Bypassing Japanese Satnav+Tv Tuner

[PaddyPowr]

Hi Folks,

Recently bought a 2004 Avensis 2.0 Li from a Japanese car importer here in New Zealand. It came with a factory TV Tuner that flips up from the dash including navigation system, but all in Japanese with no option to change language. I searched for ages trying to find a solution to bypassing the Japanese stuff so I could plug in MP3 player and possibly some kind of Car PC, nav system and TV tuner without having to replace anything.

Apart from some Russian websites that seem to have had some succsess with making boot disks, there is no easy solution.

Finally I found a Japanese company that makes an adapter cable called BeatSonic, they also have US and worldwide distribution. The cable has the Toyota TV Tuner connection on one end, and RCA video/audio the other end. I found the Navigation System under the passenger seat and removed it as it is useless and extra weight, then found the TV tuner behind the right hand side trim panel in the boot. As soon as I connected the cable, a new VIDEO option appears on the TV section of the screen, allowing you to either play music from your MP3 player, or video from camera, DVD or game system. The resolution is pretty average but it works great and sound quality is 100%. Combined with a bluetooth adapter I now have easy music straight from my HTC one without messing with any cables.

Posting here so that other Avensis Jap Import owners can find the right cable as it took me a while!

The correct Avensis cable is AVC1 and here is a link:

http://www.beatsonicusa.com/stereo/beat-sonic-avc1-video-rca-input-cable-harness.html

[Spotteddotterel]

Hi, i have the same year avensis station wagon in NZ too. With by the sounds of it, the same panasonic satnav/reverse camera set up. Just wondering how you combined a blutooth adapter?  Into the unit somewhere or plugged into the cable adapter you mention?

Any help appreciated thanks

Pete.

[PaddyPowr]

Hi Pete, 

Yeah the adapter cable I mentioned terminates with two red\whight RCA left\right plugs. I initially tried a bluetooth transmitter from ***** Smith which turned out to be really average quality, so I ended up just running a headphone jack cable from the TV tuner in the boot up to the passenger seat where I just plug right into my phone now. Still works great after 3 years. I can't say that I have 100% the same system as you though as mine doesnt have the reversing camera, but the adapter cable is worth a shot!