HI,

I had a question about the dvd video capabilites in the 2004 S430. I tried playing a DVD and on the screen a message saying that picture is faded out for eliminating driver distraction, but i can search through the scenes and menus of the dvd, i just can't see anything on the screen.

Obviously the manufacture has disabled the ability to view dvd video, yet the dvd still works in all other ways. Is there any way to view the actual dvd on the screen. I called the MB service and they said there must be a way to get around the disabled part, but they didn't know how.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how this could be done. It honestly makes no sense why there is dvd video capability if the video part does not work. They have relocated the dvd navigation rom in the trunk now, so the front dvd/cd player is open for use, yet the use of the dvd is essentially not functional.

What is the purpose of the dvd if you can't view video, please help.

 

Since you asked for "any idea" I wonder about one. Were you driving while you were trying to watch the DVD? I know that some installers of aftermarket players disable video playback on head units while the car is moving. Probably a liabililty-typething.Maybe MB does aswell?</P>

 

are you playing through the DVD NAV system? if so, I am also curious about playing a DVD video via the nav screen in front.

 

there is a company based in cardiff called NAVtv who are able to modify BMW systems to allow TV and DVD play back on the front screen whilst in motion it's worth trying to hunt them down and ask what they can do for you.

 

I'm a MB tech and the United States version is missing the decoder to view a DVD on the COMMAND screen. At work we tried to make it work changing all kinds of coding through our SDS computer hooked to the vehicle, and it would still only play the audio for us. In Europe it is legal to view TV and whatever on the screen for the driver to see. I have yet to see a car come to us witht the Europe decoder to view the DVD on the COMMAND unit.

 

BTW I found two different products that will enable video via the command, the cheaper one requires that you get a MB tech to enable the TV input button. The other includes the ability to correct the command for you.</P>


A question for the MB tech, if I purchased the cheaper adapter any chance someone would be able to make the changes to the command?</P>


Here are the links:</P>


http://www.audiotechnik-dietz.de/ENG/Multimedia.html(cheaper)</P>


A place to purchase the above: http://www.audiosysteme.net/shop/cat...roducts_id=145</P>


http://www.gnetcanada.com/factoryintegration-products.htm(does the change)</P>


</P>