Version 12.08.2016
v.LiNK Video-inserter
VL2-MBN51
for Mercedes Benz vehicles
with Comand Online NTG5/NTG5.1
Audio20 CD NTG5/NTG5.1
Audio20 USB NTG5/NTG5.1
with 4pin HSD LVDS connector on the monitor
Video-inserter with 2 video + RGB + rear-view camera input and CAN control
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
Activatable parking guide lines for rear-view camera
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
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Contents
1. Prior to installation
1.1. Delivery contents
1.2. Checking the compatibility of vehicle and accessories
1.3. Boxes and connectors
1.3.1. Video-interface
1.3.2. CAN-bus box
1.4. Dip-switch settings
1.4.1. Enabling the interface’s video inputs (dip 1-3)
1.4.2. RGB-video input signal selection for after-market navigation (Dip 4)
1.4.3. Rear-view camera setting (dip 5)
1.4.4. Monitor selection (dip 7-8)
1.5. Dip-Switch settings of the CAN-box
2. Installation
2.1. Place of installation
2.2. Connection schema
2.3. Connecting video-interface and CAN-box
2.4. Connection to the head-unit - LVDS
2.5. Connection to the head-unit - Quadlock
2.6. Connecting peripheral devices
2.6.1. After-market RGB navigation
2.6.2. Video-sources to AV1 and AV2
2.6.3. Audio-switch and audio-insertion
2.6.4. After-market rear-view camera
2.6.4.1. Case 1: CAN-box detects reverse gear
2.6.4.2. Case 2: CAN-box does not detect reverse gear
2.6.4.3. Video signal connection
2.7. Connecting video-interface and keypad
2.8. Picture settings and guide lines
3. Interface operation
3.1. By Comand-buttons
3.2. By keypad
4. Specifications
5. Frequently asked questions
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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Requirements
Vehicle A-class (W176) from 09/2015, B-class (W246) from 11/2014, C-
class (W205), C-class Coupé (C202) from about 2015, CLA-Coupé
(C117) from about 10/2014, CLA-Shooting B (X117) from
03/2015, CLS-Coupe (W218) from about 08/2014, E-class
(S/W212) from about 11/2014, V-class (W447) from 2014 (Vito
(V/W447) is NOT compatible)
Head-unit/monitor Comand Online NTG5/5.1, Audio20 CD NTG5/5.1,
Audio20 USB NTG5/5.1
with 4pin HSD LVDS connector on the monitor
Limitations
Video only The interface inserts ONLY video signals into the infotainment.
For sound use an audio-AUX-input with A2DP audio streaming
by Bluetooth (item no. AUX-A2DP) or an FM-modulator.
Video sources NTSC video sources compatible only.
Factory rear-view camera Automatic switch-back from inserted video to factory rear-view
camera only while reverse gear is engaged. To delay the switchback time, additional electronics is required.
1.2. Checking the compatibility of vehicle and accessories
1.3. Boxes and connectors
1.3.1. Video-interface
The video-interface converts the connected after-market sources video signals to an LVDS
signal which is the inserted into the factory monitor on certain trigger options.
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1.3.2. CAN-bus box
The CAN-bus box reads digital signals from the CAN-bus and converts them for the videointerface.
1.4. Dip-switch settings
Some settings must be selected by the dip-switches on the
video-interface. Dip position down is ON and position up is OFF.
See following chapters for detailed information.
1.4.1. Enabling the interface’s video inputs (dip 1-3)
Only the enabled video inputs can be accessed when switching through the interface’s video
sources. It is recommended to enable only the required inputs for the disabled will be
skipped when switching through the video-interfaces inputs.
1.4.2. RGB-video input signal selection for after-market navigation (Dip 4)
If an after-market RGB navigation or other RGB video source is connected, the source’s RGB
output signal must match the interface’s RGB video input setting.
Dip
Function
ON (down)
OFF (up)
1
RGB-input
enabled
disabled
2
CVBS AV1-input
enabled
disabled
3
CVBS AV2-input
enabled
disabled
4
RGB-input resolution
800x480
1080p H+V sync
5
Rear-view cam type
after-market
factory or none
6
No function
-
set OFF
7
Monitor
selection
Try all 4 possible combinations of dip 7 and 8 to find the
best picture (quality and size)
8
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1.4.3. Rear-view camera setting (dip 5)
If set to OFF, the interface switches to factory LVDS picture while the reverse gear is engaged
to display factory rear-view camera or factory optical park system picture.
If set to ON, the interface witches to its rear-view camera input CAM while the reverse gear
is engaged.
1.4.4. Monitor selection (dip 7-8)
Dip 7 and 8 are for monitor-specific video settings which cannot be predicted as even within
the same head-unit version, the monitor specifications may vary. It is necessary to try all
possible combinations (both OFF, both ON, 7 OFF and 8 ON, 7 ON and 8 OFF) - while a
working video source is connected to the chosen input of the interface - to see which
combination gives the best picture quality and size (some may give no picture). It is possible
to first hot plug through the dip combinations, but if you do not experience any change of
picture after trying all 4 options, retry and disconnected the 6pin power plug of the videobox between every change of the dip setting.
1.5. Dip-switch settings of the CAN-box
Dip position down is ON and position up is OFF.
Vehicle/Navigation
Dip 1 Dip 2 Dip 3 Dip
4
Vehicles with NTG5
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Vehicles with NTG5.1
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
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 the head-unit.
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2.2. Connection schema
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2.3. Connecting video-interface and CAN-box
The CAN-bus box reads digital signals from the CAN-bus and converts them for the videointerface. ACC +12V max. 0.5A (red of 6pin) and reverse gear +12V max. 0.5A (green of 6pin)
constant signal. Additionally there is a data exchange, e.g. for steering wheel position for
driving path lines (green-red drilled cable from 6pin to 8pin cable).
Connect black female 10pin Micro-Fit connector of the Quadlock harness to the male
10pin Micro-Fit connector of the CAN-box.
Note: Check LEDs on CAN-box after reconnecting the battery, two 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.
Connect red-green drilled cable of 6pin of 8pin cable to the male 4pin connector of
the video-interface.
Note: The CAN-box is not compatible with all vehicles. If the CAN-box does not deliver ACC
to pin2 of the video-interface or blocks the vehicle CAN, it is possible to install without CANbox. In this case see also note in chapter after-market rear-view camera if one is supposed to
be connected.
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2.4. Connections to the head-unit - LVDS
Remove the Comand head-unit.
Remove blue female 4pin HSD LVDS connector from the rear of the head-unit and
connect it to the male 4pin HSD LVDS connector of the interface-box.
Connect female 4pin connector of the 4pin HSD LVDS cable to the male 4pin HSD
LVDS connector of the head-unit.
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2.5. Connections to the head-unit - Quadlock
Remove head-unit.
Remove the female Quadlock connector of the vehicle harness from the rear of the
Head-unit.
Remove optical leads –if existing- from the female Quadlock connector of the vehicle
harness and insert them into the female Quadlock connector of Quadlock harness at
the same position.
Connect female Quadlock connector of vehicle harness to the male Quadlock
connector of Quadlock harness.
Connect female Quadlock connector of Quadlock harness to the male Quadlock
connector of the head-unit.
2.6. Connecting peripheral devices
It is possible to connect an after-market RGB navigation (or other RGB video source), 2 aftermarket AV-sources and an after-market rear-view camera to the video-interface.
Before final installation of the peripheral devices, we recommend a test-run of the
interface. Due to changes in the production of the vehicle manufacturer is always the
possibility of incompatibility.
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2.6.1. After-Market RGB 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.
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2.6.2. Video-sources to AV1 and AV2
Connect female 6pin connector of the video cable to male 6pin connector of the
video-interface.
Connect video RCA of the AV-source 1 to the female RCA connector Video 1 of the
video cable.
Connect video RCA of the AV-source 2 to the female RCA connector Video 2 of the
video cable.
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2.6.3. Audio-switch and audio insertion
This interface can only insert video signals into the factory infotainment and switch audio
signals. If an AV-source is connected to AV1 or AV2, audio insertion must be done by factory
audio AUX input or FM-modulator to which the interface’s sound-switch output is
connected. When the interface is switched from AV1 to AV2, the audio signal is switched
parallel to the corresponding video signal by the interface’s built-in audio-switch.
The inserted video-signal can be activated simoultaneously to each audio-mode of the
factory infotainment.
Audio pins
Definition
½
Audio input signal R/L of source AV2
¾
Audio input signal R/L of source AV1
5/6
Audio output signal R/L of factory audio AUX
or FM-modulator
7
Ground
Note: If only one AV-source shall be connected, it is possible to connect the video output of
the AV-source to the video input AV1 of the video-interface and the audio output of the AVsource directly to the point of audio-insertion (e.g. audio AUX input).
Connect female 7pin connector of the audio cable to male 7pin connector of the
video-interface.
Connect the audio-RCA of the 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.
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2.6.4. After-market rear-view camera
Some vehicles have a different reverse gear code on the CAN-bus which the included CANbox is not compatible with. Therefore there is two different ways of installation. If the CANbox can detect the reverse gear in the vehicle, the green wire of the 6pin to 8pin cable
should carry +12V while the reverse gear is engaged.
Note: Do not forget to set dip5 of video-interface to ON before testing.
2.6.4.1. Case 1: CAN-box detects reverse gear
If the CAN-bus interface delivers +12V on the green wire of the 6pin to 8pin cable when
reverse gear is engaged, the video-interface will automatically be switched to the rear-view
camera input CAM while reverse gear is engaged.
Additionally, the +12V (max. 500mA) power supply for the rear-view camera can be
taken from the green wire of the 6pin to 8pin cable.
Connect red-green drilled cable of 6pin of 8pin cable to the male 4pin connector of
the video-interface (CAN data exchange, e.g. for steering wheel position for driving
path lines)
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2.6.4.2. Case 2: CAN-box does not detect reverse gear
If the CAN-bus interface does not deliver +12V on the green wire of the 6pin to 8pin cable
when reverse gear is engaged (not all vehicles are compatible) an external switching signal
from the reverse gear light is required. As the reverse gear light signal contains electronic
interference, a normally open relay (e.g AC-RW-1230 with wiring AC-RS5) or filter (e.g. ACPNF-RVC) is required. Below schema shows the use of a relay (normally open).
Cut the green cable of the 6pin to 8pin cable close to the black 8pin connector.
Isolate the short end of the green wire (CAN-box side).
Connect reverse gear light signal/power to coil (85) and ground to coil (86) of relais.
Connect rear-view camera power and green wire (video-interface side) of 6pin to
8pin cable to output (87) of relay.
Connect permanent battery power to input (30) of relay.
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2.6.4.3. Video signal connection
Connect the video-RCA of the after-market rear-view camera to the female RCA port
of the video-cable which is labeled as CAM.
Note: Picture settings for CAM input must be done in AV2.
2.7. Connecting video-interface and keypad
Connect the female 4pin Microfit connector of the keypad to the male 4pin Microfit
connector of the video-interface.
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2.8. Picture settings and guide lines
The picture settings are adjusted by the 3 buttons on the video-interface. Press the MENU
button to open the OSD settings menu or to switch to the next menu item. Press UP and
DOWN change the selected value. The buttons are embedded in the housing to avoid
accidental changes during or after installation. Picture settings must be done separately for
RGB, AV1 and AV2 while the corresponding input is selected and visible on the monitor. AV2
and CAM share the same settings which must be adjusted in AV2.
Note: The OSD menu is only shown when a working video source is connected to the
selected video-input of the interface.
The following settings are available:
Brightness
Contrast
Saturation
Position H (horizontal)
Position V (vertical)
Guide lines (ON/OFF)
Note: If the CAN-box does not support the very vehicle, the guide-lines cannot be used. If
supported and activated, the guide-line also show the steering wheel position dependant
driving path.
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3. Interface operation
3.1. By Comand-buttons
The user my long press the NAVI or RETURN button (only centre console, not steering-wheel)
to switch the input channel from OEM to inserted video. 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.
3.2. By keypad
Alternatively or additionally to the factory infotainment buttons the interface’s external
keypad can be used to switch the enabled inputs.
4. Specifications
BATT/ACC range 7V ~ 25V
Stand-by power drain <10µA
Power 0.3A @12V
Power consumption 4.8W
Video input formats PAL/NTSC
RGB-video amplitude 0.7V with 75 Ohm impedance
Temperature range -40°C to +85°C
Weight 386g
Dimensions (box only) B x H x T 152 x 90 x 210 mm
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5. 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
No picture/black
picture (factory
picture).
Not all connectors have been
reconnected to factory headunit or monitor after
installation.
Connect missing connectors.
No power on CAN-bus box (all
LED CAN-bus box are off).
Check power supply of CAN-bus box. Check CAN-bus
connection of CAN-bus box.
CAN-bus box connected to
CAN-bus in wrong place.
Refer to the manual where to connected to the CANbus. If not mentioned, try another place to connect to
the CAN-bus.
No power on video-interface
(all LED video-interface are
off).
Check whether CAN-bus box delivers +12V ACC on red
wire output of 8pin to 6pin cable. If not cut wire and
supply ACC +12V directly to video-interface.
No picture/black
picture/white picture
(inserted picture) but
factory picture is OK.
No picture from video source.
Check on other monitor whether video source is OK.
No video-source connected to
the selected interface input.
Check settings dips 1 to 3 of video interface which
inputs are activated and switch to corresponding
input(s).
LVDS cables plugged in wrong
place.
Double-check whether order of LVDS cables is exactly
connected according to manual. Plugging into headunit does not work when the manual says to plug into
monitor and vice versa.
Wrong monitor settings of
video-interface.
Try different combinations of dips 7 and 8 of videointerface. Unplug 6pin power after each change.
Inserted picture totally
wrong size or position.
Inserted picture double
or 4 times on monitor.
Inserted picture
distorted, flickering or
running vertically.
Video sources output set to
AUTO or MULTI which causes
a conflict with the interfaces
auto detection.
Set video source output fixed to PAL or NTSC. It is best
to set all video sources to the same standard.
If error occurs only after
source switching: Connected
sources are not set to the
same TV standard.
Set all video sources to the same standard.
Some interfaces can only
handle NTSC input.
Check manual whether there is a limitation to NTSC
mentioned. If yes, set source fixed to NTSC output.
Inserted picture b/w.
Inserted picture qual.
bad.
Picture settings have not been
adjusted.
Use the 3 buttons and the interface's OSD to adjust the
picture settings for the corresponding video input.
Inserted picture size
slightly wrong.
Inserted picture
position wrong.
Camera input picture
flickers.
Camera is being tested under
fluorescent light which shines
directly into the camera.
Test camera under natural light outside the garage.
Camera input picture is
bluish.
Protection sticker not
removed from camera lens.
Remove protection sticker.
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Symptom
Reason
Possible solution
Camera input picture
black.
Camera power taken directly
from reverse gear lamp.
Use relay or electronics to "clean" reverse gear lamp
power. Alternatively, if CAN-bus box is compatible
with the vehicle, camera power can be taken from
green wire of 6pin to 8pin cable.
Camera input picture
has distortion.
Camera input picture
settings cannot be
adjusted.
Camera input picture settings
can only be adjusted in AV2
mode.
Set dip 3 of video-interface to ON (if not input AV2 is
not already activated) and connect the camera to AV2.
Switch to AV2 and adjust settings. Reconnect camera
to camera input and deactivate AV2 if not used for
other source.
Graphics of a car in
camera input picture.
Function PDC is ON in the
interface OSD.
In compatible vehicles, the graphics will display the
factory PDC distance. If not working or not wanted, set
interface OSD menu item UI-CNTRL to ALLOFF.
Chinese signs in
camera input picture
Function RET or ALL is ON
(function for Asian market) in
the interface OSD.
Set interface OSD menu item UI-CNTRL to ALLOFF or
PDCON.
Not possible to switch
video sources by OEM
button.
CAN-bus interface does not
support this function for
vehicle.
Use external keypad or cut white wire of 6pin to 8pin
cable and apply +12V impulses for AV-switching.
Pressed too short.
For video source switching a longer press of about 2.5
seconds is required.
Not possible to switch
video sources by
external keypad.
SW-version of interface does
not support external keypad.
Use OEM-button or cut white wire of 6pin to 8pin
cable and apply +12V impulses for AV-switching.
Interface does not
switch to camera input
when reverse gear is
engaged.
CAN-bus interface does not
support this function for the
vehicles.
Cut the green wire of the 6pin to 8pin cable and apply
+12V constant from reverse gear-lamp signal. Use
relay to "clean" gear lamp power.
Interface switches
video-sources by itself.
CAN-bus interface
compatibility to vehicle is
limited.
Cut the grey wire of 6pin to 8pin and isolate both
ends. If problem still occurs, additionally cut the white
wire of 6pin to 8pin cable and isolate both ends.
6. 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 39
D-47445 Moers
Tel +49 2841 949970
Email mail@navlinkz.de
10R-03 5384 Made in China
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