XM, Video and Audio

Coastal Dave:

Do the auxiliary audio/video, satellite radio and backup camera work in 2004 Prius models without the nav. system i.e. #7 package?

 

This is great! One tiny question, though: The video input has the phrase [something like], "Look around for safety". This may be a good thing for the backup video, but for plain old video/dvd, won't this get annoying? Can it be defeated?

Okay, I guess that was *two* questions...

-= Dave =-

 

I have check today on the possibillity to get the same XM-Type setup that the Sonari (or so, new Toyota product) has, with my dealer in Knoxville, and they told me that this Toyota XM-Radio/receiver unit could be installed by them and would have all the functionality throught the display, and voice command and sterring wheel control buttons, and would cost me $710.00 installed if I would add it to my new 2004 Prius Order. - well I told them I'll think about it...

--ralphmc--

 

I ordered a Prius in November, and I'm still waiting for it to be delivered (silver, package #9). I'm wondering about warranties. I see that both these websites offer a XM Satellite Radio kit:

http://www.priusxm.com/
http://www.coastalEtech.com/

If I were to purchase and manually install one of these kits, would I be voiding warranties on the Prius? Maybe this has been discussed somewhere on this site, but I just don't see it. I guess I'm a bit hesitant right now to buy an after-market product from a 3rd party vendor since it's not coming directly from Toyota. But, I was informed today by Kelley at Coastal that their kit is actually a Toyota part.

I'd appreciate hearing what others think/have to say.

Thanks!

Chris

 

I am *seriously* interested in the MP3 part of the MP3/DVD player, and getting AUX-in and VIDEO-in for a rearview camera (with *next* year's tax return money) would be nice.

I'm hoping Coastal Dave will post prices soon, so I can plan on the drive down for an install...

 

Hello all.

I too am VERY interested in the MP3/DVD system…..
I have one question, however.

I am going to guess that I will not be able to control the system via the touch screen, (view only) but does anyone know if we will be able to control the player via the controls on the steering wheel?

That would be really really really cool. In fact, if I could control a radio/mp3/dvd player this way, I would not care if I lost functionally in the normal non-mp3 stereo.

dp

 

As far as I can tell - you will be able to control an MP3 player, like an iPod through the screen, as long as you're feeding all info in, not just audio. If you can access it through the screen, you can also access it on the steering wheel. I am not sure if getting to the player is just another "mode" or not, but I'm sure we'll find out eventually.

Take a look at this photo CostalDave posted:



As far as I can tell, it's showing the hard drive of the mp3 player.

 

Thank you for your response....however, the only FACT that the picture shows is that the VIDEO OUT on the dvd/mp3 player is connected to the screen.

There is NO INDICATION that you can actually control of navigate the (i.e. send electrical control signals) to the DVD/MP3 via the touch screen....versus just controlling the DVD/MP3 with its own controls.

That would be VERY VERY cool!!!! However, it would mean that somehow the mp3dvd had support for a mouse like device or touch screen.

so, does any one know?

 

I'm expecting delivery of my Salsa red (Pkg 7) Prius sometime this month. I currently have XM Delphi Skyfi in my Saturn VUE and totally love it (XM not the VUE) and I want to have XM in the Prius and I've been considering the XM Commander, particularly after seeing the picture of the install of the Commander head unit behind the smoked plastic drop down door below the radio. But after having read the info about the Pioneer/Toyota units in CoastalEtech.com and priusxm.com I was curious if anyone has made the purchase from either of these locations. Did you do the installation yourself or have someone else do it and how did the whole process untimately work out. If anyone has a XM Commander up and running with the FM mod, are you happy with the results?

 

Hey Randalla,

You can take a look at our satisfied customers page:

http://www.priusxm.com/testimonials.html

We're waiting for a picture and some formal feedback from one of our customers who is 80 years old. He was reluctant to do it himself at first, but after watching our dvd he had no issues with the install and has said he was very pleased with the results.

Also, one of my customers has offered to take calls from people who are on the fence. Send me some email at [email protected] if you're interested and I'll give you his phone number.

Thanks,
-Jon
PriusXM

 

Last night I installed an XM unit from CoastalEtech.com. The installation went very smoothly. It took about 2.5 hours; of which half an hour was spend looking for a carpet clip that I dropped. The tools required are quite minimal: Screw drivers and a 10mm socket wrench with extension.

The kit consists of the Toyota/Pioneer head unit, cabling, XM antenna, printed instructions and a CD with instructions and photos of the installation process. The XM head unit is mounted in the trunk area and a cable is routed from the Prius radio to the XM unit. A further cable is routed from the XM antenna to the head unit. The XM radio is just wedged in place and held in by friction. It looks like CoastalEtech pre-applied some Velcro loop material to prevent rattling. Hopefully the XM radio won’t work its way loose (it’s trapped by the small rear storage tray).

The hardest decision I had was where to mount the XM antenna. The easiest place is to either side of the roof by the hatch back area. I decided to mount the XM antenna in the center of the roof behind the radio antenna since it looks more symmetrical. The antenna cable plugs have some plastic ends on them that need to be removed (and replaced) in order to fit them between the hatch and roof. The cable will also bind to the hatch unless it's secured against the hatch frame. I used some electrical tape, but plan on using something more permanent.

I am considering mounting the XM antenna permanently on the hatch just above the rear squirter. This would require drilling a hole in the hatch for the antenna, but the antenna cables can then be routed using the existing rubber chases with no potential binding.

I was expecting to remove allot of items to access the Prius radio, but the CoastalEtech instructions made this the easiest part. It was a bit cumbersome to plug in the cable to the back of the radio, but once I did it, I realized I could do it again much faster.

I really like the fact that the XM functions are integrated with the Prius display. CoastalEtech has been very good about shipping the unit out promptly. I was surprised that they included instructions and photos, since they are selling these things at wholesale cost. All I was expecting was the parts. They even included a box a Jelly Bellies in the package. My brother works at a Lexus dealership and their dealer cost for the same unit was more than what I paid.

Alex Karahalios

 

Some differences between the description above and our kit (PriusXM):

- The PriusXM kit includes a 40 minute video that shows the entire installation from start to finish.

- The tuner is mounted firmly to the body of the car in the PriusXM kit - we don't have you wedge anything or have anything just held in by friction.

- Antenna installation as recommended causes no binding, and no connectors need to be removed.

Just a side note, I recommend mounting the antenna on the right side of the roof because putting it underneath the radio antenna could impair the reception of the XM antenna.

If anyone on here is interested in the PriusXM kit, please email us at [email protected] and I'll give you a break on the pricing.

Thanks,
-Jon

 

Hi Jon,

I'm sure your 40 min DVD video helps allot with the installation process. In my case I found written instructions and photos were fine.

The fact that your tuner is mounted and not friction fit is a plus. I am planning on fashioning a bracket for mine.

The antenna installation as per the photo on your web page does not produce any binding or necessitate removal (and re-installation) of the plastic connectors. This would work on my car also, but if you want to mount the antenna in the center, as I did, then there is less clearance. The hatch opening and closing traces out an arc that leaves only about the diameter of the antenna cable free. Incidentally, removing the connectors only takes about 5 seconds, so that should not detract anyone.

Mounting the antenna in the middle has not impaired my XM radio reception. I can't see how that would be possible. I get XM radio reception just fine in my garage with the aluminum garage door open and above the car.

I have attached some photos of the center-mounted antenna.

Alex Karahalios

 

Hi Evan,

I guess you could mount the XM receiver under the dash, but mounting it in the trunk area seems like a cleaner installation. In the CoastalEtech kit, the receiver is mounted out of site behind the small rear storage compartment on the driver's side.

The XM antenna I installed is also magnetic and made by Terk. They recommend mounting the XM antenna on a surface of at least 2 square feet and a minimum of 5 inches from the rear window molding. I guess, technically, my installation meets those requirements. They also mention mounting the XM antenna away from line of sight obstructions. Since the XM antenna is bigger than radio antenna, I don't know if the radio antenna would qualify as a line of sight obstruction.

Alex Karahalios

 

Jon:

Any word on if your kit would work on Canadian model '04s?

I've got a Cdn "b" package which includes the premium JBL system with the in-dash 6CD changer. I "think" our changer might be a different model than the US version, so wanted to be sure.

Of course you're not technically supposed to be able to get XM radio up here (local market protectionism), but it works fine just the same

Dave.