[Patrys@BimmerTech]

Hi guys,

I've seen many of you inquiring about a screen upgrade which would allow you to change your small 6,5" screen with average resolution and picture quality to a bigger 8,8" screen featuring higher resolution and overall much better picture quality.

There is a thread on this forum that explains how some of you can upgrade to the OEM 8,8" screen. Unfortunately there are some limitations:
- you need to have the EntryNav head unit which means it's not for everyone
- you need to buy the OEM 8,8" screen which is very expensive, so the only option is to buy a used one on ebay or from a salvage car
- you need to code your car to make it work so it's not plug and play
- it's just a bigger screen afterall

While this might still be OK for some of you I think we might be able to offer you a better solution.

What would you say about the BimmerTech VividScreen upgrade for F3x BMWs featuring:
- 8,8" screen with 1280x480 resolution
- Plug and Play installation
- Coding available for EntryNav head units to increase the resolution of the native iDrive menu
- OEM look, finishing and quality
- support for any factory head unit that came with the 6,5" screen
- Multimedia Interface (MMI) with HDMI built-in which supports rear view camera* and SmartView HD/HD Flex* (High Definition mirroring)

* sold separately

The product is now available.

Installation video:

Here are some pictures of the VividScreen installed in an F30 with Entry head unit:

[veloarc75]

Wow i think this would be great! ? no coding part seems awesome, what would be the cost of this screen?

[MarkoSK]

Does the screen only stretch the 6.5" output to 8.8"? It looks like that in the first picture... If that is the case, then splitscreen isn't available?

By having a built-in MMI, does it mean that you connect the rear-view cameras and/or the SmartView box directly into the screen?

Also, what is Smartview HD Flex?

[EvenKeel]

Why does the image look stretched?

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by EvenKeel

Why does the image look stretched?

Without coding the headunit will output a 800x400 resolution image, there's no way around that without coding. The screen is probably upscaling it to 1280x480 so it can fill the screen. However, the aspect ratios are different so you either have a choice to have it fill the screen with a stretched look or make the screen have black empty spaces.

[tyang]

I'll buy it... How much??? (screen only)

[EvenKeel]

Originally Posted by Gabrola

Without coding the headunit will output a 800x400 resolution image, there's no way around that without coding. The screen is probably upscaling it to 1280x480 so it can fill the screen. However, the aspect ratios are different so you either have a choice to have it fill the screen with a stretched look or make the screen have black empty spaces.

IMHO it's not worth launching a product that outputs a stretched image (to Bimmertech).i

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Bryan and I do a good amount of DIY guides, geared towards the F30.

I've been working with Patryk on this and I've had it installed in my car for about a month or so.

Let's start with the cons and then move to the pros:

First, as many of you noted, the screen is a little stretched. I've had it installed for a while now and I have to say that it's something you get used to. I've even found myself second guessing if it's stretched or not, but that's only because I'm used to it. Some screens are a little more noticeably stretched than others, but for me, the pros outweighed this one con. As far as other cons are concerned, the only thing that I could think of is that it doesn't do split-screen (unless it does and I'm unaware of how to do it).

Okay, now let's go to the pros. When people get in my car (even my wife noticed it) they say, wow, that screen is awesome. Even people who have little to no interest in cars.

Coming from the small matte finish screen to this large glossy screen is a DRASTIC improvement. I think it looks amazing and the build quality is top notch. Although there is a slight stretch, everything looks amazing, especially if you use the SmartView to mirror your phone. I have the SmartView HD (the one with the Apple TV 3) and I use it a lot to mirror my phone for Waze Navigation. It's crystal clear and looks amazing.

As far as the install is concerned, there is no coding and everything is plug and play.

For me, going from the small matte finish screen to the large higher resolution glossy screen was an amazing upgrade. I get comments all the time on it on my Kies Motorsports YouTube page, mainly by people that think I did a Nav upgrade.

If anyone has specific questions for it, just let me know and I'll give you an unbiased and straight forward answer.

Bryan

[obert]

Thanks for the review ! This is something I would be interested in doing !

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Originally Posted by obert

Thanks for the review ! This is something I would be interested in doing !

Anytime, I personally love it..

[veloarc75]

Originally Posted by bkkeys

Anytime, I personally love it..

Thanks for review, could you maybe make some video of screen in action? ?

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Originally Posted by veloarc75

Thanks for review, could you maybe make some video of screen in action? ?

Any specifics?

[veloarc75]

Originally Posted by bkkeys

Any specifics?

If you could just scroll some options.. oh and if u have some picture when u play songs... thank you ?

I bought new car 1 month ago, so this option would be great because i could quickly swap it before taking my car to service, they cant realize anything right?

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Originally Posted by veloarc75

If you could just scroll some options.. oh and if u have some picture when u play songs... thank you ?

I bought new car 1 month ago, so this option would be great because i could quickly swap it before taking my car to service, they cant realize anything right?

Okay, I'll see what I can do. As far as swapping it out, it wouldn't void a warranty, so you can leave it in..

[dr.roro]

Is it possible to code it so that it isn't stretched, i.e. get a true wide display like the OEM 8.8" screen?

[jeffc83]

OP; not looking for my current screen but am searching to upgrade to the larger 10.25" from the X5 since it works on the F3x. Just have to be careful and choose the right unit!

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Here's a quick test..

[obert]

I am still learning about my car and I was told I would have to get a new head unit to upgrade to the bigger screen.

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Originally Posted by obert

I am still learning about my car and I was told I would have to get a new head unit to upgrade to the bigger screen.

Not with this screen kit, that's the benefit of it My car doesn't have navigation and came with the small 6.5" screen

[obert]

Originally Posted by bkkeys

Not with this screen kit, that's the benefit of it My car doesn't have navigation and came with the small 6.5" screen

Oh nice

[MarkoSK]

By having a built-in MMI, does it mean that you connect the rear-view cameras and/or the SmartView box directly into the screen?

[Patrys@BimmerTech]

Originally Posted by MarkoSK

By having a built-in MMI, does it mean that you connect the rear-view cameras and/or the SmartView box directly into the screen?

This is correct.