glojo

In most countries having a DVD video showing that can be seen by the driver whilst the vehicle is in motion is illegal????

I hate being a party pooper, but surely apart from the legal issue, it is also unwise??? If the DVD is playing for the benefit of the front seat passenger and they let out a gasp, or scream, the temptation or indeed the natural instinct would be to look at what made the passenger react??? That split second could just be when a child runs out into the road to chase after their ball etc. or a cyclist, motor cyclist might deviate from there original course.

What a killjoy, sorry about the negative post, but I just feel it unwise to carry out such a modification.

Regards to you all,
John
Overcast Torquay

NitroShredder

Agreed... so right now I have ZERO DVD discs IN MY CAR.. and will continue to enjoy my CD collection and RDS activated radio =) It is indeed scary... but maybe I'll just carry a DVD "just in case" I want to "show off." =)

Peter

alewifebp

Agreed. I'm sure that the local law enforcement doesn't look well on people that drive while watching DVD's. But, for other people who may be in your car at the same time, or for when stopped and waiting for someone, or even in some of the the entire highway is stopped and you are not able to move for 20 or so minutes situations, it can certainly be cool to have.

benzboy

Will the 357 trick and W211-ECE work on a no nav '03 E500 (with small screen)?

Double Eagle

The mod worked perfect in my E-500 Nav Replacement vehicle delivered in August, 2003. It fades out when you drive above 5 MPH but is still playing in the background. I'm really glad it can't be viewed while I drive. You can also use Pause soft key to have the disc start where it was when you turn off the system

MANY THANKS to the members of this board for making us aware of this neat extra feature and now am especially glad I ordered NAV, got a new vehcile that finally had the NAV and now learn (a year after driving this one) that it's got a feature not even available on the new cars. Maybe it will increase the resale value of our "Unique Vehicles". I'm going on a long trip next month and will be enjoying DVD's at rest stops and in the evenings. I even like the British accent while using the NAV. The only minor difficulty is having to throw in an extra band select feature when using FM. My iPod still works fine through the AUX jack and I use that for my music instead of CD's or FM most of the time anyway so this isn't a big problem

ctouhey

I set mine for Model: W211 ECE; Keyboard: W211 US.

By the way, Nitroshredder, I don't have to pause the DVD when I get out. I can start the car and it works just like a CD - starts at the same place it left off. I ate at Hugo's last night & the valet thought it was so cool having the DVD playing...he didn't want to give me my car back!

DoubleEagle - Mine never fades out; the picture and sound are there at any speed, any time.

LuvMyMercedes

Forgive the laziness for not sifting through all the pages.

Can any confirm whether this trick works on a 2004 E320 with DVD Navigation?

paulhu

I have 2004 E500. When I turned on the power, and press the SAT button, then 3-5-7 the following menu appears: (I was able to do this NOT every time, but may be 6 out of 10 times)

Model:
W211 US
W240 US
R171 USA
AMG 211 USA
AMG 171 USA
Keyboard: (upper left soft key)
Developer
W211 USA
W211 ECE
W240 USA
W240 ECE
Varient Type


I do not see W211 ECE under Model, so I just changed W211 ECE under keyboard. Evidently, this did not work, as I tried a hour later by inserting a DVD in CD0. I get a CD ERROR message.

MadManAboutTown

That's good news, so I'll keep on trying

Oslo

Please explain. You say you don't see the W211 ECE under Model, but you also say that the menu shows W211 ECE??

PSquared

You're in the same boat as I'm in. Did you have a software upgrade on yours? I did have one on mine, and maybe that's what put the safety feature of picture fade-out in our cars.

paulhu

There are two selections Keyboard and Model. Under the Keyboard selection, there is a choice for W211 ECE, but under the Model selection, there is NO W211 ECE, only W211 US and others. I think that you must select the W211 ECE(which I do not have on my 2004 E500) under the Model menu.

Double Eagle

Yes, I also had a software mod immediately after delivery of the car; however, I'm really glad it fades out when you are driving as I definitely think it would be dangerous to have a DVD playing while moving. If you ever have an accident with it on, you'd probably be found "at fault" regardless of the true cause. Be happy it works when standing still and be SAFE.

ajm0824

Model Menu (initial)

• W211 US
• W240 US
• R171 USA
• AMG 211 USA
• AMG 171 USA

Keyboard Menu: (upper left soft key)

• Developer
• W211 USA
• W211 ECE
• W240 USA
• W240 ECE
• Varient Type
  
  

MBenzNL

The 2004 (and up) US spec comand does not show W211 ECE in the Model Menu because the unit is not able to perform as an ECE model a it is not able to play DVDs (no matter how often you press 3-5-7 or how long you switch of the car)...

greetingz,

dgmcdermott

I have a 2003 w/NAv rebuild, delivered in Aug 03. Just tried the 3-5-7 menu trick and it works if I set both the head and the keyboard to 211 ECE. But, the DVD fades out at 8-10 mph.

How do we deactivate that feature so the DVD stays on?? Dealer says he can ot do it

gotallthetoys

The DVD playing sounds interesting and I'll try it tomorrow on my early 04. What I'm most interested in is how to play MP3's that won't play now

Can somebody (Steve?) tell me what firmware version I need to play MP3's in my 04 car car without NAV?

If I can get the firmware updated will both slot 0 and the 6-disc changer both play MP3's?

Last question is what magic buttons do I push to show the firmware version?

Sorry for being a little off topic but this is kind of related.

Oslo

Hmmm.. Thought I explained it for you in this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=77679&page=4

But once more. The CD Changer will not play MP3. There is no firmware that can bring the CD Changer to play MP3. You have to buy a new Changer. You can find the part# in the above mentioned thread.

bmms8

after watching a couple of movies, i have noticed that the volume of the person speaking isnt that loud. the background music overpowers what ever ppl are saying. has anyone else noticed this same thing? Thanks

Miguk_Saram

I've noticed it on a couple of DVD's.. not all though. My solution? Switch to stereo mode, rather than using the HK Logic 7.. ..seems to work.

ATS

The surround mode is only supposed to be used for background music.. As stated in the manual.

bmms8

cool, thanks for your help guys.

user 708290782

Oslo, Thanks for the suggestion it works!

I've just come back from the dealership having provided your work around to the engineer who is responsible for the Star Diagnosis System. I now have DVD in motion and I'm sure that if my 5 year old son were able to type he would also want to pass on his thanks!

Oslo

Nice to hear that it worked for you, too. Now, to keep GLOJO happy, drive safe and leave the viewing to the pax.

glojo

Sorry about the Rant.... But here we gooo


I have read the reports on a number of fatal accidents where the driver has been accused of watching a film.

BUT strangely enough!!!!! Not one driver has admitted it was their fault.

Yes they deliberately converted the DVD player.
Yes it was playing.
But watch the film whilst driving.... Never
The vehicle just magically drifted across the carriageway.

I realise I am on a soap box 'spouting off'.
I am not interested whether it is against the law or not. But when someone is killed for a stupid reason that is so easily avoided, then it is WRONG.

Imagine how angry we would be if we actually lost someone that was very close to us. All because someone was actually looking down at a film whilst they were driving over a ton of steel!!!!!!

If you want your passengers to watch a film then fine, but why not fit the screen in the rear of the vehicle?????

Whilst driving it is far to tempting just to have a quick glance at the screen, (of course only just for a second)

"Dad!!!! Look at that, quick look" Then you look down at the screen (just for a second) and bang!!!!

Sorry guys, you will never convince me.

Hell ona Yamaha get your baseball bat ready

Good luck with you viewing.

John