Anyone fitted the xcarlink multimedia interface?

[dieseldoos]

I have brought both the multimedia interface for my car, which has the mmi 3g, with hdd and sat nav, and the xcarlink rear view camera which fits in place of the boot lid handle.

When I fit it I intend to take some pics etc to help others who may want it, but wondered if anyone had any pointers?

Seems a few people have fitted it in A4/A5, and are happy but no real help on fitting (allthough it does not look to difficult)
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[Stonefish]

I fitted an unbranded version of the SKU2479 (which xcarlink no longer sell) this weekend along with the boot handle camera. Most of it is pretty straight forward but getting the old handle off which was a pain due to the clip in the middle. Worth doing some planning before you start. My unit came rubbish instructions so I had to wing it. Mine sits on top of the glove box and connects to the passenger side fuse box for 12v. When I finished installing it I used a digital camera with an AV cable to test the unit functioned correctly before installing the reversing camera. I tapped into the reversing light loom for the supply to the camera. Black = 12v, brown ground.

 

[hades-]

have you got a link for the xcarlink plz

 

[dieseldoos]

Audi 3G MMI Multimedia Video Interface A6 A8 Q7�::�AUDI�::�XCarLink

I did speak to them first to confirm the correct one for my car.

 

[hades-]

just a pity theres no audis through this

 

[Stonefish]

Does anyone know if the xcarlink units need permanent or switched 12V? Thanks.

 

[dieseldoos]

This is where I am a little confused, as according to xcarlink, for fitting the rear view camera, Red is switched 12v, yellow is perm. 12v, black is earth and green connects to camera for 12v reverse, but I dont understand why it would be both switch and perminant live?

Update, reading through it again it seems to be the yellow wire is ignition live and the red wire is battery live, so need to find 2 fuses to piggy back! Still dont get why it needs a perminant live tho!

 

[Stonefish]

Thanks for that info. The unit might have some sort of on-board memory that needs a permanent power supply?

I did use a spur fuse (bought off eBay) for my MMI retrofit, but there are spare fuse slots in the passenger and boot fuse boxes so a better option would be to use them. The problem is you need the correct connector type to crimp to your power leads. The connector then slots in the fuse box from the back. They don't seem to be the same as quadlock ones? Possibly ISO?

After a bit of research the connectors are called "timer contacts" most are made by TE Connectivity but I still don't know the parts number of the correct one for our fuse box.

 

[retali8]

I fitted an unbranded version of the SKU2479 (which xcarlink no longer sell) this weekend along with the boot handle camera. Most of it is pretty straight forward but getting the old handle off which was a pain due to the clip in the middle. Worth doing some planning before you start. My unit came rubbish instructions so I had to wing it. Mine sits on top of the glove box and connects to the passenger side fuse box for 12v. When I finished installing it I used a digital camera with an AV cable to test the unit functioned correctly before installing the reversing camera. I tapped into the reversing light loom for the supply to the camera. Black = 12v, brown ground.

Where'd you order yours from, Alibaba or something? How much did you end up paying? I was able to add it to my shopping cart on Xcarlink's site but I don't know if the order will go through or not. Thanks!

 

[Stonefish]

Xcarlink don't produce the SKU2479 anymore, but there is a seller on eBay that has them. I found him after I bought my unbranded one from a seller from Bulgaria. Price is pretty much the same at £179. Check this one is the model you want as there are a couple of different models.

 

[retali8]

I found this one XCarLink SKU2479 Audi 3G MMI High Multimedia MOST Video Audio Interface - Car Audio Solutions Car Security | Car Stereo | In Car Entertainment | Car Amps, Speakers & Subwoofers | Car DVD players | GPS Sat Nav which has the same SKU # so waiting to hear back from them to make sure it's in stock before I order. I also found some on Alibaba in China that are unbranded as well. I'd like to get it for under $300 USD, lol.

 

[Stonefish]

I think I tried them and they said they get them from xcarlink.

Try here: Audi 3G MMI MOST TV Fiber Optic Video Input Adaptor Interface for DVD & TV Tuner | eBay

Unfortunately more expensive. If I remember a company called car-solutions was cheaper????

 

[dieseldoos]

Ive chickened out fitting this lol, Ive now booked it in with a professional installer!

 

[benjie]

I wouldn't say you've chickened out. The physical fitting is relatively painless if you're handy with a spanner (so I hear) but getting the right wiring loom and coding is pretty hard and very few enthusiasts seem to know how to do it.

Who are you getting to fit it for you? I'm debating getting MMI 3G+ at some point, or maybe going to 3G HDD.

 

[dieseldoos]

The guy is a local (to me) car electrics specialist, he seems to know his stuff and does work for various main dealers when they cant fix or fit things etc.

 

[dieseldoos]

Back to square one! Guy is messing me around! Grrrr! Looks like I will be having ago and fitting myself!

 

[retali8]

I think I tried them and they said they get them from xcarlink.

Try here: Audi 3G MMI MOST TV Fiber Optic Video Input Adaptor Interface for DVD & TV Tuner | eBay

Unfortunately more expensive. If I remember a company called car-solutions was cheaper????

I got it from car-solutions and installed it today. I'm using the Mini HDMI2AV converter which is USB powered. Are you using it too? As I have to convert my NTSC HDMI input to PAL output for this device. What I did notice is that my screen shows a lot of scan lines. Not sure if it's the video interface or the converter. Thought I'd ask if you had the same issue?

 

[Stonefish]

Currently, I've only used mine for a reversing camera. Although, I'm connecting a TV unit soon. I've experienced some intermittent scan lines which is probably noise. Have you tried connecting the HDMI2AV converter to a PAL TV to test it?

I'm not sure how the interface deals with HD signals as they emulate the Audi TV module which isn't HD plus the screen is only 800x480.

 

[dieseldoos]

Finally fitted!

I didnt fit it in the end tho, I left it to the the pros! But I know they fitted something to the reverse lights (either a resistor or relay-he showed me but I cant remember lol) which stops any flickering. Works a treat!