v.

LiNK Video-inserter

VL2-CIC

for BMW vehicles with

Business/Professional CIC-E and CIC-F series
navigation systems or radios with colour display
and 4pin HSD LVDS monitor plug

Video-inserter with 2 video + RGB + rear-view camera input

Product features

 Video-inserter for factory-infotainment monitors

 2 video-inputs for after-market devices (e.g. DVD-Player, DVB-T tuner, …)
 Built-in audio-switch (no audio-insertion)
 Rear-view camera video-input
 Automatic switching to rear-view camera input on engagement of reverse gear
 RGB-input for after-market navigation
 Video-in-motion (ONLY for connected video-sources)
 Compatible with factory rear-view camera
 AV-inputs PAL/NTSC compatible
 Ultra-wide picture mode 24:9 (only with ultra-wide screens 8.8" and 10.2")

Version 28.07.2015
Contents

1. Prior to installation

1.1. Delivery contents

1.2. Checking the compatibility of vehicle and accessories
1.3. Dip-switch settings
1.3.1. Vehicle selection (dip 6-8)
1.3.1.1. Video signal selection after-market navigation (Dip 4)
1.3.2. Enabling the interface’s video inputs (dip 1-3)
1.3.3. Rear-view camera settings (dip 5)

2. Installation

2.1. Place of installation

2.2. Connection schema
2.3. Connecting video-interface and CAN-box
2.4. Connection to the factory monitor
2.5. Connecting peripheral devices
2.5.1. Video-sources to IN1 and IN2
2.5.2. Audio-switch and audio-insertion
2.5.3. After-market rear-view camera
2.5.4. After-market navigation
2.6. Connecting video-interface and keypad
2.7. Picture settings

3. Interface operation

3.1. By iDrive-buttons

4. Specifications

5. Connections (video-interface)

6. Technical support
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Legal Information
By law, watching moving pictures while driving is prohibited, the driver must not be
distracted. We do not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury resulting,
directly or indirectly, from installation or operation of this product. This product should only
be used while standing or to display fixed menus or rear-view-camera video when the
vehicle is moving, for example the MP3 menu for DVD upgrades.
Changes/updates of the vehicle’s software can cause malfunctions of the interface. We
offer free software-updates for our interfaces for one year after purchase. To receive a free
update, the interface must be sent in at own cost. Labor cost for and other expenses
involved with the software-updates will not be refunded.

1. Prior to installation
Read the manual prior to installation.
Technical knowledge is necessary for installation. The place of installation must be free of
moisture and away from heat sources.

1.1. Delivery contents

Take down the serial number of the interface and store this manual for support
purposes: ____________________
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1.2. Checking the compatibility of vehicle and accessories

Requirements
Vehicle BMW 1series (E87), 3series (E90/91/92/93), 5series
(E60/61/F10/F11), 6series (E63/64/F12/F13), 7series (F01/F02),
GT5 (F07), X1 (E84), X3 (F25), X5 (E70), X6 (E71), Z4 (E89)), Mini
from about 09/2010
Head-unit/monitor Business/Professional CIC-E and CIC-F navigation systems or
radios with colour display
with 4pin HSD LVDS monitor plug

Limitations
Ultra-wide mode Only available for ultra-wide screens 8.8”/10.2”
Video only The interface inserts ONLY video signals into the infotainment.
For sound use the possibly existing factory-audio-AUX-input or a
FM-modulator.

Factory-OPS-display While reverse gear is engaged ONLY the picture of the

with after-market rear-cam after-market rear-view camera is visible!
(Interface model VL2-CIC-F can display factory OPS and
after-market rear-view camera picture simultaneously.)

1.3. Dip-switch settings

With the video interface boxes dip-switches it is possible to select vehicle/navigation the
interface is to be installed in (dip 7 and 8), to select the video signal of an optional connected
after-market navigation (Dip 4), to dis- or enable the interfaces inputs
(dip 1 to 3) and to preselect the type of camera which is (to be) installed
(dip 5).
Dip position down is ON and position up is OFF.

1.3.1. Vehicle selection (dip 7-8)

Choose the vehicle/navigation/monitor the interface is to be installed to and set dip 7

through 8 according to the below table.

Vehicle/Navigation Resolution Dip 7 Dip 8

BMW CIC with 8.8”/10.2” ultra-wide monitor 1246 x 480 ON OFF
BMW CIC with 6.5” monitor 800 x 480 ON ON
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1.3.2. Video signal selection after-market navigation(Dip 4)

To the video interface’s RGB-input it is possible to connect a RGB- or a VGA-video source. Set
dip 4 according to table.

After-Market Navigation Dip 4

VGA (RGB-Input Pin 4 H-Sync, Pin 8 V-Sync) ON
RGB NTSC OFF

1.3.3. Enabling the interface’s video inputs (dip 1-3)

Only the enabled video inputs can be accessed when switching through the video sources. It
is recommended to enable only the required inputs for the disabled will be skipped when
switching through the video interfaces inputs.
Dip Video-input ON (down) OFF (up)
Dip 1 RGB enabled disabled
Dip 2 Video IN1 enabled disabled
Dip 3 Video IN2 enabled disabled

1.3.4. Rear-view camera settings (dip 5)

Depending on whether no camera, after-market camera or Rear-view

factory camera shall be used, dip 5 must use different settings. Dip 5
camera type
If set to OFF, the interface switches to factory LVDS picture
None OFF
when the reverse gear is engaged to display factory rear-view
Factory OFF
camera or factory PDC picture.
After-market ON
Note: If the Can-bus does not work while connecting an after-market rear-view camera, cut
the green cable of the 6pin to 8pin cable at the black 8pin connector and connect it to the
reverse gear light (+12V). For this use a relay because the reverse gear light of the vehicle is
clocked (relay AC-RW1230 and AC-RS5 optional available). 5
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2. Installation

Switch off ignition and disconnect the vehicle’s battery! The interface needs a permanent
12V source. If according to factory rules disconnecting the battery is to be avoided, it is
usually sufficient to put the vehicle is sleep-mode. In case the sleep-mode does not show
success, disconnect the battery with a resistor lead.
If power source is not taken directly from the battery, the connection has to be checked
for being start-up proven and permanent.

2.1. Place of installation

The interface is installed on the backside of factory monitor.

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2.2. Connection schema

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2.3. Connecting video-interface and CAN-box

Connect black female 4pin Micro-Fit connector of the 4pin cable to the male 4pin
Micro-Fit connector of the CAN-box.
Note: Check LEDs on CAN-box after reconnecting the battery, one must be on.

Connect white female 6pin Molex connector of the 6pin to 8pin cable to the male
6pin Molex connector of the video-interface.

Connect black female 8pin Micro-Fit connector of the 6pin to 8pin cable to male 8pin
Micro-Fit connector of the CAN-box.
Note: Check LEDs on video-interface after reconnecting the battery, one must be on.

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2.4. Connections to the factory monitor

Remove factory monitor.

Remove female 4pin HSD LVDS connector from the rear of the factory monitor
and connect it to the male 4pin HSD LVDS connector of the video-interface.

Connect female 4pin connector of the 4pin HSD LVDS cable to the male 4pin HSD
LVDS connector of the factory monitor.

Remove female 8pin BMW connector of factory harness from the rear of the factory
monitor and connect it to the male 8pin BMW connector of the 4pin cable.

Connect female 8pin BMW connector of the 4pin cable to the male 8pin BMW
connector of the factory monitor.

2.5. Connecting peripheral devices

It is possible to connect 2 after-market AV-sources, an after-market rear-view camera and an

after-market navigation to the video-interface.

Before final installation of the peripheral devices, we recommend a test-run to detect

incompatibility of vehicle and interface. Due to changes in the production of the vehicle
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manufacturer is always the possibility of incompatibility.

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2.5.1. Video-sources to IN1 and IN2

Connect video RCA of the AV-source 1 to the female RCA connector IN1 of the video-
interface.

Connect video RCA of the AV-source 2 to the female RCA connector IN2 of the video-
interface.

2.5.2. Audio-switch and audio insertion

This interface can only insert video signals into the factory infotainment. Audio insertion is
possible by possibly existing factory audio AUX input or FM-modulator. The inserted video-
signal can be activated parallel to each audio-mode of the factory infotainment.
It is possible to switch the audio signals from the to IN1 and IN2 connected AV-sources
parallel to the video-signal of the respective AV-source by video-interface’s built-in audio-
switch.

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Note: If only one AV-source shall be connected, it is possible to connect the video output of
the AV-source to video IN1 of the video-interface and the audio output of the AV-source
direct to the audio-insertion.

Connect female 8pin connector of the audio cable to male 8pin connector of the
video-interface.

Connect the audio-RCA of the possibly existing factory AUX-input or the FM-
modulator to the female RCA port AV-Out of the audio cable.

Connect the audio-RCA of the AV-source 1 to the female RCA port AV1 of the audio
cable.

Connect the audio-RCA of the AV-source 2 to the female RCA port AV2 of the audio
cable.

Audio pins Definition

1/2 Audio input signal R/L of source IN2
3/4 Audio input signal R/L of source IN1
5/6 Audio output signal R/L of factory audio AUX
or FM-modulator
7 Ground
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8 No function
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Note: When switching the video interface from video-IN1 to video-IN2, the audio will also
automatically be switched.

Version 28.07.2015 VL2-CIC

2.5.3. After-market rear-view camera

Connect the video-RCA of the after-market rear-view camera to the female RCA port
of the video-interface.

- If the Can-bus does not work while connecting an after-market rear-view camera, cut
the green cable of the 6pin to 8pin cable at the black 8pin connector and connect it
to the reverse gear light (+12V). For this use a relay because the reverse gear light of
the vehicle is clocked (relay AC-RW1230 and AC-RS5 optional available).
Note: Set Dip 5 to ON.

Long press OPTION-button or long push iDrive up to switch the picture format:
 16:9
 24:9
Note: Picture format 24:9 is only available for ultra-wide screens 8.8”/10.2”.

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2.5.4. After-Market navigation

Connect female 8pin connector of the RGB cable to the male 8pin connector of the
video-interface. The loose grey wires have no function and have to be isolated.

Connect male 6pin connector of the RGB cable to the after-Market navigation.

2.6. Connecting video-interface and keypad

Connect the female 4pin connector of the keypad to the male 4pin connector of the
video-interface.
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2.7. Picture settings

After installing the sources the picture settings can be changed using a pen on the buttons of
the video interface. Press the MENU button to open settings menu on the OSD and to switch
to the next setting. UP and DOWN change the corresponding values. The buttons are
embedded in the housing to avoid accidental changes during or after installation.

The following settings are available:

Brightness
Contrast
Saturation
Position H (horizontal)
Position V (vertical)

3. Interface operation

3.1. By iDrive-buttons

Some of the iDrive-buttons can be used to execute interface functions.

Long press NAV-button (MAP-button) to switch the video source. Each repetition
will switch to the next enabled input. If all inputs are enabled the order is:

Factory video  RGB-in  video IN1  video IN2  factory video …

Inputs which are not enabled are skipped. If the audio cable is connected, when
switching from video IN1 to video IN2, also the sound will be switched.

Press CD- or RADIO-button to return to the factory-video.

Long press OPTION-button or long push iDrive up to switch the picture format:
 16:9
 24:9
Note: Picture format 24:9 is only available for ultra-wide screens 8.8”/10.2”.
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4. Specifications

BATT/ACC range 7V ~ 25V

Stand-by power drain <10mA
Power 0.2A @12V
Power consumption 2.4W
Video input 0.7V~1V
Video input formats PAL/NTSC
RGB-video amplitude 0.7V with 75 Ohm impedance
Temperature range -40°C to +85°C
Weight 195g
Dimensions (box only) B x H x T 182 x 24 x 100 mm

5. Connections (video-interface)

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6. Frequently asked questions

For any troubles which may occur, check the following table for a solution before requesting
support from your vendor.

Symptom Reason Possible solution

Not all connectors have been
reconnected to factory head-
Connect missing connectors.
unit or monitor after
installation.
No power on CAN-bus box (all Check power supply of CAN-bus box. Check CAN-bus
No picture/black
LED CAN-bus box are off). connection of CAN-bus box.
picture (factory
Refer to the manual where to connected to the CAN-
picture). CAN-bus box connected to
bus. If not mentioned, try another place to connect to
CAN-bus in wrong place.
the CAN-bus.
No power on video-interface Check whether CAN-bus box delivers +12V ACC on red
(all LED video-interface are wire output of 8pin to 6pin cable. If not cut wire and
off). supply ACC +12V directly to video-interface.
No picture from video source. Check on other monitor whether video source is OK.
Check settings dips 1 to 3 of video interface which
No video-source connected to
inputs are activated and switch to corresponding
No picture/black the selected interface input.
input(s).
picture/white picture
Double-check whether order of LVDS cables is exactly
(inserted picture) but
LVDS cables plugged in wrong connected according to manual. Plugging into head-
factory picture is OK.
place. unit does not work when the manual says to plug into
monitor and vice versa.

Inserted picture totally

wrong size or position. Wrong monitor settings of Try different combinations of dips 7 and 8 of video-
Inserted picture double video-interface. interface. Unplug 6pin power after each change.
or 4 times on monitor.

Video sources output set to

AUTO or MULTI which causes Set video source output fixed to PAL or NTSC. It is best
a conflict with the interfaces to set all video sources to the same standard.
Inserted picture
auto detection.
distorted, flickering or
If error occurs only after
running vertically.
source switching: Connected
Set all video sources to the same standard.
sources are not set to the
same TV standard.
Some interfaces can only Check manual whether there is a limitation to NTSC
Inserted picture b/w. handle NTSC input. mentioned. If yes, set source fixed to NTSC output.
Inserted picture qual.
bad.
Inserted picture size Picture settings have not been Use the 3 buttons and the interface's OSD to adjust the
slightly wrong. adjusted. picture settings for the corresponding video input.
Inserted picture
position wrong.
Camera is being tested under
Camera input picture
fluorescent light which shines Test camera under natural light outside the garage.
flickers.
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directly into the camera.

Camera input picture is Protection sticker not
Remove protection sticker.
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bluish. removed from camera lens.

Version 28.07.2015 VL2-CIC

 Symptom Reason Possible solution
Camera input picture Use relay or electronics to "clean" reverse gear lamp
black. Camera power taken directly power. Alternatively, if CAN-bus box is compatible
Camera input picture from reverse gear lamp. with the vehicle, camera power can be taken from
has distortion. green wire of 6pin to 8pin cable.
Set dip 3 of video-interface to ON (if not input AV2 is
Camera input picture Camera input picture settings not already activated) and connect the camera to AV2.
settings cannot be can only be adjusted in AV2 Switch to AV2 and adjust settings. Reconnect camera
adjusted. mode. to camera input and deactivate AV2 if not used for
other source.
In compatible vehicles, the graphics will display the
Graphics of a car in Function PDC is ON in the
factory PDC distance. If not working or not wanted, set
camera input picture. interface OSD.
interface OSD menu item UI-CNTRL to ALLOFF.
Function RET or ALL is ON
Chinese signs in Set interface OSD menu item UI-CNTRL to ALLOFF or
(function for Asian market) in
camera input picture PDCON.
the interface OSD.
CAN-bus interface does not
Not possible to switch Use external keypad or cut white wire of 6pin to 8pin
support this function for
video sources by OEM cable and apply +12V impulses for AV-switching.
vehicle.
button.
For video source switching a longer press of about 2.5
Pressed too short.
Not possible to switch seconds is required.
video sources by SW-version of interface does Use OEM-button or cut white wire of 6pin to 8pin
external keypad. not support external keypad. cable and apply +12V impulses for AV-switching.
Interface does not
CAN-bus interface does not Cut the green wire of the 6pin to 8pin cable and apply
switch to camera input
support this function for the +12V constant from reverse gear-lamp signal. Use
when reverse gear is
vehicles. relay to "clean" gear lamp power.
engaged.
CAN-bus interface Cut the grey wire of 6pin to 8pin and isolate both
Interface switches
compatibility to vehicle is ends. If problem still occurs, additionally cut the white
video-sources by itself.
limited. wire of 6pin to 8pin cable and isolate both ends.

7. Technical Support

Please note that direct technical support is only available for products purchased directly
from NavLinkz GmbH. For products bought from other sources, contact your vendor for
technical support.

NavLinkz GmbH
distribution/tech dealer-support
Eurotec-Ring 45
D-47445 Moers

Tel +49 2841 949970

Email mail@navlinkz.de
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10R-03 5384 Made in China

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