some type of knob or control closer to the center armrest.

That's cool.

How much did the entire thing set you back? Is it motorized?

Funny, I think the BMW system is crap with out the TS like the Lexus uses, but that is personal preference. I have tried using I-Drive, and also little Joystick versions, and have always found TS use to be much easier. To each his own.

Michael

DarthTater · 10-05-2006, 06:02 PM

I suppose it depends a lot on what you're used to. I've never tried the lexus nav system - I'm just basing my opinion off of some folks I've seen with aftermarket systems. They get so focused on trying to tap a specific spot on the TS that it makes me want to grab the wheel!! Maybe they're idiots. Or maybe I'm just paranoid.

Anyway, it is motorized and will be controlled over the ibus - I spent some time figuring out the data packets to get it to open/close, etc. prior to cutting a hole in the dash. Fortunate for me, there isn't much demand for the Z4 screens on ebay so I picked it up for $70 shipped (although they don't show up too often).

scott_fx · 10-05-2006, 06:13 PM

that is really cool. keep up the good work, i look forward to seeing the finished product.

DarthTater · 10-06-2006, 01:21 PM

Thanks! Love your Vette! Ahhh, someday (when the kids are gone!!).

Thank the maker for microfibre towels - I didn't think I'd ever get all of the dust up! I still have a slight alignment issue to work out. The dash foam on the left side is much thicker than on the right so it causes the display trim to "stand" on the left front corner a bit. I'm going to wait a while and see if it compresses any further before making an attempt to trim it a bit. Now it's time to start working on the wiring!

LiquidKernel · 10-06-2006, 02:30 PM

I like it. Looks very clean. The fact that it's hidden is a good thing too.

scott_fx · 10-06-2006, 02:51 PM

looks great. how does it look with the screen flipped down?

DarthTater · 10-08-2006, 01:55 PM

Thanks. Here's a shot with the screen down. It's missing a trim piece along the back edge which covers the mounting points - I'm still waiting on the local BMW dealer to get the part in for me (hopefully this week).

integramodder · 10-09-2006, 12:20 AM

looks great man....how are you interfacing with ibus?

EsKALad · 10-09-2006, 01:01 AM

thats just gorgeous!!!!!!!

turbocad6 · 10-09-2006, 01:26 AM

that's really sleek, I like that... do you know what size lcd is in there? would you mind sharing what you've learned of the data packets?

cool install

DarthTater · 10-09-2006, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the compliments, everyone. I'm actually not interfacing with the car's ibus, but instead, simulating the ibus enough to operate the screen. All it takes is a pull-up resistor (10K) to twelve volts. I finished the screen wiring this afternoon - used a single Cat 6 cable to run both the video and the "simulated" ibus from the PC in the trunk. The LCD itself is a 6.5" but it requires RGsB at NTSC or PAL timings. I use an old Matrox G200 and Powerstrip to generate the right signal. Mostly since the G200 will also output the required Sync on Green natively. As for data packets there are only a few relevant ones. First, the monitor needs 80 xx bf 11 01 xx - which is a general bus-wide wakeup (key on). Then you can use 3b xx f0 4f 11 11 xx and 3b xx f0 4f 01 01 xx to turn the video on and off respectively. The monitor also needs a keep alive packet sent every 18-20 seconds - 3b xx 46 01 xx. I send it every 10 or so just to be safe - the count resets everytime it receives the message. And finally, to turn the monitor off, send 80 xx bf 11 00 xx (key off). For those who arent' familiar the packets are structured like so:

aa bb cc yy yy yy yy yy xx

aa - sending device address
bb - total packet length
cc - receiving device address
yy - data
xx - checksum

When the monitor is active, the button on the right will open or close it and the button on the left changes the angle in one degree increments. The buttons do not work unless monitor has received the wakeup packet and the keep alive pings. It will also internally store the last position and return to it automatically the next time it's used.

Here's a quick pic I took last night when I was testing the wiring. It's not very good, but you get the idea, anyway.

turbocad6 · 10-09-2006, 11:57 PM

wow man, that is realy sweet, thanks for the tips too... do you happen to have any pictures showing the actual mechanisim?... I would want this for the housing alone, & rescreen it.... just wondering if I could rewire it too, maybe loose the micro adjustments, but open & close would still be pretty cool without the ibuss comunication end of it... either way, even with that, really cool... keeping my eyes open for one of these...

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