The DVD changer also contains the function of a CD changer. In comparison with other picture and sound reproduction methods, the use of DVD changers and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disk) offers considerable advantages.
The advantages of DVD are:
The advantages of the DVD changer are:
The DVD changer can play DVD videos (films) and any audio CD (music CD). The DVD changer provides the highest digital picture quality with digital surround sound on an interactive disk. The DVD changer is operated with a magazine to accommodate the media. A magazine can hold up to six different DVD or CD media.
The DVD changer is connected to the MOST bus.
NOTE: the DVD changer is fitted underneath the right-hand rear seat behind a flap. Open the flap to insert and remove the magazine.
The Control Display (CD) and Central Information Display (CID) are separate components. The Control Display (CD) with the Central Information Display (CID) and the Controller (CON) contains the operation and display elements for the vehicle electronics, with the exception of the ADP functions.
The Control Display (CD) co-ordinates the function requests from the system and assigns them to the individual functions. For the Control Display (CD), the following is displayed on the tester:
The Central Information Display (CID) is the display unit. For the Central Information Display (CID), the following is displayed on the tester:
All the functions of the video module 5 Drive can be displayed on the Central Information Display (CID) via RGB signals (red-green-blue signals).
The Controller (CON) is the control element for the Control Display (CD) with the display unit Central Information Display (CID). To run operating functions, the front Controller (CON) is folded out of the centre armrest.
For the control unit Rear Display, the following is displayed on the tester:
For the display unit, the following is displayed on the tester:
All the functions of the Rear Entertainment transferred as RGB signals from the video module 5 Drive are displayed on the Rear Display (FD) and Rear Display 2 (FD 2).
The Rear Display (FD) and Rear Display 2 (FD 2) are each connected to the Rear Display control unit by an LVDS cable (Low Voltage Differential Signalling) (digital RGB cable) for graphical representation.
Rear Display (FD): The Rear Display (FD) is fitted in the backrest of the driver's seat (SG FD GT).
Rear Display 2 (FD 2): The Rear Display 2 (FD 2) is fitted in the backrest of the passenger seat.
The Rear Controller (FCON) is the operating unit to control the Rear Entertainment functions at the Rear Display (FD) and Rear Display 2 (FD 2). Operation and structure of the Rear Controller (FCON) are identical to those of the Controller in the front (CON). However, the functions for front and rear are different.
The audio system controller (ASK) is a control unit in the MOST network. The audio system controller (ASK) is the system master. The ASK is responsible for managing all audio signals.
The MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) bus links the audio, video and navigation systems. Information relating to function requests is transmitted to the relevant control units by means of MOST bus messages.
The DVD changer receives its control commands via the MOST bus. The current status is returned via the MOST bus to the requesting control unit.
When a medium is inserted, the DVD changer recognizes whether it is an audio CD or a DVD. The detected medium is displayed on the Central Information Display (CID) as well as on the Rear Display (FD) and Rear Display 2 (FD 2) in the corresponding menu (CD changer or DVD menu).
Output: The video signals are fed as analog signals via the CVBS cable (Composite Video Burst Synch signal) to the video module 5 Drive. The data is duplicated in the video module 5 Drive. The data is then distributed in parallel to the Control Display (CD) and the Rear Display (FD) control unit via RGB cables.
From the Control Display (CD), the picture signal are sent across an LVDS cable to the Central Information Display (CID). From the Rear Display control unit, the picture signals are distributed across an LVDS cable to the Rear Display (FD) and the Rear Display 2 (FD 2).
This signal distribution enables simultaneous representation on the Central Information Display (CID) and Rear Display (FD) as well as the Rear Display 2 (FD 2).
NOTE: For safety reasons, no video signals are shown on the Central Information Display (CID) while the vehicle is being driven.
Sound output: The audio signals are output in digital form as linear PCM signals (Pulse Code Modulation) via the MOST bus. The signals are processed by the audio system controller (ASK), headphone interface and Logic7 amplifier. Following processing, the signals are fed for output to the loudspeakers and headphones.
The digital PCM signals sent are converted into 5.1 multi-channel technology (surround sound) by the Logic7 amplifier. This conversion produces a genuine spatial sound. The PCM signals are divided into six channels (5.1 channels) as follows:
Definitions: The world has been divided by the film industry and the so-called DVD consortium into six regions which have been assigned the regional codes 1 to 6. The region-independent regional code 0 was also introduced. In order to be able to play DVDs, the regional code of the DVD and the code firmly set in the DVD changer must be identical. The following definitions apply for the coding:
Code |
Countries |
0 |
Can be played independent of region in any DVD player |
1 |
USA, Canada, American Territories |
2 |
Europe, Japan, South Africa, Middle East, Egypt |
3 |
South-East Asia, East Asia, Hong Kong |
4 |
Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, South and Central America, Caribbean |
5 |
Former Soviet Union, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, Mongolia |
6 |
China |
Effects: If the codes of DVD and DVD changer are not identical, the DVD is not played. This means, for example, that it is not possible to play a DVD coded for Europe (Code 2) in a DVD changer made for the USA (Code 1).
The functions in the vehicle are provided by various control units. The users in the rear access the same control units as the users in the front. In order to prevent conflicts when accessing one function, rules have been laid down for the following functions.
Operation by interactive functions with Rear Controller (FCON): If the DVD that is inserted provides the possibility (see Notes on DVD), various interactive functions can be set using the Rear Controller (FCON):
The Rear Controller (FCON) can be used to select and operate other functions (see Functional description: Rear Display equipment).
Operation with menu keys: After insertion of the magazine in the DVD changer, a check of the media types (CD, DVD) is run. The contents of the CD or DVD (number of tracks, title of the DVD) are scanned. The information is displayed on the Central Information Display (CID) as well as in the Rear Display (FD) and the Rear Display 2 (FD 2).
If both a CD changer and DVD changer are fitted, the CDs are to be allocated as follows in the CD changer:
If only the DVD changer is fitted, the CDs placed in the magazine are numbered according to the slot occupied from 1 to 6. The video DVDs are displayed in the ”Video” menu. The media are operated using menu keys on the displays. The menu keys are activated using the Controller (CON) or Rear Controller (FCON).
Operation with DVD navigator: The DVD navigator consists of buttons for selection of functions for operating DVDs. The DVD navigator is activated by pressing the Controller when the DVD is running.
When a film is running, fast forward and rewind can be activated either using the corresponding function keys << or >> in the DVD navigator menu or by turning the Controller to the right or left. The speed of the fast forward search (2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 times) can be set either by pressing the fast forward or rewind keys several times in the DVD menu or by the degree of right or left rotation of the Controller.
Menu: DVD menus consist of graphics containing selection options for operation. The user navigates through the menus offered using the arrow keys as well as the Enter and Return keys.
Settings can be made by means of an interactive DVD menu, for example:
The magazines for the CD changer and DVD changer look similar. In order to prevent damage to the CD changer due to loading non-readable media (DVD, CD-ROM), the magazines are coded differently.
Matching regional codes: When replacing a DVD changer, check the regional code and, if necessary, set the right regional code. If the regional codes of the DVD changer and the DVD do not match, there is no playback function.
Double-sided DVD: Both sides of a DVD can be information carriers. In this case, the DVD has no labelling. In order to play the information on the other side, the magazine must be removed, the DVD turned by 180 degrees and reinserted. Commercially available, pre-recorded DVDs usually have only one information carrier side, the other is labelled.
Self-made CD: In the case of self-made CDs, labels attached to the CD can come loose due to the influence of high temperatures during playback and irreparably damage the influence of high temperatures DVD changer. In the case of self-made CDs in the audio format, disturbances can occur, e.g. jumps and non-recognition of the CD.
DVD audio: The DVD audio format is not supported by the DVD changer. Many commercially available audio DVDs contain both the DVD audio track and additionally a video track that can be played by the DVD changer. In this case, the tracks are chosen and activated via the DVD menu on the Central Information Display (CID) or via the Rear Display (FD) as well as the Rear Display 2 (FD 2).
NOTE: Whether the audio DVD contains an additional video track can be seen from the information on the audio DVD.