Watch a DVD when car is in motion?

hantman · 11-26-2008, 11:11 PM

So, the new iDrive for 2009 allows you to watch a DVD, but in the US this is only possible when parked and with the parking brake engaged.

Any idea whether there is a way to hack/circumvent this restriction? On other vehicles there has been, so I figured I'd check. Would be nice for long trips if the passenger could watch a movie!

EspressoBoy · 11-26-2008, 11:43 PM

Yes it would, but.... after you are in an accident and the insurance company decides to look into this and you find it voided your insurance you would not be so happy you did. Not to mention how temping it would be to watch and it did cause an accident. Even if you did not watch it, say you have a child who drives and they got in an accident. Do you really want to go down that road?

EspressoBoy

PS
BTW Welcome to the site! This is your first post!

I have an 08 and I just dream of your 2009 DVD at stand still! In 2010 they are going to want to watch blue-ray and who knows after that, surf the net and watch movies on demand? 2way video live? See other drivers curse you? Chat with other drivers? They have to draw a line somewhere!

Lester · 11-27-2008, 02:48 AM

Any hacking could lead to warranty issues. Try something like this:

J312 · 11-27-2008, 04:54 AM

most people jumper a pin in the back of the head unit to bypass that lock. you just have to find out which jumper it is.

Oregon · 11-27-2008, 05:09 AM

OP, for anyone else on the road, such as, say, me, please heed Espresso's suggestion.

hantman · 11-27-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EspressoBoy

BTW Welcome to the site! This is your first post!

I have an 08 and I just dream of your 2009 DVD at stand still! In 2010 they are going to want to watch blue-ray and who knows after that, surf the net and watch movies on demand? 2way video live? See other drivers curse you? Chat with other drivers? They have to draw a line somewhere!

Ha. Thanks for the welcome. I'd really love that thing where I could see other drivers curse at me, which jumper is that one? :smile:

Purgatory · 11-27-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hantman

So, the new iDrive for 2009 allows you to watch a DVD, but in the US this is only possible when parked and with the parking brake engaged.

Any idea whether there is a way to hack/circumvent this restriction? On other vehicles there has been, so I figured I'd check. Would be nice for long trips if the passenger could watch a movie!

In fact there is a way to trick the head unit into thinking that the parking break is engaged. You need to splice in a simple switch into the parking break sensor wire (I believe it is black, because it's a ground, but no guarantees). The system works when it senses that there is a ground from the parking break sensor, so you just wire up a switch to a misc. bolt on your car and flip the switch. Technically, there is no need for this sensor other than to engage the break light on your dash and let your iDrive know that you are "in park." So, you don't have to wire it back up to your e-brake as far as I know.

Now, for warranty purposes... I can almost guarantee that this would be offside and I wouldn't want to liabile for any damage that it could cause. Although, I can't think of how it could cause damage off the top of my head. Other than the driver watching a DVD then crashing, if you do that, you're a putz and are probably working the natural selection thing nicely. Just don't hurt anyone else, a-ight!

Brady1984 · 11-27-2008, 10:45 AM

I wonder on the manual cars if it senses that you are moving? There has to be something in the wiring diagram.

lenny328 · 11-27-2008, 12:33 PM

My alpine dvd / nav unit in my e46 has the bypass switch and
Its great, if you want the dvd player on that's your choice. A portabile
Unit in the front is the same distraction so its your choice, never had a distraction
Prob for me and over 2 years.

Mad Dragon · 11-28-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brady1984

I wonder on the manual cars if it senses that you are moving? There has to be something in the wiring diagram.

There's this crazy device called a wheel speed sensor. :wink:

m7ammed · 11-28-2008, 10:56 AM

I think even in a manual you have to have the parking brake (E-brake) on and gear in Natural

tom @ eas · 11-28-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dragon

There's this crazy device called a wheel speed sensor. :wink:

The lockout could be even be tied into GPS positions, like VW/AUDI applications.

mynew135 · 11-28-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EspressoBoy

Yes it would, but.... after you are in an accident and the insurance company decides to look into this and you find it voided your insurance you would not be so happy you did.

I don't know of any insurance company that would "void" your insurance, yet alone deny a claim for an accident, because of something like this. There is no exclusion for stupidity on auto policies.

That being said, still not a good idea to have something that tempting to look at while you're driving.

135iUSN · 11-29-2008, 01:26 PM

my 09 knows when I take it out of park.. even with the foot on the brake pedal...

why are you all so negative on the change.. USA is the only county this is locked out for ( I think )

heck - try to drive in Paris / Amsterdam .. I guarantee the driver would NOT pay mind to the DVD if it were playing...

littlejohnle · 01-21-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purgatory

In fact there is a way to trick the head unit into thinking that the parking break is engaged. You need to splice in a simple switch into the parking break sensor wire (I believe it is black, because it's a ground, but no guarantees). The system works when it senses that there is a ground from the parking break sensor, so you just wire up a switch to a misc. bolt on your car and flip the switch. Technically, there is no need for this sensor other than to engage the break light on your dash and let your iDrive know that you are "in park." So, you don't have to wire it back up to your e-brake as far as I know.

Now, for warranty purposes... I can almost guarantee that this would be offside and I wouldn't want to liabile for any damage that it could cause. Although, I can't think of how it could cause damage off the top of my head. Other than the driver watching a DVD then crashing, if you do that, you're a putz and are probably working the natural selection thing nicely. Just don't hurt anyone else, a-ight!

I pulled the ground wire out of the handbrake and the car allows me to wactch dvds while in motion. But there is a major problem with this as I found out.
By doing the above the car thinks you have engaged the parking brake 100% of the time. This is not a problem until you start moving, as an annoying voice (car) will constantly yell at you to disengage the park brake. This will coninue to happen until you come to a full stop.

Now, does anybody know of a better way to watch dvds on the idrive screen while moving?

MOCKBA · 01-22-2009, 12:03 AM

You can get a separate player and watch it while driving, will it void insurance as well? My dealer showed me a manager’s car with the watching in motion enabled. So I guess it is simple thing to achieve. I would be more interested in getting video AUX in. The dealer demonstrated me also that it is possible watching movies from iPod or other source while driving.

littlejohnle · 01-22-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

You can get a separate player and watch it while driving, will it void insurance as well? My dealer showed me a manager’s car with the watching in motion enabled. So I guess it is simple thing to achieve. I would be more interested in getting video AUX in. The dealer demonstrated me also that it is possible watching movies from iPod or other source while driving.

Was your dealers car a 1er?

tom @ eas · 01-22-2009, 01:18 PM

We've have a couple of ideas for a solution -

If there is a MY09+ 1er out there in the Santa Ana area, feel free to contact me directly and we'll have a go at it.

MOCKBA · 01-22-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlejohnle

Was your dealers car a 1er?

No, it was 3ser, however I believe the cars have similar electronics.

AtomiK · 01-22-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

The dealer demonstrated me also that it is possible watching movies from iPod or other source while driving.

This sounds like something I am very interested in. Would your dealer share the secret? :biggrin:

Mega Man · 01-23-2009, 02:23 AM

For the sake of the safety of everyone else on the road other than yourself...

Don't Do It

AtomiK · 01-23-2009, 02:46 AM

Err, sorry, I meant is there a way to watch movies from my iPod while stopped?

11-26-2008, 11:11 PM	#1
hantman New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2008 iTrader: (0)	Watch a DVD when car is in motion? So, the new iDrive for 2009 allows you to watch a DVD, but in the US this is only possible when parked and with the parking brake engaged. Any idea whether there is a way to hack/circumvent this restriction? On other vehicles there has been, so I figured I'd check. Would be nice for long trips if the passenger could watch a movie! __________________ Carbon Black/Black Merino Leather 2011 X5 M, PCD 4/28/2010 Cold Weather\|Driver Assistance\|Premium Sound\|Rear Climate\|Power Tailgate\|Comfort Access\|High Gloss Roof Rails\|iPhone. Monaco Blue/Black Leather 2009 135i Coupe, ED 10/16/2008
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11-26-2008, 11:43 PM	#2
EspressoBoy 1addict, and proud 40 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Yes it would, but.... after you are in an accident and the insurance company decides to look into this and you find it voided your insurance you would not be so happy you did. Not to mention how temping it would be to watch and it did cause an accident. Even if you did not watch it, say you have a child who drives and they got in an accident. Do you really want to go down that road? EspressoBoy PS BTW Welcome to the site! This is your first post! I have an 08 and I just dream of your 2009 DVD at stand still! In 2010 they are going to want to watch blue-ray and who knows after that, surf the net and watch movies on demand? 2way video live? See other drivers curse you? Chat with other drivers? They have to draw a line somewhere! __________________
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11-27-2008, 02:48 AM	#3
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Any hacking could lead to warranty issues. Try something like this: Attached Images
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11-27-2008, 04:54 AM	#4
J312 Monster of the Midway 13 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	most people jumper a pin in the back of the head unit to bypass that lock. you just have to find out which jumper it is.
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11-27-2008, 05:09 AM	#5
Oregon NRA Life Member, BMW CCA 30 year member 181 Rep 2,614 Posts Drives: 04' M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1) Garage List 1971 2002 [0.00] 2004 M3 [0.00] 2008 135i [0.00]	OP, for anyone else on the road, such as, say, me, please heed Espresso's suggestion. __________________ Resigned 1ADDICTS Moderator “To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
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11-27-2008, 10:45 AM	#8
Brady1984 Lieutenant 186 Rep 413 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	I wonder on the manual cars if it senses that you are moving? There has to be something in the wiring diagram. __________________ "Most things I worry about never happen anyway" -Tom Petty
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11-27-2008, 12:33 PM	#9
lenny328 New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: dinan m3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: arizona iTrader: (0)	My alpine dvd / nav unit in my e46 has the bypass switch and Its great, if you want the dvd player on that's your choice. A portabile Unit in the front is the same distraction so its your choice, never had a distraction Prob for me and over 2 years.
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11-28-2008, 10:56 AM	#11
m7ammed Captain 210 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Saudi Arabia iTrader: (0)	I think even in a manual you have to have the parking brake (E-brake) on and gear in Natural
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11-29-2008, 01:26 PM	#14
135iUSN 19 X5 1998 M Roadster 64 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: 135i Alpine White / Terra Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 1998 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2009 135i [0.00]	my 09 knows when I take it out of park.. even with the foot on the brake pedal... why are you all so negative on the change.. USA is the only county this is locked out for ( I think ) heck - try to drive in Paris / Amsterdam .. I guarantee the driver would NOT pay mind to the DVD if it were playing... __________________ '09 135i Dinan In BMW heaven 09.28.2022 - Stage 2/Alpine White w/Terracotta /High Gloss Black Trim/ZCW/ZPP/ZSP w/313's /CA/PDC/Steptronic/
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01-22-2009, 12:03 AM	#16
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	You can get a separate player and watch it while driving, will it void insurance as well? My dealer showed me a manager’s car with the watching in motion enabled. So I guess it is simple thing to achieve. I would be more interested in getting video AUX in. The dealer demonstrated me also that it is possible watching movies from iPod or other source while driving. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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01-22-2009, 01:18 PM	#18
tom @ eas General 8115 Rep 18,813 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (19) Garage List 2018 BMW i3s [0.00] 2010 BMW M3 [6.50] 2015 BMW M4 [5.25]	We've have a couple of ideas for a solution - If there is a MY09+ 1er out there in the Santa Ana area, feel free to contact me directly and we'll have a go at it. __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
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01-23-2009, 02:23 AM	#21
Mega Man エアーマンが倒せない 271 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	For the sake of the safety of everyone else on the road other than yourself... Don't Do It __________________ 1ADDICT \| Black Shadowline Grills \| KW V2 \| CP-E Tow-Hook Plate \| CP-E Catback Exhaust \| Tow-Hook \| Evolution Racewerks Intercooler \| ER Charge Pipe \| HKS SQV IV \| ER Intercooler Shroud \| BMS Oil Catch Can \| COBB Access Port \| APEX ARC-8 \| EAS OE Performance Brake Upgrade \| SLeK Carbon Fiber Hood \|
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01-23-2009, 02:46 AM	#22
AtomiK Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 279 Posts Drives: Around Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Err, sorry, I meant is there a way to watch movies from my iPod while stopped?
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