Dude, I can't believe you got the steering wheel controls working as well. That is easily the cleanest and best install of a tablet into a car I've seen yet.
you've never seen Soundman Car Audio, been doing this since 2010 with the first iPad in a car. He's also done cleaner Android tablet installs as well. ua-cam.com/video/rSnIXfoSU6I/v-deo.html
crap. i had a kid do my radio in one car and it quit working like a year later. this was a hack job. the asshole grounded it with a penny like he was smooth for one hing. let a pro do it or do it yourself but dont let some kid fuck up your unit.
+Roberto Moreno These kinds of mods have been around for a while now. Don't know if he really made this set up all by him self or used bits of other projects..but yeah he's definitely smart
Update (6/16/2015): I have gotten a lot of PMs and questions on the specifics of this project and lots of people with issues like hiss and crappy audio. This should help you solve some issues. I will also include an Amazon link to a list of major components for this project. KEEP IN MIND, this information may vary year to year, model to model. For example, in 2002 they switched the radio harness on BMWs. Do your own research! First thing first, Lots of people have been asking about the software I used on the tablet. I chose to omit this info because I figured people would want to customize their tablet the way they like. The ROM I was using in that video is called AutoDroid. A ROM is basically like an operating system and AutoDroid is a derivative of android that has been optimized for use as a head-unit. The ROM contains all the software needed to turn the tablet on and off with the key along with power management features to keep the battery over long periods of time. There are SO MANY tutorials on how to flash a ROM on a nexus device alone; Google is your friend here. The interface I use is made up of a custom wall paper and invisible widgets. When you click the widget it brings you to the app that is labeled on the wallpaper. I used an App from the play store called "Desktop Virtualizer" to do this along with a transparent .PNG. There is also a new app that is set out to emulate Google's Android Auto on any android device. Do your own homework here. I've also gotten lots of people with audio issues and I was puzzled until my car developed the same issue. I tried a noise filter but that was total garbage. While it did reduce the noise it also made the audio trash and I began to get humming noise from the alternator and the LCM. I narrowed it down to a crappy pre-amp that was causing all sorts of ground loops. The solution is super simple and it is what I should have done at the start. This DAC: www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3H9T5P2TAQJYN&coliid=I3E8DG5A9HHLNZ is FANTASTIC for this application. It has a built in pre-amp and the audio quality is so much better than the beringer that it is on a whole new level. Buy this and you make your life a lot simpler. To use this DAC you will also need an adapter to go from RCA to a 3.5mm headphone jack, as this is a headphone amp. It even has a Bass Switch to increase the bass cleanly with hardware, not though software. Adapter: www.amazon.com/dp/B000J1H4VI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3H9T5P2TAQJYN&coliid=IX6Z0NLDGT724&psc=1 . Next up is an issue that I faced and only recently conquered. I kept on waking up to a dead tablet in the morning. You have to make sure that you use a charger that can support the amperage requirements of the tablet. I would go 3 amp @ 5v to be safe. Be sure to enable fast-charging in the settings. Lots of people have been having trouble with the Joycon. Please read the manual that comes with it before asking questions. It's OK to ask questions, its not OK to be lazy and expect me to hand this to you when you haven't even read the manual. The gist is that you have to hook up the I-Bus line, configure it with a computer, and then possibly adjust a few switches on the unit itself. I did also learn that it is NOT necessary to provide 12v power to the Joycon, it is perfectly happy running off 5v USB power. And you MUST use a Joycon EXD. It is 2x the price of the EXR for a reason; it is compatible with digital steering wheel controls while the other ones are not. This is my basic parts list: amzn.com/w/3H9T5P2TAQJYN E46 Bezel: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=e46+double+din+bezel&_frs=1 Your experience may vary based on your car, model, and year. Do your homework! You likely WILL have to re-pin the adapter for the wiring harness if you plan to use steering wheel controls. Make sure to verify that ALL pins are in the correct locations before starting this with a correct wiring diagram. Back up cameras are possible with this setup. There is some info on the AutoDroid thread over at XDA Devs and around the web. You basically use the camera and an EasyCap. When you put the car in reverse it launches a camera app and voila. Not quite sure on the specifics of this one but you can check this out on your own. For FM radio you want to get an SDR, or Software Defined Radio, USB unit for a couple bucks. You should receive an antenna with this. I found out the the plug for the antenna matches the plug on the E46 antenna cable. Just cut the cable off of the included antenna, solder the cut end to the circuit board of the SDR unit and plug the end of the cable into the factory antenna connector. Secure this with electrical tape and be sure to solder the cable correctly so you don't get interference. Then you can plug it in to the hub and use the app from the play store. Be sure to test your unit beforehand. Again your experience my vary based on your particular car. SDR Unit: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=sdr&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1312.R1.TR10.TRC1.A0.H0.Xrtl.TRS1&_nkw=rtl2832u&_sacat=0 Finally, this is not a replacement for something like an Enon or Dynavin on an AVIN unit. This is priced much much lower and as a result lacks the R&D along with some features like Bluetooth integration and a pre-built interface. If you would rather drop $700 on an AVIN then this is not the DIY for you. This build cost me less than $250 and most of that was for the Tablet($50), DAC($75) and Joycon ($85). Be realistic with your expectations. This IS the DIY for someone that wants a cool and cheap replacement for a stock head-unit; be creative and make it your own. This is just a guide and nothing is set in stone. Thanks to all the people that watched, commented, and liked. Be sure to check out my Facebook page and other social media pages! Links are in the description. If you own an E46 BMW check out the forum post in the description. Lots of good info there.
Bavarian and Beyond I wonder if the glue will still hold on when its 40+ degrees Celcius (100+ degrees Fahrenheit) inside the car. I've had some other things glued together but on a very hot day it would loosen. Do you have this problem and/or experience?
Nathan Mathon It's been well beyond that in my car and it has held up for over a year now. No issues with mounting, and it is still easy to remove from the car(as opposed to using something like epoxy).
+Bavarian and Beyond What was the upgraded DAC you replaced the Behringer with? I seen in a few different placed you recommend a different DAC+AMP combo (Headphone Dac/amp), and link it to amazon, but never said the name of the upgraded dac, and the amazon link is dead. Quote from your writeup "This DAC:www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00 is FANTASTIC for this application. It has a built in pre-amp and the audio quality is so much better than the beringer"
Anyone that says "Kids these days don't have any imagination" Needs to watch this video... You sir, are an inspiration. I don't have a BMW, so most of this isn't useful information for me, but I'm impressed with how you imagined and then built, troubleshot, and refined the system.
I just wanted to say I enjoyed watching your video. I had been thinking of installing my Samsung tablet in my car for a while, and now I have a great template on what I'll need to research and purchase for the install. I appreciate the fact that you take pride in your workmanship. You go the extra mile with the sauder and the heat shrink tubing. You don't see many people do such a clean professional looking install even when they're getting paid for it.
Great video. I can tell this was a lot of work. Just a quick comment: twist stranded wire together THEN solder them. I get what you did by tinning then first but tinning is only good for when you're attaching wires to a terminal, as you did. Twisting the two sets of stranded first then soldering makes it actually easier to solder and makes for a better connection.
Finally someone on UA-cam that works to the same standard as me. If it can't go back to original then it's a rubbish job. I see far to many people hacking and splicing wires that can't be replaced.
Is the music that plays while the tablet is being hot glued the same music in MKBHD's intro animation? Bonus: If the car is compatible, you could get a $12 OBDII bluetooth code scanner and link it to the tablet. It would let you read your car's computer error codes for when your check engine light is on and help you find out why, as well as see real-time information, such as speed, rpms, and other things that your car's ECU monitors while in operation.
Wow! That's the most intelligent car upgrade and up-grader I've ever seen. The way you combined simple skills, out of the box thinking, planing and research to achieve such a high lever of attention to detail is inspiring. My hat's of to you!
in your thread regarding the Bluetooth integration, what i did was use tablet talk. It paired my phone to the tablet and then i can use the tablet to make phone calls from my phone. Then using the Joycon i mapped my SWC to double as android shortcuts on the long presses.. ie Home Button, Back button, screen on/off and Launch Google now, so i had voice commands from my steering wheel.
I'm sorry but even after 20 years I still have to say that the E46 has one of the best looking dash designs ever made! I almost bought a used E46 (2001 328i) way back in 2004 and even back then I was simply blown away by the design of the dash with the nav screen in the middle. The dash also has a really cool 3d effect as the entire black part projects above the dash along the borders (near the windshield), if you know what I'm trying to say. The car I was test driving also had the upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system and I remember it easily being the best sounding stock system I had ever heard back then! While I really loved the look of the nav system in the E46, the actual graphics and software look horrendous by today's standards, so this mod you did really is almost a necessity for anyone buying an old E46 with nav nowadays. Looks fantastic!
what app suite do you use ? also, how do you connect your phone for hand free communication on the tablet ? how is your phone is handle by the tablet, dialing, adress book, answer/hangup your phone ? Could you stream music from your phone to the tablet ?
Love that this is a tech video and the music around 5:30 and 25:00 is the music intro to the MKBHD videos. Very good video, and I might try this myself
Fuck mkbhd I used to love him but now he's gone all far left, like he did a shout-out to gay pride month, and he did an entire video about black lives matter and how he's secretly a victim, and the world is out to get him, and America is a bad country, I hate him now
Man, it is not only awesome work, but also perfect video editing and amazing music. Everything very accurate, I bed you upgraded dozens of cars already :)
Props for keeping all the info together. Looking through my service history, way back in 2005 the owner took it to a place car audio shop for a "professional backyard" install of a kenwood 1 din unit. 3 junction blocks used as joiners, exposed wires, weird bootleg duct tape. Rats nest wiring that takes up so much room the headunit can't even push all the way into place lol. Handy having the wire colours listed to their outputs. Thanks :)
You Sir.. have won the internet for the year. Well done at being so clever, I plan to install an Android OR an iPad into a Renault, can't afford Beamers in Turkey, their service is just too expensive.
I wonder what percentage of people that watched this video actually attempted it. I consider myself pretty technical, and I even have a spare Nexus 7, but I'd never try something this complex.
DiehlGames i have no electrical skills whats so ever but basic soldering skills and I just followed his instructions and I was able to pull it off its just patience and critical listen
+DiehlGames One thing I wonder is how will the tablet screen and battery handle the extreme temperature in the summer and winter, maybe it would be a good idea to use a all-weather certified tablet?
in all honesty, i didnt expect much at first, one the project started coming together, its quite impressive, i night have to give it a shot, thanks for the video and the know how!
this is brilliant! I bought a new stereo for my E39 and got frustrated with the wiring harness included, that required me to access the nav controls and amp in the trunk. I eventually gave and put the stereo in my Tacoma instead. LOL But I do like this custom install and do have an old tablet lying around that would likely work. thanx for the upload. time to brush up on the soldering skills.
Bodzio W Type "fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0" in fastboot mode. Now if the tablet is completly turned off, it will boot if you plugin a charging cable.
That's exactly what I don't understand in these projects. I like it so much and I want to do it myself but do anyone know if it's possible to have the tablet turning on and off with the engine? o.O
Yes +POKLU you can use an app called Automagic, and you can set up to turn on airplane mode when car is shut off, or completely turn off tablet and a bunch of other triggers.
nice build, I did something like this a while ago, I chose to wrap my tablet in tinfoil and fiberglass a holster for it to the faceplate, worked pretty well. couldn't get around the battery dying on me though and requiring manual power up. eventually decided it lacked too many things I wanted
+Dennis Leslie For FM radio you want to get an SDR, or Software Defined Radio, USB unit for a couple bucks. You should receive an antenna with this. I found out the the plug for the antenna matches the plug on the E46 antenna cable. Just cut the cable off of the included antenna, solder the cut end to the circuit board of the SDR unit and plug the end of the cable into the factory antenna connector. Secure this with electrical tape and be sure to solder the cable correctly so you don't get interference. Then you can plug it in to the hub and use the app from the play store. Be sure to test your unit beforehand. Again your experience my vary based on your particular car.
I agree benajmin, all this work and money is not worth it when it's cheaper to buy a double din radio with app for nav. this project is approx $300+ if it was less than $200 I am working on a prototype to mirror phone directly for less than $200 for any car. Goal price $150.
+jgmacho This young man seems to have a lot of technical know how and talent. This is am praising him for the video was good in its content and subject matter. My only issue is that with all of the nexuses capabilities and the limits of the cars app interface this is a lot of work for nothing when leaving the original stereo in or upgrading to a far better stereo would be easier and less labor intensive. I am not at all faulting this young man in his skills set, just the method of deployment for this application.
your right he is smart for his age about that stuff, I actually have an e46 like his. this is cheaper than the alternative for a bmw platform. for cars in general...no
+Benjamin Williams Obviously all of the other functions of the tablet still work. Google maps navigation can be used offline, Google Music will automatically sync and download songs when connected to wifi, and FM radio via SDR is implemented (just to name a few). Using an open source platform like Android gives you more flexibility than any other solution. You can customize the tablet however you see fit. Not to mention that most aftermarket stereos are laggy, poorly built, look ugly/cheap, and have zero options for customization. Being limited on video run-time made it difficult to do a full demo of what the tablet can do and I have more information available if you follow the link in the video description.
I recommend using some small black rubber tubing, split down one side, to line the plastic edge that touches the tablet screen. This makes the trimming a little more forgiving - small gaps become unnoticible, and will eliminate any possible squeaks that might happen with vibration of the plastic against the glass.
i loved the way the it looked so factory, i wasn't aware that you could add steering wheel functionality to the tablet, im opting for a grom usb3 for my e90 though because i have the worlds worst soldering skills lol great video, do one for e90 if you get a chance
at 7 mins and 05 seconds i stopped watching because the voice and the music were at different levels and i cant stand having to turn up the volume to hear you and turn it down when music plays
I have been searching for a way to put a tough screen on a headliner shelf in my 85 chevy truck. I think what you have outlined will fit exactly what I am trying to do.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video - obviously it doesn't show how to do this for every car - but the fundamentals are there [I'm getting all sorts of mad scientist ideas for my 2004 Scion xB]. NB for watchers: If this is too hard to follow then maybe you shouldn't be tearing your dash apart :)
While I agree with other people in that it is a nice looking install, it is very complicated for the average person and more expensive than the cost of a quality head unit that will also give you FM if you still use it. There are simpler and less expensive alternatives. For example, most newer cars have steering wheel controls for volume so you can keep the factory stereo and slide it back a few inches. This will give you room to install the tablet in the same location as in the video or you can find on youtube other videos that have slide out options to make the tablet removable. Since most stereos have an auxiliary port, you can buy on ebay a bluetooth dongle that has auxiliary output for less than 10 dollars. the tablet will connect to the dongle with bluetooth and just run the auxiliary cable to the stereo. If you go with the slideout option, you can access the stereo to listen to FM radio. If you want internet on the tablet, just setup tethering on your smartphone and connect the tablet to the phone. I would go into more detail, but this comment is long enough.
What a great video. Well done. be proud of yourself on this install man. At this point im interested in learning more about the integration on the software end.
+Mario Delgado Serrano Why wouldn't you be able to use GPS or handsfree bluetooth? The tablet didn't lose any functions when he installed it to his car.
+ISuckAtFlashGames I was refering to use the bluetooht installation of the car. I have the original bluetooth device in my car, and I want to make calls trought it ussing even the steering well buttons with this installation.
Congrats bro you are very talented! I loved your video except for 2 things: image quality and musical choices :D but you did a very good job. Congrats again
Great video, keep up the good work!I'm still debating whether to put a Tablet, Garmin GPS unit, or some kind of double DIN entertainment/Nav system into my truck. Your video makes me lean toward tablet, although I still have much to learn about their capability. Nice job!
Awesome job! It looks and performs great. I want to do the same thing to my 540i. Appreciate the detailed explanation of each step. Great how-to video.
great video. If you have spare time and spare tablet I would do this but you can simply buy an android car stereo for $100 -200 some. Most of them are loaded with dvd and backup camera.
Dude, I can't believe you got the steering wheel controls working as well. That is easily the cleanest and best install of a tablet into a car I've seen yet.
you've never seen Soundman Car Audio, been doing this since 2010 with the first iPad in a car. He's also done cleaner Android tablet installs as well.
ua-cam.com/video/rSnIXfoSU6I/v-deo.html
crap. i had a kid do my radio in one car and it quit working like a year later. this was a hack job. the asshole grounded it with a penny like he was smooth for one hing. let a pro do it or do it yourself but dont let some kid fuck up your unit.
This is the best video on the web so far regarding this!!
Is it just me or what cuz this guy is smart as hell
+Roberto Moreno These kinds of mods have been around for a while now. Don't know if he really made this set up all by him self or used bits of other projects..but yeah he's definitely smart
anything another man can do you can do my friend with the right resources and determination
Roberto Moreno ...it's not were all just dumd as fuck
I think the kid did a hell of a diy
Update (6/16/2015):
I have gotten a lot of PMs and questions on the specifics of this project and lots of people with issues like hiss and crappy audio. This should help you solve some issues. I will also include an Amazon link to a list of major components for this project.
KEEP IN MIND, this information may vary year to year, model to model. For example, in 2002 they switched the radio harness on BMWs. Do your own research!
First thing first, Lots of people have been asking about the software I used on the tablet. I chose to omit this info because I figured people would want to customize their tablet the way they like. The ROM I was using in that video is called AutoDroid. A ROM is basically like an operating system and AutoDroid is a derivative of android that has been optimized for use as a head-unit. The ROM contains all the software needed to turn the tablet on and off with the key along with power management features to keep the battery over long periods of time. There are SO MANY tutorials on how to flash a ROM on a nexus device alone; Google is your friend here. The interface I use is made up of a custom wall paper and invisible widgets. When you click the widget it brings you to the app that is labeled on the wallpaper. I used an App from the play store called "Desktop Virtualizer" to do this along with a transparent .PNG. There is also a new app that is set out to emulate Google's Android Auto on any android device. Do your own homework here.
I've also gotten lots of people with audio issues and I was puzzled until my car developed the same issue. I tried a noise filter but that was total garbage. While it did reduce the noise it also made the audio trash and I began to get humming noise from the alternator and the LCM. I narrowed it down to a crappy pre-amp that was causing all sorts of ground loops. The solution is super simple and it is what I should have done at the start. This DAC: www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3H9T5P2TAQJYN&coliid=I3E8DG5A9HHLNZ is FANTASTIC for this application. It has a built in pre-amp and the audio quality is so much better than the beringer that it is on a whole new level. Buy this and you make your life a lot simpler. To use this DAC you will also need an adapter to go from RCA to a 3.5mm headphone jack, as this is a headphone amp. It even has a Bass Switch to increase the bass cleanly with hardware, not though software. Adapter: www.amazon.com/dp/B000J1H4VI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3H9T5P2TAQJYN&coliid=IX6Z0NLDGT724&psc=1 .
Next up is an issue that I faced and only recently conquered. I kept on waking up to a dead tablet in the morning. You have to make sure that you use a charger that can support the amperage requirements of the tablet. I would go 3 amp @ 5v to be safe. Be sure to enable fast-charging in the settings.
Lots of people have been having trouble with the Joycon. Please read the manual that comes with it before asking questions. It's OK to ask questions, its not OK to be lazy and expect me to hand this to you when you haven't even read the manual. The gist is that you have to hook up the I-Bus line, configure it with a computer, and then possibly adjust a few switches on the unit itself. I did also learn that it is NOT necessary to provide 12v power to the Joycon, it is perfectly happy running off 5v USB power. And you MUST use a Joycon EXD. It is 2x the price of the EXR for a reason; it is compatible with digital steering wheel controls while the other ones are not.
This is my basic parts list: amzn.com/w/3H9T5P2TAQJYN
E46 Bezel: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=e46+double+din+bezel&_frs=1
Your experience may vary based on your car, model, and year. Do your homework!
You likely WILL have to re-pin the adapter for the wiring harness if you plan to use steering wheel controls. Make sure to verify that ALL pins are in the correct locations before starting this with a correct wiring diagram.
Back up cameras are possible with this setup. There is some info on the AutoDroid thread over at XDA Devs and around the web. You basically use the camera and an EasyCap. When you put the car in reverse it launches a camera app and voila. Not quite sure on the specifics of this one but you can check this out on your own.
For FM radio you want to get an SDR, or Software Defined Radio, USB unit for a couple bucks. You should receive an antenna with this. I found out the the plug for the antenna matches the plug on the E46 antenna cable. Just cut the cable off of the included antenna, solder the cut end to the circuit board of the SDR unit and plug the end of the cable into the factory antenna connector. Secure this with electrical tape and be sure to solder the cable correctly so you don't get interference. Then you can plug it in to the hub and use the app from the play store. Be sure to test your unit beforehand. Again your experience my vary based on your particular car. SDR Unit: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=sdr&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1312.R1.TR10.TRC1.A0.H0.Xrtl.TRS1&_nkw=rtl2832u&_sacat=0
Finally, this is not a replacement for something like an Enon or Dynavin on an AVIN unit. This is priced much much lower and as a result lacks the R&D along with some features like Bluetooth integration and a pre-built interface. If you would rather drop $700 on an AVIN then this is not the DIY for you. This build cost me less than $250 and most of that was for the Tablet($50), DAC($75) and Joycon ($85). Be realistic with your expectations. This IS the DIY for someone that wants a cool and cheap replacement for a stock head-unit; be creative and make it your own. This is just a guide and nothing is set in stone.
Thanks to all the people that watched, commented, and liked. Be sure to check out my Facebook page and other social media pages! Links are in the description. If you own an E46 BMW check out the forum post in the description. Lots of good info there.
Bavarian and Beyond I wonder if the glue will still hold on when its 40+ degrees Celcius (100+ degrees Fahrenheit) inside the car. I've had some other things glued together but on a very hot day it would loosen. Do you have this problem and/or experience?
Nathan Mathon It's been well beyond that in my car and it has held up for over a year now. No issues with mounting, and it is still easy to remove from the car(as opposed to using something like epoxy).
Bavarian and Beyond Thanks for the quick response. Good to hear, i'm going to build the exact same module on my E46 2003 318i. Very good DIY!
+Bavarian and Beyond What was the upgraded DAC you replaced the Behringer with?
I seen in a few different placed you recommend a different DAC+AMP combo (Headphone Dac/amp), and link it to amazon, but never said the name of the upgraded dac, and the amazon link is dead.
Quote from your writeup
"This DAC:www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00 is FANTASTIC for this application. It has a built in pre-amp and the audio quality is so much better than the beringer"
+TwiTch amzn.com/w/3H9T5P2TAQJYN%0AE46
Its on the parts list.
Anyone that says "Kids these days don't have any imagination" Needs to watch this video...
You sir, are an inspiration. I don't have a BMW, so most of this isn't useful information for me, but I'm impressed with how you imagined and then built, troubleshot, and refined the system.
who says today's youths aren't innovative? nice job man..
I just wanted to say I enjoyed watching your video. I had been thinking of installing my Samsung tablet in my car for a while, and now I have a great template on what I'll need to research and purchase for the install. I appreciate the fact that you take pride in your workmanship. You go the extra mile with the sauder and the heat shrink tubing. You don't see many people do such a clean professional looking install even when they're getting paid for it.
Don't even own a car. Still watched complete video. hehe
same
yeah, same here, and the worst part was that I was motivated to get myself a car just to give that one a try xD
Awesome video!
Jajajaja
hehexd
I own one but I'm too lazy to do this so I think I'm gonna stick with my good old push button stereo for now lmao
not sure what this says about me, if I need to watch more UA-cam videos or not but this is one of the most coolest mods I have ever seen.
Great video. I can tell this was a lot of work. Just a quick comment: twist stranded wire together THEN solder them. I get what you did by tinning then first but tinning is only good for when you're attaching wires to a terminal, as you did. Twisting the two sets of stranded first then soldering makes it actually easier to solder and makes for a better connection.
Finally someone on UA-cam that works to the same standard as me. If it can't go back to original then it's a rubbish job. I see far to many people hacking and splicing wires that can't be replaced.
Bro i must say. I salute you. I'm never gona be able to do this. I salute you
erwan tador I agree. I unfortuately does not have his high IQ,
By far and away, the best tutorial on installing a Nexus 7 as a media headunit. Well done!
Is the music that plays while the tablet is being hot glued the same music in MKBHD's intro animation?
Bonus: If the car is compatible, you could get a $12 OBDII bluetooth code scanner and link it to the tablet. It would let you read your car's computer error codes for when your check engine light is on and help you find out why, as well as see real-time information, such as speed, rpms, and other things that your car's ECU monitors while in operation.
Daniel McMurray it was mkbhd's old intro music
That's what the app called Torque is for. He has it installed on the tablet
aaaand now 26 minutes later I have come to realize how long the video is... oh well 26 minutes well spent! Your amazing man.
DUDE I FITTED THIS YESTERDAY
JUST GLUED IT TO MY WINDSCREEN
JOB DONE
Wow! That's the most intelligent car upgrade and up-grader I've ever seen. The way you combined simple skills, out of the box thinking, planing and research to achieve such a high lever of attention to detail is inspiring. My hat's of to you!
in your thread regarding the Bluetooth integration, what i did was use tablet talk. It paired my phone to the tablet and then i can use the tablet to make phone calls from my phone.
Then using the Joycon i mapped my SWC to double as android shortcuts on the long presses.. ie Home Button, Back button, screen on/off and Launch Google now, so i had voice commands from my steering wheel.
This sounds like a good idea. I'll look into it.
+Bavarian and Beyond how can i run the car speakers
Best diy tablet to car install I've seen. Great functionality AND professional cosmetics. well done!
MKBHD music :D
ealiev60 Deadmau5 ;)
Dey Anand what song by deadmau5?
I said the same thing
Svmson Oduor slow down, start over (extended)
great job putting it all together in a way that is easy to understand and apply elsewhere
What are you? A wizard?!
For real...
I know right!
Warlock
I'm sorry but even after 20 years I still have to say that the E46 has one of the best looking dash designs ever made! I almost bought a used E46 (2001 328i) way back in 2004 and even back then I was simply blown away by the design of the dash with the nav screen in the middle. The dash also has a really cool 3d effect as the entire black part projects above the dash along the borders (near the windshield), if you know what I'm trying to say. The car I was test driving also had the upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system and I remember it easily being the best sounding stock system I had ever heard back then! While I really loved the look of the nav system in the E46, the actual graphics and software look horrendous by today's standards, so this mod you did really is almost a necessity for anyone buying an old E46 with nav nowadays. Looks fantastic!
what app suite do you use ? also, how do you connect your phone for hand free communication on the tablet ? how is your phone is handle by the tablet, dialing, adress book, answer/hangup your phone ? Could you stream music from your phone to the tablet ?
Love that this is a tech video and the music around 5:30 and 25:00 is the music intro to the MKBHD videos. Very good video, and I might try this myself
LOL when the first started, I felt like I was watching an MKBHD video
Fuck mkbhd I used to love him but now he's gone all far left, like he did a shout-out to gay pride month, and he did an entire video about black lives matter and how he's secretly a victim, and the world is out to get him, and America is a bad country, I hate him now
Man, it is not only awesome work, but also perfect video editing and amazing music. Everything very accurate, I bed you upgraded dozens of cars already :)
5:57 I was expecting.... Hey what is up guys....MKBHD here and welcome to anoter video... xD
Props for keeping all the info together. Looking through my service history, way back in 2005 the owner took it to a place car audio shop for a "professional backyard" install of a kenwood 1 din unit. 3 junction blocks used as joiners, exposed wires, weird bootleg duct tape. Rats nest wiring that takes up so much room the headunit can't even push all the way into place lol. Handy having the wire colours listed to their outputs. Thanks :)
holy youre a fucking genius
+Defined Edits Defined!!!!
Risque hey
+Defined Edits I ruv you!
Risque
its great to know that you have improved the way it is installed, but ive been doing it since 2008
at 26:33 .. what app is he using to make the tablet display all that?
Derek Colwell It's a ROM called AutoDroid. More info here: forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-7/3g-development/rom-slim-kat-t2826317
ey its not getting direct sunlight so it should be fine
Car launcher pro
This guy has some skills . Good job.
What's the app your using at then to have the BMW interface gal
most comprehensive tutorial on youtube, well done.
It would be good if you could wire up a reversing camera.
Prob could be done
You Sir.. have won the internet for the year. Well done at being so clever, I plan to install an Android OR an iPad into a Renault, can't afford Beamers in Turkey, their service is just too expensive.
I wonder what percentage of people that watched this video actually attempted it. I consider myself pretty technical, and I even have a spare Nexus 7, but I'd never try something this complex.
DiehlGames i have no electrical skills whats so ever but basic soldering skills and I just followed his instructions and I was able to pull it off its just patience and critical listen
DiehlGames come on its not that complex, he explained step by step
This is why no one will remember your name.
+DiehlGames the hardest part is programming the iBus which isn't even that hard. basic solder skills is all you need.
+DiehlGames One thing I wonder is how will the tablet screen and battery handle the extreme temperature in the summer and winter, maybe it would be a good idea to use a all-weather certified tablet?
The best DIY video I've ever encountered....props!
Great info kid. Good job! Got yourself a new sub. Cheers.
Thank you for great video. I got an idea for my tablet installation. Hot glue unsticks at hot summer days. So I redid mounting using cable ties too.
What is the full name of the parts?
in all honesty, i didnt expect much at first, one the project started coming together, its quite impressive, i night have to give it a shot, thanks for the video and the know how!
IIRC All E46s, Harmon Kardon or not, have an amp from the factory.
Bavarian and Beyond question, why is it that everyone is saying use a 2013 model on the nexus and not the 2014?
Anthony Maduri Their is no 2014 model of Nexus 7
only e46 hifi and hk stereo's have factory amp. Default(Cheap base stereo models come without the factory amp)
Super high quality DIY. I learned a bunch about soldering in this.
MKBHD Theme Song!!!
this is brilliant! I bought a new stereo for my E39 and got frustrated with the wiring harness included, that required me to access the nav controls and amp in the trunk. I eventually gave and put the stereo in my Tacoma instead. LOL But I do like this custom install and do have an old tablet lying around that would likely work. thanx for the upload. time to brush up on the soldering skills.
What app did you put on the tablet that had the BMW logo?
Its ACUI :) Thank Me Later :P
+Phil Buck thanks Phill, I'm considering this app on my project.
This is such a great mod idea. Give new life to the E46's functionality options.
Hi! How can you simulate pressing hardware on/off button? Is it possible to turn on tablet plugging power via usb without pressing power button? How?
Bodzio W Type "fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0" in fastboot mode. Now if the tablet is completly turned off, it will boot if you plugin a charging cable.
Bodzio W USE TASKER
Bodzio W go to developer and select auto turn on when charging
@@dilda48 and what about turning it off :D sry noobs here
Have to hand it to the guy.. Awesome piece of work. Impressed!
How do u turn the tablet on since you can't access power button?
always have it on, if it turns off, u could take it out and put it back aigan
That's exactly what I don't understand in these projects. I like it so much and I want to do it myself but do anyone know if it's possible to have the tablet turning on and off with the engine? o.O
It is always on. Don't put a lockscreen on it. When it gets power from the charger, the screen turns on.
when you turn on acces tablet turns on :)
Yes +POKLU you can use an app called Automagic, and you can set up to turn on airplane mode when car is shut off, or completely turn off tablet and a bunch of other triggers.
one of the best videos on UA-cam
MKBHD sound fam
extremely professional video. some of the best on UA-cam. great job!
you should have gotten a cover for the nexus then glued it so you didn't have to actually glue the real tablet to it! 🤔
nice build, I did something like this a while ago, I chose to wrap my tablet in tinfoil and fiberglass a holster for it to the faceplate, worked pretty well. couldn't get around the battery dying on me though and requiring manual power up. eventually decided it lacked too many things I wanted
after all this cost over $160 you can get android 4.4 car audio stereo touch screen for Less what you pay
Where??? All the ones I have seen (the decent ones) are between $500 and $1000
Go on ebay look for car audio android 6.0
Cast $200 very nice one
www.ebay.com/itm/ATOTO-A6-Indash-2DIN-Android-Car-GPS-Stereo-Radio-2A-Charge-A6Y2721PB-Bluetooth/223144648527?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Its $135.(used). Here is the link. Quad core 1.5Ghz, 2GB, 32GB, Android 6.0
This was amazing to watch, sat on needles the whole movie. Greetz from sweden!
Sound Man have a kit
maxim vaillant Great kit if you have a spare 1000$ lol
hahaha lol
im prefare sound man
I'm not going to lie. This is amazing. You do some nice work. Great video.
Goodbye to AM/FM radio capability.
+Dennis Leslie Not true, read the link in the description for more info.
+Dennis Leslie why not use an app for am/fm radio on the tablet
+Dennis Leslie For FM radio you want to get an SDR, or Software Defined Radio, USB unit for a couple bucks. You should receive an antenna with this. I found out the the plug for the antenna matches the plug on the E46 antenna cable. Just cut the cable off of the included antenna, solder the cut end to the circuit board of the SDR unit and plug the end of the cable into the factory antenna connector. Secure this with electrical tape and be sure to solder the cable correctly so you don't get interference. Then you can plug it in to the hub and use the app from the play store. Be sure to test your unit beforehand. Again your experience my vary based on your particular car.
+Dennis Leslie Of course, there's no such thing as Tune-in Radio on android devices
+Lidge1994 Correct, AM/FM all have apps now, so just download and listen to streaming radio... it is 2016 now. No more loss of your Fav Station.
I`ve been watching a lot of installations and this is the best so far... you keep it easy and simple.
i rather use silicone, not hot glue
Silicon would be better
Wow. impressive. One of the best self installs I've seen.
That's all very nice but it only shows the stereo working not the nav or any other of the bmw functions. Seems like a lot of skilled time wasted.
I agree benajmin, all this work and money is not worth it when it's cheaper to buy a double din radio with app for nav. this project is approx $300+ if it was less than $200 I am working on a prototype to mirror phone directly for less than $200 for any car. Goal price $150.
+jgmacho This young man seems to have a lot of technical know how and talent. This is am praising him for the video was good in its content and subject matter. My only issue is that with all of the nexuses capabilities and the limits of the cars app interface this is a lot of work for nothing when leaving the original stereo in or upgrading to a far better stereo would be easier and less labor intensive. I am not at all faulting this young man in his skills set, just the method of deployment for this application.
your right he is smart for his age about that stuff, I actually have an e46 like his. this is cheaper than the alternative for a bmw platform. for cars in general...no
+Benjamin Williams Obviously all of the other functions of the tablet still work. Google maps navigation can be used offline, Google Music will automatically sync and download songs when connected to wifi, and FM radio via SDR is implemented (just to name a few). Using an open source platform like Android gives you more flexibility than any other solution. You can customize the tablet however you see fit. Not to mention that most aftermarket stereos are laggy, poorly built, look ugly/cheap, and have zero options for customization. Being limited on video run-time made it difficult to do a full demo of what the tablet can do and I have more information available if you follow the link in the video description.
+Schrödinger Catboy Are you stupid or what? Your wifi question is really a kick on the balls...
Got to say that's a genius bit of work you have done there bro!!!!
Wood looking trim i would wrap that shit
+ragasdapper wrap it paint it christ even puking on it would look better!
Sean Podrats Muwhahahahaah
+ragasdapper It's not wood looking trim. In a BMW it is real wood. Some M series BMW's Have carbon fiber.
+Dan Dixon indeed i would fuck it off and get carbon looking trim
I recommend using some small black rubber tubing, split down one side, to line the plastic edge that touches the tablet screen. This makes the trimming a little more forgiving - small gaps become unnoticible, and will eliminate any possible squeaks that might happen with vibration of the plastic against the glass.
Hot glue and zip ties? That's the jenkiest thing I've seen today.
Those zip ties were kicking his ass too
i loved the way the it looked so factory, i wasn't aware that you could add steering wheel functionality to the tablet, im opting for a grom usb3 for my e90 though because i have the worlds worst soldering skills lol great video, do one for e90 if you get a chance
The power of Android :) u won't get nothing close to this performance and posibillities from apple crap
Great video! FYI, when tinning wire ends, twisting and adding a little flux makes it 10x easier!
Ruvim Trofimovich ^^This. But I was all out so I had to make due. Thanks for watching.
at 7 mins and 05 seconds i stopped watching because the voice and the music were at different levels and i cant stand having to turn up the volume to hear you and turn it down when music plays
i wouldve gone with a matte screen protector but thats individual preference. very very sick DIY project. thanks for the upload!
176 Honda civic owners don't like this project.
I have been searching for a way to put a tough screen on a headliner shelf in my 85 chevy truck. I think what you have outlined will fit exactly what I am trying to do.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video - obviously it doesn't show how to do this for every car - but the fundamentals are there [I'm getting all sorts of mad scientist ideas for my 2004 Scion xB].
NB for watchers: If this is too hard to follow then maybe you shouldn't be tearing your dash apart :)
One of the best diy videos iv seen, very informative.
While I agree with other people in that it is a nice looking install, it is very complicated for the average person and more expensive than the cost of a quality head unit that will also give you FM if you still use it. There are simpler and less expensive alternatives. For example, most newer cars have steering wheel controls for volume so you can keep the factory stereo and slide it back a few inches. This will give you room to install the tablet in the same location as in the video or you can find on youtube other videos that have slide out options to make the tablet removable. Since most stereos have an auxiliary port, you can buy on ebay a bluetooth dongle that has auxiliary output for less than 10 dollars. the tablet will connect to the dongle with bluetooth and just run the auxiliary cable to the stereo. If you go with the slideout option, you can access the stereo to listen to FM radio. If you want internet on the tablet, just setup tethering on your smartphone and connect the tablet to the phone. I would go into more detail, but this comment is long enough.
What a great video. Well done. be proud of yourself on this install man. At this point im interested in learning more about the integration on the software end.
Nice work man. I'm going to have to do something like this myself now.
- Can I use a handsfree bluetooth to make calls?
- Can I use the GPS?
Amazing! Great! Congratulations!!
+Mario Delgado Serrano Why wouldn't you be able to use GPS or handsfree bluetooth? The tablet didn't lose any functions when he installed it to his car.
+ISuckAtFlashGames I was refering to use the bluetooht installation of the car. I have the original bluetooth device in my car, and I want to make calls trought it ussing even the steering well buttons with this installation.
+Mario Delgado Serrano Ohhhh my bad.
Great engineer! If people give you their car info you could make it for them it's still cheaper than a BMW radio
This is brilliant. Unfortunately I don't have the guts to do this with my BMW lol. Well done.
Thanks for the video, nice install.
FYI, some paste flux will make your solder stick much easier.
Very solid and almost perfectionist approach. Love it!
Congrats bro you are very talented! I loved your video except for 2 things: image quality and musical choices :D
but you did a very good job. Congrats again
Bro that is some serious work put into that project ! Appreciate your effort definitely subbed 👏
That was one hell of a video... Thank you for the upload...
Great video, keep up the good work!I'm still debating whether to put a Tablet, Garmin GPS unit, or some kind of double DIN entertainment/Nav system into my truck. Your video makes me lean toward tablet, although I still have much to learn about their capability. Nice job!
This is great bro, can't wait to see what else you come out with!
Excellent installation
greetings from Argentina
great video, good skills you have there, got nothing but respect for you.
Please keep the uploads coming. I am learning so much from them. :)
Nice work! Looks great!
Awesome job! It looks and performs great. I want to do the same thing to my 540i. Appreciate the detailed explanation of each step. Great how-to video.
I absolute love it. I'm getting an 05 bmw 330 2-door soon
Great idea and tutorial. Glad to see you drive a stick!
that was some great work there bro, looks awesome! Congratulations!
23:33 What a great step by step explanation!...
great video. If you have spare time and spare tablet I would do this but you can simply buy an android car stereo for $100 -200 some. Most of them are loaded with dvd and backup camera.