Built-in TV sets
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
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MondoBongo
Built-in TV sets
Picked up my Bongo today - looking great so far. As an added bonus it's got a Mazda-branded, flip-out dashboard telly! Just to prove that there's no such thing as a free lunch however, I can't get zip on it (although it appears to be ostensibly working otherwise), presumably cos it's set up for use in the land of its birth. Naturally the controls are labelled in Japanese and there's no handbook for it. Anybody got any hot tips on how to get it working (or where to get some instructions)? Or should I just replace it with a cupholder?
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pippin
Best way to get it working?
Take it back to Japan.
Or, if it is easier, throw it in the bin!
Sorry to spoil your enthusiasm.
The TV system in Japan (sound, vision and colour) is so different to UK that it is impracticable to modify.
I know, I've tried it and I am a TV engineer!
The only slight chance is to set the output of a DVD to NTSC and run it into the I/P.
There have been numerous posts on the topic in the past.
Take it back to Japan.
Or, if it is easier, throw it in the bin!
Sorry to spoil your enthusiasm.
The TV system in Japan (sound, vision and colour) is so different to UK that it is impracticable to modify.
I know, I've tried it and I am a TV engineer!
The only slight chance is to set the output of a DVD to NTSC and run it into the I/P.
There have been numerous posts on the topic in the past.
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MondoBongo
Built-in TVs
Thanks for your help - I'm not at all surprised to find that it's a non-starter. Never mind; it was never any more than an added bonus! I'll try the NSTC thing and see how we go; if no joy I might just keep it for the pose value!
I'd suspected that I wouldn't be the first to make this enquiry, however I did do a couple of site searches under both 'Television' and 'TV' that turned up nothing relating to in-dash screens.
As you clearly have some experience in the matter, are there any UK-spec alternatives you'd recommend?
I'd suspected that I wouldn't be the first to make this enquiry, however I did do a couple of site searches under both 'Television' and 'TV' that turned up nothing relating to in-dash screens.
As you clearly have some experience in the matter, are there any UK-spec alternatives you'd recommend?
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David Edwards
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 4100
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:37 pm
- Location: Aberdare south wales
Isn't it a shame that these things will not work over here, some of them look so good, my bongo had it taken out before I bought it and a cd player put in. I have bought a combined dvd,tv, mp3, cd and games consol all in one off e bay and use it in the bongo a lot, in fact I did post on here that it had died after about 2 years, the spindle stopped working but that was daily use as I also use it next to my pc. The people I got it from,.. Digitronix actually replaced it for a new unit for £69.00 fast serfvice too I was chuffed it is a brill machine and I know other bongo nuts have bought similar, the newer ones now are digital with built in freeview. I would recommend them if you can get one and even tho I have no affiliation with Digitronix I would definitely buy from them again. Good luck and happy motoring. 
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Lovejoy
I'll second that David - about the all in one players. I just got a DVD, Freeview, Analog TV, Games console, MP3/4 player, Memory card reader, USB reader etc etc all in one unit with a 10.4" screen and it's great.
The Freeview aerial is magnetic and sits up in the roof and the unit hangs (in its supplied case) from the handle above the sliding door.
I have managed to get a Freeview signal everywhere so far (up on Bodmin we are almost always in line of sight of the mast at Caradon), and if that's not available there's the analogue tv to fall back on, and failing both of those I tuck a couple of DVD's in the bag or have some stuff recorded onto a 2Gb memory stick from the home PC which holds about 2 hours of programs.
Haven't tried the games console yet.
Nothing like sitting watching the F1 Grand Prix, with Bodmin Moor as a backdrop, the kettle on and a bite to eat.
Wind and rain ? Who cares, it's cosy and relaxing - somehow strangely more relaxing than sitting at home in the arm chair, as there's less temptation to get up and do the chores !
Mine came from a company in Leicester (via E-bay) and set me back about £100, which I didn't think was too bad for all the functions you get.
The Freeview aerial is magnetic and sits up in the roof and the unit hangs (in its supplied case) from the handle above the sliding door.
I have managed to get a Freeview signal everywhere so far (up on Bodmin we are almost always in line of sight of the mast at Caradon), and if that's not available there's the analogue tv to fall back on, and failing both of those I tuck a couple of DVD's in the bag or have some stuff recorded onto a 2Gb memory stick from the home PC which holds about 2 hours of programs.
Haven't tried the games console yet.
Nothing like sitting watching the F1 Grand Prix, with Bodmin Moor as a backdrop, the kettle on and a bite to eat.
Wind and rain ? Who cares, it's cosy and relaxing - somehow strangely more relaxing than sitting at home in the arm chair, as there's less temptation to get up and do the chores !
Mine came from a company in Leicester (via E-bay) and set me back about £100, which I didn't think was too bad for all the functions you get.
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David Edwards
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 4100
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:37 pm
- Location: Aberdare south wales
That is a damn good price for what you got, some of em are around the £160.00 now plus postage and with a 2gig memory stick for a film or two it can be taken everywhere, it's surprising how many people ask me where I got it. I have tried the games and they are ok, they are the S N E S games of old but good fun and the freeview has got to be a great bonus. Happy motoring.
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Josh N Sarah
- Bongolier
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:40 pm
- Location: Weston Super Mare
- Contact:
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Lovejoy
Don't worry, they seem to have whole batches of them at a time so there's always one to go for.
I put bids in on about 6 before I got one for a reasonable price.
If you are lucky you might get one for £80-90, but the average seems to be £100-£120.
Don't pay over £120, wait for the next one to come along.
Oh, and watch the descriptions, some of these units don't have freeview but look very similar. They go for less money but to my mind are not worth buying as when analogue is switched off you will need a Freeview tuner to go with them, which kind of defeats the object.
I put bids in on about 6 before I got one for a reasonable price.
If you are lucky you might get one for £80-90, but the average seems to be £100-£120.
Don't pay over £120, wait for the next one to come along.
Oh, and watch the descriptions, some of these units don't have freeview but look very similar. They go for less money but to my mind are not worth buying as when analogue is switched off you will need a Freeview tuner to go with them, which kind of defeats the object.