How To Integrate A 7" Tablet To Your E46 Sound System

I,ve done the carpenter thing before but just fancied a change

With your tablet you can do even more android has mush more for car compareD to blackberry

Hi guys, I'm new here and am about to pick up a 330cd on Sunday to replace my beloved Subaru.

I've been reading up on threads like this with interest but there's something about the http://www.bmdroid.co.nz/ build that I just don't get:

Why use the Grom interface when you could just use a cable to connect the tablet's 3.5mm output socket to a head unit's RCA inputs? Then you just use the channel on the stereo that's for the RCA input, rather than this method involving the CD Changer channel. It's possible I'm totally missing something here, hence my asking!

I'm planning to install one myself with such a cable. I'm debating a signal booster between the tablet and head unit, but not made my mind up yet.

For my intended install, I'm toying with relocating the head unit's fascia panel to the glovebox or somewhere else to retain some of the head unit's functions. I'll install a 4G wifi modem in the car to provide both the tablet and passengers with wifi access and will hook it up with a USB socket around the ashtray area. The socket will be cabled to the tablet's micro USB. This will allow me to easily hook up a laptop if I want to move any media on or off the tablet's storage and it means I can let the battery charge down a bit sometimes, which is essential for its health._nr_

Originally Posted by joey2cool

Whats up fellas here is a great DIY that Dan from BMDroid did on his E46. In this DIY he explains how he integrated a 7" tablet into his existing car stereo so he could have an infotainment system. It sure is a whole lot cheaper than buying the Dynavin unit I believe the total cost was around $400 or so im not sure maybe cheaper, anyways here is the link to his DIY page enjoy and don't forget to make a donation to him if you use his method. http://www.bmdroid.co.nz/

I'm new on here and have been reading these kinds of threads with interest. I plan to do an install myself using a Nexus 7 tablet, and a 4G wifi modem so that both the tablet and passengers have wireless internet access inside the car

Now, one thing I really don't understand with this install is why does he use the GROM adapter? Why would you not just use a 3.5mm to RCA connector and play the tablet through the head unit that way?

Wouldn't it be easier to mount the radio in the glove box rather than taking it apart??

I'm doing this same thing with a Nexus 7 and my Mazda Rx-7

Still in the design and build process...

The post I wrote last night never appeared so I wrote another. Now they're both there ! Wah!

bump

Originally Posted by Jay Cartay

Hi guys, I'm new here and am about to pick up a 330cd on Sunday to replace my beloved Subaru.

I've been reading up on threads like this with interest but there's something about the http://www.bmdroid.co.nz/ build that I just don't get:

Why use the Grom interface when you could just use a cable to connect the tablet's 3.5mm output socket to a head unit's RCA inputs? Then you just use the channel on the stereo that's for the RCA input, rather than this method involving the CD Changer channel. It's possible I'm totally missing something here, hence my asking!

I'm planning to install one myself with such a cable. I'm debating a signal booster between the tablet and head unit, but not made my mind up yet.

For my intended install, I'm toying with relocating the head unit's fascia panel to the glovebox or somewhere else to retain some of the head unit's functions. I'll install a 4G wifi modem in the car to provide both the tablet and passengers with wifi access and will hook it up with a USB socket around the ashtray area. The socket will be cabled to the tablet's micro USB. This will allow me to easily hook up a laptop if I want to move any media on or off the tablet's storage and it means I can let the battery charge down a bit sometimes, which is essential for its health._nr_

You might find that BMW headunit does not support RCA or AUX input (depending on the year of the manufacture). The only E46 bmw headunits that could do AUX input are CD46 models build after 2003 if i am not mistaken.

I didn't want to go through the pain of spending time and money and installing an aftermarket headunit and loose the volume control on the multifunction steering wheel, that is why i decided to put it the sound through the original bmw headunit and to do that you need GROM audio box or similar interface that emulates CD changer.

Hope it explains it and hope i provided some good info to all of you who considered doing the same thing in their cars and your projects are going well.

Cheers,

BMDROID_nr_

Hi, residential over-thinker here. So where or what step allows us to get the steering wheel control function? I bought the car with an after market HU and the steering controls don't work. I guess it is entirely possible I have the module back there and the HU doesn't support it. Is there any way I could verify short of pulling it down?

and I see the GROM wire you used. What's the difference between that and this setup that mounts behind the radio?
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_a...sb2p-bmws.html
It seems like this offers a lot of redundant features that we'd be getting with the tablet install.

which is apparently different from this module that mounts in the trunk which apparently I need if I have DSP. I know it's labeled in the trunk but I'm away from the car right now and will be for the next 2 weeks. I know that i have an e46 330 with premium package and H&K set up
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_a...sb2p-bmwt.html

also what if we wanted to add bluetooth to the tablet set up or a voice recognition device granted our tablet supported that? How would I go about accomplishing this

I know we're playing sound through the CD player mode of the stock radio but in my experience auxiliary port audio has been significantly lesser quality. The GROM setup boasts of 18 bit sound quality which apparently is better than CD player. I don't know enough to call b.s on that or not.

I'm definitely going this route because DYNAVIN is way over priced for getting a software that's as out of date as it is. One thing I am hesitant about is downgrading in sound quality going from my Alpine IDA-X100. It'd be nice to have steering wheel functions and bluetooth setup though._nr_

Hi, residential over-thinker here. So where or what step allows us to get the steering wheel control function? I bought the car with an after market HU and the steering controls don't work. I guess it is entirely possible I have the module back there and the HU doesn't support it. Is there any way I could verify short of pulling it down?

From my limited knowledge of aftermarket HUs and BMWs - if you install aftermarket HU - you will loose the steering wheel controls. My best suggestion for you to ask your local car audio shop to see if they have a solution for that.

Also if you are saying that you have HK in your car - you should not be worried about the sound quality as HK sounds really good.

Moreover with tablet setup you will not be using your headunit much at all because it will be hidden behind the tablet, although it depends on how you will set it up.

and I see the GROM wire you used. What's the difference between that and this setup that mounts behind the radio?
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_a...sb2p-bmws.html
It seems like this offers a lot of redundant features that we'd be getting with the tablet install.

which is apparently different from this module that mounts in the trunk which apparently I need if I have DSP. I know it's labeled in the trunk but I'm away from the car right now and will be for the next 2 weeks. I know that i have an e46 330 with premium package and H&K set up
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_a...sb2p-bmwt.html

I am not sure why they suggest using a trunk cable if you have DSP. I think the boxes will be absolutely the same in terms of hardware. When i was doing my project i wished i had the in-dash mounting option for the GROM box because lifting the carpet and running an audio cable all the way down into the trunk was quite fiddly.
Use your vehicle's VIN to find out if you have DSP or not, although generally if there is an aftermarket HU - i doubt that you have DSP.

also what if we wanted to add bluetooth to the tablet set up or a voice recognition device granted our tablet supported that? How would I go about accomplishing this

Most tablets have BT. All you need is a microphone or a cable that is 3.5 4pole that splices into 3.5 3pole stereo and 3.5 2pole mic. I think ebay has some of them.

I know we're playing sound through the CD player mode of the stock radio but in my experience auxiliary port audio has been significantly lesser quality. The GROM setup boasts of 18 bit sound quality which apparently is better than CD player. I don't know enough to call b.s on that or not.

To me the sound quality is really good - plenty of bass and very clear and i dont even have HK.

I'm definitely going this route because DYNAVIN is way over priced for getting a software that's as out of date as it is. One thing I am hesitant about is downgrading in sound quality going from my Alpine IDA-X100. It'd be nice to have steering wheel functions and bluetooth setup though._nr_

I dont think you will downgrade the sound quality if you were to install original HU and you will gain steering wheel button controls. You can just simply get a BMW Business cassette HU from a wrecker for cheap - it should plug straight in just watch out for the correct 17 or 40 pin plug on the end of HU, assuming whoever installed aftermarket HU did not destroy or cut off the original HU connector. That way you can try the sound quality and take it from there.

Good luck.