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 Aftermarket DVD install for ML OEM VES
Blaupunkt DVD-ME1
[b]Mercedes Benz M-Class Blaupunkt DVD-ME1 integration to a MB OEM Video Entertainment System[/b]
The following are some basic instructions on how to install a Blaupunkt DVD-ME1 Video Player into a MY+2000 M-Class with the OEM Video Entertainment System (with VCP) already installed. This is basically a continuation of the VES install publication. The street price today for the discontinued VES is $425 which is hard to beat today. The only problem is it’s only available with the VCP. The OEM DVD list price is about $1000 so there is a bit of appeal to install a much cheaper (<$130) DVD player.
I picked the Blaupunkt DVD because of its features and price. It can play DVD, CDA, MP3, & Compact Disk formats and has some cool angle, pan, and zoom features, all unavailable on the MB OEM unit. Only problem is how to tie it into the existing DVD harness!! Problem solved …. These instruction should work with most any 12v portable DVD player. You want a portable one for the anti-skip features necessary while driving. The Blaupunkt came with mounting brackets, power filter, remote IR detector (with 18’ of cord) and an IR remote control. It also came with a 110vac converter so you can use it in the home.
So, if all goes well you will be making this poor screen …
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324240PM.jpg[/img]
look like this ….
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324424PM.jpg[/img]
by installing one of these …
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324322PM.jpg[/img]
Parts required:
1ea Molex 14 pin 4.20mm pitch Mini-Fit Jr Plug #39012141
20ea Molex Mini-Fit crimp terminal male pins #39000041
Blaupunkt DVD-ME1 player (or something similar)
2ea 18-22ga crimp type automotive connectors for shortening the 12vdc supply harness
4 ea #10 pan head screws, #10 washers, and Nyloc nuts
several Ty-Wraps and Ty-Wrap mounts
Tools required:
Molex crimper 11-01-0197 (borrow one, they cost about $100!)
Automotive style crimper, stripper combo tool (cheap at any hardware store)
¼ inch drill bit and drill
assorted screwdrivers
patience!
I “aquired” the pins and connector directly from Molex as free samples. They sent me five connectors and a bag of 100 pins. All you have to do is call … If not you should be able to buy them from any decent commercial electronics supply store but Radio Shack typically won’t have them. You will need exactly 8 pins but I suggest getting extras to practice crimping if you haven’t done this before. Below is a drawing of the connector. Again, you will use the 14 pin type. This drawing also shows cutout dimensions should you chose to panel mount the connector similar to my install. You can download this drawing from the Molex website at www.molex.com and enter in the connector number in the search window at the left. Pin information can be found here as well by searching on the part number.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324511PM.jpg[/img]
and this is what the pins look like
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324622PM.jpg[/img]
I am not going to go into a lot of detail about how to crimp pins. If you haven’t done this already get someone who has to help you. Most DVD kits should come with the A/V RCA connectors and power cable. You can use the RCA connectors and cut and splice them as needed into the connector. For reference the yellow RCA connector is video, red is right audio, and white is left audio. I will refer to these below for connector locations. The Molex connector has pin numbers identifiers on the backside of the connector (the side you push the pins into). The pin locations are as follows.
Pin 1 Video (center tap)
Pin 2 Video shield (ground)
Pins 3-7 Not used for this application
Pin 8 Right audio (center tap)
Pin 9 Right audio shield
Pin 10 Left audio (center tap)
Pin 11 Left audio shield
Pin 12 Not used for this application
Pin 13 +12vdc (typically red)
Pin 14 Ground (typically black)
The DVD player came with two mounting brackets. I used them both to allow for quick installation and removal. In the picture below the left most arrow shows one of two ¼” holes I drilled in the long bracket. You can also see where I modified the bracket to allow for panel mounting of the connector (right arrow). The middle arrow shows the line filter I used even though the OEM VES has one already. I mounted the line filter first with the included Velcro to the bracket then shortened the DVD and power end to fit, and installed the pins. I then laid the A/V cables in how I wanted them to run and cut them to length and installed pins as well. This is what it all looks like when completed (with some cable protector also). The connector/cable to the right is one I used to trace the remote signals and try out the DVD …. More on that later …
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324732PM.jpg[/img]
This next picture shows the bracket and player from the top side
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324903PM.jpg[/img]
I kind of lined up the DVD player underneath the 40% rear seat and marked where I wanted it to go. I then removed the lower seat cowl and drilled four ¼” holes to match the mounting holes in the short plate. I used four #10 pan head screw, washers, and Nyloc nuts to mount the bracket to the cowl as shown below. Note, also, the arrows pointing to two #10 self cinching stainless steel Pem nuts. This allows for quick removal and install. You folks don’t need to mount the DVD player as I did. It can mount under the center seat or even on to the VCP bracket if you don’t want to use the VCP that came with your OEM VES. I wanted both in mine!!
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200324959PM.jpg[/img]
This next picture shows the bottom of the seat cowl. I placed the self adhesive foam pad that came with the DVD player under the cowl to give it a little more support and tension over the metal seat pan. It should prevent cracks later on if you do a lot of off-road driving.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200325053PM.jpg[/img]
This next picture shows the entire assembly before installation. Obviously, you need to remove the player and upper bracket before you can re-install the seat cowl.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200325239PM.jpg[/img]
Here it is all installed and the (red) DVD harness cable attached to the connector. You lower your video screen, source select the DVD player, power it up, and it should all work fine … with one exception …. Continued.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200325525PM.jpg[/img]
The power does not switch on automatically when you lower the display like the VCP. The VES CIM module automatically sends out power on and eject signals to the VCP when you turn the system on and off. It won’t control the DVD because the remote codes are entirely different. The big question to ask is that worth $1000? You have to use the Blaupunkt remote to turn the system on and off (and eject) separately. The DVD player comes with a remote IR detector. It plugs into the back of the player and has adhesive tape on it that allows you to mount it anywhere. You will need this to operate the remote unless you want to point the remote under the seat anytime you want to use the DVD player. I tried on and off for a few weekends to figure out a way to use the remote detector in the video screen but couldn’t get both remotes to work at the same time. I am still searching for an answer. Anyway, I didn’t want the extra “ugliness” of an accessory remote detector hanging from my dash, or wherever, so I came up with a different solution using one of these. You don’t have to go this route, but silly me did.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200325558PM.jpg[/img]
It’s a Terk RF Remote Extender #LFUNIV. It is primarily used for home installations and allows you to use an IR remote without line-of-site. It will even work through walls. It runs off a 12vdc adapter so it is perfect for vehicle use! The sender unit (green arrow) attaches to the front of the remote control like below. I actually hot melt glued it in place instead of using the Velcro tape already installed.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200325759PM.jpg[/img]
I then rewired the DVD bracket to tap into the 12v supply and ground, and installed the receiver unit with Velcro shown with the magenta arrow. The remote sender that came with the Terk unit is shown with the green arrow, and the remote detector that came with the Blaupunkt is shown with the red arrow. It works, very well thank you and can even operate the DVD player outside of the car during those tailgate parties!
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/73293255753200325840PM.jpg[/img]
Is it all worth it? I guess. I would rather have the OEM DVD player and maybe if the price drops below $400 I will pick one up and remove the Blaupunkt. But for now, me and the rest of the family are happy!!
Let me know if you have any questions
Paul
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