[illrider]

So it seems like more and more people nowadays are mounting tablets in their cars to run MHD as well as JB4 Connect Kits. I've seen quite a few cool BMW customizations via apps such as beautiful widgets to make the tablet look like it belongs in the car with bmw logos and styling. I was hoping to use this thread for everyone to post up screenshots and links to what roms, apps, kernels, etc. they are using to accomplish this.

This is one that I ran across earlier that looks really neat. Is anyone running it?
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewto...p?f=46&t=71518

Show us what you've got going on whether its simple or advanced!

[igzekyativ]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 that is collecting dust in my house that I've been thinking about using... subscribed so I can get some mounting ideas!

[ctuna]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=tablet

[Gray335i]

bmw garmin mount. dac located under center console. timurs kernel

[xyaaeg234g234]

Great setup man, digging the hardwire! Got any info on how to set that up?

I'd also be interested in a quick write up / diagram of your setup, as well as info on that backup camera & how it's wired to usb.. unless that is how it comes standard or is wireless.

Yours is more or less exactly what I want to achieve in mine, so any info you can provide is greatly appreciated!

[Gray335i]

Bmw Garmin mount purchased from ECS. i only used mounting bracket out of that kit.
Dac was purchased from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o07_s00
Desoldered RCA connectors from dac and hardwired my 3.5 mm jack to dac (to get room to install dac under center console since i wont be removing it any time soon)

Got this adapter to keep the tablet charging while running apps such as google maps without loosing current:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o04_s00
Housing removed from converter then hardwired to my 12V cig.plug (removed center trim and solderd wires to back of the plug).
Most important thing with power is that you have to have some good awg wire (like for fast charging usb cable) , otherwise you wont be able to charge your tablet and usb hub/USB OTG devices while using GPS.You will be discharging faster then charging.Ask me how i know?

4 port Usb hub was purchased from Microcenter. Original usb cable is removed and nexus 7 is hardwired to hub (soldered). Hub was only $3.99

Camera:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281474833928...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

this is the only converter that i was able to make it to work with tablet and this camera.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00. I paid $25 for it , now its cheaper.
If you go for cheaper version of this converter (like this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00) they will not have correct chip to work with nexus.I am using 5vdc relay wired to my tail light reverse wire as a signal to power on camera. try to get 5vdc relay since wire you will be tapping into is not your traditional 12vdc wire to power on bulb.(12vdc realy also works)
you will need to use easycap app from google market to make camera work and this app will be used as default app for your reverse camera dispaly.
camera was hardwired under backseats and center console to the hub.

Nexus 7 is running with timurs kernel which will charge your tacles and run as Usb OTG at the same time. It also have good power mgt. system

I didn't like looking at my micro usb connector sticking on the side so i soldered usb male connector to micro usb connector on the board and made it as OTG as default (short pins 4 and 5). Reason for this is because i can still connect my garmin nuvi to female usb connector and will charge my navi.
If you have any question please feel free to ask.

[xyaaeg234g234]

Absolutely top notch - you covered just about everything I needed! Thank you so very much.

Gonna grab a used Nexus 7 2013 edition (thought I got a great deal grabbing one on craigslist for $50 - turns out it was 2012 edition, whoops.) and most of the components now.

Any idea of the length of RCA needed for the reverse camera feed?
And is there a particular reason you went with that reverse camera? I'm seeing a LOT of different ones on amazon/ebay/etc and their pricing ranges from $28 to $50+ for ones that work for 09 e90 (110mm / 11cm).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...qid=1457814361

[Gray335i]

that camera comes with 10 feet of cable which is enough for installation.
reason i went with that camera is HD and part of trunk release vs lince plate light.

[xyaaeg234g234]

http://www.amazon.com/Color-Reverse-.../dp/B01AW4X4SI

This one is $20 cheaper and the resolution difference is minimal (40 horizontal lines / 510x496 vs 672x520).

Though I'm not sure how that would equate in detail on the high ppi Nexus.. but it's just a reverse camera not anything I need in 4k lol. And yeah I didn't even notice they come with substantial wire lengths.. fantastic.

[Gray335i]

looks good for that price.

[xyaaeg234g234]

Originally Posted by Gray335i

looks good for that price.
If you need timurs kernel let me know. He is charging like $20 for it and when i was lookin for "free" one no one wanted to share it. I ended up paying for it but dont have problem sharing (wia email) with bimmer members.

Appreciate that but I already submitted my donation (~16 or so converted) - I have 0 patience with these things and it usually gets me in trouble lol

[illrider]

Awesome writeup!

[jwong77]

Originally Posted by Gray335i

Bmw Garmin mount purchased from ECS. i only used mounting bracket out of that kit.
Dac was purchased from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o07_s00
Desoldered RCA connectors from dac and hardwired my 3.5 mm jack to dac (to get room to install dac under center console since i wont be removing it any time soon)

Got this 5DVC adapter to keet the tablet charging while running apps such as google maps without loosing current:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o04_s00
Housing removed from converter then hardwired to my 12V cig.plug (removed center trim and solderd wires to back of the plug).
Most important thing with power is that you have to have some good awg wire (like for fast charging usb cable) , otherwise you wont be able to charge your tablet and usb hub/USB OTG devices while using GPS.You will be discharging faster then charging.Ask me how i know?

4 port Usb hub was purchased from Microcenter. Original usb cable is removed and nexus 7 is hardwired to hub (soldered). Hub was only $3.99

Camera:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281474833928...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

this is the only converter that i was able to make it to work with tablet and this camera.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00. I paid $25 for it , now its cheaper.
If you go for cheaper version of this converter (like this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00) they will not have correct chip to work with nexus.I am using 5vdc relay wired to my tail light reverse wire as a signal to power on camera. stick with 5vdc relay since wire you will be tapping into is not your traditional 12vdc wire to power on bulb.
you will need to use easycap app from google market to make camera work and this app will be used as default app for your reverse camera dispaly.
camera was hardwired under backseats and center console to the hub.

Nexus 7 is running with timurs kernel which will charge your tacles and run as Usb OTG at the same time. It also have good power mgt. system

I didn't like looking at my micro usb connector sticking on the side so i soldered usb male connector to micro usb connector on the board and made ir as OTG as default (short pins 4 and 5). Reason for this is because i can still connect my garmin nuvi to female usb connector and will charge my navi.
If you have any question please feel free to ask.

I also bought the same oem garmin kit from ECS, but I never got around to installing it. I also have a 2013 Nexus 7 tablet as well. I'm wondering why you didn't use the usb wiring that came with the kit? I ask because I was trying to figure out where to tap power from as well, and I liked the idea of using the oem usb from the kit.

[xyaaeg234g234]

Originally Posted by jwong77

I also bought the same oem garmin kit from ECS, but I never got around to installing it. I also have a 2013 Nexus 7 tablet as well. I'm wondering why you didn't use the usb wiring that came with the kit? I ask because I was trying to figure out where to tap power from as well, and I liked the idea of using the oem usb from the kit.

From what I can tell, the USB in that kit hooks directly into the car for power only, which is all the Garmin needs.

With his setup, he is using his USB (hardwired, coming out the back shell) as both POWER and OTG/DATA to enable connecting external devices, like the USB DAC and the reverse camera.

If you're not looking to add a reverse camera or include a USB DAC for audio clarity, you can definitely use the provided Garmin USB for power but IMO if you are going to mount a tablet you're going to want it set up like this.

[jwong77]

Originally Posted by prodigymix

From what I can tell, the USB in that kit hooks directly into the car for power only, which is all the Garmin needs.

With his setup, he is using his USB (hardwired, coming out the back shell) as both POWER and OTG/DATA to enable connecting external devices, like the USB DAC and the reverse camera.

If you're not looking to add a reverse camera or include a USB DAC for audio clarity, you can definitely use the provided Garmin USB for power but IMO if you are going to mount a tablet you're going to want it set up like this.

Sweet, just realized thats what the USB hub is for in the armrest.

For my setup I was thinking of just simply using the oem usb to wire power to the tablet. Then for data, the tablet connects to a wireless hotspot via wifi and connect to my WMA3000B bluetooth module for the sound. I hadn't thought about a rear view camera yet.

[Gray335i]

with dac you will get clear digital output for your sound.(use rca out not 3.5mm) I have automated my hotspot process using tasker.apk which works like this.
When my car bt connects to my phone then tasker turns on wifi hotspot then my tablet conncts to my phone as wifi. whole process takes about 5 seconds from starting up the car and leaving my phone in my pocket.
I would still go with an option to use a hub because once you have all wiring done then it makes it a lot easier to connect any devices to that hub (such as external hd or camera, e.t.c

[BeastMode335i]

Wish I could do that with my 8"galaxy tab 4, nice job!

[BeastMode335i]

Does your trunk handle still function like the regular trunk handle, such as when you pull on it, it opens..??

[Gray335i]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Does your trunk handle still function like the regular trunk handle, such as when you pull on it, it opens..??

Yes, it does

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by Gray335i

Yes, it does

Sweet, thanks for that info...

Also just another question, how did you know that disassemble the tablet and solder those wires to the OTG area on the board..?? I take it you have somewhat of a background in electronics, so do you think it would be possible to do this with a Galaxy tablet as well..?? I have an AT&T Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 with 4G data for reference..

One last one lol, say you wanted to use the OTG capabilities for MHD or something like that, you wouldn't plug in to the actual tablet, it would plug in to that little USB hub in your armrest..??

Thanks!

[Gray335i]

google pinout of micro usb , then pinout of male usb . Use wire color coding for reference,
bridging pins 4 and 5 maeks microusb OTG as default meaning, anyhing connected to usb hub is OTG

[Gray335i]

some people asked about relay and camera signal
reverse signal is tapped into black wire on tail light connector
So on relay:
87 goes to camera red wire
85 goes to ground (car chassis and black camera wire)
30 switchable 12vdc
86 reverse signal wire