Digital Television

Sherwood · Post by **Sherwood** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:39 pm

Does anyone know if the Television in the X5 can easily be converted to Digital?

I guess we are all going to have to make the change when they turn off analogue?

Cheers

phill · Post by **phill** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:44 pm

Easiest way is to put the BMW digital tuner in, but it is around Â£600 I think. The cheapest is to buy a freeview box and a cable that allows you to connect to the original analogue tuner and use the AV channel on the screen.

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Timh · Post by **Timh** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:50 pm

It depends on the year of the x5. The newer ones 2004 ish and newer have digital tv modules fitted. I believe it's easy to change the module....its the one on the right hand side by the battery. The problem is that the upgraded module is not cheap. It would be cheaper to wire in a separate digital tv tuner into the existing analogue tuner using an av lead. You wouldn't be able to use the sat nav screen to change channel but they do come with a remote control and an eye you could mount somewhere upfront in the car. You would then use the av function on the nav screen to see the picture.I believe the genuine BMW module is about Â£1k new! Even on eBay they go for around Â£500!

Tim

x555 · Post by **x555** » Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:03 pm

Didgital tv modules were September 2004 onwards ......mine is an august build

and our analogue was turned off eons ago.

jeegnesh · Post by **jeegnesh** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:15 pm

May have one of these for sale in a month or two. Can't believe the price

bullethead · Post by **bullethead** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:32 pm

[quote=""sherwood""]Does anyone know if the Television in the X5 can easily be converted to Digital?

I guess we are all going to have to make the change when they turn off analogue?

Cheers[/quote]

I made the change and yes it's really easy but just ain't worth the money. Exscuse my language but it's shit

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:51 pm

[quote=""x555""]Didgital tv modules were September 2004 onwards ......mine is an august build

and our analogue was turned off eons ago.[/quote]

I'm sure mine was built in Sep 04 or afterwards. You've got me wondering if mine has a digital module that just needs re-tuning.

bullethead · Post by **bullethead** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:59 pm

Spoke to an engineer working on the switch over who said that even in areas which have already switched over it will take a couple more years for all the little transmitters to be upgraded. Here at home cracking digital reception even with a tabletop aerial. In the car i've got to go up on the downs to get a pic, went down to New Forest last summer and brilliant picture even on the move after jas enabled it. Well as far as Salisbury then naff all.

CondorX5 · Post by **CondorX5** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:37 pm

If you have a good signal, the digital picture is great. Unfortunately, this can mean just a few yards can make a massive difference in reception, unlike analogue signals, which may get a bit fuzzy, but are more tolerant in weaker reception areas. Digital : no fuzzy pictures, its either there ot its not....or you get the severe picture breakup as in very bad weather / storms high in the atmosphere. I'm glad my X has a digital tuner, but I'm not sure about spending Â£600+ on the OEM tuner, there are much more worthwhile buys.....I'd be tempted to go the digibox route with a magic eye and view TV via the AV input - you can do that for well under Â£100, but its a bit more effort to get it neatly installed.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:04 pm

[quote=""Pete""][quote=""x555""]Didgital tv modules were September 2004 onwards ......mine is an august build

and our analogue was turned off eons ago.[/quote]

I'm sure mine was built in Sep 04 or afterwards. You've got me wondering if mine has a digital module that just needs re-tuning.[/quote]

Have a look under the bonnet. Your build month and year should be in there. Black label, can't remember which side though. Try a retune and see what comes up.

phill · Post by **phill** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:52 pm

Think it's the drivers side for date manufactured

Phill

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petert · Post by **petert** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:41 pm

My E53 was a sept 04 build and was analogue.

Peter T

x555 · Post by **x555** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:50 pm

[quote=""phill""]Think it's the drivers side for date manufactured

Phill

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk[/quote]
Was it a Septemder build ??? check the sticker under the bonnet on the drivers side wing.........if it is then sorry for the duff info

but i was told on the old forum that the change over was Sept o4.

EDIT: Sorry post was meant to be for pete....it's been a long afternoon

petert · Post by **petert** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:01 am

I believe it was but I've sold it now to another forum member (Pete) who might check and confirm.

Peter T

sturach · Post by **sturach** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:13 am

Hi all

Ive got freeview on my 2006 X5

And as said the picture is good when you get a good signal (this is very rare and having to rescan quite often when in different areas)

Do you think when the analogue signal is completely turned off the digital signal will be boosted

so the cars with freeview will get a better signal strength

thnaks in advance

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