[Stoopalini]

I just started a new job which has me in the car for over an hour each way, and it's really getting annoying having my iPhone loose in the center console. I started researching what it would take to integrate it into the car and wanted to know what other's have done.

My thoughts were to have an integrated cradle which would charge the phone, provide audio out and also provide video out. I did a bit of searching, and found the below YouTube video of a guy who did exactly what I am thinking to his Acura TL.

From what I can see, ProClip item #s 853093 and 915246 will allow me to mount the iPhone, but I'm not sure where to get a cable which will provide A/V out and charging capabilities, and also how to splice into the audio and video of the factory unit.

For audio, I suppose I can tap into the XM as sugested here, but how can I tap into the video? It looks like the guy in the video below tapped into his GPS map video stream, and when the iPhone sends a video signal, it interrupts the GPS video and display's the phone's.

Anyone have any idea how to do this on our cars: Which cable to buy and which wires to splice?

Thanks,
Thomas.

 

[nikon]

noones figured out video yet....audio can be done like you suggest through xm, or with a proper ipod adapter, which would then take care of audio and power.

 

[814V]

dude i would be so stoked if i could have that

 

[Stoopalini]

A bit more research and I found a writeup this guy put out: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=704403

It seems he used Apple's Composite AV Cable, a muli audio input device called a P.I.E. X-3, and a video input device he call's Doms NAV Convertor? I think this is a device one of their forum members (Dom) created and sells?

Looks like we wouldn't need the X-3 unit, as we can tap into the XM without it. I'll have to do more research later, as it time to make the looong drive in to the office!

Thomas.

 

[68buggy]

I've been working on this myself. I finally found some slim line 30 pin iphone connectors in sweden and had them shipped over the pond.

So far, I've been able to make my own cable and have achieved reliable charging. I'm making some battery packs to carry with me on long flights and trips without convenient charging options. You have to use a couple of resistors between the positive and USB signal pins in order to turn on charging. This is why you can't use a standard USB charger for the iphone. The USB data channels have to turn on the internal charging system of the iphone. 4 x 1.2v rechargable batteries work perfectly for the 5 volts needed for charging. I would not recommend using 4 x 1.5 standard AA batteries without a regulator.

I've used a standard 5v regulator and tapped into the 12 accessory power to power my iphone - no cigarette lighter adapters hanging out anymore!!!

I'm still stumped on the audio out. I know which pins to use; however, the official apple accessories use some sort of microprocessor to validate the accessory as an approved apple device. Otherwise it puts the iphone into airplane mode. I searched around and found a picture of a cable someone had hacked open and there's 5 pounds of crap in a two pound connector. It would be nearly impossible to duplicate - translate into non-cost effective. It's classic apple......

In another attempt, I've purchase two generic A/V cables from ebay that claim to work with the newest iphone ROM's. They should be here this week or early next. If they work, I'll graft these into my existing work.

The only missing piece is the video connection?????????? Apparently there's a company that can open the nav and modify it for the european video input option for 600-800???? I have yet to see anyone with this mod completed.

If I make any notable headway, I'll post an update. No news = bad news.

 

[Stoopalini]

hmm, so the apple cable I linked above won't work? I was thinking I could open up a cigarette adapter and solder 2wires to the leads and hard wire it to a 12v source. For audio, I planned to instal 2 female RCA adapters in the XM harness to provide an input. As for the video, I'm still not sure. I read somewhere on the forum the video signal is RGB, so maybe a box to convert a single RCA to RGB (3 connector) is needed?

 

[68buggy]

The apple cable you linked above will work. I just refused to pay apple 50 bucks for an audio cable. I'm sorry, I didn't pay closer attention to your link. Even with this apple cable, you will have charging issues unless you are using an apple wall charger or a "made for iphone" car adapter to USB.

You can avoid it all together by making a small mod to one of the many car chagers you already own. You will have to modify the 5v power coming out of your 12v cig adapter. Here's a post from an iphone mod forum that I used for my adapter. Open the attached image in the post. It show what to do to the 5v output and how to connect it to your apple cable. If you don't want to chop up your apple cable, then use a female usb plug.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/717321-post11.html


Video is up in the air...... Like I said before, there's a company or two out there that can mod our Nav units, but I've yet to witness one.
European models have audio and video jacks under the arm rest. We can't run their head unit because the radio tunes with different offsets.

What I have not tested yet is how the iphone behaves when connected through the XM in this manner and a call is received. On a standard headset profile, music fades down and ringer fades up. The call is reproduced through the same means as the audio was played.

This would be great for a hands free call. I'm guessing the audio will come through okay, but I wonder about the gain of the iphone's internal mic. There are pins in the 30pin bottom connector for an external microphone. I'm just not sure how to make it "active".

 

[Stoopalini]

The apple cable you linked above will work. I just refused to pay apple 50 bucks for an audio cable. I'm sorry, I didn't pay closer attention to your link. Even with this apple cable, you will have charging issues unless you are using an apple wall charger or a "made for iphone" car adapter to USB.

I have an iphone car to USB adapter I'm using now to keep it charged, and I just plan to solder 2 leads to it, hard wire it to 12v, and stick it behind the dash somewhere. The way I figure it, for $150 ($99 for the ProClip setup and $50 for the cable) I'll have a charging dock with audio & video output.

Now I just need to figure out how to interface the video output from the cable to the NAV screen. Does anyone have a pinout diagram for the NAV unit?

I wonder why no aftermarket companies have created interface units for the '04-'07 CTS NAVs? I did find one for an '08, but that's no help ....

Thomas.

 

[V for Vendetta]

Hey guys, here's the deal:

You CAN get video into the unit, designed specifically for backup cam, but you can send any video into it----well, I can. I need the nav unit. I am thinking about using mine as a core and modding it, then charging a core fee for an o.e.m. replacement. Since this is what I do for a living I can not disclose the modifications necessary to perform this, but we are at about a 10 day turn around right now on these projects. I normally sell this mod for $650, but I will pass it on to "family" members for $550 plus s&h. The first person to have this mod done on this forum I will take $50 off the price plus cover the return shipping, so you can unbiasedly review the interface and installation and function. I believe I am still too new on the forum to receive PMs, but you can feel free to email me directly @ [email protected].

We use a DICE dock for all iPod iPhone products, these are very sweet and slick looking if you prefer a dockable solution. They have a female iPod connection, so you can use it with all iPod interface cables, even the oem cables. If you are using an iPhone I would suggest the dock so you can see who is calling. Personally, I installed a USASpec iPod interface and a Sirius-direct tuner and I love it.

If you have an existing iPod adapter installed in your vehicle we offer an interface adaptor that has a female iPod end and a male end, which converts the firewire to usb charging, very clean and it simply plugs in.

We are a full service auto integration shop located in NC.

check out our BETA (under reconstruction) site at www.goautosoundnc.com to learn more about us and the products and services we provide.

I am in the process of tearing down my V for a full a/v integration system. This will be a fairly slow process because I am doing this for myself.

I know a lot of guys on the forum are trying to get video in, and we have your solution. I will always offer discounts on both products and services for my fellow CTS-V owners because I have learned a lot about the car from many different people, and appreciate the knowledge.

Glad to be of help,

Robb.

 

[stinkpalm]

Awesome, V for Vendetta, thats great your offering a solution for video in, thx! Too bad the price is way to rich for me, but I understand the work involved warrants the price. If it ever gets down to $225-250 I'm in for sure. Its just at the mentioned price point, I would rather get a usb touchscreen and backup camera, etc for same price. Shoot Im sure Im headed that way anyhow since Im about to get a netbook

 

[mikes2nd]

i would shoot for Windows Mobile with bluetooth... Save yourself a ton of work.

Go get a Samsung Omnia or HTC

 

[68buggy]

V for Vendetta - I'm weighing cost benefit options.......

If you are a full service A/V shop, then how can I upgrade the headunit in the V and still retain the factory communications for chimes and the messages that are normally displayed on the NAV?

I've seen the swaps that leave a 1/2 functioning standard CTS radio LCD - RE: Cadillac FAQ, but that still seems a little haugepauged to me.

I think if there's a way to keep the DIC information with an upgraded head unit - you will find a waiting list of people for the mod!!! I just don't know that 550 bucks will cut it for a novelty on a mediocre at best head unit. I'm all ears for any options / ideas?

What is your plan for a total rework of your V?


SORRY FOR THE HIJACK, but it's remotely related?

 

[Stoopalini]

I agree, $500 is a bit steep for just wanting a video input. I think I'll continue my search for a DIY option here. I'm sure the display's video signal can be interrupted somewhere, it's just a matter of where and what format.

It seems sharing that type of information wouldn't really impact potential sales of your product, as the profile of a target customer willing to pay $500+ for something like this is usually the type who is not comfortable hacking their interior, soldering, moding, etc ... that's why they pay a premium for things like this.

Thomas.

 

[nikon]

Any more details of how the video input works?? does it completely take over the screen like most kits do...or would it act like it was an integral part of the nav...say for instance act like the euro tv option?? and is this a part that can be removed if the nav unit fails and has to be replaced under warranty? or is it an actual 'mod' to the circuitry?

 

[Stoopalini]

Wow, I just learned more about the video system in our cars than I ever thought I would! This Thread has a LOT of details, and I hope they come to a resolution eventually.

I would just like to see a composite video input with a manual switch for iPhone input, but these guys are trying to do something much more complex than that.

Thomas.

 

[Stoopalini]

Well, I received my ProClip dock today and thought I would give an update. The dock installed in about 3 minutes, very nice piece. I was worried it would interfere with reverse, but it doesn't. I ended up getting proclip part # 915255, which doesn't have a psas-through connector. It's the one which allows you to use your own cable. Right now, I'm using just a standard charge cable, but plan to get the Apple A/V cable sometime this week.

More to come later as I work through the integration.

Thomas.

 

[HeavyH20]

I too am researching how to approach the CTS-V with an iPod integration. I installed a setup in my old car that I want to emulate, functionally, in the V. The DICE dock is very nice, but I modify the use a little, and mount it on a custom made mount. KUDA (www.kudausa.com) has some nice dock mountss that work well with the interior. The example in the CX-7 we have:

The pics on their site are actually of my car. I have since switched the iPod used for a video one to play movies out to the dual rear headrest monitors. I want to do something similar in the V, but also get the video to the front monitor. This setup worked well with the power adapter for the iPhone. Very easy to manage the kids movies.

 

[Stoopalini]

the Kuda mount looks interesting. I ended up going with the proclip due to it's small footprint and also because I did not have to make any mounting holes. It just clip on to the bezel. Also, my wife's 06 SRX has the same bezel, so on long trips with the kids I can move it over very easily.

As for video to the front display, that's the real challenge here.

Thomas.

 

[JD03Cobra]

That Pro Clip looks nice! Looking forward to more of your review!!

 

[HeavyH20]

I picked up the Kuda kit, no drilling necessary (no mounting holes). There is a simple squeeze clip for the screw on the lower side that has a piece of metal that mounts behind the stock trim. Mounts in about 10 minutes. I also picked up the USA Spec adapter (PA11-VETTE) and 5V cable (for iPod touch/phone). It is backwards compatible and works with older iPods, as well. Still researching the DVD integration part. The pics are with my iPhone in place playing a track (you can switch between full control and hybrid control with a push of a button). Full control has the "device attached" status and sends the song title and artist to the XM interface. The hybrid "direct" mode lets you control the ipod with the controls or the iPod and shows the tracks, etc. I also used a Dice dock. Simple clip in and out with no exposed cables.

The Pro Clip looks interesting, as well. But, since I had the DICE cradle already, I opted to use it for the new install.