BMW E60 Advanced DVD screens retrofit, anyone done it?
Discussion
As per title, anyone succesfully retrofitted the BMW Advanced DVD twin screen package into there car?
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=NR72...
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=NR72...
Hi
They do look nice for sure, but so they should at the pricing they come in at !
I decided to do something different;
Those are two 7 inch Android tablet machines, held by a headrest adjustable sizing holder. The holders are cheapies off some Chinese based seller at £14/15 delivered each. Attach and unattach in a few seconds so no cutting of the seats or pricey fitting charges etc. By using the 3 Mi-Fi hotspot, each tablet can surf the web independantly - so to stop 9 year old daughter fighting with 6 year old son who'll have opposing ideas of what to watch, it gives them their own 'screen' (I don't have kids, just thought of the practical aspects). The Mi-Fi has a card slot in which is a 32GB microSD card so by storing music or films on it, independant streaming is possible by each device (I just need to learn Android a little more as they currently don't see the microSD card)
The two machines in the pic are Dell Streak 7's and as they came in at around £220 each, turn out to be less than the cost of a single iPad. Only criticisms of the above is the holder stick out perhaps 2 inches too far so the screen is a little closer to a passenger, but it's not too bad. On the flipside, they would hold a 10 inch tablet device and that really would be like sitting in front of a large screen tv!! some sunshine can make the screens hard to see during the day, but as a car moves, that negative aspect could be very shortlived.
So as above, it cost me £468 all in, and the best bit is you can take the tablet with you for portability !
Cheers, Dennis!
They do look nice for sure, but so they should at the pricing they come in at !
I decided to do something different;
Those are two 7 inch Android tablet machines, held by a headrest adjustable sizing holder. The holders are cheapies off some Chinese based seller at £14/15 delivered each. Attach and unattach in a few seconds so no cutting of the seats or pricey fitting charges etc. By using the 3 Mi-Fi hotspot, each tablet can surf the web independantly - so to stop 9 year old daughter fighting with 6 year old son who'll have opposing ideas of what to watch, it gives them their own 'screen' (I don't have kids, just thought of the practical aspects). The Mi-Fi has a card slot in which is a 32GB microSD card so by storing music or films on it, independant streaming is possible by each device (I just need to learn Android a little more as they currently don't see the microSD card)
The two machines in the pic are Dell Streak 7's and as they came in at around £220 each, turn out to be less than the cost of a single iPad. Only criticisms of the above is the holder stick out perhaps 2 inches too far so the screen is a little closer to a passenger, but it's not too bad. On the flipside, they would hold a 10 inch tablet device and that really would be like sitting in front of a large screen tv!! some sunshine can make the screens hard to see during the day, but as a car moves, that negative aspect could be very shortlived.
So as above, it cost me £468 all in, and the best bit is you can take the tablet with you for portability !
Cheers, Dennis!
Alfa GTV said:
As per title, anyone succesfully retrofitted the BMW Advanced DVD twin screen package into there car?
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=NR72...
That's the ugliest system I've ever seen.http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=NR72...
I have this system fitted in my X5
It's covered in exactly the same leather as the seats and also is compatible with the active head rests and properly safety tested for rear seat passenger head impact. It's completely removable and no cuts have been made into the seats...it's also sold in The Netherlands by BMW dealers and warranted by them which gives me pretty good comfort about the quality of it.
It's a lot more expensive than something like the tablet mounts above but I've had the car for three years and intend keeping it for a while yet and it's definitely a lot safer for the kids as it's mounted higher and doesn't have the edges.
It's covered in exactly the same leather as the seats and also is compatible with the active head rests and properly safety tested for rear seat passenger head impact. It's completely removable and no cuts have been made into the seats...it's also sold in The Netherlands by BMW dealers and warranted by them which gives me pretty good comfort about the quality of it.
It's a lot more expensive than something like the tablet mounts above but I've had the car for three years and intend keeping it for a while yet and it's definitely a lot safer for the kids as it's mounted higher and doesn't have the edges.
Alfa GTV said:
Thanks for your most helpful input......Knob 
Couldn't help being rude could you, I was simply stating my opinion, shame you don't have the intelligence to realise that. The point is that BMW happily sell tired outdated DVD systems designed years ago at high prices, when the tech world moves on so fast.You can buy two complete replacement head-rests complete with built in 9 inch screens, twin DVD players and integrated games for £239 per pair here (ok no leather but they match):
http://www.xtrons.co.uk/HEADREST-car-dvd/2x9-Digit...
Guyr said:
Alfa GTV said:
Thanks for your most helpful input......Knob
Couldn't help being rude could you, I was simply stating my opinion, shame you don't have the intelligence to realise that. The point is that BMW happily sell tired outdated DVD systems designed years ago at high prices, when the tech world moves on so fast.You can buy two complete replacement head-rests complete with built in 9 inch screens, twin DVD players and integrated games for £239 per pair here (ok no leather but they match):
http://www.xtrons.co.uk/HEADREST-car-dvd/2x9-Digit...
Oh and god forbid you have an accident and suffer whiplash....try getting money out of your insurer. "I modified my car to remove a safety device"...
Hi,
It can't be too long before the oem manufacturers begin to put tablet's for rear seat entertainment systems... the advantages are numerous as per my post above, I know I'd rather spend my money on something which can be used away from the car and carrying a wallet full of DVD's is now on the decline with devices which have much more internal storage, and when we do get it, 4G internet connectivity.
The xtrons and other's like it really amount to cheap chinese electronics, which at that kind of pricing becomes throwaway if/when they fail. It's particularly astute in the UK, but many products over many sectors of industry are cheap and disposable and price becomes the most important factor, so the cheap products will always have a market.
OP - it really depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are. The nicely integrated, fully supportive of the BMW active headrests system (or doesn't interfere with it) and oem looking twin DVD player solution I'd expect will cost you well north of £1000 all fitted etc. I think the manufacturer used is Eurologics - http://www.eurologics.nl/en/productdetail.php?item... I'm within the car audio industry and I know these systems are indeed available, however my focus is more about getting maximum value for money,with quality products and reducing pointless overlap of products - example of the Tablets instead of single function dvd players above
Cheers, Dennis!
It can't be too long before the oem manufacturers begin to put tablet's for rear seat entertainment systems... the advantages are numerous as per my post above, I know I'd rather spend my money on something which can be used away from the car and carrying a wallet full of DVD's is now on the decline with devices which have much more internal storage, and when we do get it, 4G internet connectivity.
The xtrons and other's like it really amount to cheap chinese electronics, which at that kind of pricing becomes throwaway if/when they fail. It's particularly astute in the UK, but many products over many sectors of industry are cheap and disposable and price becomes the most important factor, so the cheap products will always have a market.
OP - it really depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are. The nicely integrated, fully supportive of the BMW active headrests system (or doesn't interfere with it) and oem looking twin DVD player solution I'd expect will cost you well north of £1000 all fitted etc. I think the manufacturer used is Eurologics - http://www.eurologics.nl/en/productdetail.php?item... I'm within the car audio industry and I know these systems are indeed available, however my focus is more about getting maximum value for money,with quality products and reducing pointless overlap of products - example of the Tablets instead of single function dvd players above
Cheers, Dennis!
DennisCooper said:
Hi,
It can't be too long before the oem manufacturers begin to put tablet's for rear seat entertainment systems... the advantages are numerous as per my post above, I know I'd rather spend my money on something which can be used away from the car and carrying a wallet full of DVD's is now on the decline with devices which have much more internal storage, and when we do get it, 4G internet connectivity.
The xtrons and other's like it really amount to cheap chinese electronics, which at that kind of pricing becomes throwaway if/when they fail. It's particularly astute in the UK, but many products over many sectors of industry are cheap and disposable and price becomes the most important factor, so the cheap products will always have a market.
OP - it really depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are. The nicely integrated, fully supportive of the BMW active headrests system (or doesn't interfere with it) and oem looking twin DVD player solution I'd expect will cost you well north of £1000 all fitted etc. I think the manufacturer used is Eurologics - http://www.eurologics.nl/en/productdetail.php?item... I'm within the car audio industry and I know these systems are indeed available, however my focus is more about getting maximum value for money,with quality products and reducing pointless overlap of products - example of the Tablets instead of single function dvd players above
Cheers, Dennis!
Aren't you worried about what those tablets mounted on those brackets would do to someone's face in an accident ?It can't be too long before the oem manufacturers begin to put tablet's for rear seat entertainment systems... the advantages are numerous as per my post above, I know I'd rather spend my money on something which can be used away from the car and carrying a wallet full of DVD's is now on the decline with devices which have much more internal storage, and when we do get it, 4G internet connectivity.
The xtrons and other's like it really amount to cheap chinese electronics, which at that kind of pricing becomes throwaway if/when they fail. It's particularly astute in the UK, but many products over many sectors of industry are cheap and disposable and price becomes the most important factor, so the cheap products will always have a market.
OP - it really depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are. The nicely integrated, fully supportive of the BMW active headrests system (or doesn't interfere with it) and oem looking twin DVD player solution I'd expect will cost you well north of £1000 all fitted etc. I think the manufacturer used is Eurologics - http://www.eurologics.nl/en/productdetail.php?item... I'm within the car audio industry and I know these systems are indeed available, however my focus is more about getting maximum value for money,with quality products and reducing pointless overlap of products - example of the Tablets instead of single function dvd players above
Cheers, Dennis!
Hi
To an extent yes. However, with the BMW's similar system that's available, I don't see any difference? their system is a similarly held screen so in the event of an incident the tablets are the same sort of size and hardness as those. Or am I indeed missing something glaringly obvious?
Kids etc would be in their seat belts, there's minimal chance of actually moving that far forward in the event of an incident. If the incident was that severe, then I think any of the similar clip on type holders and devices could potentially be an issue, had they not been there, that level of impact is sure to make the leather of the seats just as hard of a surface to bang a face on - yes they have some padding, but it's not that much.
cheers, Dennis!
To an extent yes. However, with the BMW's similar system that's available, I don't see any difference? their system is a similarly held screen so in the event of an incident the tablets are the same sort of size and hardness as those. Or am I indeed missing something glaringly obvious?
Kids etc would be in their seat belts, there's minimal chance of actually moving that far forward in the event of an incident. If the incident was that severe, then I think any of the similar clip on type holders and devices could potentially be an issue, had they not been there, that level of impact is sure to make the leather of the seats just as hard of a surface to bang a face on - yes they have some padding, but it's not that much.
cheers, Dennis!
DennisCooper said:
Hi
To an extent yes. However, with the BMW's similar system that's available, I don't see any difference? their system is a similarly held screen so in the event of an incident the tablets are the same sort of size and hardness as those. Or am I indeed missing something glaringly obvious?
Kids etc would be in their seat belts, there's minimal chance of actually moving that far forward in the event of an incident. If the incident was that severe, then I think any of the similar clip on type holders and devices could potentially be an issue, had they not been there, that level of impact is sure to make the leather of the seats just as hard of a surface to bang a face on - yes they have some padding, but it's not that much.
cheers, Dennis!
A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. To an extent yes. However, with the BMW's similar system that's available, I don't see any difference? their system is a similarly held screen so in the event of an incident the tablets are the same sort of size and hardness as those. Or am I indeed missing something glaringly obvious?
Kids etc would be in their seat belts, there's minimal chance of actually moving that far forward in the event of an incident. If the incident was that severe, then I think any of the similar clip on type holders and devices could potentially be an issue, had they not been there, that level of impact is sure to make the leather of the seats just as hard of a surface to bang a face on - yes they have some padding, but it's not that much.
cheers, Dennis!
The BMW screens are properly head impact tested. They meet current safety requirements- no sharp edges etc before or after impact. The differences are not immediately visible to the untrained eye. Seat belt or no seat belt, the chances of a rear seat occupant coming into contact with the rear of the front headrest is very high indeed. This is also the case for children in child seats.
The proper BMW system may be dated in terms of the electronics. however, it is properly engineered so as not to compromise the front seat headrest operation and also not to increase the danger to the rear seat occupants.
I really would be very careful what you hang onto the back of the headrests. i would hazard a guess that the ebay mounted items would quite likely become projectiles in the event of a crash. If they don't actually come loose they provide a very nasty surface to impact your head against.
pp
Pickled Piper said:
DennisCooper said:
Hi
To an extent yes. However, with the BMW's similar system that's available, I don't see any difference? their system is a similarly held screen so in the event of an incident the tablets are the same sort of size and hardness as those. Or am I indeed missing something glaringly obvious?
Kids etc would be in their seat belts, there's minimal chance of actually moving that far forward in the event of an incident. If the incident was that severe, then I think any of the similar clip on type holders and devices could potentially be an issue, had they not been there, that level of impact is sure to make the leather of the seats just as hard of a surface to bang a face on - yes they have some padding, but it's not that much.
cheers, Dennis!
A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. To an extent yes. However, with the BMW's similar system that's available, I don't see any difference? their system is a similarly held screen so in the event of an incident the tablets are the same sort of size and hardness as those. Or am I indeed missing something glaringly obvious?
Kids etc would be in their seat belts, there's minimal chance of actually moving that far forward in the event of an incident. If the incident was that severe, then I think any of the similar clip on type holders and devices could potentially be an issue, had they not been there, that level of impact is sure to make the leather of the seats just as hard of a surface to bang a face on - yes they have some padding, but it's not that much.
cheers, Dennis!
The BMW screens are properly head impact tested. They meet current safety requirements- no sharp edges etc before or after impact. The differences are not immediately visible to the untrained eye. Seat belt or no seat belt, the chances of a rear seat occupant coming into contact with the rear of the front headrest is very high indeed. This is also the case for children in child seats.
The proper BMW system may be dated in terms of the electronics. however, it is properly engineered so as not to compromise the front seat headrest operation and also not to increase the danger to the rear seat occupants.
I really would be very careful what you hang onto the back of the headrests. i would hazard a guess that the ebay mounted items would quite likely become projectiles in the event of a crash. If they don't actually come loose they provide a very nasty surface to impact your head against.
pp
It mentions that any edges that can come into contact with the passenger have to be greater than 2.5mm to meet safety standards.
Hi
Just remembered I had indeed responded in this thread!
I am also aware of those tests and standards for them and the reasons behind them all. I do know there's indeed very similar 'holders' for the ever popular iPad that are safety approved and I'm hoping those manufacturers (I'm within the Trade as well) will indeed do 'universal' mounts like these as not 'everyone' has an iPad and that other products, funny as it seems do actually exist!
These £14 jobbies aren't actually that bad at all and they 'do the job' very well. I've got to put these side by side to the 'approved' holders and look at the physical differences as I ideally would like it as I mention above, holders for other devices apart from iPads. I don't have kids and hardly anyone sits in the back of my car, also when I do 'show' them, the car's stationary - I'm more about showing the concept at the moment.
Another way of progressing is to modify the holder itself to fit onto an approved 'mechanism' for 'quick release' purposes. Of course, I have spoken to a few actual higher end manufacturers and there is 'some' plans for releasing a product in the medium term future.
I'd also much prefer a product that is approved and tested and certified!
Cheers, Dennis!
Just remembered I had indeed responded in this thread!
I am also aware of those tests and standards for them and the reasons behind them all. I do know there's indeed very similar 'holders' for the ever popular iPad that are safety approved and I'm hoping those manufacturers (I'm within the Trade as well) will indeed do 'universal' mounts like these as not 'everyone' has an iPad and that other products, funny as it seems do actually exist!
These £14 jobbies aren't actually that bad at all and they 'do the job' very well. I've got to put these side by side to the 'approved' holders and look at the physical differences as I ideally would like it as I mention above, holders for other devices apart from iPads. I don't have kids and hardly anyone sits in the back of my car, also when I do 'show' them, the car's stationary - I'm more about showing the concept at the moment.
Another way of progressing is to modify the holder itself to fit onto an approved 'mechanism' for 'quick release' purposes. Of course, I have spoken to a few actual higher end manufacturers and there is 'some' plans for releasing a product in the medium term future.
I'd also much prefer a product that is approved and tested and certified!
Cheers, Dennis!
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