[DJ Rocc]

Hi guys, those of you already with your 4 Series, can someone tell me if you can play DVD Movies?

If so, does it depend on what BMW Radio? Do you have to have the larger screen to do so?

[DJ Rocc]

I know not probably when you are driving, but wanted to see if it was possible when stopped. Anyone?

[OC40]

You may want to search the Nav, Audio, Video section. There are about 278 threads on this subject.

[Tony M]

I tried it with the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" DVD the first night I got the car, mainly to see what the HK sound system was like. It worked fine (I have the wide screen).

I haven't bothered to try it with any other DVD's. I just accept that it plays DVD's as expected. I'm too paranoid about flattening the battery to settle in and watch the latest feature movie in the garage, as much as I'd love to.

BTW, I like the HK sound system at highish volumes, but it is less impressive at low volumes. There seem to be a few very high frequencies that are over-accentuated (eg the cymbals on some tracks I know very well and listen to often on a high(ish)- end home audio system are more prominent than they should be). I suspect a somewhat ragged treble FR at lower volumes, but I haven't explored it in detail yet. Maybe playing with the settings will improve things, but I don't see the car as an ideal audio listening environment in any case.

[Halsifer]

Originally Posted by DJ Rocc

Hi guys, those of you already with your 4 Series, can someone tell me if you can play DVD Movies?

If so, does it depend on what BMW Radio? Do you have to have the larger screen to do so?

The 4-Series is able to play DVD's only if you have the Navigation Screen. (The larger one.) Looking at your order in your signature, I don't think you opted for the Navigation, so thus is will not be able to play DVD's or USB Videos.

[Halsifer]

Originally Posted by Tony M

I haven't bothered to try it with any other DVD's. I just accept that it plays DVD's as expected. I'm too paranoid about flattening the battery to settle in and watch the latest feature movie in the garage, as much as I'd love to.

The vehicle will notify you and shut off the system if it becomes low on battery and it will preserve enough energy for a vehicle start-up. I have used the car through two movies without the engine running and it did not drain the battery and the car notified me once it reached low levels. (It was for a drive-in movie. However playing a video will not use anymore power than playing just sound since the biggest consumer will be your HK system.)

[Tony M]

Originally Posted by Halsifer

The vehicle will notify you and shut off the system if it becomes low on battery and it will preserve enough energy for a vehicle start-up. I have used the car through two movies without the engine running and it did not drain the battery and the car notified me once it reached low levels. (It was for a drive-in movie. However playing a video will not use anymore power than playing just sound since the biggest consumer will be your HK system.)

Thanks for that. I did expect that was the case, but it's good to hear that it works that way in practice.

BTW, the "drive-in" movie" comment threw me a bit initially - haven't been to one in decades and I forgot they use the car's sound system. Most of the ones I remember had little speakers on poles beside the car and you hooked them over one of the windows. Showing my age here.

[Fronzdan]

Originally Posted by Tony M

Thanks for that. I did expect that was the case, but it's good to hear that it works that way in practice.

BTW, the "drive-in" movie" comment threw me a bit initially - haven't been to one in decades and I forgot they use the car's sound system. Most of the ones I remember had little speakers on poles beside the car and you hooked them over one of the windows. Showing my age here.

Wait...they don't hook the heavy metal speakers in the window anymore??? What do they do, broadcast it over an unused radio frequency?

[Tony M]

I seem to remember a wire that you clipped to the car aerial, but that was a long time ago - and cars these days don't have aerials that you can clip to.

I'm guessing you just tune to the frequency of their FM transmitter.

The biggest problem for me would be finding a drive-in still operating - I don't think we have many (if any) in most Australian cities these days.

[Halsifer]

Originally Posted by Tony M

I seem to remember a wire that you clipped to the car aerial, but that was a long time ago - and cars these days don't have aerials that you can clip to.
I'm guessing you just tune to the frequency of their FM transmitter.
The biggest problem for me would be finding a drive-in still operating - I don't think we have many (if any) in most Australian cities these days.

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Wait...they don't hook the heavy metal speakers in the window anymore??? What do they do, broadcast it over an unused radio frequency?

Yep, they broadcast over a FM radio frequency. They had like 5 signals for 5 different movies. I didn't know they used to give you a little speaker, I guess I wasn't around then, lol. These theaters are pretty rare but there's a big and very popular one in Northern California.

It sounds decent over the FM radio frequency though, but it sure would be a better experience if they offered an HD Radio FM signal!