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Subject: 16:9 screen. Trashed the cassette and put in a 1/2 DIN DVD player. SWEET!!! Author: visionbmw7 : member since July, 2006 : 4032 posts Posted on: 2007-07-18 12:00:24

Well folks, I finally did it. Since the 3 series has the 16:9 with CD player, I couldn't see why the E39 or E38 couldn't have one either. But my project was to put in an in-dash "all in one" DVD/CD/MP3/MPEG player. So, knowing the history of Alpine & Pioneer single DIN headunits, I opened up my 16:9 and it had the same cassette setup.

Simple plug in mechanism.


I removed the mechanism and checked the clearance. Looks like it'll work.




The tape detector switch has to remain plugged in for the monitor to close.



This is what it should look like after I cut the cassette opening out.


No turning back now!!! That Dremel tool is so useful...


I drilled little holes to cut the frame and bend the sides to accommodate the 1/2 DIN DVD player. Not the best job but sufficient.


So here are the results. TADA!!! It has standard RCA outputs and an optical digital output.






My 16:9 with in-dash CD/DVD/MP3/MPEG player. No crappy BMW video module. Used Nav Tool with dual video inputs. Analog to Digital audio adapter for Stereo sound.

2nd vid of my 16:9 in-dash DVD mod

Cliff




97 540i/6, short shift, DINAN diff, springs, Lo-Jack, Air-Trak real-time vehicle tracker, Kicker amp, Kenwood sub through ski hole, M-Pars, 360 clears, hood and headlamp stone guards, glow gauges, Nav retrofit 16:9/MKIII Nav/C43/Hybrid Loewe amp. CarX CarPC, M5 interior, bumpers and sideview mirrors pending.

• 16:9 screen. Trashed the cassette and put in a 1/2 DIN DVD player. SWEET!!! (pic) (url) - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 12:00:24 (10562 views)
  • Thank you for the comments. I'm in mod mode. Now to figure out the pre-99 steeri - visionbmw7 2007-07-23 02:31:59 (382 views)
  • Awesome! Congratulations for having the courage - jcarey 2007-07-21 17:47:13 (249 views)
  • Alright. Just to clear things up about loss of menu/fuctions. It's all there!!! (url) - visionbmw7 2007-07-21 00:56:28 (586 views)
    • Oops, I disabled embedding. Here's the link. (url) - visionbmw7 2007-07-22 15:20:00 (382 views)
    • Do you still have the nav integration? - kiwijochen 2007-07-21 16:02:24 (300 views)
      • I get nav voice instructions. Honestly I didn't know the screen switched to nav - visionbmw7 2007-07-22 15:13:39 (360 views)
  • internal parts to be removed - dej4y 2007-07-20 09:13:01 (298 views)
    • Just the cassette mechanism held by 4 screws. That's it. - visionbmw7 2007-07-21 00:52:41 (285 views)
  • Excellent creativity and ingenuity. The execution is nice too. Good work Cliff!! (nt) - J A M E S. 2007-07-19 00:58:28 (258 views)
  • Nice mod. Thanks for sharing! (nt) - davidc 2007-07-19 00:56:08 (209 views)
  • Does this navtool replace the nav input? or can you use one of the video inputs - mlh78750 2007-07-18 23:14:13 (481 views)
    • No. If you don't plug in the nav computer, the amp will turn off after 1 min. - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 23:59:50 (316 views)
  • Too cool....I want to do this too... - lexicon740il 2007-07-18 19:14:54 (261 views)
    • Nice ride and wheels. I was going to get the same ones when I had my E38. - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 23:08:41 (291 views)
      • Re: Nice ride and wheels. I was going to get the same ones when I had my E38. - lexicon740il 2007-07-19 00:47:58 (243 views)
        • Nope, tried the E38 cupholder already. Not enough depth. (url) - visionbmw7 2007-07-19 04:21:44 (350 views)
  • WOW thats very impressive! good job cliff (nt) - farhod 2007-07-18 16:38:41 (226 views)
  • Very nice mod. What functionality did you lose ? (nt) - collison944 2007-07-18 16:17:34 (216 views)
    • Didn't loose anything except cassette of course. LOL! - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 21:54:11 (309 views)
  • Re: 16:9 screen. Trashed the cassette and put in a 1/2 DIN DVD player. SWEET!!! - omni 2007-07-18 16:08:57 (273 views)
    • A couple of questions - paulcalif 2007-08-15 20:22:48 (243 views)
    • Well, not exactly plug n play. The DVD player works independently. - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 23:02:40 (448 views)
  • Re: 16:9 screen. Trashed the cassette and put in a 1/2 DIN DVD player. SWEET!!! - 740ilduke 2007-07-18 15:17:11 (227 views)
  • That is awesome! I miss my CDD a little bit with my DICE install.. - SDmike 2007-07-18 14:39:05 (259 views)
    • I have the Radio Shack analog to digital converter for my Pioneer XM and 12 disc - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 21:58:22 (322 views)
    • that's CDC.. (darned fingers) (nt) - SDmike 2007-07-18 14:39:29 (229 views)
  • way cool, man! - joel 2007-07-18 14:22:55 (193 views)
  • Impressive work, how much to do it for others? :) - Strahan 2007-07-18 13:58:35 (217 views)
    • Quite honestly, the way I bent the frame is flat out UGLY. - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 22:07:04 (254 views)
  • Re: 16:9 screen. Trashed the cassette and put in a 1/2 DIN DVD player. SWEET!!! - btmlinedan 2007-07-18 12:45:51 (224 views)
    • Re: 16:9 screen. Trashed the cassette and put in a 1/2 DIN DVD player. SWEET!!! - richardo 2007-07-22 19:25:48 (271 views)
    • I have a custom board covering the hole for the rear seat lift down. - visionbmw7 2007-07-18 22:09:37 (294 views)
  • Very Nice - Thanks for sharing (nt) - tomf301 2007-07-18 12:32:19 (190 views)
  • EXCELLENT WORK AND PHOTOS CLIFF. BRILLIANT. (nt) - himey 2007-07-18 12:15:45 (248 views)
  • Does this guy ever stop!! Looks aweome Cliff! (nt) - Ed 2007-07-18 12:07:33 (239 views)