Comand DVD

[Schuey]

Hi Folks,

Does any know how to override the safety feature on the Comand system when playing a DVD to stop it taking the picture away when you start moving?

At the moment you can play a DVD whilst stationary and you have picture and sound, when you start moving the picture goes away until you pull up at the lights or at a junction.

I heard you can take this safety feature away via the Star machine, can anyone offer this service?

I understand the safety feature is there for a reason but would like to have it removed for the passengers to see music video or movies whilst I'm driving.

Thanks.

 

[markjay]

I think you will find that the resident COMAND gurus, who have STARs, will not generally provide such information.

There are kits on eBay that do this - by 'cheating' COMAND to think that the incoming speed signal is actually lower than what it really is - but I would advice against it, and keep in mind that if you are involved in a serious accident, the Police may investigate and your insurer may not be thrilled with this mod.

 

[npuk]

Depends on the model. On earlier units you can do it via STAR, on newer units you have to buy a plug in an interface. Passengers wont be able to see much from the rear anyway. Better of installing rear dvd headrests like the ones in my picture gallery.

 

[lancebond]

not that it helps, BUT i was caught doing a high speed on the m6 while watching spiderman on my dvd (i wasn't WATCHING IT... but it was on) copper stopped me for the speeding and noticed that the DVD was on.

couldn't do a thing about it...(he did enquire, i just asked to see the video evidence of me having it on.)

just cause your system is capable of playing dvds while driving, doesn't mean that you PLAY dvds while driving.. i've done it with every system i've ever had, thankfully the pioneer avics are alot easier to modify than COMAND

 

[markjay]

I don't think that under normal circumstances you'll get in trouble with the law for this.

But if you do get unlucky and are involved in a serious accident, then the Police will look at all sorts of things.

When Gary Hart's Land Rover landed on the railway and ended up killing 10 people on a passing train, the Police looked at his Internet activity logs at the ISP and telephone records for the night before the crash, establishing that he slept very little and was too tired to be driving. He was convicted of 10 incidences of causing death by dangerous driving.

 

[oldcro]

Damned stupid idea to even contemplate such a modification.

 

[royaltiger]

Damned stupid idea to even contemplate such a modification.

Exactly, its no wonder the standard of driving in this country is abismal, Keep your eyes on the road.

 

[Schuey]

No probs, thanks for the responses, take your points above and it is a bad idea then. Will leave it as is.

 

[350_Coupe]

couldn't do a thing about it...(he did enquire, i just asked to see the video evidence of me having it on.)

I assume then that when it's playing and you pull away, it stops, does it not then restart when you stop for a prolongued period of time? or do you have to start it manually

Damned stupid idea to even contemplate such a modification.

Yes and No - depends entirely why he was asking

Exactly, its no wonder the standard of driving in this country is abysmal, Keep your eyes on the road.

It may have nothing to do with driving and watching, he could have a child old enough to sit in the front seat, yet young enough to get bored quickly on longish journeys, or maybe he just wants to shut the wife up whilst he's driving ! (might take her eyes off what speed he's doing too )


I can see both sides to this argument, however, unlike the use of mobile phones ban, for which i fully understand, as it takes both your concentration and one hand away, this one is a little less clear to me... because just as many people are likely to be distracted looking at and following the sat nav or map .... one type of moving video is the same as another if you ask me !

I did read somewhere that there was a menu option to do this in one of the hidden menu's but that it is always disabled, and not selectable, but not sure which version this was on

 

[markjay]

The display switches off when the speed exceeds around 5mph (don't remember the exact figure - but it's crawling speed). The DVD will continue playing however, and you can her the sound, but no picture. Picture will switch back on when car slows down. No need for driver intervention.

 

[350_Coupe]

cool, easy to explain that to the copper then.... that it started playing again because he pulled you over... but your screwed if he says "take me down the road a mile to demonstrate"

 

[markjay]

It is true that a policemen pulling you over won't be able to prove that you've been watching DVDs, especially as all you need do is press the Off button before stopping the car.

As said before, I doubt if anyone will get done during routine check. It's when a serious accident occurs where you may get in (deep) trouble.

(having said that... I was driving behind a 'boy racer' car - Scooby or Evo, can't remember now - and the guy had an after-market DVD unit - Pioneer or suchlike - mounted high-up near the rear-view mirror and clearly playing a movie while driving... how he didn't get done, I don't know)

 

[350_Coupe]

yeah, i know what you mean, some people get away with anything like this, whereas my luck doesn't even stretch to getting past traffic lights without them changing to red as i approach !