VXR8 head unit - how to enable input?

VXR8 head unit - how to enable input?

Author
Discussion

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Hi folks,

I'd like to implement the rear aux on my 57-plate (LS2) VXR8, there's a fairly comprehensive guide on VXRonline courtesy of Dazerc, however this references the "Video In Motion" flash module which is still retailing for about

The links on the above how-to guide are a couple of years out of date with the cost somewhere between £300-400. I'd like to know if there's an easier method (maybe someone with a dongle can activate it for me for a decent price?).

Also, has someone pre-made AV input cables to sell?

Thanks

Gary H 2008

3,507 posts

189 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
What are you trying to connect to it?

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Gary H 2008 said:
What are you trying to connect to it?


Peaked your interest?

Initially, just my phone so I can run cables behind the dash and not have them visible. After that, I'd like to build something with a Raspberry Pi and it's RCA output. Make something geeky cool, perhaps even run NavIt (which is available for Android) and build a half-decent Sat Nav system

I'm already ordering enough connectors to mass-build rear aux / video in kits. It's just the firmware update I need more information on / solution for.

ARAF

20,759 posts

223 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Have a search on Gary's past posts, and you will see that he has already completed an aftermarket install into his. wink

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Ah-ha! Thanks, will do so now!

gsd2000

11,515 posts

183 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Found the place then foxdieuk, going off topic when's the car booked in for a new exhaust?

smilehehe

Gary H 2008

3,507 posts

189 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all

Gary H 2008

3,507 posts

189 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
In terms of VIM , you've still only got two options at the moment - JHP in Australia or a guy in the States

If you really want to go all out, Alpine Australia now do a complete central trim panel replacement that allows you to fit any standard Double DIN stereo with rear video camera input (to display HVAC) and has it's own heating controls built in along the bottom.

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
gsd2000 said:
Found the place then foxdieuk, going off topic when's the car booked in for a new exhaust?

hehe


Ooh you cheeky git Thought my V8 sounded the nads until I heard your 'ro at CD2012

I'm now thinking switchable exhaust cutout valves but that's another days discussion (probably inclusive of turbos for MOAR POWAH!)

Getting back on topic, I had indeed previously read Garys MY VXR8 STEREO UPGRADE but that outlines using aftermarket parts and doesn't outline how he solved the VIM problem, I'd like to know if a better / cheaper / renewable solution had come along since then

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Gary H 2008 said:
In terms of VIM , you've still only got two options at the moment - JHP in Australia or a guy in the States

If you really want to go all out, Alpine Australia now do a complete central trim panel replacement that allows you to fit any standard Double DIN stereo with rear video camera input (to display HVAC) and has it's own heating controls built in along the bottom.


Le bugger. Yeah I saw the Alpine solution earlier today which is what got me thinking and made me start this thread to begin with.

There's absolutely no other way of doing it? No reflashing equipment that can enable it? I don't mind spending a few £££'s on a decent kit if it can be reused for t'other 'R8 and 'Ro members for petrol and beer money

(did spend £300+ on ECU reflashing equipment for Galant's, Legnum's, Evo's, Impreza's and Legacy's)

Gary H 2008

3,507 posts

189 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
quotequote all
Legnums...You weren't on Club VR4 were you? How far back?


I had the VIM disabled as part of the Quasi Media Hub upgrade, but sent it all back because I wasn't happy with the sound quality.
The spin-off is that I now have it disabled so am in the process of getting a rear Aux-in set up made. If the sound quality isn't acceptable, I'll be going for the double din solution - although I'm still not convinced by the HVAC
controls; despite all the after market parts, my install still has to look stock.

Issue is the audio side of these cars really hasn't been pushed - we probably know more about the stereo systems now than most people

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Gary H 2008 said:
Legnums...You weren't on Club VR4 were you? How far back?


I had the VIM disabled as part of the Quasi Media Hub upgrade, but sent it all back because I wasn't happy with the sound quality.
The spin-off is that I now have it disabled so am in the process of getting a rear Aux-in set up made. If the sound quality isn't acceptable, I'll be going for the double din solution - although I'm still not convinced by the HVAC
controls; despite all the after market parts, my install still has to look stock.

Issue is the audio side of these cars really hasn't been pushed - we probably know more about the stereo systems now than most people


I've been a member of Club VR-4 for over 4 years now and contributed a lot to the community, it's my hope to do that with this and the VXRO communities too, but gotta start someplace

Is the Quasi Media Hub upgrade a one-shot flash or do you know if I could keep plugging that unit into other VXR8's to "unlock" VIM? At that point, it seems like better value for money.

Yeah, I have to admit, those "industrial-look" buttons that come with the Alpine / Quasi Technologies solution really don't do it for me, I'm also reluctant to give up rear parking sensors after this is the first car I've ever had them on

I realise that some folk here may think "why do you need a decent car audio install when you've got a throbbing V8 under the bonnet to listen to?", for the most part I agree, but when you're using your car to commute every day (because, you know, insuring multiple cars is effing expensive when you're under 30) sometimes you need a good sound system for a "change of aural scenery".

Thats where I thought the Raspberry Pi would come in, I could add new features to the system (but alas, no touchscreen, although I think I could do that too!), wifi for Internet access, bluetooth for hands-free / bluetooth stereo features etc etc, possibilities are endless

Gary H 2008

3,507 posts

189 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
So you may have been around when I was?

www.clubvr4.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=27


The VIM flash is a one time operation, but comes with the ipod kit as standard. However, they're not selling the kit any more, just the VIM flash

( My ultimate plan - which is now very much 'in progress' is to touchscreen my Head Unit and jailbreak an ipod touch so that I can mimic all the commands on the head unit. I've got an AV switcher that will then allow me to use 3 AV inputs on my screen - the ipod, a standalone Sat Nav unit and DAB. SHould be done in the next month or so)

gsd2000

11,515 posts

183 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
raspberry pi looks very interesting

winmiller

58 posts

145 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
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Gary

Are you waiting for your touchscreen order from Demon8Design by chance?

I ordered my kit back in April - still waiting!

Once it arrives I then have to try and do the VIM unlock - I have tried to do it but I still do not know the addresses in the radios eeprom - may have to pay and get the kit from JHP - if I do then I would know the address and could probably perform the unlock on other radios.

Gary H 2008

3,507 posts

189 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
Hiya - yes, waiting on Nate, but he now has stock.
I think you'd find a big market for a VIM unlock service for sure!

pah250

3,269 posts

155 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
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Gary H 2008 said:
I think you'd find a big market for a VIM unlock service for sure!
+1

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
quotequote all
+2

FoxdieUK

Original Poster:

441 posts

140 months

Thursday 13th September 2012
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Well, I appear to have lost my wallet... because enough connectors turned up to build 20 rear aux in / video in connectors for our cars



Anyone interested?

Also tempted to put together a bluetooth stereo audio solution for the rear aux in, all hidden behind the dash etc.

shakermikee

567 posts

155 months

Thursday 13th September 2012
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I'd be interested, especially in the .. 'Also tempted to put together a bluetooth stereo audio solution for the rear aux in, all hidden behind the dash etc.'