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AVANT-4 Android Navigation System for BMW 3-Series E46 / M3 AVINUSA

38K views 74 replies 19 participants last post by  TheRiddle 
#1 · (Edited)
Howdy all! :hi:

I wanted to share the Avin Avant-4 system that suits perfectly for the E46s. I personally have one in my E46 M3, and really has improved my driving experience daily! We all can probably agree the E46s are pretty badly blind out the back too, especially my cabrio M3, so the addition of a backup camera as well makes a HUGE difference.

Any questions don't hesitate to ask!



<h1 class="manifesto-headline typography-headline-super" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: #111111; text-transform: none; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 80px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">AVIN Avant 4<p> </p>Android™ 9.0 Pie</h1>
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<p class="manifesto-copy typography-manifesto" style="margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: #111111; text-transform: none; line-height: 1.25; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Bluetooth 5.0 | 64GB Internal Storage | HDMI Output
<br> Order now from the link below!
</p>


https://avinusa.com/avant-4-multimedia-navigation-system-for-bmw-3-series-e46-m3.html​





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<p class="manifesto-copy typography-manifesto" style="margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: #111111; text-transform: none; line-height: 1.25; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The #1 in-car multimedia navigation system for your Ultimate Driving Machine. </p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 30px; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">Supported OEM Features</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">(Requires optional IBUS USB adapter - Plug and Play - NO Soldering and NO Splicing)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">The IBUS USB adapter is required for BMW On-board computer/data display & reset, <br />setting time in IKE, PDC visualization, lighting functions/control, comfort mode, encoding</span></p>
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<div class="grid12-4" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 45px; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">PDC</span> 
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Parking Distance Control</span></p>


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<div class="grid12-4" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 45px; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">OBC</span>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">OnBoard Computer</span></p>

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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">Advanced Digital Signal Processor (DSP)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">(optional chipset)</span></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">Features enhanced audio performance, precise equalization, adjustable crossovers, and signal delay. </span></p>
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<div class="grid12-4" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">15 Band EQ</span> 
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<div class="grid12-4" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">Time Correction</span>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 45px; line-height: 1.05; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: 0em; font-family: 'SF Pro Display', 'SF Pro Icons', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; word-spacing: 0px;">Tire Pressure Monitoring System</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: xx-large;">(TPMS)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">The purpose of the tire pressure monitoring system is to warn you that at least one or more tires are significantly under-inflated or over-inflated, possibly creating unsafe driving conditions.  Maintaining the correct tire pressure for your BMW is an important factor in extending the life of your tires.  Too little tire pressure will eventually cause catastrophic tire failure.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 1.5; font-size: medium;">Note: External TPMS sensors shown.  Internal sensors are also available.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a title="TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)" href="https://avinusa.com/tpms-tire-pressure-monitoring-system.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: 1.5;">(Requires optional TPMS kit)</span></a></p>
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Tech Specs

Android™
PX6 CPU Platform
Android 9.0 Pie (64bit)
6-core CPU PX6 (RK3399) - Dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 (CPU 1.8Ghz) MPCore processor and Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 (CPU 1.4Ghz) MPCore processor
4GB RAM (DDR3)
64GB Internal Storage

Audio
Hi-Fi Class
4 x 48 W MOSFET Quad Bridge Power Amplifier
Harmon Kardon speaker system supported

Audio Playback Format
MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DSF, DFF

Radio Tuner
Premium car radio tuner with state-of-the-art signal processing
30 Station Preset Radio (18 FM, 12 AM)
Advanced RDS and RBDS demodulation and decoding
State-of-the-art FM Improved Multipath Suppression
FM Channel Equalization
Soft Mute on Modulation
Stereo High Blend
FM LNA with AGC
AM and FM noise blanking, signal quality detection, and weak signal processing
FM stereo decoding
Fully integrated tuning system with low phase noise and fast tuning
FM receiver with a tuning range of 65 MHz to 108 MHz covering Eastern Europe
(OIRT), Japan, Europe, and US bands
AM receiver covering LW, MW, and full SW
High dynamic range Sigma Delta IF ADC
Digital IF signal processing including decimation, shift to baseband, AGC control, I/Q correction, variable IF bandwidth filtering (PACS) and demodulation

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0 (PX6) (PX30)
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
Hands-Free Profile (HFP)
Bluetooth OBD2 support for Torque

Internet
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n
Includes external WIFI antenna for strong reliable internet connection
The AVIN system connects to your smartphone's WIFI hotspot to access the internet
(No SIM card reader)

Expandable Memory
1 MicroSD card reader
Supports MicroSD cards up to 256GB
3 USB ports
Supports USB flash drives up to 256GB

Display and Video
7" Capacitive Multi-touch Screen
Suitable for gestures such as flicking and zooming
Light-touch (Smartphone-like) operation
1024 x 600 Resolution
Split-screen mode allows running two apps side by side.
4K UHD H265/H264 decoder
1080P video encoder for H.264 and VP8
1 second boot time from standby (cold boot time is 30 second)
HDMI output for headrest monitors (PX6)
RCA output for headrest monitors (PX5) (PX30)

Video Playback format
MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, 4K, 1080P, 720P
(No CD/DVD player built-in)

Languages
English, German, French, Norwegian-Bokmal, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Romanian, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Czech, Vietnamese, Chinese,
 

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15
#2 · (Edited)

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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"><strong>Harmon Kardon®</strong> sound system is fully compatible.<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">BMW that came equipped with the factory navigation system has all of their factory radio, power, steering wheel button control wires, and antenna connectors located back in the trunk. The quadlock 6M extension cable is required to connect the AVIN head unit in the dashboard to those connectors in the trunk of the BMW. <br /><br /> <a href="https://avinusa.com/bmw-quadlock-6-meter-navigation-extension-cable.html" target="_blank">https://avinusa.com/bmw-quadlock-6-meter-navigation-extension-cable.html</a> <br /><br /> The engineers at BMW designed and placed the high-quality OEM GPS antenna in the optimal location for best performance. Our optional GPS extension cable allows you to use your factory GPS antenna that is already installed in your trunk if you have the OEM navigation system. <br /><br /> <a href="https://avinusa.com/bmw-gps-antenna-extension-cable-e46-e38-e39-e53.html" target="_blank">https://avinusa.com/bmw-gps-antenna-extension-cable-e46-e38-e39-e53.html</a></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">If your BMW E46 does not have the factory navigation or TV monitor system you will need to relocate your Climate Control unit with the HVAC relocation kit. There are a few different version to choose from so make sure you order the correct part number that matches your cars equipment. </span></p>
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#5 · (Edited)
Welcome to the E46Fanatics forum Steve. Nice to have an official representative involved in our forum regarding your product. I have the Avant-4 gen 2 in my X5 with factory DSP and have been very happy with it. :thumbup:
 
#6 · (Edited)
Steve,

I am seriously looking at the Avant 4 as an upgrade to the factory HK/NAV system in my 2005 330Ci convertible. One thing i can't figure out is what all options i need to install since the factory system is in the trunk. I would like to add a backup camera and maintain the steering wheel controls and on board computer info. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there an e46fanatics discount or black friday sale coming up?
 
#7 ·
Hi

You would need our 6M quadlock extension cable because you have the factory navigation system.

https://avinusa.com/quadlock-6-meter-navigation-extension-cable-for-bmw.html

BMW that came equipped with the factory navigation system has all of their factory radio, power, steering wheel button control wires, and antenna connectors located back in the trunk. The 6M extension is required to connect the AVIN head unit in the dashboard to those connectors in the trunk of the BMW.

All steering wheel button controls will work out of the box.

You would need to add the IBUS USB adapter to retain the onboard computer function and the newly added parking radar sensor display feature.

https://avinusa.com/ibus-usb-adapter.html

Yes, there will be a Black Friday sale. Details will be posted on our website next week.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Unless you have rear PDC system on your E46 you will not need the iBus adapter. If you just want a backup camera, all you need is the camera. I would recommend the DDVR-2 from Avin so you have dash cam functionality of both front and rear. I would get a simple 480i rear camera, the one from Avin that supposedly fits the license plate light doesn't fit and needs modification. I used this one in my X5.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RD05MOO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 
#59 ·
No, you could run the iBus adapter and app without PDC on your car and the only reason I would add the iBus app on the E46 would be to have some of the coding (iBus messages) sent to do things like triple blink turn signals or daytime running lights with fogs, low beams etc. I'm not sure why Steve would recommend the iBus adapter and app for the E46, the E38, E39 and E53 are a different story since they have a completely different OBC display and reset with high/low clusters. The E46 can reset any stored OBC values from the end of the turn signal stalk.

The iBus adapter and app are game changers on any BMW models with factory DSP as it needs messages sent to the DSP system to operate but the E46 never came with BMW factory DSP so honestly I would not get it. You could always add it later if you wanted it, it simply plugs into the prewired Avant-4 harness.

For your application, I would order the Avant-4 PX6, the Avin DSP option, 6M quadlock wiring extension, AutoPlay module (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), Dual DVR camera system with the rear camera I posted above and maybe the TPMS system if you want that.

PM me and I'll give you my phone number and would be happy to talk you through any questions you have when purchasing or installing. :thumbsup:
So when it comes to the e46, the iBus adapter is not required to make the steering wheel controls work on the avin 4? From watching youtube install videos it looks like the main stereo harness connects to a square black box that is labeled as the steering wheel control box i think.

Would the equalizer DSP chipset upgrade not require the iBus to be able to connect with the car to change the audio settings?

Thank you for any help!
 
#60 ·
So when it comes to the e46, the iBus adapter is not required to make the steering wheel controls work on the avin 4? From watching youtube install videos it looks like the main stereo harness connects to a square black box that is labeled as the steering wheel control box i think.

Would the equalizer DSP chipset upgrade not require the iBus to be able to connect with the car to change the audio settings?

Thank you for any help!
No iBus adapter needed on the E46. The steering wheel buttons work off kbus and the Avant-4 has kbus integration. The DSP chipset is in the headunit so there is no additional wiring or programming.
 
#10 ·
Sorry Steve,
I never tried putting your E46 camera in my E53. The problem is your E46 license plate camera DOES NOT fit in the E46 either. Many posts here and on other forums from members having to heavily modify the camera to fit properly. Here is one of your videos showing the camera fitting on an M3. 25 minute mark on the video. This was even posted on your website.

https://youtu.be/x90ED5zboro
 
#17 ·
i still havent been able to get the audio on my unit to sound remotely good. ive got a ground feedback loop that after 4 or 5 attempted fixes still wont go away. add to that, when you use the Apple CarPlay function, the audio is automatically at half-input volume. this means that you have to turn the stereo volume up to nearly max in order to get actual half-audible volume.

im not sure how this made it out the factory that way, but this means i have to bluetooth stream via the built in bluetooth audio app 80% of the time for proper sound & volume and via Apple CarPlay the 20% of the time i want a simple map/navigation interface.

ive never been in any other car where the head-unit drops the volume input from device by 50% and you have to boost up the volume so much to hear anything.

the ground loop feedback means i hear engine RPM in all my audio ALL THE TIME even when i turn off the all input sources. the headunit itself has a poor internal ground.

ive opened 3 or 4 tickets on the support site but to no avail....the last one was asking for a refund because my stock radio gave me less problems (even though i only had CD and ipod interface lol - at least the music was clear and w/o feedback/hissing)

either i got a bad unit from the factory or there's a lot of issues that still need to be worked out on this version of the unit.
 
#19 ·
I read your posts over on M3F. I know almost everyone including me have had excellent results and much better audio than stock so I am guessing you have a faulty unit or something is amiss with your aftermarket components. See if Steve or Tommy can make some time for you to swing over and have them take a look. I believe they are just over in Elsinore. :dunno:
 
#21 · (Edited)
It does not support the factory microphone of the factory TCU without some wiring modifications. The unit has it's own internal microphone that works good enough for most people. I ended up using a separate microphone mounted in my overhead proximity sensor cover on my X5. Calls are crystal clear on both ends.

 
#24 · (Edited)
Steve, are there any undocumented differences between the Avant-4 and the 8.8" or 9" units? All 3 appear to have the same base hardware (and upgrade boards) using different screen sizes. However, the options list shows only the wireless AA/CP dongle for the 8.8" and 9" units while the Avant-4 has the option of either wired or wireless dongles (Android user here, so wireless CP doesn't get me anything) . This implies there's at least some subtle difference between models unless the lack of wired dongle for the 8.8"/9" models is an oversight.

Any installed pics of the 8.8" unit? Profile pics or dimensions of the 9" to see just how high it goes above the radio opening?

Thanks!
 
#27 ·
Two questions:

On the IBUS BMW App, how do you make it show a 2 door e46 vs a 4 door e46, kinda driving me nuts.

Also, i am using an iPhone 8 with my hotspot enabled; however, i cant get the Avant 4 headunit to pickup the hotspot on a regular basis, anything i am doing wrong?
 
#30 · (Edited)
Take your time and make sure everything is done like it came from the factory that way. Use tie wraps and pay attention to proper wire maintenance. :thumbup:

I'm off to London and Paris in the morning but will be checking in on our forum wile I'm away. Lots of members here to help.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Thanks for the suggestion to go up the drivers side. I've got everything out up to the dash. In the morning I'll take out the old unit and run the wires. Had to take the back seats and the trim on the drivers side rear to get to where I can run the wires through the back and up the side under the carpet. No broken tabs!

Question, there is a unit mounted against the wall between the trunk and passenger compartment the is labeled ibus and bluetooth. Picture attached. Can I remove it? Is it needed?
 

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#35 · (Edited)
I think i kept that in my car. For some reason i remember it has the same fittings for the GPS or AM/FM antenna? Not completely sure.

Problem fuse related since power and ground are provided with the supplied wiring harness
 
#34 ·
Got everything installed and tested it several times during the process. But...after I buttoned everything up and went to move out of the garage..nothing! No power to the unit. Argh!!! :banghead:

Going to check fuses tomorrow. I hope I don't have to pull everything out.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Ok so it wasn't a fuse. Checked those first. I pulled the unit out of the dash and took the short harness to the trunk and plugged it in there and viola! It worked. :woot:

So it had to be the long harness, the one that took me several hours yesterday to install and I was not looking forward to replacing it. Looked at the end of the Avin harness that plugs into the factory harness and low and behold I saw three of the pins were pushed down into the connector (picture attached). Pulled them out, bent the retaining tab out a little and pushed them back in and they stayed. Plugged it all back in and it worked!:thumbsup:

Thanks to all who posted in this message and the other Avin thread. A ton of great information. I would have struggled mightily if it weren't for the info or paid too much to have something installed that didn't do everything the Avin can do.
 

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#39 ·
Steve, let me try this again since my first attempt seemed to have gotten misunderstood.

1) Are there any software or hardware differences between the Avant4 (7"/PX6/Pie), 8.8", and 9" E46 versions besides the display size?

2) If there are no differences, does the wired AA/CP dongle work with the 8.8" and 9" versions? Only the wireless dongle is listed as an option for the 8.8"/9" models.

3) Do you have any installed photos of the 8.8" version? The free standing photos seem to imply it still fits vertically within the radio/HVAC pod without extending in front of the central vents.

4) Similarly, do you have any other photos of the 9" version, particularly profile photos or dimensions to show just how var above the radio opening it extends.

Thanks!
 
#42 · (Edited)
What is the purpose of the wire coming off the main harness labeled ***8220;key***8221;

Is there a way to have the buttons dim with the dimmer function of the light control module?


Sent from my iPad using E46Fanatics
I believe the key wires 1 and 2 are for vehicles with non kBus steering wheel controls. I think you can program them by button press duration and count.

LCM dimmer is an known issue, the backlighting only works at one brightness setting with light switch on but it is dimmable within the head unit itself, not controlled by the dimmer wheel on the LCM.
 
#43 · (Edited)
awesome, thanks for the answers, I found a lot of good information in your thread over at xoutpost too, particularly regarding wiring the cameras and the dual DVR - https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums...in-avant-4-installation-guide-video-link.html

What exactly is the "autobox." It asks if I want to auto boot autobox and if I want to autoopen autoboxwhen I turn my car on. (I have since checked the box to always do so). Was just curious what that is referring to. I'm assuming it's that red see through box that plugs into the harness? The can interface or what not?

I also find it interesting they include an entire extra male OEM radio harness on each of the harness options. Why is it necessary do to that, I may be missing the point or something. It's like you would daisy chain the avant 4 and then connect the stock radio back also? I saw discussion in the xoupost thread about how you can actually do that with the trunk mounted location, but why include it for the non nav option? I'm thinking about removing that entire connector as it's very large and I like to tidy up. Although I have to say, compared to every other double din on the market, the lack of CD/DVD drive in this one is a godsend. SO MUCH ROOM back there. Wiring my eonon was a nightmare in comparison

One more question while I am here, regarding the front camera (not the dvr)

This camera (came with the unit from AVIN) has a connection with a video output (to go into the headunit) as well as another pigtail wire with no label. On the other side it has the connection to the camera and then a power and ground wire. I'm curious what the other pigtail coming off the video output side is? And want to confirm I am wiring up the power and ground on the camera connection side to switched 12v+ and ground. Perfhaps I should wire a fuse in?



Figured out the wires for anyone interested: the red wire is continuous. It gives you the option of either tapping into 12v behind the head unit, or closer to the camera mounting location. You only need to use one. The ground is only on the camera side.
 
#44 · (Edited)
awesome, thanks for the answers, I found a lot of good information in your thread over at xoutpost too, particularly regarding wiring the cameras and the dual DVR - https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums...in-avant-4-installation-guide-video-link.html

What exactly is the "autobox." It asks if I want to auto boot autobox and if I want to autoopen autoboxwhen I turn my car on. (I have since checked the box to always do so). Was just curious what that is referring to. I'm assuming it's that red see through box that plugs into the harness? The can interface or what not?

I also find it interesting they include an entire extra male OEM radio harness on each of the harness options. Why is it necessary do to that, I may be missing the point or something. It's like you would daisy chain the avant 4 and then connect the stock radio back also? I saw discussion in the xoupost thread about how you can actually do that with the trunk mounted location, but why include it for the non nav option? I'm thinking about removing that entire connector as it's very large and I like to tidy up. Although I have to say, compared to every other double din on the market, the lack of CD/DVD drive in this one is a godsend. SO MUCH ROOM back there. Wiring my eonon was a nightmare in comparison

One more question while I am here, regarding the front camera (not the dvr)

This camera (came with the unit from AVIN) has a connection with a video output (to go into the headunit) as well as another pigtail wire with no label. On the other side it has the connection to the camera and then a power and ground wire. I'm curious what the other pigtail coming off the video output side is? And want to confirm I am wiring up the power and ground on the camera connection side to switched 12v+ and ground. Perfhaps I should wire a fuse in?

Figured out the wires for anyone interested: the red wire is continuous. It gives you the option of either tapping into 12v behind the head unit, or closer to the camera mounting location. You only need to use one. The ground is only on the camera side.
I'm not sure on the "autobox", I don't get a message like that but it may be a Android Pie thing, mine is Android Oreo.

I used the RCA cable with red continuous wire attached up front to the camera+ wire and in the rear I connected it to the camera power wire. I just grounded the camera wire right in the rear. Ultimately all I had to run was the RCA cable with red pigtails from the front to the rear for my rear camera operation.

My rear cam is always powered up on ACC so it is always running when the Avin is running. This is needed on mine to record the rear cam just like the front cam for dash cam capabilities.
 
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