Here is my thread on upgrading my Range Rover Sport’s in car entertainment system. I love the car, but the interface is rather lacking compared with my previous cars systems (Audi MMI and BMW iDrive to name a few….). I really rate the standard sat nav system in these, even if it is made by Denso….. So after a bit of thinking the best way to do this I decided not to try to replace the factory sat nav. I wanted something to play videos but most importantly music. The iPod options for the Denso sat nav are poor, the best being the NavTV option VDock, which is now discontinued and very expensive. Land Rover’s option is poor and basically emulates a cd changer from what I saw.

So looking around you can build Windows and Linux based systems but they ain’t cheap. To build one with all the car power supply I was looking at minimum £300. So I looked into adapting a tablet Android device with TV out into the car. After some research there are now Android TV devices (Simular to AppleTV) much cheaper. I found the Noontec A9 which came with IR remote, wireless USB dongle keyboard, had video and audio phono outputs….. It was perfect. It got better as well, it took a 12V DC input into the device. Saves messing around with the power supplies! The only thing I needed to do was regulate it due to car power supplies being between 12v and 14v when the engine was running.

So the next stage was getting an input into the system. There were 3 options from what I could see:
1) A simple £10 cable that goes into the rear of the screen, and you have to go into diagnostics mode every time you wanted to view the screen.
2) GVIF Interface, around £250 ish depending where you get them from? Uses additional switches to switch to the feeds but has benefits of rear view camera auto switching. Canbus switching available but not recommended by the importer?
3) Nav TV input device. OPV-2LR. Comes with the tv in motion module and installs the TV icon onto the RR screens.

Decided to go for the NavTV input as I want to quickly switch between the navigation and the Android system. Plus I like the OEM feel to it all.
Needed a 12v Regulated power supply, Maplin won at £12. Bargain!

Biggest issue was controlling it now. The remotes were IR and I wanted to hide the Noontec unit. So I needed some sort of IR repeater. Biggest issue was most were mains powered. Luckily a company called Niche Mode do one that is USB powered. £50 delivered. Simple, plug in, cover the IR repeated on the Noontec, and reposition the new one where you want. No additional power sources.

So after a test in the car today, here is where I am at. It works, very well. Pleased is an understatement, next option is a bit more Android development to hone it a bit more. But in a nutshell, for around £500 notes, I have a decent music interface, a video interface and complete internet connectivity.

For the music I use Spotify and PlayerPro. It connects through my iPhone for internet as shown below and streams music well! Though that is a bonus.

Anyway less talking more pics:

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Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

You did what to the which now?

Would it not have been easier to buy a BMW?

Great job - I think!

jed.w  SDV6 HSE Sport2 - Santorini Black, Ebony Interior, Pano Roof, Things I haven't found yet!

TDV6 HSE, Java Black, Black Premium Leather, Privacy, LR Side Steps, Smoked Side Repeaters, SC Vents and lots of toys!

Really nice job.  RRS TDV8 (loving it)
Suzuki Bandit 1200 (For when the suns out)
Nissan 350z GONE

incredible!!!!!!!!
i have order that today........
i have a Gvif interface but your solution is great with TV on touch screen.
for activate this feature, do i need the unlock Tv module only?
can you give me more informations about that?
thanks ....... great Job

It's simply the NAV TV kit you see. That gives you the interface, but I use a remote to control the Android system instead. It's easier I find!

The Noontec A9 is cheap as chips. £100 if I remember  2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8 HSE
2013 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE 8 Speed

Very Nice ....... Maybe Land Rover will think about such a logical solution for the next evolution of their combined system....... One can hope  2013 Discovery HSE Luxury - 3.0 SDV6 - Santorini Black
2013 Evoque 5 Door Pure Tech SD4 - Orkney Grey with Panoramic Roof (Mrs E's new baby)

GONE - RRS - 3.0 TDV6 HSE - Santorini (2010)
GONE - RRS - 2.7 TDV6 HSE - Java Black (2007)
GONE - Porsche Boxster S - 3.2 - Black

Hi TSLJon...
I'm doing the same system as you Have done.
I want know how the audio input,i suppose Aux, is going.
I mean the volume level, usually its sound it's not strong than cd/radio.
I thought to use a android equalizer...
What do you think???
Thanks Piero

iz6byo wrote:

Hi TSLJon...
I'm doing the same system as you Have done.
I want know how the audio input,i suppose Aux, is going.
I mean the volume level, usually its sound it's not strong than cd/radio.
I thought to use a android equalizer...
What do you think???
Thanks Piero

The Noontec A9 has a decent sound card in and gives plenty of boost for the car. I don't' have a big difference between the Noontec and the FM radio for example!

The NavTV input basically fools the car that a TV module is fitted so uses TV function input. From NAV TV I get 3 phonos, L&R audio plus video in.

Works faultlessly. Costs a bit more than the GVIF but is cleaner in my opinion.

Be great to get someone else working on the same box, as we can share the information. I'm hugely pleased with it so far, just don't forget to get a regulating 12v power supply. Mine was literally £12 from Maplins.

I'm hoping to root the Android soon to enable a bit of hacking on it, and eventually want to use the radio buttons for navigation. Been considering touchscreen as well, but the remote works so well with it, i'm struggling to see the benefits as you have to lean out of your seat in the RR Sport to use the touchscreen.

Any questions please ask No issues with sharing anything i've done. 2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8 HSE
2013 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE 8 Speed

Thanks for answer
I think the noontec remote is fine.
With its touch-pad you can do all.
About the audio input ,Aux i mean,the level is lower than others sources,but with noontec will be better i hope.
Use the oem touch will be great but it's hard connect them.
Thanks

Looks good,I did a similar thing a while back so I could get music,well anything really displayed on the screen.The unit I used is only about £15 though,no internet connection but I can connect my phone for that.
http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic22947.html?highlight=

with an Android Box is funny...
you can add applications and the videos are fine.
i had a generic multimedia box but i never liked.

Nice one MrFixIt, it's all about basically getting the car to do what you want. The new interface on RR seems good, but the old one just missed so much it was a shame.

Yeah the Noontec just comes with everything you need, it was ideal when I got it. The power supply being a huge thing in my eyes as well. It has a sound card built into it and adjustable volume on the remote. I find 9 out of 10 bars on the volume is perfect.

Final fitting tommorrow  2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8 HSE
2013 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE 8 Speed

I have the A9 but how does it connect to the internet whilst in the car. Please tell me I'd be interested to know. Thanks http://www.weephillie.com

Use an iPhone or Smart Phone and utilise the WiFi hotspot connection on it.

Or buy a mobile wireless dongle from 3 and use that mate.

Simples. 2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8 HSE
2013 Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE 8 Speed

TSLJon wrote:

Use an iPhone or Smart Phone and utilise the WiFi hotspot connection on it.

Or buy a mobile wireless dongle from 3 and use that mate.

Simples.