Nickthegreek

Hey everyone,

So the other day I tried signing up for a 3month free trial of Mbrace hoping to be able to use the APPS like send2benz only to find out that my car needs a hardware upgrade to get the apps and it won't be worth the money. My biggest gripe with mercedes is their navigation is horrible. No updated POI and very few at that. It would be nice to have GOOGLE maps, which will be constantly updating and showing more places. So I thought why not check out if someone makes a device so that you can control or mirror your phone onto the COMAND screen. And sure enough there is a company that makes a bluetooth screen mirroring device so that you can run your phone's screen on the car. I think that would make way more sense than spending thousands on their hardware. Was wondering if anyone knows anything about this or has ever put it into their car.

Here's a youtube vid of it:

Nickthegreek

UPDATE:

I just found the guy here is on this forum. He used the video input from his COMAND. So I would need Video in motion and this device.... I smell a mod coming

Nickthegreek

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...android-5.html

snovvman

You and me both... Thanks for posting this. I haven't paid enough attention to realize that the media interface in the glove box also supports video. This changes everything....

If you have a Samsung device, you can use the Allshare puck. For iOS, you can use Airplay. In both cases, the WiFi-based connection should give you more bandwidth than Bluetooth.

I saw another device on eBay, but requires splicing and tapping into the COMAND feed. Using the media interface changes everything.

Just when I thought I was done with mods....

Jason B

That's pretty cool! I agree about the factory nav. Feels ancient.

If you guys need the video in motion, let me know.

Nickthegreek

Nice thnx both of you for the info. Snovvman i think i know the device you are talking about. Is it the navitech bluetooth device? Im going to take a look at the allshare. JASON B i might take you up on that VIM offer

snovvman

Allshare Cast Hub:

Or other DLNA, Airplay, mirroring device, etc.

Add this:

Plus:


And VIM, and you're all set!

WiFi mirroring will be better than BT...

Nickthegreek

Wow thats perfect! Thnx. And yes i have samsung s5 so that will play nice with it. Gonna order it asap

Nickthegreek

Screw MBrace

snovvman

B a s t a r d! Just when I thought I'm done doing stuff to my car, another project comes along....

Nickthegreek

I said that to myself when I had my E... then I realized I was lying to myself and in denial 7 mods later.... modding is a never ending process

Nickthegreek

And this will be the first time I've ever spent under 200 on a media device for a mercedes

Jason B

Nickthegreek, are you going to be the first to try this on the S? And you have an iphone?

snovvman

Yeah, it almost feels wrong to spend so little on a mod.

Nuru

Whomever does, remember to post step by step pics! Like I did on the Refrigerator Retrofit!

Nickthegreek

Definitely will!! And I'll be doing a DIY on replacing the air bladders on the dynamic front seat tomorrow

I have a Samsung S5 so I am going to use the Samsung allshare hub. I am getting a HDMI to RCA converter and a AV cable and besides the VIM thats about all i'll need. It will just be routed through the glove box inputs so I can control that from the COMAND and the screen from my phone. So it will connect via WiFi and audio will be routed to the RCA and video will also from the HDMI on the device. If you can, PM me the details on getting the VIM module.

Nickthegreek

The main thing Im wondering is if converting from hdmi to AV will degrade the image alot or will be unnoticeable

Nickthegreek

I'll probably see if I can install a fuse power outlet straight from the battery to the glove compartment and power everything from that and not have to splice into power lines.

Nickthegreek

Everything will be in wed!!!! I'll see how it works with the car in park wed....

Nuru

You could also use an open slot with a fused cable from your rear SAM.

snovvman

I've done a similar setup on my old BMW. It does degrade the output, but at that size, it's very usable.

Amazon Prime? The mod insanity....

Nickthegreek

So i took my glove compartment apart and i think im going to the route nuru told me. Theres a fuse box that actually sits right next to it with empty slots so that should be easy. Tomorrow parts come in. I think the hardest part will be wiring the power.

snovvman

Very exciting!

Sort of unrelated--I had a hard time finding a ignition-switched 12V source under the dash. I eventually found one. Tonight I was looking for a ignition 12V above the rear view mirror, no joy. If you know of one in the area, please let me know.

Good luck with the install!

Nickthegreek

Is it for radar? If so my friend who is a tech told me they use the fuse box by the glove.compartment for that

snovvman

Thanks for the tip. Is it accessed from the side of the dash like the driver's side? The fuse block on the driver's side is a constant 12V distribution. If the passenger side fuse block is all switched 12V, that will be a good find.