I'm considering getting the TV module from either NavTV or TV on Nav for my 540, but was wondering if anyone here has one and thinks it is worth the cost.

Meanwhile I also saw on the news here in Calif that a new law went into effect on Jan 1 that makes it illegal to have a TV or DVD display in the driver's line of sight. Anyone have more details in this.

You can get it but to conform with the laws of your state do not add the "TV in motion" option. By factory settings, when the car is in motion you won't be able to see TV.

then what is the point of getting it?

-Aurash
:redspot

The NavTV unit has the video in motion option already to go.

I was hoping someone in the Bay Area had one and could let us know how good the TV reception is traveling around towns.

I wouldn't want the unit just to sit in park and watch TV, I could do that on my 32" at home.

i had the tv/dvd system in my e36 m3.. its really easy to bypass that safety option. it is illegal obviously.. but nobody really cares.. you just better be careful.

if you need a tv tuner, i have one for sale.. i only had it in my car for a week.

i took it out to install in my e39 540.. but i decided not to. if you want it let me know.. otherwise.. we'll just install it in our other m3.

good luck!
B

Originally posted by MaloventEvil
then what is the point of getting it?

-Aurash
:redspot

I'll spell it out for you... if you are going to watch the television, you cannot be watching the road. It's a damn smart law in CA (and many other states) that makes it illegal to have a TV the driver can get distracted by.

Watching TV while driving is the same nuttiness as this idiot:

http://www.robertlevinson.com/lol/READING.jpg

I felt like doing an FBI "spin-and-pin" on this guy when I saw that.

Now before anyone gets p*ssed off that I think it's stupid to watch TV and drive, here's my background: I have the Nav-TV setup in my E38. It was a great kit, great service from the Nav-TV folks. It works decently in populated areas close to broadcast TV transmitters. DVDs look great, just like on a home TV.

But the damn thing is a menace while driving. Soon after I got it, I had it on. Something really interesting was on, and I was looking at it... and then I realized that "cruise control" is not "autopilot" and looked up to see a tree coming right at me. Sca-rew that. It's not allowed to be on while the car is in motion from then on.

If you are mature enough to only use it when the car is parked, then it is really cool. Otherwise, if you want to watch it on a trip, make sure your car is on a flatbed and you are not responsible for driving.

- Rob

I have been informed:
Nav-TV modifies the TV tuner (hardcode) to remove the video-in-motion restriction.

TVonNAV accomplishes this by a separate module (the TV tuner is not modified) which allows you to turn the restriction on or off.

I just signed up for option #2 of the group buy for the TVonNav unit for my 540ia.

I hope we get the required 20 buyers before 4/30.

Thanks...

i bought this bmw 740il 1997 and i have the nav system in it and the television will not show channels you can just hear the channels what can i do to see the picture?
please e mail me carcrazyinc@aol.com

I'll spell it out for you... if you are going to watch the television, you cannot be watching the road. It's a damn smart law in CA (and many other states) that makes it illegal to have a TV the driver can get distracted by.

Watching TV while driving is the same nuttiness as this idiot:

http://www.robertlevinson.com/lol/READING.jpg

I felt like doing an FBI "spin-and-pin" on this guy when I saw that.

Now before anyone gets p*ssed off that I think it's stupid to watch TV and drive, here's my background: I have the Nav-TV setup in my E38. It was a great kit, great service from the Nav-TV folks. It works decently in populated areas close to broadcast TV transmitters. DVDs look great, just like on a home TV.

But the damn thing is a menace while driving. Soon after I got it, I had it on. Something really interesting was on, and I was looking at it... and then I realized that "cruise control" is not "autopilot" and looked up to see a tree coming right at me. Sca-rew that. It's not allowed to be on while the car is in motion from then on.

If you are mature enough to only use it when the car is parked, then it is really cool. Otherwise, if you want to watch it on a trip, make sure your car is on a flatbed and you are not responsible for driving.

- Rob
no i dont think you understand rob. i meant that it was a stupid idea to begin with and shouldnt be added in. i was being sarcastic.

I now have a DVD player and a reversing camera fully installed. :redspot These things cannot be viewed on the OEM nav screen without TVonNAV/NAV-TV.

I love the fact that when i'm waiting in the car for someone or something (parked), I can watch TV/DVDs to pass the time. And the reversing camera is like another rear-view mirror to me.

I don't think any responsible driver would be watching TV while driving. If the driver is not responsible, it won't matter if he/she has a TV or not!!

I have to admit though, it is good to be able to listen to the AM news while stuck in bumper-bumper traffic :)

[QUOTE=impulss]I now have a DVD player and a reversing camera fully installed. :redspot These things cannot be viewed on the OEM nav screen without TVonNAV/NAV-TV.QUOTE]

Which DVD player did you get and was it an easy install. I was looking into the Audiovox for $199.

heyy car crazy??

i bought this bmw 740il 1997 and i have the nav system in it and the television will not show channels you can just hear the channels what can i do to see the picture?

do you have the navi in the car itself???

i dont think 97 were with navi :confused

anyone can prove this wrong?

[QUOTE=impulss]I now have a DVD player and a reversing camera fully installed. :redspot These things cannot be viewed on the OEM nav screen without TVonNAV/NAV-TV.QUOTE]

Which DVD player did you get and was it an easy install. I was looking into the Audiovox for $199.

I got the Blaupunkt ME-2. It used to be sold on Etronics.com for only 129.99! The main thing to consider is that you have an electronic eye... so you can mount it up front and use the remote control. And having inputs on the front of the unit is convenient if you want to hook up something else through your DVD player.

I had someone install the DVD player for me since it requires tapping into the wires to get 12V power for the unit. If you're in the area, i can recommend someone to do it for you.

Here's the DVD player:
http://search.shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Apvy7U5QkoskQ_qjdbj9f1MEgFoB;_ylu=X3oD MTBtNTA5a3RqBF9zAzE0NDg5MTE1BHNlYwNzZWFyY2g-?is=1&p=blaupunkt+dvd-me2&did=

Here's my final review of TVonNAV with the reversing camera option

http://www.eastcoastbmw.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=6113&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

:redspot