Apple TV with Rear Seat Entertainment

sward · 01-10-2017, 06:00 AM

I have connected a Apple TV to the Rear Seat Entertainment screens in my 2017 X5 M50D Limited Edition. It uses the WIFI Hotspot in the car for internet access. It works great and the children are thrilled.

The Apple TV is mounted in the armrest between the front seats with a power inverter.

samguan · 01-10-2017, 07:48 AM

That looks nice, at least here in Canada, heavy users typically have 6GB mobile data a month and an AppleTV will burn it out in no time.

sward · 01-10-2017, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samguan

That looks nice, at least here in Canada, heavy users typically have 6GB mobile data a month and an AppleTV will burn it out in no time.

We generally have more in Sweden, a lot more. 😉

Terp335 · 01-10-2017, 08:53 AM

That looks awesome. It would absolutely crush your data plan though. To be a kid today.... I remember when people shoved VHS players under the seat and had CRT tvs hanging from the roof.

patrikr · 01-10-2017, 01:48 PM

I would imagine T-Mobile's binge-on thing where streaming doesn't count toward your data allowance would be perfect for this. Might require a MiFi device though as I don't know if the car's wifi hotspot can use TMO.

aroach04 · 01-10-2017, 02:16 PM

Does it only work for the rear entertainment screens, or can you display your ATV4 on the main screen as well?

zayd · 01-10-2017, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sward

I have connected a Apple TV to the Rear Seat Entertainment screens in my 2017 X5 M50D Limited Edition. It uses the WIFI Hotspot in the car for internet access. It works great and the children are thrilled.

The Apple TV is mounted in the armrest between the front seats with a power inverter.

Hi how did you wire it up to the rear? The BMW doesn't have hdmi input? Thanks

FourDoor · 01-10-2017, 03:32 PM

That's awesome! I didn't know that there was an external video input available.

TortugaX5 · 01-11-2017, 09:10 AM

Could have used an adapter like this one:https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters.../dp/B00BPEV1XK

P1 · 01-11-2017, 10:11 AM

Also interested in how this was connected.

Joemarino · 01-11-2017, 12:22 PM

Has streaming over 3G been ok?

Almaretto · 01-12-2017, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terp335

That looks awesome. It would absolutely crush your data plan though. To be a kid today.... I remember when people shoved VHS players under the seat and had CRT tvs hanging from the roof.

I only have the former, but for those with both DirecTV and AT&T, streaming does not eat up data (22GB before you may be throttled).

I remember having some kind of square TV in car growing up for long road trips.

sward · 01-13-2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aroach04

Does it only work for the rear entertainment screens, or can you display your ATV4 on the main screen as well?

Only on the rear screens

sward · 01-13-2017, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zayd

Hi how did you wire it up to the rear? The BMW doesn't have hdmi input? Thanks

The 2017 X5 has HDMI in the back

microq · 01-13-2017, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sward

The 2017 X5 has HDMI in the back

Hi sward! This is my first post in bimmerpost! I ordered my M50d October and requested a Jan 2017 build! Birth date next week!

Anyway, I spec'd the rear entertainment also, and have been wondering the best way to route the HDMI cable to an external device since the input is under the heater unit, I don't want it to stick out so much (people might break it getting in and out) or have too much cable showing.

Are you able to please take a photo of how you have run the cable from the compartment to the HDMI input?

Thanks heaps!

Dave

p.s I hope you are enjoying the car!
p.p.s I'm going to wire in an Intel Compute Stick full of emulators for games using wireless controllers :P

jose_sonictuning · 01-13-2017, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microq

Hi sward! This is my first post in bimmerpost! I ordered my M50d October and requested a Jan 2017 build! Birth date next week!

Anyway, I spec'd the rear entertainment also, and have been wondering the best way to route the HDMI cable to an external device since the input is under the heater unit, I don't want it to stick out so much (people might break it getting in and out) or have too much cable showing.

Are you able to please take a photo of how you have run the cable from the compartment to the HDMI input?

Thanks heaps!

Dave

p.s I hope you are enjoying the car!
p.p.s I'm going to wire in an Intel Compute Stick full of emulators for games using wireless controllers :P

You've won parenting for 2017. LOL!!

Hoyviken · 10-21-2019, 08:38 AM

Hi Sward,
Your previous 2017 X5 M50d is now for sale here in Norway.
Considering to jump on a deal as it looks very nice.
Believe that you have 50k+ km a year usage.

Is there anything you can share about the car, good or bad, everything is appreciated.
Thanks!

FCX5 · 05-27-2023, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sward

I have connected a Apple TV to the Rear Seat Entertainment screens in my 2017 X5 M50D Limited Edition. It uses the WIFI Hotspot in the car for internet access. It works great and the children are thrilled.

The Apple TV is mounted in the armrest between the front seats with a power inverter.

Replying to an old thread, but easiest way to add Apple TV now is via an iPad. I use an iPad Pro 12.9. I use the official BMW tablet holder. iPad 12.9 with Folio case is a perfect fit. Cable stored and connected from center console when needed. Headphone options are AirPods and B&O. Connects well..

Some photos. I just leave it connected. But easy to remove.

01-10-2017, 06:00 AM	#1
sward Captain 632 Rep 657 Posts Drives: i7 xDrive60 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW i7 [0.00]	Apple TV with Rear Seat Entertainment I have connected a Apple TV to the Rear Seat Entertainment screens in my 2017 X5 M50D Limited Edition. It uses the WIFI Hotspot in the car for internet access. It works great and the children are thrilled. The Apple TV is mounted in the armrest between the front seats with a power inverter. Attached Images __________________ /Fredrik i7 xDrive60 -23 Sold: iX -22, X5MC -20 (F95), X5M50d -19 (G05), X5M50d -17 (F15), X5M50d -14 (F15), 116d -13 (F20), X5 3.0D -10 (E70), M3 -10 (E93), 320DX -10 (E91), 320D -08 (E91), X3 30D -07 (E83), 335 -07 (E92), 325 -05 (E90), 320 -02 (E46), 318 -00 (E46), 320 -93 (E36), 318 -89 (E30)
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01-10-2017, 07:48 AM	#2
samguan Private 42 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	That looks nice, at least here in Canada, heavy users typically have 6GB mobile data a month and an AppleTV will burn it out in no time.
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01-10-2017, 08:53 AM	#4
Terp335 First Lieutenant 116 Rep 381 Posts Drives: E90 2011 335i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: No VA iTrader: (0)	That looks awesome. It would absolutely crush your data plan though. To be a kid today.... I remember when people shoved VHS players under the seat and had CRT tvs hanging from the roof.
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01-10-2017, 01:48 PM	#5
patrikr Lieutenant 334 Rep 445 Posts Drives: 2023 760i, 2020 Model X LR Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT iTrader: (0)	I would imagine T-Mobile's binge-on thing where streaming doesn't count toward your data allowance would be perfect for this. Might require a MiFi device though as I don't know if the car's wifi hotspot can use TMO.
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01-10-2017, 02:16 PM	#6
aroach04 Private 37 Rep 93 Posts Drives: '14 F15 50i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Central MA iTrader: (0)	Does it only work for the rear entertainment screens, or can you display your ATV4 on the main screen as well? __________________ '14 X5 50i M Sport MPBK \| Meisterschaft GTC exhaust \| H&R \| V1 \| IND \| RG Sport \|
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Apple TV with Rear Seat Entertainment

01-10-2017, 03:32 PM	#8
FourDoor Private 58 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	That's awesome! I didn't know that there was an external video input available.
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01-11-2017, 09:10 AM	#9
TortugaX5 Private First Class 93 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2016 F15 X5 X35i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (0)	Could have used an adapter like this one:https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters.../dp/B00BPEV1XK __________________
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01-11-2017, 10:11 AM	#10
P1 Lieutenant General 11566 Rep 11,135 Posts Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Also interested in how this was connected.
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01-11-2017, 12:22 PM	#11
Joemarino Private 36 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X5 M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Has streaming over 3G been ok?
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10-21-2019, 08:38 AM	#17
Hoyviken Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Bergen iTrader: (0)	Hi Sward, Your previous 2017 X5 M50d is now for sale here in Norway. Considering to jump on a deal as it looks very nice. Believe that you have 50k+ km a year usage. Is there anything you can share about the car, good or bad, everything is appreciated. Thanks!
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