Converting existing X5 Cameras into DVR

[MJX5]

So, I have a 2015 xDrive 35i MSport with all the cameras going around the car... Front/Rear/Top Views.

Is there any way to convert this to a DVR system? Any aftermarket products to tap into the camera system?

Trying to get a Dashcam solution

[MrTookies]

Originally Posted by MJX5

So, I have a 2015 xDrive 35i MSport with all the cameras going around the car... Front/Rear/Top Views.

Is there any way to convert this to a DVR system? Any aftermarket products to tap into the camera system?

Trying to get a Dashcam solution

I'm interested in this as well. Was actually searching for it online but could not find anything. It would be so cool if you could even use the internal Hard-drive for that, wishing to much

[MattBianco]

There is so much potential here. Four cameras plus an onboard HDD that can store recordings as well, and iDrive capabilities to play video.

[CrEsT]

Sounds like quite a challenge... but if possible you would most likely lose camera related functions while you're recording.

Isn't it cheaper and easier to just buy front/rear dash cams?

[twelve535i]

Wouldn't the cameras wear out quickly if they're on all the time?

[F15GorDe]

Yep, on the surface this seems like a no-brainer. However with the offerings that are already out, it wouldn't surprise me that there is a factory option available in a couple years, if not sooner.

Lot of potential here as has been pointed out.

[sloanbj]

Has anyone cracked this? Kia offers it with their built in cams. Why can BMW record?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by sloanbj

Has anyone cracked this? Kia offers it with their built in cams. Why can BMW record?

Trust me you don't want it. Any entry level dash cam nowadays have vastly superior image quality. BMW built-in cameras are just for parking aid. Cameras are aimed low (you can't see a person or police officer talking to you, you can't see cabin at all, you can't hear sound) and you can't see anything farther than 3-5ft. Even that is only as a tactical view - details are blur.
No need to invent bicycle here. Just buy descent dashcam with 2 cameras and that will give you 360 coverage with a lot better crisp image, with sound, GPS location, speed, night view, dedicated memory card, auto-save during accident, options etc.

Idea to have built-in systems for dashcam is silly for many reasons. People just voiced their thoughts, but they were noobs back in 2016 lol (sorry if I offended anyone). First of all when/if you get into accident - your car may shut down and your hdd or whatever you have may corrupt and you'll never be able to retrieve anything. Accidents when airbags blow and dashboard is in pieces - good luck making anything work. No insurance company is going to send IT specialists to retrieve info from corrupted and broken electronics. Heck, even usual computer HDDs have to be sent to a specialized companies and they charge a lot and results are not guaranteed. There are other reasons why this idea is silly.
In sum, just buy descent dashcam and stay safe.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by F15GorDe

Yep, on the surface this seems like a no-brainer. However with the offerings that are already out, it wouldn't surprise me that there is a factory option available in a couple years, if not sooner...

I'm skeptical BMW will be offering it anytime soon, if at all. Not for technical reasons, but due to all those EU privacy rules and the related legal risks. The only hope is if any of the close competitors - Lexus most likely,- begins offering it.

I'm fairly certain we'll soon see some Chinese plug-in options.