[acook]

Hello,

This is my first post on this forum. I just got my 2015 Q3 a couple weeks ago and am really excited to have it - long time Audi owner here.

I wanted to get Plex (a media streaming client), working in the car so I could stream media from my server while on long road trips.

The Roku 3 seemed to make the most sense as it can be powered via USB and saved me from having to run power. I was going to go with the older Roku 2, as it uses RCA instead of HDMI, but it cannot be powered via USB. The Roku also uses a radio-based remote, which means I can leave it closed in the center armrest and the remote will still work.

Given the amount of work I had to do to get something similar working in my 2007 A4, the Q3 setup was very straightforward.

Here are the items I used:

• Audi VAG-COM Cable: http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCHUC.html ($350)
• Audi Q3 MMI RCA Cable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131227606634 ($25)
• Roku 3: http://www.amazon.com/Roku-Streaming-Player-4230R-Search/dp/B00UJ3IULO ($100 new / $60 refurb)
• Roku 3 USB Power cable: http://www.amazon.com/TVPower-USB-Cable-Powering-Roku/dp/B00T40LTAW ($8)
• Etekcity HDMI to AV converter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FO7PQA ($25)
• 1 foot HDMI cable: http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-FLEX-HDMI-Cable-Foot/dp/B007PESCCC ($8)
• 4-port USB car charger: http://www.amazon.com/BasAcc®-Aluminum-Charger-Adapter-Samsung/dp/B00WE7Z3W2 ($15)
• 6-pack of RCA male couplers (only need 3): http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Male-Connectors-Couplers-Adapters/dp/B00FHHWV94 ($6)

Total spent (minus VAG-COM): ~$200 with shipping

Here's how I set it up:

1. First, unlock the video in motion (VIM) block on the MMI using this site: https://trick77.com/tools/mmi3g_vimcode.php.
2. Plug the 4-port USB car charger into the cigarette lighter (right next to the armrest - how convenient!)
   
3. Connect the Audi MMI RCA cable to the Audi MMI interface within the armrest.
   
4. Use 3 of the male couplers to attach the MMI RCA cable to the HDMI to AV converter output
   
5. Connect the supplied USB power cord to the HDMI to AV converter
   
6. Connect the Roku 3 to the HDMI to AV converter via the 1 foot HDMI cable
   
7. Connect the Roku 3 USB power cord to the Roku
   
8. Tuck it all away nicely within the armrest
   
9. Power on the car, change the source to "Video Input" and change the settings from 4:3 to 16:9 display
10. Setup the Roku to connect to your Audi's Wifi
11. Enjoy hours of streaming Netflix, Plex, Spotify, Hulu, etc. to your Audi!
    

The thing I like about this install is that nothing is permanent. I didn't have to drill any holes, fish any wires, or blow anything up ...and, I've still got 2 USB ports to use for charging my phone or other devices!

Hopefully someone else finds this tutorial helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[rnlabas]

Hey - Welcome to the forum and THANKS for a great post on this installation - nice details and info and pics too - jolly good show !!

 

[felipefaccini]

Nice work. I was planing on doing this with my cell

 

[AudiFox]

Great installation tutorial and welcome to the forum!

 

[Quatto]

This is indeed a great DIY that should be part of a sticky or at least linked to in a sticky.

Do you have plans for any more DIY's in the future?

 

[Otto]

Impressive. Is it legal to have videos on up there? Or at least while the car is in motion?

Great to have you on the forum.

Welcome!

 

[AudiFox]

It should be fine as long as they're not actually watching movie while driving. I assume it's more for the passengers' benefit than the driver's.

 

[acook]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, this is more for the passenger's benefit.

 

[al1020blue]

This is awesome...I think I may have to give this a try!

 

[rockuman_ex]

I'm having trouble with:

First, unlock the video in motion (VIM) block on the MMI using this site: https://trick77.com/tools/mmi3g_vimcode.php

Can you post the exact steps?

I have Q3 2014 model.

And how do you tell if you have 3G or 2G?

 

[[email protected]]

I'm having trouble with:



Can you post the exact steps?

I have Q3 2014 model.

And how do you tell if you have 3G or 2G?

did you ever figured this out? I have a 2017 audi q3 and i'm pretty sure it does not have 2g or 3g capabilities....wondering if i am able to unlock the vim block too