Adding Aux in via TV Tuner

rexemper

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Hi

I've been putting off getting some kind of iPod connectivity in the SL for ages and its now back on the list of things to get sorted.

So I have a CD changer (that doesn't work) and a TV Tuner (that doesn't work due to switch-off), but I do have 2 Aux in options in the Audio settings.

Calling around a little, it seems I can get a unit that will replace the CD changer and allow me to plug in a phone/ipod etc and get track data, use steering wheel controls etc. Or, I can add a RCA-Jack cable which will allow me plug in a phone/ipod but no steering wheel controls, track data etc.

The RCA cable option is much cheaper from what I can tell.

At the moment, thinking of going down the RCA route as you can control iPhones etc with your voice these days and as long I can turn down the volume from the steering wheel I should be fine.

Anyone else been through this? If so, what did you decide and why?

What's the sound like from the RCA input? Assuming not much different as its all linked to the optical system?

Time to bring the SL into the (slightly more) modern age as I'm fed up making DVDs of tracks, making sure they're all in MP3 format, quite a few not playing properly etc. etc.

I know I can change the entire head-unit but I'd like to keep the car pretty original and keep the cost down.

Thanks
 

LostKiwi

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Looking at much the same. I'm definitely going phono plugs from phone for music but will be looking to add a digital TV tuner
 

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You can get fairy cheap, small digital tv tuners which will get you all the free view stuff, I think Malcolm had a thread up about it.
 

LostKiwi

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You can get fairy cheap, small digital tv tuners which will get you all the free view stuff, I think Malcolm had a thread up about it.
Cheers I'll take a look. He did say his had it but I can't seem to find it and the remote doesn't do anything. If I can find the thread I might get some clues.
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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Thanks.
Not fussed about TV as will never use it. Using the RCA plugs to play music is definitely an option though.
Anyone comment on music quality via this route?

PS I think you can find some of Malcolm's old posts by searching 'digi tv'
 

crippo2

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Looking at much the same......I will be looking to add a digital TV tuner
Assuming you are doing this on the SL, if you have the analogue TV tuner then following what others have done you can plug the Digital TV SD RCA + audio out into the existing TV tuner connections. You will need to grab, modify and use the antennae leads from the analogue TV into the Digital TV.
Presumably no SL COMAND has the TV in connector.
I do not know of any picture capable CD changer substitutes which persuade COMAND to switch the display and give you sound.
If you don't already have analogue TV then you are entering a whole world of pain. You will have to install new TV antennae, steal the COMAND display and work hard to get a decent picture. To get real benefit you will need to create something to mimic COMAND on/off capabilities (pre or post ignition on/off, and keys in/out) You will also need to use some form of FM re-broadcaster for the audio. Plenty of info on SLK World
Certainly it can be done, but is the reward worth it? As a fun project certainly it is - I did it when adding a reversing camera and Dash Cam to our post 06/06 SL. It took a number of iterations to get it pretty much right, but I am still working on getting a good (picture) result.

crippo2
 

LostKiwi

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Assuming you are doing this on the SL, if you have the analogue TV tuner then following what others have done you can plug the Digital TV SD RCA + audio out into the existing TV tuner connections. You will need to grab, modify and use the antennae leads from the analogue TV into the Digital TV.
Presumably no SL COMAND has the TV in connector.
I do not know of any picture capable CD changer substitutes which persuade COMAND to switch the display and give you sound.
If you don't already have analogue TV then you are entering a whole world of pain. You will have to install new TV antennae, steal the COMAND display and work hard to get a decent picture. To get real benefit you will need to create something to mimic COMAND on/off capabilities (pre or post ignition on/off, and keys in/out) You will also need to use some form of FM re-broadcaster for the audio. Plenty of info on SLK World
Certainly it can be done, but is the reward worth it? As a fun project certainly it is - I did it when adding a reversing camera and Dash Cam to our post 06/06 SL. It took a number of iterations to get it pretty much right, but I am still working on getting a good (picture) result.

crippo2
Cheers.

This is Malcolm's old SL which apparently has a digital tuner fitted already. It's not working so when he was discussing it just before he passed away I thought he must have referring to his CL. I think I need to pull it apart and find where he put it all. I have found the IR remote receiver but not the remote (and a generic app on the phone didn't bring anything to life either). It's not high on the priorities right now so will get to it at some point.
 

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Cheers.

This is Malcolm's old SL which apparently has a digital tuner fitted already. It's not working so when he was discussing it just before he passed away I thought he must have referring to his CL. I think I need to pull it apart and find where he put it all. I have found the IR remote receiver but not the remote (and a generic app on the phone didn't bring anything to life either). It's not high on the priorities right now so will get to it at some point.

Did Malcolm not go for for a simple mains TV digibox rather than a car specific bit of kit? How he got 230v to it I do not know - presumably took out the guts & just ran it using the internal LV needs -probably 12v, maybe 5v.
 

LostKiwi

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I believe it was a Bush DFTA 1001 which uses a 12v input from a wall plug brick power supply.
 

crippo2

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I believe it was a Bush DFTA 1001 which uses a 12v input from a wall plug brick power supply.
ahh the ubiquitous wall wart
....and the remote doesn't do anything
AFAIK as well as pressing the TV button on COMAND you have to then choose one of the 2 aux inputs to the analogue TV tuner. This will than switch to that input. Have you tried that?
 

LostKiwi

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ahh the ubiquitous wall wart

AFAIK as well as pressing the TV button on COMAND you have to then choose one of the 2 aux inputs to the analogue TV tuner. This will than switch to that input. Have you tried that?
Yep but neither AV1 or 2 has anything.
Going to source another remote and see if I can make it work with that. If not pull it all apart time.
 
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rexemper

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Is there any difference between Aux 1 & Aux 2??
 
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rexemper

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Note those are AV1 and AV2 not Aux1 and Aux2. There is only a single Aux.

True. I figured that both the Aux 1 & 2 options on the head unit screen under Audio mapped back to the two AV options on the TV tuner. Is there something else that one of the Aux options would potentially connect to??
 

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AV and Aux are totally separate. Aux is audio only. AV is video and audio. The Aux in is usually a 3.5mm phono jack in the glovebox.
 
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rexemper

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AV and Aux are totally separate. Aux is audio only. AV is video and audio. The Aux in is usually a 3.5mm phono jack in the glovebox.

Yes, but it has to terminate somewhere. What I'm planning/thinking of is using the AV connections on the TV Tuner to provide an Aux in capability. You can normally use AV in to provide just audio - at least you can on home hi-fi equipment.
 

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Not sure what versions of Comand this is for though.
 

crippo2

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Yes, but it has to terminate somewhere. What I'm planning/thinking of is using the AV connections on the TV Tuner to provide an Aux in capability. You can normally use AV in to provide just audio - at least you can on home hi-fi equipment.
You might be able to get audio out, but you would lose the display.

also possible (for possible read likely) that COMAND head unit would complain at the lack of Video in with TV/AV1 selected (video goes to the Display over MOST) and not allow the AGW to output any sound at all.

I suppose, if push came to shove you could intercept the audio in the AGW at the pre-amp stage & switch it to your own input. The problem is the lack of AGW circuit information and the cost of cocking it up.

Why not use an FM re-broadcaster to a spare FM channel - not perfect, but maybe a workable solution
 


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