I have a 2010 Lexus IS250 with a Mark Levinson audio system. Amazingly enough, DVD-Audio discs will not play while the car is in motion. Even though this is an enhanced audio format and is not to be confused with a regular dvd, it only plays with the parking brake engaged. My Lexus dealership tells me that this only happens with the 2010 models. I find this unbelievable, especially since I waited over four months to special order my vehicle equipped with the Mark Levinson system. And it makes no sense that a system would be made where you can only listen to music played on one of the audio formats, namely, dvd-audio discs while the car is parked. Ironically enough regular dvd's still play the audio portion on the disc while the car is in motion. Anyone else have this problem in their 2010 Lexus vehicle?

 

I have a 2011 RX 450 with the same issue. But some of the DVD-A discs will play. Most will not. For example, my Fleetwood Mac DVD-A will play without any problems. My Sheryl Crowe DVD-A will not. I have an appointment for this Friday. Hopefully there is something that can be done because like you, I waited a long time for my special order (not to mention the extra cost

 

Does your Sheryl Crowe DVD-A not play at all or only with the parking brake engaged. I am presently negotiating with my dealer to compensate me for the cost of any aftermarket fix, or workaround in computer terminology, which is to disengage the parking brake safety which blocks DVD video, etc. images. For liability reasons they cannot manage this themselves, but are basically "paying" me in service dollars because I did not get what I paid for. I think it is called in the auto business, "fit to merchandise." The Navigation Owners manual for my vehicle (page 218) states: “While you are driving, you can hear audio alone even in the DVD video, DVD audio or video CD mode.” Find this page in your manual. Make sure they compensate you. It should not be a problem for them, because from what I understand most people don't even care. Then again, your problem could not be the same as mine.

 

It will play with the parking brake engaged. As soon as I disengage the brake AND SHIFT OUT OF PARK, the disk stops.
The service rep just contacted me and said they were unable to fix the problem (which is what I expected unfortunately). The rep thinks it is something on the disc itself because, as I said, other DVD-Audio discs will play without a problem.
let me know if you can find an aftermarket fix.
yes, my manual says the same thing.

 

It is not the disc. It is a flaw in their manufacturing/computer/wiring. I found what seems to be a good aftermarket fix:
http://www.prestigioussociety.com/?page_id=138
I think, but I am not sure if this is the same item on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_3602wt_1062

Here are a couple of other Club Lexus forums that refer to this item:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...installed.html

and,

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-in-gs460.html

 

Not sure I want to take a chance with this.
But thanks much

 

I got some problems with ML on my previous Lexus IS250 (2008)
Some of DVDA discs completly don't want to be played.. with 4 channels, or better say with "quadrophonic" sound.

Some DVD-Audio disc don't play while in motion cuz they have still images on screen and ML thinks that this is video and not allows to play it.. (next track comes in few sec) Example, Iron Maiden - Dance of Death.. there are many such discs with still images.

This could be solved by navi-dvd-over-ride. (hack)

Also I had problem with Linkin Park - Reanimation (2002) DVD-Audio
In IS250 only 2-channel stereo played.
In GS350 all 6 channels playing.

In general, I'm satisfied with ML in GS350. But I wish to hack ML to make dvd-in-motion. Ofcourse for some DVD-Audio disc Not to watch DVD on highway

 

I had the Prestige Society Navi/Video Enhancement Module installed today. There is just about all upside to having this thing. The only downside is that the Navigations/GPS stops working while the Enhancement Module is activated. However there is a little switch which I had mounted in one of the unused blank knockouts on my dash that quickly and easily activates/deactivates the module. It was so nice to listen to Steely Dan's Gaucho on the ride home. Acoustically awesome! My other use for the override module is having the phone keypad not grayed out. Now I can check my voice mail and actually be able to press the key prompts to use the voice mail system. Much safer than fumbling with my cell phone, which is more dangerous. I worked out a deal with my dealer who gave me a 30K service voucher to compensate me for a feature that I paid for and did not receive, not, for liability reasons, to pay for the Navi/DVD. It did not cover all my costs and since I am a long way off from the 30K service, it was like giving them a loan, but it certainly does help. I would say if you have a fairer dealer ask for a 15k and a 30K service.

 

where did you have it installed? My concern was that I had to install it myself and I wasn't confident that I would be able to do this.

 

Kar Tunz in Pleasanton, CA. They seemed very familiar with this device and had it installed in an hour.

 

thanks
I guess I could find someone here in Annapolis.
Does your DVD-A sound as good in your vehicle as it does at home? I can hear much more separation on my home theater system than I can in the car. Remember, I can play some DVD-Audio discs. Maybe I'm not hearing them correctly. They sound good but I am not hearing the separation I expected.

 

I don't have a home DVD-A player. I have noticed that many old recordings that have been reissued in a DVD-A format are not able to reproduce a 5.1 format. Here is a quote I read from feedback on John Coltraine's, Blue Train DVD-A. "The DVD-A format does NOT specify that content be Dolby 5.1. It is simply an extremely high bit rate format, that can be anything from 5.1 channels to simple (very high bit rate) two channel stereo. So, if you love this music, AND have a player that will play DVD-A (not many do), then buy this version immediately. It is a two channel stereo presentation at over 9Mb data rates which means it sounds EXACTLY like the original master tapes. It has all of the analog feel of the original master tapes, with none of the standard CD corruption."
The thing I would recommend is find where your Lexus dealer refers their customers to who want aftermarket audio work done. That is how I found Kar Tunz.

 

Thank you very much

 

At least the 2010 and later ML system will play DVD-As in discrete 5.1 now. I discovered my 2009 ML system downmixed DVD-A 5.1 to stereo! (small consolation: DTS and DD played in 5.1, however.) After a lot of time and effort, I tracked down a design-team engineer in Michigan (with absolutely no help from anyone within the Lexus organization) who explained that there was a signal bandwidth issue with the I/O of the head unit and amp. Wasn't fixed until the 2010 model year.

The motion-lockout "feature" was also totally unacceptable -- some DVD-As autoplayed, but many did not. Add to that an EQ curve that seemed optimized for booming movie soundtrack LFEs, not music, and I was one unhappy owner.

Eight months of wrangling first got me a $500 service credit, and ultimately a $1,600 refund check from Lexus corporate. Meanwhile I also figured out how to convert my DVD-As to DTS-CDs (bye-bye lockout), and I re-EQ'd them for much more accurate FR. Liking my ES a whole lot more now!

 

If you could share how you went about getting a refund from Lexus corporate, I would appreciate it. I got a service credit as well from the dealer, but intend on pursuing it further with Lexus corporate. So if you have any info that would prevent from wasting my time that would be great!

Also, would you happen to know if that EQ problem still exists in the 2010 model year ML systems?