Aftermarket Navigation installed! Video and Pictures. Let's try again.

[eclimax13]

Not sure WHY a moderator would move this, SINCE IT WORKS FOR B8 A4'S AS WELL! Same exact setup up. So try leaving it here to help out the a4 owners.
Finally I have found a way to put a reliable navigation into our cars that came without factory nav. Using an xcarlink, htc incredible, and Sygic navigation, I now have an active navigation with full time map updates in my car. I made the navi button on the shifter controls switch the screen from regular to navigation mirror mode.



I can play any video source as well but this is just for fun.



Here's the video

http://static.photobucket.com/player.../VIDEO0005.mp4

Crappy pickup mic so the sound isn't too good.

[dracolnyte]

wow your center console looks more complicated than a jet!

[Liquid Smoke]

very nice, that mortal kombat screen just makes me want this even more haha

ive been planning on either the xcarlink or the other touchscreen one from china, but still debating, i like the video source option on the xcarlink. but doesnt your car already have factory nav? you do have the nav controls by armrest?

also for the xcarlink nav, since its not touchscreen how do you control it? is it a separate wireless remote or somehow maps the regular buttons to it? and if remote is it hard/annoying to use or works great?

[eclimax13]

very nice, that mortal kombat screen just makes me want this even more haha

ive been planning on either the xcarlink or the other touchscreen one from china, but still debating, i like the video source option on the xcarlink. but doesnt your car already have factory nav? you do have the nav controls by armrest?

also for the xcarlink nav, since its not touchscreen how do you control it? is it a separate wireless remote or somehow maps the regular buttons to it? and if remote is it hard/annoying to use or works great?

Watch the video link. It explains everything Also search for my review on that Chinese made touch screen. Been there, done that. Don't waste your time or money. This is much much better.

[bsully1850]

I can't get the video to work.

[MSteele]

How much did this all cost? Just got a quote at a shop for like $2500 for nav and multi angle back up cam.

[aenokea]

My car doesnt have nav so Im very interested in this mod. Can you post model numbers of the xcarlink that you used? I searched ebay but mostly found ipod interface adapters.

[jaysen]

Why don't you upload the video to vimeo or YouTube like most normal people! Haha I'm viewing on my phone... and don't wanna download an mp4 file just to play the vid

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

[eclimax13]

I don't have accounts with either. I'll see what I can do

[Nison_Li]

interesting mod

[eclimax13]

Total cost was around $375. Xcarlink.UK. is the site.

[Vito Roma]

But how do u have all the controls near the shifter. That only
Comes with nav...

[Liquid Smoke]

But how do u have all the controls near the shifter. That only
Comes with nav...

i think he has an A5? judging from his sig, could it be different on there. or otherwise i think the center console controls part were retrofitted because he also has that central knob under the screen as well like non-nav models

EDIT: yup, he mentions it in the video. MMI panel he bought off ebay for $60

[eclimax13]

Everything is explained in the video. But not sure why some are having trouble seeing it. Link sends me right to the site and then press play

[Pared]

Geez - here's a direct link to the video:

http://vid215.photobucket.com/albums.../VIDEO0005.mp4

He bought a console off ebay and installed it, then tapped into the functions. This is why he has controls on both the front and near the shifter. Not all the shifter controls work and it looks a little silly, IMHO. But it's much easier than fabricating a huge custom bracket.

Now why couldn't you do that, OP? Much easier than saying "just look at the video" three times. :)

[Liquid Smoke]

lol prob just doesnt want to be redundant or keep repeating himself so its all there, but yea i was able to just view it on my browser, but phones will prob have trouble plugin issues and all that

but yea basically what Pared just said. and then the video out is redirected into the center console where the aux usually is on non-AMI models

now a question the nav, is that only from the phone like you have there in the video? or do you have a separate dedicated nav? you mention the sygic nav in ur original post, or did i miss something in the video

[AUDuffer]

Sygic is a navigation app for Apple and Android phones. Link: http://www.sygic.com/en

[Liquid Smoke]

ohhh, d'oh! lol shouldve just googled it. i just use the built in google maps/nav app so didnt think of 3rd party apps for that

[eclimax13]

When I'm not on my phone aka home, I'll give much more detail. That's why I said watch the video for all the questions. Posted this on three forums and all the questions came from people who didn't notice the video link.

[jaysen]

Well I finally watched the video at home... I have the same setup with an XCarlink however I have a portable media player in the glove box for videos. Been contemplating on using my phone for GPS navi... What are you using to down convert the video from the Droid Inc? HDMI

Nevermind, a quick google search revealed Droid Inc has the option of using a MicroUSB to Composite adapter - http://www.amazon.com/HTC-Cable-ADR6.../ref=pd_cp_e_0

Wish my Galaxy Note did the same... Instead I have to use the MHL Hdmi adapter, power inverter + HDMI downsampler to composite > then to the Xcarlink...

Unless I get a PMP device that has standard composite out and wifi w/ android... then I can just tether the device for internet...

[bsully1850]

Can anyone tell me what type of connector is used for the LCD screen?

[jaysen]

Can anyone tell me what type of connector is used for the LCD screen?

Hmm, confused by your question..? If you are asking how the LCD hooks up to the Xcarlink, then there is a proprietary cable supplied with the xcarlink you'll connect from the unit to the LCD. But, if your asking what type of connector is used from the phone to the LCD, and you are using the Droid Incredible like the OP - then its composite. You just need the adapter like I posted above your post. That'll give you composite out (Yellow - Video, Red/White - 2 channel Audio). The XCarlink has 2 sets of composite inputs for 2 video sources.

[bsully1850]

Actually I am trying figure out if I can use an aftermarket (Alpine/Pioneer) head unit but still view the information that would normally be displayed on the Audi screen. My Alpine has an S-video in, so I was hoping to be able to use some type of video adapter for this purpose. (or make one)

[Liquid Smoke]

Actually I am trying figure out if I can use an aftermarket (Alpine/Pioneer) head unit but still view the information that would normally be displayed on the Audi screen. My Alpine has an S-video in, so I was hoping to be able to use some type of video adapter for this purpose. (or make one)

so you want to the Audi screen to not change and stay the same as it is now, but use your Alpine separately? the Alpine has it's own screen?

why not just mount the Alpine separately and use it? you wouldnt need the xcarlink unless you want it to display the nav on the Audi screen.

or is the Alpine without a screen, just a gps device? if so thats what xcarlink is intended for, xcarlink to the audi screen and then Alpine into the xcarlink, if im understanding your question right. but if theres no video out on the Alpine im not sure you can use it with xcarlink.

[Ryan_T]

I considered doing this, but having duplicate buttons or nonfunctioning centre console buttons seem a little much.

Does anybody know if the existing non-digital wiring harness and amp would play nice with the full MMI head unit? Patching xcarlink into that (if it works) might be a cleaner solution.


Nice work though. I didn't know you can hold down the button for 2 seconds.

[dbX79]

All of that crap sounds complicated. I'll leave this one alone I don't want to mess up my ride.

[wxsgt]

Just so yall know this setup will only work with an HTC phone no others. i did find one that would work with Samsung phones dont know about the others.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1440911&page=5

[promoda]

I was able to connect my iPad with my xcarlink. Its simple, if you have a jail broken ipad or iphone you can dl a program called "Display out", all i need to do is:

1) enable Display out (it will mirror the ipad to the stock screen)
2) Open my Nav app, (Tomtom, navigon,sygic...) I use Tom tom
3) after that its pretty straight forward...

Note what's cool with the Navigon, or Tomtom app, is you can have your itunes music playing at the same time, the Voice will lower the music when indicating the directions...

ill post a vid if you guys need.

[promoda]

p.S I love the buttons around the shifter! definitely my next mod!

[eclimax13]

Just so yall know this setup will only work with an HTC phone no others. i did find one that would work with Samsung phones done know about the others.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1440911&page=5

Completely incorrect. It will work with any device that has video out mirroring. I am now using an Iphone with the same results.

[promoda]

heres a short badly recorded example of my non MMI A4 Navi

[Liquid Smoke]

^^ very cool, didnt think of using phone/tablet with xcarlink. question about the resolution/screen size ratio, i guess the ipad has the same res, but when using the video mirror mode from an iphone/android, how does it show? does it rescale to the MMI screen or does it just show in the same portrait/landscape mode proportions?

[wxsgt]

Completely incorrect. It will work with any device that has video out mirroring. I am now using an Iphone with the same results.

I devices have an RCA cable not all android ones do, also not all are made to do video out that is why it doesnt work on everything. for my phone i have to have a micro usb to HDMI cable then convert the HDMI to composite, the cable you were using is proprietary ONLY to HTC devices it is NOT micro usb so will not work on all android phones as i said. with other phones you need additional hardware is what i was saying.

[promoda]

The res on the iPad obviously is better but for the navi or watching a movie on the stock screen it's great. The best part is I use stock speakers, so it's like so round sound.... For the cost of this mod, it's soooooo worth it

[eclimax13]

I devices have an RCA cable not all android ones do, also not all are made to do video out that is why it doesnt work on everything. for my phone i have to have a micro usb to HDMI cable then convert the HDMI to composite, the cable you were using is proprietary ONLY to HTC devices it is NOT micro usb so will not work on all android phones as i said. with other phones you need additional hardware is what i was saying.

The cable from the original video only work with the Htc Incredible. As with any device you decide to use with the setup, you will obviously need to buy the supporting av cable. But once again, the setup works with ANY video source with a composite connection and any device that will mirror out to get the navigation.

[eclimax13]

heres a short badly recorded example of my non MMI A4 Navi

I noticed you have a little overscan happening on the factory screen. Not sure if the display out does it, but a free app called tvout2 will allow you to adjust the display size output of the Ipad.

[promoda]

I noticed you have a little overscan happening on the factory screen. Not sure if the display out does it, but a free app called tvout2 will allow you to adjust the display size output of the Ipad.

i never noticed an issue, but thanks Im definitely gonna look into that app. Thanks!

[mageiger]

My 09' Prestige doesn't come with the AUX input in the center console which I was surprised about. The only way I am able to access music via AUX or my iPhone is to use the AMI cable in the glovebox. Since I do not have the AUX input, does this mean that I would not be able to use the xcarlink system because I am unable to plug in the video input for the phone?

[eclimax13]

My 09' Prestige doesn't come with the AUX input in the center console which I was surprised about. The only way I am able to access music via AUX or my iPhone is to use the AMI cable in the glovebox. Since I do not have the AUX input, does this mean that I would not be able to use the xcarlink system because I am unable to plug in the video input for the phone?

No sir. The unit is mostly for video. It does take in and output audio but you still need a way to get to the radio. You can use the av cable and an aux ami adapter to get this to work.

[singingwolf]

hello to everybody,

in Italy I found this navigation system integrated in the display so it is possible only replace the original 6.5" display with the new one and have a navigation system.
Have you ever noticed about this?

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...urenavipad.jpg


http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/100/immnavipad.jpg