Question for those that have the Rear Media/Entertainment Package...
- Thread starter ebelp
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PauliePucks
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This my first post...new 21 XL SLT owner from NJ. Hi all!
My biggest gripe so far with the Rear Media is the complete lack of apple support. The fact that wireless CarPlay is supported but, there is no native airplay 2.0 support, is baffling to me.
I can confirm, via my setup, that the apple lightning to HDMI adapter DOES work using the HDMI ports In the vehicle. My kids all have iPads and the amount of cords pouring out of the center console to connect them to the rear screens is a bit absurd.
The apple USB-C to lightning cable will only function as a charger and will not transmit audio or video to the screens. One caveat, and it’s a big one, is that when using the apple lightning to HDMI connector, there is a pass thru power port. The pass through power port will NOT charge the device while the HDMI cable is connected. That is a HUGE issue, especially for long road trips.
we have unlimited cellular data on the iPads and it’s disappointing that the only viable, minimal cord solution is either 2 firesticks or roku streaming sticks, both of which would require me to utilize the vehicles hotspot and incur another monthly bill I don’t need.
hopefully some updates get pushed out sooner than later.
My biggest gripe so far with the Rear Media is the complete lack of apple support. The fact that wireless CarPlay is supported but, there is no native airplay 2.0 support, is baffling to me.
I can confirm, via my setup, that the apple lightning to HDMI adapter DOES work using the HDMI ports In the vehicle. My kids all have iPads and the amount of cords pouring out of the center console to connect them to the rear screens is a bit absurd.
The apple USB-C to lightning cable will only function as a charger and will not transmit audio or video to the screens. One caveat, and it’s a big one, is that when using the apple lightning to HDMI connector, there is a pass thru power port. The pass through power port will NOT charge the device while the HDMI cable is connected. That is a HUGE issue, especially for long road trips.
we have unlimited cellular data on the iPads and it’s disappointing that the only viable, minimal cord solution is either 2 firesticks or roku streaming sticks, both of which would require me to utilize the vehicles hotspot and incur another monthly bill I don’t need.
hopefully some updates get pushed out sooner than later.
PauliePucks
Member
One other thing I wanted to ask. Those of you who have firestick setups, are the touch screens functional or is the remote control or firetv app required?
I forgot to mention that using the apple Lightning to HDMI cable does NOT allow touch screen controls on the Rear Media Screen, it’s a mirror of the device, so the device still needs to be held to change content.
B520044
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You have to use remote control to make selections with Firestick.
PauliePucks
Member
Guess it’s really fielders choice with input then. Shame that the technology is so readily available to cast/stream from
Mobile devices and were forced to tether everything by cable.
there are a few videos on YouTube which demo the Miracast feature and the RES touch screen actually controlling the connected device - that’s ideal. None of the videos mention what version of Android is being used either.
someone here mentioned that the usb-c hard drive / thumb drive option worked well. I’m curious if that option allows each screen to run a different video file, or if both screens have to view the same file since it’s technically the same input.
while I’m not opposed to the fire stick, my 4 and 6 year olds almost never watch the same content and they’d be fighting over what was on all the time.
B520044
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We're about to go on our first long road trip next week. I just purchased the 90 degree HDMI and USB C adapters mentioned by fellow users (great idea). I'll have a Firestick in one port and Chromecast in the other. Both will be connected to the built-in WiFi hotspot. Hopefully things go well. I've yet to connect the Chromecast and hope to perform a test run tonight or tomorrow.
Using a remote can be annoying, especially when the kids never place it in a cup holder and it slides all throughout the cabin. Finally ending up in some crevice in the seat folding mechanism.....
Also, has anyone experienced USB charging issues with their phones (Android); where it keeps connecting and disconnecting? The little lighting bolt shows like it's charging and then goes away, just keeps cycling like that. Wish my phone was wireless charge capable...
Using a remote can be annoying, especially when the kids never place it in a cup holder and it slides all throughout the cabin. Finally ending up in some crevice in the seat folding mechanism.....
Also, has anyone experienced USB charging issues with their phones (Android); where it keeps connecting and disconnecting? The little lighting bolt shows like it's charging and then goes away, just keeps cycling like that. Wish my phone was wireless charge capable...
PauliePucks
Member
Can’t say I’ve had charging issues aside from the one I mentioned with the apple lightning to hdmi adapter and the pass through charging port not working if the HDMI was connected.
Unfortunately, we have all apple products, so I cant attest to the issues you’re having with android.
my wireless charging has worked well, and the wireless CarPlay is a very nice add, it’s been working pretty well.
one other thing with the rear media system that I’ve come across in my reading, is that it seems that all the usb-c ports in the vehicle can be used as a source for the screens, which is very cool. Please let us know if you are able to test it on your trip.
I’m narrowing down my setup options to either running an Apple TV or sticking with the lightning-hdmi cables. I’m trying to avoid using the vehicle hotspot if I don’t have to.
1st world problems man...
Please report back your Chromecast findings. Very interested to hear what others experience.
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ebelp
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Can your LTE iPads share a hotspot? If so, you could use that to feed the Firestick/Roku...or use your phone's hotspot capabilities. Kind of a pain because it adds the extra step of having to connect the Firestick/Roku's to the hotspot each time you get in the vehicle, but at least that avoids having to use the vehicle hotspot.
PauliePucks
Member
I could, but I checked with Verizon and our unlimited data plan includes only 10gb of LTE hotspot, after that it’s throttled to unlimited 3g @ 600kbs...so no go.
looks like I’ll have to use the lightning hdmi cable option for now as it’s the only way to mirror the screen using the iPad’s LTE connectivity.
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ebelp
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Is there really a benefit to mirroring an iPad's screen to the RSE screens? Seems like a lot of extra leg work, wiring, fiddling, etc. when the kids can just hold the iPads in their hands. Something they're used to doing anyway. Plus if they're like my kids, they'll inevitably switch to a game on the iPad, or they'll want to watch another movie/video, which requires them to have the iPad in their hands anyway.
PauliePucks
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the biggest thing for me, is that they’re not hunched over the iPad for hours on a road trip or long drive. I always find that if it’s evening, they will fall asleep right away if they’re looking at the screen on the headrest as opposed to the one in their lap. It’s mostly ergonomic issues. I may just end up ripping a few DVDs in handbrake and placing them on a thumb drive and call it a day. Just sucks that we have this aesthetically pleasing rear entertainment system and it’s crippled to a point of almost being unusable as is without major assistance. At least a dvd/Blu-ray player provides and option for media on the go. As of now, we have none of that
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ebelp
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I'm still truly shocked they did away with the dvd/blu-ray functionality without giving people the option to put a mobile dvd player/Firestick/Roku/etc. inside the front center console. You're forced to have wires draped everywhere if you want to run a dvd player.
JWAustinVTX
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I assumed Roku had the same micro power connection but does not. Anyone have a link for a short cable for whatever plugs into the ROKU stick and USB C?
Everything I had prior to buying our Tahoe relied on USB-A, so I picked up a couple sets of these to adapt to the USB-C.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BS8SRWH
They've worked out great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BS8SRWH
They've worked out great.
Are you talking about the Roku streaming stick? It uses mini USB. I have been completely unsuccessful finding a short USB-C to Mini USB.
JWAustinVTX
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Hmmm. I'm not sure. It's an OTG ("On the go") cable which means there's an extra pin. I don't know if it can work as a regular cable. Let me do some research.
