Today many cars have a car with original video screen. Unfortunately, most do not broadcast the video, does not read DVDs. And on some cars, it is impossible to replace this unit of origin. On this beautiful Bentley Continental GT, Hifimobile shows us that it is perfectly possible to add video to an original installation.
The interface to the rescue of OEM embedded video!
The Bentley Continental GT is one of those cars, where you really can not remove the original car radio. It is not just a matter of aesthetics or of respect for Bentley. The unit also provides the original climate controls, trip computer, ... The radio has a nice screen, but it excludes the video, DVD, Freeview, ... shame on a car of this price at a time when we only speak of embedded multimedia! With OEM interfaces, these little boxes that add functions to a power source, with the Bentley has Hifimobile a video installation Alpine.
Integrating vital functions of the car, the source of origin can not be changed
OEM interface is a small box that plugs into the original source without changing the wiring. It allows to add a video / audio input to the original source to use the screen to broadcast other sources like DVD. Of course, the source will control the DVD, she is content to broadcast. To control the source added, we will use the IR remote. In this case, used a Hifimobile Davicom interface, specially designed for the Bentley Continental GT. The assembly requires integrating the interface and especially to regain the original wiring. On this car, the audio / video connection is not simple because it uses fiber optics and the Can Bus.
Integration of video interfaces in the rear
The video source is selected Alpine DVD changer with a capacity of 6 discs and is compatible DivX. The changer is integrated under the rear carrier dressed in a carpet to keep in mind finishing the trunk. Hifimobile also installed the video to other passengers of the car. For this, boxes audio / video Alpine are hidden inside the rear deck. They are used to connect together all elements of video installation, including the dissemination DVD on 4 screens with no loss of image quality.
Alpine DVD changer can play DVD and DivX on all screens including the original
Each passenger (front and rear) Alpine receives a video screen of 7 inches 16:9. To comply with the magnificent interior of the coupe English Hifimobile has completely dismantled the Alpine screens to repaint their hulls. The hulls are painted the same color as the leather seats. Once the paint dries, the screens are raised as to the origin. The job of integrating video into the seats for rear passengers is no small matter. On the Bentley, the headrests are molded into the seats. Suffice to say that if one misses the cut, the entire seat to be changed. After cutting, the screens are fixed in the seats using the supplied cradle recess by Alpine. The cables are running in the seat to reach the ground and went under the carpet to reach the chest.
Alpine is a screen built into the woodwork for the front passenger
It sounds simple to say like that, but Bentley does not remove as easily as our small city to conceal wiring. Front passenger, a video screen Alpine (the same as for the rear passengers) is integrated into the trim of the dashboard facing the front passenger. Again, no right to make mistakes! For the cut is perfect, Hifimobile used a digital lathe to do the job. The screen is also painted in the same color as leather.
The hull of the screens was disassembled and repainted the same color as the leather seats
In conclusion:
This video installation required twenty hours of work. The integration work is perfect. Having painted the shells in the same color as the leather, the screens remain discreet. Ultimately, the most obvious is that the passenger before, but again, integration does not shock. Assembly quality is remarkable. With such a system, the driver can enjoy the video on his car home. In the case of the Bentley, the client was satisfied with a DVD changer, but interfaces with Alpine, one could also add DTT, iPod or even shipping. All that to say that even if you keep your original car radio (for aesthetic reasons or obligation), we may well enjoy the latest multimedia technologies without significantly altering a car. The work done here by Hifimobile, is a perfect illustration. We leave you now see the photo gallery showing the mounting of the installation.
Facility Features:
- Source: original system
- OEM Interface: Davicom Special Bentley
- DVD Changer: Alpine DHA-S690
- Front shield: Alpine TME-M780 EM
- Screen background: Alpine TME-M780
Budget gear: 1996 Euros
Time to complete: 20 hours
Mounting budget: approximately 2000 Euros
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