[lazyninja87]

Just got through installing the smartview HD from bimmertech and it's amazing! The best part is Waze on the iDrive while driving.. so convenient. Bimmertech has a great install video on youtube--

. I was able to find the entire setup on ebay for $400 so i figured might as well grab it.
[IMG]IMG_1374 by Dane Bryan, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_1385 by Dane Bryan, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_1386 by Dane Bryan, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_1388 by Dane Bryan, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_1389 by Dane Bryan, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]s-l1600 by Dane Bryan, on Flickr[/IMG]

[MarkoSK]

Watch out - the YouTube video has wrong instructions on how to set the DIP switches for 8.8" screens (at time 4:52). Swich 5 should NOT be set to OFF for 8.8" screen, because the MMI unit will sometimes give you a black screen and you'll have to restart it. This happens on my MMI unit once a month.

[bimmer456]

Waze and Google Maps! Sweet! This is why car play sux. Is this wireless too? Looks like it is with the Apple TV and air play mirror. Not sure if I'd watch movies on my idrive but that's cool too.

[lazyninja87]

MarkoSK I set my dipswitch to OFF like the video said Maybe I'll open things back up to set it to ON if I get the issue you mentioned. bimmer456 its completely wireless. Your iPhone speaks wirelessly to the integrated Apple TV which speaks to the MMi unit which interfaces with your head unit to display on the iDrive screen.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by lazyninja87

MarkoSK I set my dipswitch to OFF like the video said Maybe I'll open things back up to set it to ON if I get the issue you mentioned. bimmer456 its completely wireless. Your iPhone speaks wirelessly to the integrated Apple TV which speaks to the MMi unit which interfaces with your head unit to display on the iDrive screen.

My only concern would be using an Apple TV in an automobile application as it was not designed for this and has an operating temperature limit of 32 - 95 degrees and the interior of a car can exceed these limits. If the thing breaks you would have to pull it out and bring it to the Apple Store, might be best to sign up for Apple care as it includes coverage like insurance due to damage by the owner, though there's some sort of deductible.

[MarkoSK]

You can get something that's designed to be used in a car.

[Patrys@BimmerTech]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

My only concern would be using an Apple TV in an automobile application as it was not designed for this and has an operating temperature limit of 32 - 95 degrees and the interior of a car can exceed these limits. If the thing breaks you would have to pull it out and bring it to the Apple Store, might be best to sign up for Apple care as it includes coverage like insurance due to damage by the owner, though there's some sort of deductible.

You shouldn't be concerned.
We sell modified Apple TV 3 (SmartView HD) units which work great with our MMIs.
We have been selling them for more than a year with no issues whatsoever.

For Android users we also have SmartView HD Flex which is a different mirroring device that supports both iPhone and Android smartphones.

[jrod33084]

Hey guys this may be a stupid and obvious question so forgive me but no one has specified this or I have not seen it in videos but are you able to navigate through the Apple TV apps with the idrive controller or do I need to use my phone to open the apps?
I want to get in the car and start up my Spotify app or the maps app without using my phone. I just want to keep my phone in my pocket like everyone else lol
do I have to open them with my phone or with the idrive controller?

[enef]

You need the phone, idrive not able to controll the mirroring device.

[Patrys@BimmerTech]

Originally Posted by jrod33084

Hey guys this may be a stupid and obvious question so forgive me but no one has specified this or I have not seen it in videos but are you able to navigate through the Apple TV apps with the idrive controller or do I need to use my phone to open the apps?
I want to get in the car and start up my Spotify app or the maps app without using my phone. I just want to keep my phone in my pocket like everyone else lol
do I have to open them with my phone or with the idrive controller?

Our SmartView HD (Apple TV 3) comes with a remote control.
You don't have to take your eyes off the road since it has just a few buttons and by the shape you know which one you're pressing.

[jrod33084]

Originally Posted by Patrys@BimmerTech

Our SmartView HD (Apple TV 3) comes with a remote control.
You don't have to take your eyes off the road since it has just a few buttons and by the shape you know which one you're pressing.

Ok got it. I have an Apple TV so the remote is pretty easy to navigate with. Thanks for the quick reply!

[GCinFLA]

Originally Posted by MarkoSK

You can get something that's designed to be used in a car.

Heat is the enemy of ANY Electronic Device

[MarkoSK]

Originally Posted by GCinFLA

Heat is the enemy of ANY Electronic Device

I agree, therefore it's always better to install something with a heatsink than without one.

[goj]

Interesting technology but I would never do this to my car

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by MarkoSK

You can get something that's designed to be used in a car.

I think you would still need some kind of multimedia interface to connect to headunit.

[GCinFLA]

I found the bimmertech website for this item very confusing.

The unit is listed for $250....but then there is an "optional" mmi that seems to be required for even more. What is what?

Also, no details on what the other unit uses to show Apple, Android and others.

And finally, when mirroring, I assume you do not see anything from for BMW i-drive (such as vehicle warnings or radio) unless you switch input (somehow) back to i-drive ?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by GCinFLA

I found the bimmertech website for this item very confusing.

The unit is listed for $250....but then there is an "optional" mmi that seems to be required for even more. What is what?

Also, no details on what the other unit uses to show Apple, Android and others.

And finally, when mirroring, I assume you do not see anything from for BMW i-drive (such as vehicle warnings or radio) unless you switch input (somehow) back to i-drive ?

The vehicle head unit does not have standard video inputs so you require a multimedia interface.

Yes, you are toggling inputs.

[lazyninja87]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

The vehicle head unit does not have standard video inputs so you require a multimedia interface.

Yes, you are toggling inputs.

Thats right.. toggling on the mmi input is done by holding down the menu button on the idrive controls.

[GCinFLA]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

The vehicle head unit does not have standard video inputs so you require a multimedia interface.

Yes, you are toggling inputs.

Originally Posted by lazyninja87

Thats right.. toggling on the mmi input is done by holding down the menu button on the idrive controls.

Well, the price is $250

Then the "optional" required multimedia device is $349, which makes it appear the price is actually $600. WTF is the $250 if you are really buying the MMI for $349.

What are you buying for $250?

And if one has to toggle, as opposed to the automatic switching currently integrated in the I-drive, that appears to mean you could have mechanical/technical/emergency issue and if mirrored, never be aware of it.

Still doesn't explain what is used instead of a Apple TV in Flex unit either.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by GCinFLA

Well, the price is $250

Then the "optional" required multimedia device is $349, which makes it appear the price is actually $600. WTF is the $250 if you are really buying the MMI for $349.

What are you buying for $250?

And if one has to toggle, as opposed to the automatic switching currently integrated in the I-drive, that appears to mean you could have mechanical/technical/emergency issue and if mirrored, never be aware of it.

Still doesn't explain what is used instead of a Apple TV in Flex unit either.

Phone --> wirelessly connected [$250 unit] ---> wired to [$349 mmi] --> wired to [IDrive headunit]

[reddemon73]

I just got my smartview HD installed. Very nice. I am looking if adding avin 10.25 screen. Is it compatible?

[ajrettke]

So if you install a backup camera as well...do I need 2 multimedia units?