Andeesee

Hi to the US, - England calling! I've been looking through the forums for what seems ages looking for details of the factory sat nav lcd screen. I can find lots of stuff on aftermarkets and Carputers but nothing that answers my requirements. I have a Jap Import RX8 with TV function that usually runs from the steering wheel controls. Unfortunately english frequencies are very different to Japanese and as a result I can get no sensible signal. I have found a 'techy' who thinks he can fit an aftermarket English digital TV tuner, but he needs to know what the monitors' connectors are (RGB etc etc) to help him put together the right combination of wires and connectors etc and have it run through the IR panel in the monitor without affecting the Navigation functionality. Has anybody got the specifications or even better a photo of back of the unit showing the connections. ( I have seen the diagrams in the DIY section but think a photo would help best. I know car PC's are very popular over the pond so was really hoping somebody might nave the stock screen lying about somewhere they could photograph) What I really need to let him know are the input details i.e. 1)USB 2)VGA 3)RGB 4)any other option/connectors I know this is a BIG ASK but Mazda UK are not being very helpful. Cheers in anticipation

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TopGear8

pretty sure its an RGB connection, it would be easier to fit a custom screen, say a xenarc TSV700, into the stock nav hood and run a computer with satellite connections and a tv tuner, which also allows you to customize it with MP3's, videos, REAL navigation software, wireless internet, bluetooth for phone support....

Rotary Rasp

Yea, dump the oem setup and go with a carputer. It's a much better solution.

Andeesee

Thanks for the info guys, I had originally thought about a carputer but the time I spend in the car does not merit the cost when I can get a TV tuner and audio/visual switching unit for less than £110 (GBP). I guess it fits the catagory of 'nice to have' rather than 'essential', still if any one has their screen out of their car and has the time to post a pic that would be great - if not looks like I'll have to get the spanners out and have a look myself, unless anyone knows for sure its RGB?

Cheers

Chainu127

You seem pretty set on this, but it will prove to be much more difficult than you anticipate. Yes, the LCD definitely uses RGB, but basically the screen works at ridiculous refresh rates, 15kHz horizontal and 30Hz vertical (interlaced). Not only that, but it uses a composite sync instead of individual horizontal and vertical sync lines.
Check out these threads for more info:
99% sure i solved the dvd mystery
VGA to RGB+CSync

antichristpm seemed to be the expert on this and while it was long before my time here, it looks like he put in a lot of work trying to solve this, not wanting to buy the avelectronics switcher. One of his last posts before selling his 8 was him selling his avelectronics video switcher If you're not using that unit you must make sure your AV switcher will do the parameters and resolutions specified above and in those threads.

On another note, I have been doing much with the factory nav hood and it looks to me as if the tuner equipped RX-8's had a separate input for the tuner. It looks to be composite since it is one wire (and presumably a shield ground). So you're in England with the PAL standard and your TV tuner will output at 50Hz. Oh, but you have an RX-8 from Japan, which is on NTSC-J @ 60Hz. Now, you might have 30Hz or you might find 60Hz, I have no idea if the composite is or can be converted. Either way neither match up with your 50Hz TV tuner, although if it were 60Hz you could get a PAL to NTSC converter and use that.

You said you were looking for pictures, have you seen this thread?
OEM Navigation Hood Retrofit for Carputer Application
The second photo shows the connectors where everything that plugs into the LCD goes. Check out my posts #30 and #41 for the pinouts.

And USB? I don't know where you got that but there's no USB anyhwere.
If you're somehow referring to the steering wheel controls they work on a single input line that detects what button is pressed by a varying resistance that is different for each button.

Here's the avelectronics product which looks to be the only out of the box solution to get video and audio to the system:
http://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDet...000-1154409191
I have no idea if it handles PAL.

Besides, for that price, you may as well build a car computer

Andeesee

Thanks guys, your knowledge is way above me and very welcome.

I have seen an AV input at japanparts that looks as though it does the job and allows the TV function to be selected in the same way as I might select my iPod from the steering wheel control without it requiring the Jap spec unit. I have pm'd a guy from the RX8 (uk) club who thinks it may do the trick and will let you know if it does.

Thanks for the links to the other threads (Chainu 127) as they give the exact info my techy guy needs.

Very grateful so far, .................... I may be back .....................

nuclear

I don’t have DVD with my 2004 RX-8 imported recently in Pakistan so can anybody help me to get my RX-8 Navigation system workable in Pakistan, I would love to have the software/maps etc if anybody can even email to me at;
kpa@brain.net.pk

Andeesee

Thanks to a PM that I have lost (appologies to the poster - but credit to you).

They suggested this to allow input via the TV unit situated behind the boot space lining.

http://www.japanparts.com/images/Ima...base=1&no=1935

Added an av lead routed through the centre console to the rear of the drinks holder.

Attached my ipod av lead to enable video and audio from my ipod touch (set to NTSL - Jap mode LOL!) and powerd via ciggie adaptor.

A mate made an av switch to allow switching now mounted in the ash tray recess, to switch between that and........

an after market freeview box...

http://www.in-car-stuff.com/shop/dvb...nna-p-301.html

Ditched the magnetic aerial as the signal was very poor- in favour of ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/96db-GAIN-CAR-...item4839b1e0e2

Which I placed at the bottom of the rear screen and routed under the speaker shelf through the holes in the support of the amplifier and speakers (parcel shelf)

Spliced the whole thing into the power supply in the centre console (rear ciggie lighter) and finished it off by wiring the IR remote censor through the console to appear next to the temperature dispay side of the LCD display (carefully cutting a slot in the IR receiver not the R8X dash.) to ensure a unnoticeable finish. Remote control of the TV freeview from rear or front of car.

Works a treat.

Spliced the AV lead to two small LCD screens in the rear so the kids can view TV or Ipod video on the move, bypassing the habdbrake switch only in the rear so not to become illegal etc.

TV picture is great in Lincolnshire even on the move, which is pretty much digital, down South (Newbury - mother in law) not so good as the signal is yet to be switched on fully. Great for watching stuff while waiting for the wife to finish shopping etc.

Took a couple of years but so chuffed!

Total cost

Jap Part £50
AV Ipod lead £3.95 ebay
Freeview Box £70
Aerial £40
AV Switch - Mates rates - 3 pints of Stella