2006 MFD interface GVIF?

Well I got a Sony SDM-N50 (very nice LCD) and hacked up the cable. I tried my best to get 640x480 and 800x480 res to work on the MFD but all I got was a bunch of RGB virtical stripes. I did not have the best connections but I should have gotten some kind of a picture. When hooking the N50 cable back together I did get garbage on the Sony LCD screen but you could still make out that there was a picture. The only thing I did not try was to set the 640x480 to 15.75Khz. If I ever get some more time I might give it another try.

What i'm thinking is that the N50 is outputting 1024x768 all the time. This is because the on screen menu can be placed anywhere in the screen no matter the resolution of the PC. I do know the Prius MFD uses GVIF we just have to figure out how to do the proper conversion. I'm guessing the $1500 converter will work because is just converting the analog signal directly to GVIF and not going through the hoops the N50 is taking for all the on screen crap. I'm not willing to give $1500 to try it out but someone out there might want to. I got an email from tekgear about their return policy and they said "We give you 4 working days to try the product. If you get it on Monday, you have all week to try it out. If you do not like it, you have to send it back on Friday. All you end up paying for is the shipping/duties/taxes if you send it back." I'm still not going for it.

Since GVIF needs a twisted pair shielded wire its a real PITA to work with without the proper connectors to the NAV or the MFD. If you get them untwisted too much or get them to far apart it just wont work. Plus there is not much room to work under the seat without taking the seat out the of the car.

I think I will leave the rest of the experimenting to everyone else here. I really dont have the proper equipment or time to go into this any farther.

Its getting late and if I missed anything or misspelled some stuff I will fix it tomorrow. I will also try to answer any questions. Also i'm sorry I dont have any pics. I did not think it was worth taking pictures of nothing.

On a side note I think Sony wants about $120 for a new GVIF cable for the N50. I guess I wont be using my LCD any time soon. Might put it up on ebay next year. I hate Sony for sooooooooo many reasons. :angry:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Nov 13 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]348605[/snapback]</div>

Bummer. Thanks for trying! That certainly would have been a simple way to go about it. I've got some emails into a sony IC reseller about what the current model of GVIF transcoder chips are (since the only ones I could find reference to are discontinued), and will try to find out some more information. If they're reasonable (seems unlikely) it might be possible to hack up a simple circuit. Who knows...

 

I too got a Sony SDM-N50 and I hacked in to one side of the cable. I used a laptop and set the configuration down low to 800 x 600 and fought with the fact I don't have a proper connector for an hour. I was able to get vertical lines but no picture. The whole thing was a bust. I did not get to work on it as much as I wanted because I was traveling. However, I may do some more testing on it in the future, but I don't really see anything coming from it. I was really hoping this was it. It is too bad that we may never know why Toyota or the company who makes the navigation system decided to change the video format. This sucks for the 2006-2007 Owners.

Force...Let me know when your selling yours on ebay so we don't try to sell them at the same time.

Live and learn.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Nov 14 2006, 09:44 AM) [snapback]348741[/snapback]</div>

An interesting test that may provide some helpful information would be to try and connect the nav system into the Sony screen and see what comes up. Perhaps that could at least confirm if it is GVIF after all? And maybe the screen has a menu that could tell you res and refresh rates? Just thinking out loud..

 

I'd like to thank you guys for trying this out...that's what helps make this such a valuable community.

Don't think there aren't many others on PC following this discussion...we're hoping that some kind of solution comes along for the 06+ MFD.

It would be nice to have pics of those vertical lines you experienced. You never know when someone will happen along who just happens to recognize what those meant and a possible solution.

Vince

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(momanz @ Nov 14 2006, 04:51 PM) [snapback]349200[/snapback]</div>

Wouldn't changing the timing also benefit the cause?

And I think the screen is 840x480, if the information I've seen elsewhere is accurate (I don't think that would prevent it from working, though).

Vince

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Zorg @ Oct 29 2006, 02:50 PM) [snapback]340345[/snapback]</div>

I think a NAV coded device answering on AVC would be needed to 'activate' the map button. I betcha that's how CAN-VIEW is doing it. Or at least CAN-View is emulating some other device that uses the video inputs. For the pre-2006, that video input is used for several things, including backup camera. It doesn't sound like this is the case for 2006+
By the way, the NAV in pre-2006 has that blue connector. Makes you want to go 'Hmmm'.

 

That is the same thing I did with mine. Took apart some of my MFD to get to it. I have "Sony CXB1458R" also, but the second number is different.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(momanz @ Nov 24 2006, 10:02 AM) [snapback]353688[/snapback]</div>

If we could open up the Nav system under the drivers seat and look for two chips. One would be the GVIF transmitter, and the second would be a timing chip. Also, if anyone has an oscilloscope, I think we could learn volumes from the normal GVIF signal. Right now I am working on another project for my car and I will have to get back to unlocking the secrets of GVIF on the 06s & 07s Prius later. I am getting ready to install the CAN-View V4 sometime next week, and then prepping things for a Plug-in conversion after that I may get back to it. For now look for information on the Front View Camera to get more details on adding a DVD to you car so you will have something to watch if you ever find yourself waiting in a parking lot for someone as I often do.

 

Hi Everyone
Hope all is well.
I think I maybe able to help here. We have a Composite video to GVIF convertor that we use on the Range Rover sport. This may work on the Prius as well. The Ranger Rover Sport also uses a Denso Nav unit that uses Sony GVIF. I will need some to try it on the Prius. Please see the attachment. You can call me at 718-763-7367 or email me at [email protected]
Thanks Dominic www.TVandNav2Go.com.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Nov 24 2006, 04:31 PM) [snapback]353767[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(domoftvandnav2go @ Nov 24 2006, 08:14 PM) [snapback]353818[/snapback]</div>

You put down on your profile that you have a 07 Prius. Package 9 in Brooklyn, Do they make a package 9? You should already have your own NAV to try it on. IF not, Let talk and I would be interested in seeing what you have. However your web site said that it has had almost 2 billion visitors, is that true? <_<

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(domoftvandnav2go @ Nov 24 2006, 09:14 PM) [snapback]353818[/snapback]</div>

I would be willing to try the unit as a beta tester for the Prius. If you can loan one out to me I will make it my first priority to try it out for a week. If it does not work I will send it back. If it works and the price is right I will buy it.

One thing I think we need is a proper connector so we can easily plug in your device to either the cable from the NAV or directly into the back of the MFD. Working with twisted pair wires is a real PITA when you dont have the proper connector.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Nov 24 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]353830[/snapback]</div>

Dito, me too.

 

Hi
Someone call me and we will work out the details. I don't have the connectors so you will have to test it without it.
Thanks Dominic


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Nov 25 2006, 01:17 AM) [snapback]353861[/snapback]</div>

 

This could be a dumb question, but does anyone have a list of the MFD's various connector's pins?