The DVD changer is a development of the CD changer and it combines both functions. 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.
NOTE: The magazine can only be inserted and removed from the luggage compartment.
The DVD changer is connected to the MOST bus.
The DVD changer is fitted in the luggage compartment towards the rear left, above the navigation computer.
Control Display: Apart from a few exceptions, the Control Display (CD) incorporates the controls and displays for the vehicle electronics. The Control Display coordinates the function requests from the system and assigns them to the relevant functions.
All the functions of the video module 5 Drive can be displayed on the Control Display via RGB signals (red-green-blue signals).
Controller: The Control Display is operated by means of the Controller located on the front center armrest.
Rear Display: All the functions of the 'Rear Entertainment' transferred as RGB signals from the video module 5 Drive are shown on the Rear Display.
NOTE: Only DVD video and TV signals from can be shown on the Rear Display for series launch 03/2002.
Rear Controller: The Rear Controller is the control panel for operating the 'Rear Entertainment' functions on the Rear Display. Operation and structure of the Rear Controller are identical to those of the Controller in the front. However, the functions for front and rear are different.
The Audio System Controller (ASK) is a control module in the MOST network. The 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 modules 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 module.
When a medium is inserted, the DVD changer recognizes whether it is an audio CD or a DVD. The recognized medium is shown on the Control Display and the Rear Display in the corresponding menu (CD changer or DVD menu).
Picture 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 and the Rear Display via RGB cables. The distribution of the signals enables simultaneous representation on the Control Display and the Rear Display.
NOTE: For safety reasons, no video signals are shown on the Control Display while driving.
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 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 multichannel technology (surround sound) by the Logic7 amplifier. This conversion produces a genuine interior 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 modules. The users in the rear access the same control modules 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: If the DVD that is inserted provides the possibility (see Notes on DVD), various interactive functions can be set using the Rear Controller, e.g.:
The Rear Controller can be used to select and operate other functions (see: Rear Display functions).
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 in the Control Display and in the Rear Display. 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 or Rear Controller.
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.
Operation via DVD 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 code: 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 labeling. 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, prerecorded DVDs usually have only one information carrier side, the other is labeled.
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 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 selected via the DVD menu on the Control Display or via the Rear Display.
NOTE: Whether the audio DVD contains an additional video track can be seen from the information on the audio DVD.