Twenty4Play

If anyone is interested in collaborating to make working hybrid navi DVD's - that is, standard proven versions that are specifically defined by year, version, and specific files contained - let's share our info here.

I've got 5 different versions of navi DVD's that I'll be working on mixing soon:

2006.1 (APS)
2005.1 (MCSII)
2007/8 v8.0 (MCSII)
2007/8 v8.0 (APS)
2009 v10 (APS)

*APS = Euro, MCSII = US

I'll post the file trees later when I get a chance.

Currently my APS is using the 2006.1; does anyone know if I use the 2009 v10 DVD in it, will I be unable to use previous versions after? I have read that some DVD's contain firmware upgrades, and in my experience with firmware upgrades, they often cause incompatibility issues with older versions (though I have no experience with Comand firmware upgrades).

MJ50

Twenty4Play

Here's the first batch of screen shots. When the navi comes in and I can test different combos I'll post those screen shots as well, both working and non-working file trees so others don't end up trying a bad combo.



2006.1 (APS)
*Haven't received yet, in the mail.


2005.1 (MCSII)

This one seems to be the only COMAND DVD that doesn't even closely resemble the others. It should also be noted that it's a dual-layer DVD unlike the newer versions.


2007/8 v8.0 (MCSII)



2007/8 v8.0 (APS)


***Notice that on both the APS and MCSII file trees there are several files with the exact same 'Date Modified', 'Size', and 'Name'... definitely a good sign ;-) I'm guessing that since those files haven't been modified in up to four years from the date of the map files, the fact that the US maps are one year newer (MCSII - Jun/Jul 2008, APS Sep/Oct 2007) shouldn't matter. If my theory proves correct, updating maps can possibly be done with simply swapping map files and using the old core files... until the whole tree is changed as seen in the v10 DVD below. This would prevent any firmware upgrade/downgrade issues. I hope the file trees on the 2005.1 & 2006.1 DVD's look the same [fingers crossed].***


-Any suggestions on which files to swap on the v8.0's? I was thinking just the _XAC, _GDB, and _LIT.

2009 v10 (APS)

Twenty4Play

***Update***

Euro COMAND installed and working, it was practically plug-n-play!
Apparently the MOST fiber ring on the donor car was activated, which was nice for me. Right after I plugged it in, my radio was working (AM stations are spotty as has been noted by others), CDC was working, and the iPod kit was fully functional. The only thing I don't have working as of now is Sirius sat radio.

It took two tries to make an operational hybrid navi DVD, I failed on one test disc (We'll call it v1.8.1), and succeeded on the second (v1.8.2), both discs used were Version 8 (2007/2008, MCSII & APS).

If someone wants to test my current working version (v1.8.2) on their Euro COMAND, let me know, we'll figure a way to get you either the ISO I created or mail a DVD to you. I want to make sure that my COMAND is not an exception and that this hybrid version will work on all Euro COMAND's.

I'll post the file trees and photo's of the working Navi sometime today or tomorrow.

Twenty4Play

Hybrid ISO file tree (v1.8.2):


*The two files starting with 'kT06...' are from the MCSII disc, all other files are from the APS disc. When replacing the 'kT06...' files you must rename them to match their APS counterparts. These files have already been renamed.

~This is a bit of a reproduction of another DIY for the Euro COMAND, however this one is done with more current software, so I thought I should post an updated DIY in case of any inconsistencies~

Instructions:

Step 1: Make ISO's of both MCSII and APS discs.
Step 2: Using DVD burning software, (I used Toast Titanium), drag the desired files from the ISO to a *new* DVD project, I created mine as "DVD-ROM (UDF)" ***DO NOT MAKE AN 'ISO 9660', it will not work***
Step 3: Rename the MCSII map files to match the names of their APS counterparts, also, make sure that the name of the disc you're burning matches the name of the APS disc (Not the MCSII disc).
Step 4: Burn (Do not burn any faster than 2x!!!)
Step 5: Go to your car, turn it on, insert DVD into the COMAND unit. It will likely say that it's updating and it will restart, then finishing updating. I drove around for about 10 minutes before the GPS started working, so give it time. Another thread about this said that it took 10 minutes on one car, but an hour and half on another.

Equipment used:

MacBook
Toast Titanium DVD burning software
DVD-R
v8 COMAND DVD - 2007/2008 (MCSII and APS DVD's)
Time, roughly 20 minutes (excluding COMAND install and failed hybrid attempts)

Good luck!

Preet

great job, did you have any luck playing DVD's or MP3's on the comand

Twenty4Play

Haven't even tried. I'm pretty sure DVD's will NOT work because of region coding issues. But I'll try and let you know.

Twenty4Play

Confirmed... No DVD's, no MP3's. I tried the MP3 CD in both the COMAND and the changer... no luck.

65coupei6

I have been following this thread. Great work. Can you make a torrent of the Nav. disc you created? Or if you can send me a copy I will create a torrent out of it for other people to leach.

If you want to play a dvd just rip the dvd and burn a new copy.

Twenty4Play

Yea, I'll make a torrent when I get a chance. I'll post a link here, providing it's not against the TOS. Any mods wanna clarify whether or not that's OK?

advans

^hmm. I'm interested

Preet

Any update?

Twenty4Play

I haven't been able to figure out how to make a working torrent file... I've tried a ton of different ways. I was able to make the file, but for some reason it's not seeding. ;-(

Preet

Check your pm

Twenty4Play

I think I have the torrent all ready to go.
I think all I need to do now is email the torrent tracker file to whoever wants it.
So PM me with your email addy and I'll email you the torrent tracker.

Preet

Waiting for reply
Thanks

ouroboros

Hi Twenty4Play

Which way did you test:
Euro maps working on US unit or US maps on Euro unit. I had a crack at the former on a MCSII looking for other Alpine maps without any luck.

I did manage to get a backup DVD working so I'd be interested in any map files you found to be compatible.

timmynabenz

So can we now get a hybrid disc that will work on US commands?

Twenty4Play

I have US maps working on a Euro COMAND (APS COMAND > MCSII maps).

What's the legalities of me burning hybrid discs for everyone that wants one? I'd be willing providing MB doesn't throw me jail. haha

Viper98912

Sounds great that you finally got it to work. Now that you have it working, how are you liking you euro comand? Any pros and cons you can briefly give us? (I know there's already threads and info out there about issues, but I want to know what your personal opinions are)

Cintoman

I've always been interested in getting the "british chick" voice on my OEM US (MCSII) COMAND. I have what I believe to be the 2006.1 US DVD in my COMAND (I'll have to check to be sure), but never figured out how to get the british chick voice.

Awhile back, I had started working on some sort of hybrid disc. Someone on the forum here e-mailed me some files, but I never got around to working on it.

So, you got a US map disc to work on your Euro Comand, right? What voice do you have?

Cintoman

Androctonus1980

Hi guys,

I tried to create a hybrid disc for having a european map working onto a US comand MCS II.
I've bought an original US disc (newer navi dvd) just to uptade the software to the newest one and I guess that the DVD had a scratch (haven't put a hybrid in the drive, just the right original DVD for that comand).
Now my comand does not start anymore... Just the mercedes star on the display.
So I've given the system to the MB-dealer who has sent it to a company. They called me and said it's a software problem, we can't repair it...

Does anyone know if it helps to take out the dvd drive and to start it somehow? Maybe I can replace or clean the Laser...

Is there a way to somehow make a hard reset? Or connect that comand to a computer or anything... I'm really desperate.

I would really want to have the US comand working in europe, but first I would like that I can at least listen to some music... only mercedes star shows up, nothing can be changed and the dvd cannot be removed anymore...

any help is appreciated!

Twenty4Play

Viper98912:

The drawbacks of having an APS COMAND that I've come across are:
-only having one CD/DVD slot (which is always taken up by the Navi DVD).
-Sirius/XM (dealer installed) will not work, you need a secondary controller.
-I heard... that the phone will not work, but I don't have my phone connected.
-AM radio stations don't really work, or rather, few of them do.

Aside from that, I love it... I got the APS COMAND about $300 cheaper than I could find a MCSII COMAND... so it was a fair trade off, though I do wish my factory Sirius/XM still worked.

Everything else works great, my iPod still works fine, I had the dash coded for the Navi, the CD changer still works, FM stations work fine, and the hybrid DVD has worked like a charm without any hiccups whatsoever. All in all, pretty happy.

Viper98912, and Cintoman:

I will say this though, if you have the choice of a Euro COMAND and a US COMAND for the same price.... go for the US. The Brit voice isn't all that special, in fact, it's not as British sounding as one might think.

Androctonus1980:

I could be wrong, but I think you fouled up by updating the COMAND with a newer version than your hybrid disc. In previous threads people have warned not to use a newer disc, because the COMAND isn't backwards compatible. This may not be true, as I've not had any experience with it... but I'd venture a guess that you're stuck using a hybrid that is as new or newer than the disc you used to update your COMAND.

Androctonus1980

Twenty4Play, thank you for your comment.

I know what you mean. But I thought I could just insert an original and right for my mercedes DVD. I haven't used any hybrids yet. I just wanted to update the system with the newest original software.

I guess that the scratch of the original disc is the problem because it said update navigation and then got stuck somehow... And now nothing works anymore. I did not put any other hybrid software or so onto the Comand. It was just my plan later to do so, but first to update the system...

I guess I can throw that thing away... I'll try to remove the dvd drive when I get it back and see if it starts... I'll keep posting.

But it is possible to use a European phone with a US Comand (MCS II).
I've achieved that by changing the software of my mobile phone (I'm using Motorola Razr V3). So if anyone needs help by that I'm happy to assist...

SuperQ

I have a euro command in my 2006 w203. I would like to get a copy of your hybrid dvd to see if it works in my car as well. I have been trying to find an upgrade for my command for several years with no luck. I even purchased a oem us command dvd, but it would not work in my car. I live in texas, so that disc would be the main one i was interested in. I would be willing to pay as well. My email is quentyns@yahoo.com.