Is television possible? - R36

[GHW]

The safety issue is no different from using a mobile telephone while driving, you shouldn't do it!

However this shouldn't stop the passenger(s) from watching the TV whilst the vehicle is moving.

It all comes down to common sense, unfortunately these days it isn't too common.

The BMW system is good in the way that the TV still works but blanks out the screen so you still get audio.

But at the end of the day you should be able to have the TV or DVD working whilst driving for the passenger in the front and back. It comes down to being a responsible driver, just the same as using mobile telephones when driving.

With all due respect, rubbish. you cannot under any circumstances have a TV tuner running in the front of a vehicle IF IT IS IN SIGHT OF THE DRIVER, as a front mounted screen is. This is why they are either grounded to the handbrake wire or an over-ride safety system is built in to the vehicle, and I know this as it is my industry.
The best option is a rear mounted screen or roof mount with TV tuner wired to this, it is the safest and most sensible option. Why would anyone want to watch TV whilst driving anyway?

[DJC]

With all due respect, how is this any different to the thousands of cars driving around with GPS happily perched on their dash or windscreen, and I can tell you that this has the potential to caused a lot more accidents. ( I know this because it is in my industry)

Both are mobile VDU units and SHOULD be governed by the same legislation, however for some strange reason they are not! Everyday I see numerous people punching and plugging away at there GPS, so not only have they lost visual concentration but they have also lost some level of physical control of the vehicle with there spare hand, which should be on the wheel.

BTW I don't recall saying that I wanted to watch the TV whilst driving, nor would I suggest ever doing it. I mentioned the passengers and they should be allowed that convenience.

[GHW]

With all due respect, how is this any different to the thousands of cars driving around with GPS happily perched on their dash or windscreen, and I can tell you that this has the potential to caused a lot more accidents. ( I know this because it is in my industry)

Both are mobile VDU units and SHOULD be governed by the same legislation, however for some strange reason they are not! Everyday I see numerous people punching and plugging away at there GPS, so not only have they lost visual concentration but they have also lost some level of physical control of the vehicle with there spare hand, which should be on the wheel.

BTW I don't recall saying that I wanted to watch the TV whilst driving, nor would I suggest ever doing it. I mentioned the passengers and they should be allowed that convenience.

How do you propose a front seat passenger do this without line of sight to the driver?
GPS is primarily a vocal medium with minor visual to distract (like a speedo and rev counter) and is not the same as TV.
Watching TV in the front of a vehicle is stupid and dangerous and, if this really is "your industry" you should know better.

[GHW]

...and by your "governing" logic maybe we should ban speedo's, rev counters and conversations? get real ! Thank geebuz you aren't one of my dealers!

[DJC]

How do you propose a front seat passenger do this without line of sight to the driver?
GPS is primarily a vocal medium with minor visual to distract (like a speedo and rev counter) and is not the same as TV.
Watching TV in the front of a vehicle is stupid and dangerous and, if this really is "your industry" you should know better.

Who said the driver has to watch the TV just because it was playing!!! So please stop suggesting that I am promoting this!

If you cant trust yourself not to look at it why your driving then maybe it could be a reason why you shouldn't have one installed. This shouldn't prevent a passenger, both front and rear from watching it, and again it doesn't mean that I am promoting the fact that the driver will or may want to watch TV while the car is moving!

Again, I cant ever recall saying that I was going to have it activate whilst the car was moving, I think this was an assumption on YOUR behalf!

If you honestly believe that GPS is primarily a vocal medium with minor visual distraction you should get out and about more and look at the people using them, they don't seem to have an issue using them as a visual medium over a audible one as suggested!

Enough said on this point as I didn't want the threat hijacked because of certain personal opinions or beliefs. It was a simple question as to if television was available for the R36 and the question was quickly and thankfully answered!

Thank you and end of discussion!

[Rocket36]

Bottom line... There's a reason it's illegal for video to play in the front of a moving car. It's obvious. If you don't get it then I suggest a lesson in common sense.

As for GPS devices, they are passive. Unless there's some entertainment value from watching a very slowly changing map of the real world I'm actually driving in that I'm missing. Having a GSP in no way distracts a driver any more than following street signs. It's a reference point only.

[DJC]

Go to Melbourne or Sydney for a few days and you will see that they are a little more than "passive" for a number of drivers who persist on programming their destinations whilst driving!

Without fear of this threat turning into a s%^t fight, and the fact it has been answered I think it is time it was locked

[tryingavw]

Go to Melbourne or Sydney for a few days and you will see that they are a little more than "passive" for a number of drivers who persist on programming their destinations whilst driving!

Without fear of this threat turning into a s%^t fight, and the fact it has been answered I think it is time it was locked

totally agree as fitting a TV is stupid anyway!

[GHW]

Bottom line... There's a reason it's illegal for video to play in the front of a moving car. It's obvious. If you don't get it then I suggest a lesson in common sense.

As for GPS devices, they are passive. Unless there's some entertainment value from watching a very slowly changing map of the real world I'm actually driving in that I'm missing. Having a GSP in no way distracts a driver any more than following street signs. It's a reference point only.

Well said Rocket! some common sense from someone "not in our industry"

[theplanner]

Who said the driver has to watch the TV just because it was playing!!! So please stop suggesting that I am promoting this!

If you cant trust yourself not to look at it why your driving then maybe it could be a reason why you shouldn't have one installed. This shouldn't prevent a passenger, both front and rear from watching it, and again it doesn't mean that I am promoting the fact that the driver will or may want to watch TV while the car is moving!

Again, I cant ever recall saying that I was going to have it activate whilst the car was moving, I think this was an assumption on YOUR behalf!

If you honestly believe that GPS is primarily a vocal medium with minor visual distraction you should get out and about more and look at the people using them, they don't seem to have an issue using them as a visual medium over a audible one as suggested!

Enough said on this point as I didn't want the threat hijacked because of certain personal opinions or beliefs. It was a simple question as to if television was available for the R36 and the question was quickly and thankfully answered!

Thank you and end of discussion!

Totally agree with you on this. I had a similar tread a while ago, and similar bias comments were posted.

[Rocket36]

Bias? My comments are based on the LAW and COMMON SENSE.

You can't uncategorically state that if there's a TV on in the front of a moving car that no driver is going to watch it!

A GPS talks to you and you don't take your eyes off the road for longer than a glance (like you do to check speed, road signs, mirrors) etc.

Comparing a GPS to a TV is like saying you don't like your orange because you thought it would taste like an apple.

[theplanner]

Bottom line... There's a reason it's illegal for video to play in the front of a moving car. It's obvious. If you don't get it then I suggest a lesson in common sense.

As for GPS devices, they are passive. Unless there's some entertainment value from watching a very slowly changing map of the real world I'm actually driving in that I'm missing. Having a GSP in no way distracts a driver any more than following street signs. It's a reference point only.

I hope you do realised that accidents often take place when people are trying to look at street signs to find their way to their destination (in an unfamiliar place) and not paying attention to the traffic. Bottom line is common sense and driver's own responsibility/attention prevails.

Accidents (mostly) happens when the driver is not paying attention on the road or traffic ahead regardless whether there is a TV or not, GPS or not, sending a text or not etc. And I am not suggesting any of the above is permissible/ sensible.

[DJC]

Just let it rest! (but well said theplanner)

[Rocket36]

Agree with you Planner.... Except that a TV in the front of ANY car is a HUGE distraction to any driver. But call them crashes. Accidents imply it wasn't avoidable. 100% of road incidents are avoidable therefore they are crashes.

[DJC]

Accidents don't exist any longer in relation to traffic matters. They are all now referred to as crashes, due to the word 'accident' implying no party as being responsible as mentioned by rocket.