digital tv in a w203

[fuzzer]

Que ?

Are you saying the W203 TV antenna goes into the bumper ? Apparently not.

There is substantial documentation regarding the rear windscreen.

Totally , ive seen the three modules being glued onto the black bit at the top of the rear screen in sindlefingen on the W203.

GSM , FM and TV.

I just didnt think that was a viable retrofit , thus i suggested the diversity setup in the bumpers.

 

[VBD]

No , not what I was saying. What I was saying is that why look at other manufacturers when Mercedes has something that does the job. And yes having worked on more than my fair share of MB's you could say that I was aware that it was not in the rear bumper.

Glued ?? I must be missing this section every time I walk through the factory.

 

[miro]

Totally , ive seen the three modules being glued onto the black bit at the top of the rear screen in sindlefingen on the W203.

GSM , FM and TV.

I just didnt think that was a viable retrofit , thus i suggested the diversity setup in the bumpers.

There are two things to note in a W203 retrofit.

1/ The head liner has to drop and that means every ceiling attachment must come out. Watch out for the middle clip down the back. The rear reading lamp comes out and you can feel the middle clip at the rear by hand.

2/ The original amplifier does not have to be removed at all. It must be split in half as the glass side of the TV version is identical to the glass side of the radio only version.

Thus if you split the two amps along the clipped joins it will interchange quite nicely. Just a small note. The TV cables are allowed for in the TV amp version and not in the radio version so there is one place on the far right where a small section of plastic lip has to be removed. Quite apparent as the job proceeds.

The cable supporting bits in the middle and the ends are easily split apart too. Just a rapid and controlled pull on the installed cable support and it splits open in the car. The new one can be split open in the hand with a fine tip tool.

I have done an amplifier transfer in this way a handful of times and backed up my work with some OEM wide strips of felt tape. There have been no problems reported.

 

[splang]

Well, the Dvb-t has arrived earlier - took the car out for a spin with a portable dvd player as the av in (to test reception). Perfectly good picture and sound quality on the channels in most places with the stock aerial supplied (they gave me two of them?!) but unforunately this was a magnetic one designed to go on the outside - wasn't nearly so good inside the car..

I haven't powered up the dixons aerial yet - how can I get power to it do you think (doesn't do anything without power)? It requires 9v not the usual 12v ..

Thanks

 

[splang]

so to sum up - I need a way of getting a decent signal without having an aerial outside the car?

Any suggestions welcomed.

Miro - bit too technical your one for me - thanks though.

 

[Thmsshaun]

You can use something like that at the top of the page to power your aerial

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx...rue&Stock=28&MinPrice=0&MaxPrice=9999&SD=true

 

[splang]

ah. Excellent - thats the kind of thing i need.
I would also want to wire it to a power source without the need for the cigarette lighter point (I dont want the power cable to have to go into there all the time).

Is there a way of powering the aerial using the adapter you have shown without using the cigarette power point? (I don;t have one in the boot).

Thanks again

Steve

 

[miro]

I haven't powered up the dixons aerial yet - how can I get power to it do you think (doesn't do anything without power)? It requires 9v not the usual 12v ..

Thanks

Maybe it has an operational voltage range. from 9V to 18V ? Look perhaps at some car models.

 

[splang]

will do , many thanks

 

[Thmsshaun]

Splang,

What you can do depending how easy it is to get behind you front fag lighter is too wire from there into the boot and buy a 12 volt socket. I would imagine Halfords do them. This way it would also be switched to the ignition.

This is for boat supplies but I know they have 12 Volt sockets look under Gauges & Electrical, Then plugs & Sockets, Cigarette Lighter Sockets.

http://www.asapsupplies.co.uk/

 

[splang]

thanks ever so much for that.

Great minds think alike! (I just bought a cigarette lighter plug from maplins and indeed that is what I shall be wiring it to )

Very kind of you to put the effort in - what a lovely forum...

(reminds me of that film "its a wonderful life" )

Thanks again

 

[Thmsshaun]

No worries. Sorry I didnt reply sooner. Was a nit ties up when you first asked. Hope it all works out. :bannana:

 

[splang]

Well, as an update.

I have the new Command 2.0 multimedia adaptor (for non mb tuner setups) and it works a treat - wired the power into the same power input as the command uses ( 30 13v ignition switch) and the ground into the same ground etc.. All set up and works very nicely with the sound fully integrated and look fully oem.

The only thing I want to keep working on now is the aerial for the dvb-t. The reception around here isn't brilliant (in places)....

Overall, I have learnt an awful lot doing this mod and would recommend it to others.

Ps It does work on the move but limited reception and it is illegal to do so so I wont be using it in that way (although I do have 4 video out sockets on the tuner so maybe later for kiddie screens)

Steve
:bannana:

Thanks to all members for their invaluable help!