MINI Video Input

Finally someone does a bit of digging into this kit to see what it is capable of beyond the rear camera view. I’ve been intrigued by the kit not simply for the camera (which is better than the usual PDC audible signal IMO) but as a ‘video aux input’ to make use of the display but not at the cost of a ‘NavTV’ setup. You’ve answered my question, and I will look more into getting the camera kit for it’s additional ‘benefits’.

Thanks!

Obviously Mike isn’t planning on whipping out GT4 while going 70mph. I’d give him a little credit.

Very neat setup! But please use it responsibly and not while driving..

Nice tech piece BUT……I can’t for the life of me see what the use of this would be?! I understand if you have kids and them having a set up in the rear seats to keep the little bastar_s quiet but playing games and watching videos in your car, HUH?

Are you homeless?

Marshall McLuhan are you out there?

I mean it was hard enough to take pix during my drive from Boston to LA let alone play or watch videos.

Nice tech piece though, KUDOS.

Hi All,

Thanks for the great comments. I’m very glad to hear that you like it (well, most of you anyway [grin]). For those of you who are worried about folks using it while driving, as I mentioned in the article, the easiest (and cheapest) way of hooking it up actually locks out video-in-motion. The video feed automatically switches itself off when you go faster than 10 KPH. This is a built-in BMW safety measure.

Personally, I think that it’s pretty cool, but I’m not sure how much it will ever get used in my own car (except for maybe the occasional cross-country trip where my wife could watch a movie while I drive, or where I play a game while I’m waiting for her to come out of a store, etc.). I really only did it just to see if it could be done. The PS2 was a gift and the AUX input I was going to install anyway. Thus, the install only cost the price of the power inverter and a couple of relays (i.e. I had nothing to lose). The results are great though and so I thought that I’d pass my findings along to other MINI owners who might be interested.

For those of you who are interested, there’s a bit more discussion going on about this in the following thread over on NAM:

TV/Video On Nav Install Pictures Help

Enjoy…

Great installation. Do you have a photo of the video switchbox and where it is placed?

If you live in the Seattle area and have to commute to work on the ferry from Bremerton, this would be the perfect mod. total travel time (waiting for the ferry + trip across) is about 1.5 hours.

Why?

Howabout something to do while waiting for your friends to meet you someplace? Or those following to catch up :-)

Would be nice to have at an In-n-Out, or as we affectionatly call it In-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-wait-be-patient-n-n-n-Out. I never understood the need either until recently. Perhaps I should finder faster fast food.

What is the video input spec to use for a computer or game console that will feed into the input?

It’s just a standard video input that you hook up a RCA-style video cable to (I used a 3′ shielded cable from RadioShack – P/N: 42-2370A $2.99). Thus, as long as your computer (video camera, game console, mobile phone, etc.) has a standard video-out jack/plug, then you’ll be able to hook it up to this video input feed. If you have more than one video source that you want to hook up, then you’ll need to use an A/B video switch.

How many things can we hook up in one MINI (video input, ICE-Link or other iPod interface, phone cradle/Bluetooth)? I might want to have them all.

As far as I know, you should be able to hook them all up together if you wanted to. Most of the plugs (radio plugs, nav computer plugs, etc.) will simply daisy chain on top of one another and so you can keep plugging in more harnesses if you want/need to.

Note that many of the items use different hook-up/plug-in locations (e.g. some hook-up/plug-in at the radio, some at the nav computer, some at the CD changer connector in the boot, etc.). This is why many of the items you’ve mentioned will work just fine together.

I hope this helps some…

“….except for maybe the occasional cross-country trip where my wife could watch a movie while I drive….”

Yikes! You’re telling me you could keep your full attention on the road while a fantastic movie is playing mere degrees from your forward-focused field of vision? Just reaching for the window switch in the MINI is more distraction from the road than I can handle half the time. Maybe it’s just me…

I’m not picking on you specifically (honestly, so don’t take it the wrong way), but on the whole concept of video-related anything installed in cars within view of the driver (except for back-up cameras I suppose). If something like this becomes mainstream someday, my MINI will be reserved for the track and I’ll be taking the train everywhere. Hmmm, too bad mass transit in Utah leaves much to be desired…

While driving from FL to TX on I-10 I came to a complete stop due to traffic and sat there for about 15 mins with out moving. I then went into my luggage and got out my portable DVD player and sat it up on the dash and watched it. I ended up sitting in that one spot for 1 hour 10 mins before traffic started to move again. I didn’t mind the wait, just needed some popcorn.

Mike,

In America you are not free to do as you please, it is illegal to have a video display for movies or games that is visable to the driver.

I think this is one of those things that you do less for the practicality of it than for the ability to say “Hey look what I did!”

Isn’t that the type of thing that wins awards at car shows?

You did a good job, it’s a neat setup, but I’ll echo a few other comments… Please use your new found powers responsibly ;)

Come on guys… I’m not advocating that folks use it with video-in-motion (I only mentioned that it can be installed that way and it just so happens that that’s the way I hooked mine up as that’s how I first figured out how to make it all work). In fact, I’d much rather see folks hook it up with the BMW enforced 10 KPH shutoff in place (besides that, it’s cheaper and easier to setup it that way anyway). All of this really is off-topic from what I originally did the write-up for in the first place so can’t we just move on now? I get the fact that some folks don’t like it. Enough said.

BTW, thanks for your comments RB.

Great write-up, as always! BTW, you have mail.

Please do provide a writeup of the pins you used, how you modded the video cable, and the video settings. If it’s too big for a comment, would you email me a copy?

I’ll see if I can put together a small document that shows how to hook it up using the OEM video switchbox.

Also, from reading the Backup Camera PDF, the rear-camera kit turns on automatically and takes over the screen when the car is put in reverse, and turns off within 5 seconds after you shift out of reverse. How would you change the wiring so that this can be bypassed and switched manually? That way a button could quickly toggle between the normal Nav screen view and the video input.

This was one of the big dilemmas that I faced when trying to figure things out. I didn’t want to give up my rear-view camera, and yet I still wanted to be able to hook up an auxiliary video input. I ended up splitting/switching the signal using a couple of relays. Basically what happens is, when I flip the video switch in the glove box, it tricks the system into thinking that the rear-view camera needs to be turned on. I then feed in my aux video input signal in place of the one that would normally be coming in from the rear-view camera (via a relay). When you switch the car into reverse, the rear-view camera turns on automatically as it normally would (i.e. the rear-view camera’s signal takes precedence over the aux video input signal). It will all become much clearer once you see how I wired it up. For starters you should take a look at the wiring diagram in the rear-view camera installation instructions as it will familiarize you with the switchbox and the other components.

Also, please note that it’s MUCH easier just to hook up the aux video input in place of the front-view camera instead. This way you don’t have to mess around with switching two video signals and the installation is much cleaner and much easier (i.e. no extra relays are required, but you also won’t have video-in-motion either). The OEM video switchbox is setup to work with both the rear-view camera and the front-view camera at the same time. If you’re not planning on hooking up the front-view camera, then you can simply hook into that part of the OEM video switchbox instead. All that’s required are a few pins that go into the video switchbox’s wiring harness plug (they’re the exact same pins that go into the nav computer plugs and the AUX plug that plugs into the back of the radio as well). These can be purchased (for cheap) from your local MINI dealer although I don’t have a part number on them I’m afraid.

That’s really outstanding. KUDOS!!! But then where would I put my gun? Does anybody have any suggestions on any alternate locations for my 9?

can I say a big WELL DONE to Mike, really interesting stuff

Outstanding Thanks! Look forward to the other version, too.

Ooops. I got it now. What’s the point then? If you don’t want a rear camera and just want to feed video (and want it while your moving)… there must be a simple cost effective way.

WHat does flipping the switch going slower than 10 KPH have to do with it? Did I miss something?

Ooops. I got it now. What’s the point then? If you don’t want a rear camera and just want to feed video (and want it while your moving)… there must be a simple cost effective way.

Flipping the switch turns on the aux video input feed as long as you are going slower than 10 KPH. If you go above that, the switchbox automatically switches back to the factory nav display, and when you drop back down below 10 KPH (assuming the switch is still in the on position), it will once again flip itself back to the aux video input feed.

Obviously, you’re looking for video-in-motion. Thus, you’ll have to use the backup camera (as I can’t figure out how to make video-in-motion using the OEM switchbox work without it), or you’ll have to go with another solution. If you take a look at the NAM thread I pointed folks to in one of my earlier comments, I’ve listed at least three other switched video controllers for use in the MINI. They all sell for under $450 and some of them also allow video-in-motion. Most of them are a nicer solution than the OEM video switchbox, but none of them are as cheap.

Again, for those who read MF and don’t like the idea of video-in-motion, please note that I am NOT suggesting that anyone hook their systems up like that. It’s your choice (and possibly your ticket if you get caught).

Hi All,

Okay, here’s the other diagram that I drew up which allows you to use the OEM switchbox (and rear-view camera control module) as an aux video input with video-in-motion:

Relay Wiring Diagram For AUX Video Input Using OEM Video Switchbox & Control Module – With Video-In-Motion!

Note that you MUST have the OEM rear-view camera installed in order for this to work. Since the rear-view camera is designed to work while the car is in-motion, you can simply trick the control module (which is part of the rear-view camera kit) into thinking that the car is in reverse (when it really isn’t) and then use the video input source for the rear-view camera as your aux video input feed instead. Since you’ll also want to use your rear-view camera, you’ll have to auto-switch the two video signals when appropriate (i.e. when the car is put into reverse). I’ve worked out a simple way of doing this using a couple of relays.

One relay switches from the aux video input signal (e.g. your PS2, etc.) to the rear-view camera video input whenever the car is put into reverse (allowing your backup camera to still function properly). The other relay automatically switches the 12 volt “switching signal” going to the rear-view camera’s control module from our 12 volt switching signal (e.g. the switch located in the glove box that’s used to turn on the aux video input feed for the PS2, etc.) to the 12 volt reverse indicator feed signal whenever the car is put into reverse. Simply put, this allows you to trick the control module into thinking that the car is in reverse without having to actually put it in reverse (and have the reverse lights go on). We are forced to use the rear-view camera’s control module (if we want video-in-motion) as it converts the reverse indicator feed signal (RSF) into a different form of signal (RSFinv) that’s recognized by the switchbox.

Anyway, my diagram/drawing assumes that you have the rear-view camera already installed in your MINI and that you have read the rear-view camera installation instructions (and wiring diagram) thoroughly.

The first relay (that switches between the two video input signals) is installed within the nav computer’s case/cover in my car. The second relay (that switches between the control module’s +12 volt feed signals) is installed in the right-hand cubby hole in the boot of my car (i.e. right at the location where I tapped into the BL/GE reverse signal wire in my MINI’s standard wiring harness – picture “R50 1022 Z” in step #7 of the rear-view camera installation PDF). The relay is simply inserted in-between the control module and the BL/GE reverse signal wire (as indicated in my diagram).

With this install, your factory nav system works as it normally would and the backup works as it normally would. However, when you flip the switch in the glove box to switch over to your aux video input feed, the nav display changes to your video input. If you put the car in reverse, the rear-view camera will display over your aux video input feed. Turning off the switch takes the display back to the factory nav display.

It works great and you get video-in-motion! Be forewarned that it’s illegal in the U.S. to have video-in-motion. Thus, you can get a ticket if caught using it (or even worse; you may get into an accident while using it). However, I think that we’re all adults here and so I’m sure that you will all use the proper amount of discretion with your setups.

Enjoy…

By the way, if/when I use this solution, I will have a Mac OS Widget covering the screen so there’s no video playing while underway. I’ll display caller info for the Bluetooth phone and Artist/Recording info for music playback.

I think I’ve got it.

Excellent!

You have added a switch that allows you to turn on the video feed as though the car is in reverse.

Yes.

The rear-view camera and the aux video are connected to a Radio Shack relay, which then connects to the video-in connector.

Yes. Note that you could also try using a standard A/B video switch here instead of the relay if you are worried about degradation of the video signal. I couldn’t find an A/B video switch that was small enough to work with my setup and so I went with the relay instead. My video signal appears just fine using the relay.

However, there is something a bit weird going on with the colors on the display, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the relay. Since the OEM video switchbox doesn’t have any way to adjust the color, you’re simply stuck with it like that I’m afraid (it’s not bad, but it is noticeable at times). Some of the other more expensive solutions I noted in the NAM topic that I referenced have color adjustments on the video switch. Thus, if you’re worried about this you can always try one of those video switches instead.

You’re using the reverse detection line (RSF) to control whether the camera or aux video is fed through the relay.

Yes. Via the second (5-terminal) relay that’s hooked up in the boot.

The aux video is fed thru unless the car is in reverse. While in reverse, the camera is fed thru.

Exactly!

A nice touch is that the reverse detection line can still turn on the video feed. So even if you haven’t turned on the video feed, when the car is in reverse, the video feed is enabled and the rear-view camera is fed throu.

Yhep!

What video connector do you use on your PS2, and what kind of video signal does it send?

I’m using the standard video/audio connector/cable that came with the PS2 unit. It ends in a yellow colored male RCA connector and I simply plug this directly into the video input feed as shown in my drawing (e.g. Radio Shack 42-7320A). I use a female-to-female adapter so that both of the male ends can connect (also purchased from Radio Shack for a couple of dollars).

The PS2 video/audio connector/cable also ends in a separate left and right male RCA connector (one red and one white). I convert this into a standard 3.5 mm mini audio plug (via a cable that’s also available at Radio Shack for just a few dollars) and then I plug the mini plug into the 3.5 mm mini socket of the OEM AUX audio adapter that’s installed in my glove box. This plays the audio from the PS2 unit over my stock radio when I place it in AUX mode. Since I have the H/K system in my car, it really rocks. Movies such as Star Wars rattle the whole car. It’s just like sitting in the movie theater. [GRIN]

I hope this helps some…

By the way, if/when I use this solution, I will have a Mac OS Widget covering the screen so there’s no video playing while underway. I’ll display caller info for the Bluetooth phone and Artist/Recording info for music playback.

Sounds pretty darn sweet to me. Please do post pics of your install once you get it all finished. I’d love to see them! :-)