Not that its really safe, but does anyone know if it is possible to hack factory installed Nav systems so they can play dvd movies?

It is possible. Someone was talking about how they did it on one of their cars. I don't remember who though. Maybe that person would enlighten us more?

The way that was mentioned before is that a different video source was hooked up to the NAV screen. You will most likely (99.9% sure) NOT be able to setup the stock NAV DVD drive to play video.

---jps

Sorry about the misinformation. I must have read the post wrong.:(

I never did the mod myself, but here are instructions on how cit was done for the acura nav system. Note: it only lets you input in alternate video source.

http://www.angelfire.com/super/typesdragoon/navconversion/navconversion.html

Originally posted by Sputnik
The way that was mentioned before is that a different video source was hooked up to the NAV screen. You will most likely (99.9% sure) NOT be able to setup the stock NAV DVD drive to play video.

---jps

According to the Alpine web site their navigation systems do not allow for playing DVD movies. Their explanation is course that current driver safety regulations prohibit video to be played within the driver’s view.

If Alpine will not allow watching videos on their navigation systems I suspect that nobody else will allow it either. ;)

How cool would it be to have ECU functions displayed on the nav screen?? :) Like maybe stuff like range till refuel, engine/oil temps etc... or maybe stand-alone ECU management systems... ahh damn i've been watching too much Fast n the Furious :)

Oooh ooh maybe even hook it up to the headunit and have mp3 playback lists or something....

I'm all for that!!! I find that 80 - 90% of the time I am not using my NAV; however, it would be nice to have some other functionality when it is not being used for navigation.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom
I'm all for that!!! I find that 80 - 90% of the time I am not using my NAV; however, it would be nice to have some other functionality when it is not being used for navigation.

I have a good idea as to how to spend the 80%-90% of the time not spent fiddling with the NAV; pay attention to the road.

Originally posted by babylou


I have a good idea as to how to spend the 80%-90% of the time not spent fiddling with the NAV; pay attention to the road.

Actually I find the opposite is true, now that I have NAV I can concentrate more on driving versus "watching" for street signs. Prior to getting NAV I would have agreed with your comment.

Maybe the aftermarket will come out with something to allow watching of DVD or TV. I found a site that provides moduals for BMW, Range Rover, MB, and MINI. It is Nav-TV (http://www.nav-tv.com/main.htm)

pioneer has a dvd nav system that can also play dvd's (movies)
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Getting back to the original question, in general the answer is Yes. I can't find it right now on the Internet but for a long time I was looking into customizing SUV electronics. I found custom audio/video shops who would do what you describe. You will need to install a separate DVD player to play movies (the DVD system for Nav won't play movies.) But then, you can tap into the display and watch movies. Legality is a question of where you reside. Some systems make this easy to do, on some it is hard, but the gist is it can be done on any system. Furthermore, these same "tuners" would install a mini-camera at the rear bumper so when you shift into reverse you would get a rear-view onscreen. Be persistent in your online search or find a top-line auto electronics shop locally and start asking around.

Originally posted by 8_wannabe
[B]install a mini-camera at the rear bumper so when you shift into reverse you would get a rear-view onscreen. B]That is such an excellent idea! I didn't think about it until now, but that must be what they did with the new Lexus RX330. I bet all SUVs will have that in the next two years.

I am also excited to see auxillary gauges displayed on the screen as in the Mazdaspeed RX-8.

I was just in a new Mercedes with NAV and Sirrius Satallite Radio. The NAV display also displayed the station selections for the Satallite radio and also displayed the name of the song and artist. I know Satallite radio is not yet available form Mazda but what are the possibilities of hooking an OEM radio into the NAV? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Actually, I think satellite radio is an option for the 8, at least in the states. The two providers are XM and Sirius; their receivers are mutually incompatible. I think Sirius radio is what Mazda offers. I expect the display for this radio would be the LED display located right below the navigation screen.

Think of the Nav display as basically an LCD TV screen; that's really what it is; just like a flip-down TV in a mini-van. What you need is the right video signal to feed it and a way to switch back and forth between video feeds (nav/DVD/backup camera.) My belief is there are smart enough electrical engineers who will help you design video feeds and probably you will find solutions pre-made at specialty shops to do this. If you find a satellite radio receiver that generates video output (showing channel, pre-selects, volume, etc.) then you could use this as video feed into your nav display. The problem is not the display, the problem is finding a receiver that will generate video output to feed such a display. Don't know if there is any such creature on the market. I bet if you go to the Sirius or XM web site they will have links to all compatible receivers and maybe you'll find one that uses a video display to show it's channels. Question then is how you control it; you won't be able to use on-screen controls. Maybe it will have a handheld remote.

ooohhhh baby, look at this... It sends chills up my spine. This does what you want, the trick is how to package it in a way that makes sense for the 8. I don't know, but someone else might weigh in. An extract from the link:

"The VRX935VD is Clarion's flagship of its multimedia line-up. Featuring a motorized 7" wide screen LCD with touch panel control, built-in DVD player that plays audio CD's, DVD video, video CD's and MP3 files on CD-R/RWs, touch panel control of optional 6 disc DVD changer, Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver, TV Tuner, Dolby Digital/DTS/Dolby Pro Logic II 5.1 surround sound decoder and a 6 disc audio changer. Dual Zone control directs a second video input to a rear seat monitor while the front seat passengers can listen to another audio/video source.

You can select from 8 different screen colors to match your interior lighting, and when the main LCD screen is retracted into the dash, a front panel dot matrix display allows you full control over all of the VRX935VD's functions. Of course, an IR Remote control is included.

I believe this is the same Alpine-based DVD navi system found in most import cars (Acura, Lexus, etc)

If that is the case... which I hope is true because the Alpine-system is VERY NICE.... then it is pretty common to 'splice' in the nav system to play DVDs.

Go to either acura-cl.com or acura-tl.com and do a search on hacking navi systems and everything is listed out.

Cheers!:D

the nav in the rx-8 is a Panasonic unit. Alpine makes a nice system though, lexus is supposed to be the best, bottom line, however NOW they are lacking in the Points of Interest department, but are supposedly upgrading to like uhhhh 7m by next year or something. The new kenwood system is killer, touchscreen, 3d dvd nav with all sorts of goodies. When i was looking at a benz, that was what i was gunna get cause the benze nav is complete garbage, same with bmw

C'MON THEY'RE GERMANS, THEY BUILD ENGINES, NOT COMPUTERS!!!!

LOL!
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speaking of the above...i wonder how difficult it would be to replace the LCD and the nav computer in the rx-8 with a completely diff setup, ie the kenwood, in the event that the one in the rx-8 is a POS
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come to think of it, it would better to use the pioneer system instead because the screen of the rx-8 is so far awqay it would be hard to reach with you arm if you a little short. i also wonder if the current controls could be integrated into either the kenwood OR the pioneer, if not, perhaps changed into maybe some other audio control OR maybe even sunfoor controls lol
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GO HERE (http://www.avelectronic.com/Nav-TVTuner.htm)

P00Man, I don't think you would have to reach the screen to use the nav system. The controls are in the center console by the gearshift. Take a look at "Innovations" link on Mazda's RX-8 web site; it gives a walk-thru of how it is used.

i did some research and found out that the rx8 and g35/350z both have the same kind of input...you all make it sound like you just find the video wire and splice into it...well the problem is that your dvd players (ps2, xbox, and others) all have a video composite output...the input for the tv in the rx8 is RBG meaning you need to do the same hack that the g35 and 350z peeps are doing...the problem is...its a pain in the butt and having an electrical enginering degree would help lol

Originally posted by Atlas
How cool would it be to have ECU functions displayed on the nav screen?? :) Like maybe stuff like range till refuel, engine/oil temps etc... or maybe stand-alone ECU management systems... ahh damn i've been watching too much Fast n the Furious :)

Oooh ooh maybe even hook it up to the headunit and have mp3 playback lists or something....

it's do able, HKS came out with a system that connects to the ECU of a car and displays the information on a screen. i've got one hooked up on my lancer/mirage atm.
it's pretty cool.

Originally posted by boowana
I was just in a new Mercedes with NAV and Sirrius Satallite Radio. The NAV display also displayed the station selections for the Satallite radio and also displayed the name of the song and artist. I know Satallite radio is not yet available form Mazda but what are the possibilities of hooking an OEM radio into the NAV? Thanks in advance for any advice. The possibilities are good that one could setup the NAV to display output from a sat radio, or any other audio device (aftermarket head unit, etc.). The other device will have to be designed to display through a TV, and you will have to manually switch between displaying the NAV and any other devices.

It will require some custom work, but it is do-able. But don't forget, the stock screen is not a touch-screen.

---jps

Try the following unit:
http://www.avelectronic.com/Nav-TVTuner.htm
I'm going to try to hook it up soon...

BTW, Mazda Japan offers this feature to their customers in Japan ONLY:
http://special.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/closeup/accessory/avsystem1.html

Good luck!

I'm not a fan of the NAV system....
I kinda like MAPS...
that's not an acronym......

Is a NAV system really necessary to tell you where the beach is or how far it is to the next quickie mart?

A UPS driver could use a NAV system , but not the every day driver:o

Really depends on the interface on the LCD. A lot of LCD's have digital inputs only, especially LCD's for car navigation, since it cuts out some cost related to the A/D converters. I didnt get the nav option, but if anybody in Miami did and you are willing to open up the dash to find out we can check. If it does have A/D converters or a non-propietary interface then we can hack somethign in pretty easy.

Depending on the format of the data put out by the ECU (need to get a computer that can read it) an interface could also be made there, but you would most liekly be pushing a little button to change from NAV to whatever we put in.

Also forgot to mention that you also have the issue of being able to read DVD's. If the stock unit is a egular CD than thats just not gonna happen in the original unit. A lot of manufacturers with NAV use a DVD-ROm for reading the data disks, but I have seen a few use regualr CD's.

yeah, a router.....input DVD or Playstation or NAV.....may be kinda crude at first, but could be refined....

no one has been able to hack into the nav yet

Originally posted by English
I'm not a fan of the NAV system....
I kinda like MAPS...
that's not an acronym......

Is a NAV system really necessary to tell you where the beach is or how far it is to the next quickie mart?

A UPS driver could use a NAV system , but not the every day driver:o

it seems clear to me that you have never owned a car with a NAV system.. Otherwise you would know how useful the NAV system really is.

I bought the NAV system primarily for the "cool" techie factor but after having it help out several times as well as save my arse a few times, I have found it become an invaluable tool that every car should have.

For me it became one of those few things I would not buy a car without (ie. Xenons, Side/Curtain airbags, cd player, etc)

this is my first car with nav and I have been using it way more often than I thought I would

the nav is good for many things and has helped me find nearest banks , restruants and short cuts when their is traffic

I didn't get the Nav System is it possible to get the Screen and Dash piece W/O the Full NAV and use it for something else?
BTW you can get an RGB adaptor to SVHS and use the SVHS adaptor for the Playstation and X-Box
Maybe I can even get one of the electrical engineers at my company to figure out the Data ports and Stuff on the Jack for the Tape/MD adaptor to make a Harness to plug audio into and use for Game Stationg hookups or video hookups or something like that. I know the X-Box is just using a modified USB Port for the Controllers so you Could just set the X-Box in the Trunk and extend the controllers up front to the cup holder opening or in the ashtray.
If you are about to ask about switching Games well a friend of mine installed a 120GB HD in his X-Box and a chip mod and a few other goodies then a wireless Connection to his Network and Flashed the BIOS W/ a new one to start in a menu and Select different things. You can copy Games, Movies and other stuff onto the HD and Play from HD and when you want to switch Games no need to Swap Discs Just Hold down some Buttons within the game and you are back in the menu to switch games or movies.


About the Comment earlier on watching the road instead of looking at the NAV. I think if you plot your course b4 driving the nav system directs you with a voice doesn't it?

I recently added a TV Tuner & 10 DVD changer to my RX-8 (http://www.idenmoto.com/~guerrero/ftp/RX8.jpg).

It's great for morning news & sports. The DVD player comes in handy in long road trips.
PIX 1 (http://www.idenmoto.com/~guerrero/ftp/FnF_DVD.JPG)
PIX 2 (http://www.idenmoto.com/~guerrero/ftp/FastNFurious.JPG)

Go to AVElectronic (http://www.avelectronic.com/NavigationTV-Tuner.htm) they sold me the equipment:
http://www.avelectronic.com/NavigationTV-Tuner.htm

Here's where the NavTV unit was installed:
NavTV unit (http://www.idenmoto.com/~guerrero/ftp/NavTV.jpg)

Good luck and enjoy!

Originally posted by FernandoGator
I recently added a TV Tuner & 10 DVD changer to my RX-8

Way cool. So how hard was installation? Do you get any vibration problems with it being hard mounted like that on the strut? I can't really tell... is that the support behind the rear seat with the seat removed? Finally, where did the DVD changer go?

his changer is in the trunk

Originally posted by FernandoGator
I recently added a TV Tuner & 10 DVD changer to [URL=http://www.idenmoto.com/~guerrero/ftp/RX8.jpg]my RX-8

You know I thought it was nice of you to post some pics of your work. But when you dug up every single old thread about DVDs in a RX-8. Why don't you make one more thread that is all your own to show off your work instead of duplicating your post so many times.

Originally posted by jtdwab
Why don't you make one more thread that is all your own to show off your work instead of duplicating your post so many times.

Geez, picky picky. Esp since one of the most common criticisms on this site is people saying "why did you start a new thread on this when there are already lots of threads on this subject." Just be grateful for the pix and hold your comments.

I went to a couple of audio/video stores and they are saying that they will come out with a Module that connects the Nav output to this module as well as a DVD player and with a switch it connects to the Nav Screen and you switch video sources sort of like an A/B switch, remember also on this module it has an audio out for the DVD player and connects into the tape/MD input in the back of the factory stereo in order to hear your movies.

Originally posted by tommy12g
remember also on this module it has an audio out for the DVD player and connects into the tape/MD input in the back of the factory stereo in order to hear your movies.

The Holy Grail!

Originally posted by tommy12g
...remember also on this module it has an audio out for the DVD player and connects into the tape/MD input in the back of the factory stereo in order to hear your movies.
Please trll me more about this tape/MD input. Sounds like the aux in I've been looking for.

I need to know,which wires (4) I must cut.
Please help me.
Could you send me the instruction (AVElettronic)?
Thanks a lot

bobclevenger, what is that thing below your grill? Your license plate? How'd u do that?

bobclevenger, what is that thing below your grill? Your license plate? How'd u do that?

Yep, that's a licence plate (dealer advertisement actually -- car was new when I took the photo). You can check out this (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14069&perpage=15&highlight=front%20plate&pagenumber=1) thread to find out how to do it.

We now return you to the previous thread, now in progress.

sorry
i saw the picture, had to ask.
Great thread about nav tho everybody (thats why im here in the first place).

I need to know,which wires (4) I must cut.
Please help me.
Could you send me the instruction (AVElettronic)?
Thanks a lot

Thommino, there's a photo on my website. Go to http://www.bobclevenger.com/RX-8_AV_project_page_4.htm It will be these same four wires for the AVElectronics unit.