Nav-TV.com seems to have hacked the MCS... - Benzworld.org

Drew · 09-01-2002, 12:30 PM

Apparently they can add a universal adaptor into it so that an external video source can be piped into the stock video screen. Interesting!

Here's the link. Anyone game? [:)]
http://www.nav-tv.com/products-dealer-ml.htm

Of course for that price, you can just have a separate video system installed with separate screens!

eziggy3 · 09-01-2002, 03:46 PM

Pretty steep price tag. You don't even get the audio.

mihir · 09-02-2002, 12:59 AM

I personally am an Electrical Engineer and hold two degrees in Electrical Engineering BS and a subsequent MS.

I don't think hacking the MCS would be anything close to rocket science. After all its just another A/V unit with custom hardwiring.

If I were given a spare partially working MCS (just the display)...it wouldn't take me more than a couple of days to hack into it.

Just haven't thought of working on it. Maybe one day if I can find a cheap used/salvaged MCS unit...I'll invest the time and effort into converting it into a universal Video Adapter...anyone has a unit for sale?

Any other EEs/techies on this forum??? What do you guys think?

maneesh · 09-02-2002, 07:06 AM

I don't think it is hard to hack into it either. It is all about having the info/schematic to do it.

When I took my truck to the dealer for the CD changer programming, they told me that they needed to hook it up to a laptop to program it.

On a side note.. I'm trying to get my ADT alarm system to send X10 signals. I've been looking for the schematic for the ADT system (which is a re-badge of something else). Some guys at smarthome.com have done it and are selling the adapter for it at a reasonable price.

tsanjose · 09-02-2002, 11:24 AM

see if you could hack it to accept a tv tuner too. im looking for an onboard video set up but want one for the front of the vehicle as opposed to the head rests or overhead console.

maneesh · 09-02-2002, 06:23 PM

If you are really interetsed in getting TV on your MCS, you get this adapter and attach it to a dvd/tv tuner combo unit. I'm sure they make these things.

I plan on going a bit further and adding a video switching unit (if i can use an OEM switch, then I will) on one of the D panels behind the steering wheel and add a rearview camera.

tsanjose · 09-02-2002, 07:57 PM

definately keep me posted.

btw, do you know anyone who has either hacked into the mcs or maybe even had this done from nav-tv? i herd they were still trying to work out some issues with the universal kit they offer. something like the video kep cutting out...

Chris Krikorian · 09-03-2002, 10:50 AM

I work in a lab and one section of it is a hardware lab and I have all access to it. I'll talk to one of the hardware engineers and have them solder the video inputs for the MCS. Never thought about that. Thanks a lot guys :-)

Chris Krikorian · 09-03-2002, 04:35 PM

I'm also going to have an out put so I can display on the other TV's in the car whatever is being displayed on the MCS including the Navigation ;-)

tsanjose · 09-03-2002, 09:19 PM

im gonna be in nyc in a couple of weeks and im gonna try and get a demo from these guys. if all works out well, i'm gonna get the kit too. im just a little leary about shipping them my headunit to basically solder some components onto and not warranty their work. they supposedly, have all of their bugs worked out. we'll see.