Video unlock while driving, ES300H 2021
 

Hi, does anyone know how to unlock video by USB and DVD while driving on the ES300H 2021 model (NON ML version)?

I dont want to play with the handbreak.

Regards,

Peter

I didn't even know the car allows video playback when parked. What I do know is that cars with this feature, and most aftermarket units, do not allow playback while in drive as it's a distraction. Only way around it would be software or an additional module to override the safety feature.

Yep, you can watch DVDs while parked. You can listen to the DVD's audio while driving but not the video part for safety reasons. Of course, that's exactly right about the safety reasons for not being able to view while driving.

I seem to recall a workaround thread but not sure where.

I get distracted while driving without video playing and certainly wouldn't want a movie playing while driving in traffic. I support the "no video" feature in our cars while it's moving. :nono:

It looks like this…

https://streamable.com/t828r8

Well, if you really want to watch videos while driving you'll need to get something like the MMB Android Multimedia Video Box. In a nutshell, the device hijacks the Apple CarPlay H-264 video link to play videos on the ES's multimedia screen.

There's multiple vendors offering variations of it so use your preferred internet search engine; search on that device title, and look over the results to see which offering floats your boat.

Modified Android Auto approach
 

The solution would just be to stream it in via third party APK app with modified Android Auto. You can also do this via Apple CarPlay but it requires a jailbreak and quite a few more steps.

Simply download and install AAAD APK like any other side loaded android app. Via AAAD either pick carstream or fermata auto and enjoy.

https://github.com/shmykelsa/AAAD
The summer I hope to look into messing around with the head unit firmware dump the firmware but I am too busy right getting openpilot full working. Hopefully this helps.

Isn't it illegal in most states to have a video playing within the view of the driver? It's just a bad idea.

Don't know if it's illegal anywhere but certainly a very bad idea for a driver in a moving vehicle... :nono: Lexus got this one right...

IOS approach
 

Jailbreak iphone with Cydia install and add this twerk which modifies YouTube.
https://github.com/EthanArbuckle/carplay-cast

In Japan all cars, including the 7ES, can watch videos/tv etc on the screen while moving, stock. So it's a USA-thing. I've seen videos of this being demo'd casually on Japanese 7ES videos (brand new at the dealer etc) probably rest of world/most of world too.

Other places have stricter requirements to get licensed so more common sense probably used elsewhere.

Nope... mine is a japanese Lexus ES... so... but I heard the Beatsonic 7028 can do the trick... so looking for that now 😊

You have a japanese market ES, living in Japan? or are you simply stating your car was manfactured in japan for the europe market and live in europe?

Even if this method does allow phone mirroring, I would think that the major streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, etc.) wouldn't allow streaming due to DRM.

AAAD apps being overruled in Android auto
 

Tried to play little with the AAAD APK on Android, it works, but there is bugs I think? When I use one of the build in apps from AAAD and use my volume knob, the mediasystem will force the last audio app to start - example Spotify, Mixcloud or others. Dont know why it does this? It seems likes it on in the background and will just wake up whenever I turn the volumeknob or when I plug phone in to start android auto?

Regards, Peter