Rear Seat Entertainment System

Rear Seat Entertainment System

Rear seat entertainment system
The Rear Seat Entertainment system (RSE) is an optional extra that is available in the following versions:
- Rear Seat Entertainment (SA6FG)
- Rear Seat Entertainment Professional (SA6FH)

The rear seat entertainment system is functionally independent of other entertainment sources available in the vehicle. Via iDrive, the Rear Seat Entertainment system can be activated or blocked in the "Settings" menu.

The rear seat entertainment system provides the following functions:
- Operation using remote key
- Playback of all the entertainment sources available in the vehicle
- Playing CDs or DVDs via the DVD drive
- Confirmation for settings made on the rear seat entertainment system as well as display (CDs, DVDs, photos) on two 8 inch colour monitors (TFT)
- Audio playback over the speakers of the vehicle or wired headphones
- Audio playback via headphones with infrared transmission An infrared transmitter is installed in each rear monitor.
- Connection for external devices (e.g. video camera, gaming console)
- Television reception in the rear passenger compartment (only in combination with optional equipment)

Rear seat entertainment Professional offers the following additional functions:
- Operation via the rear-compartment controller (FCON) with an operating facility on the left or right
- Two 9.2-inch rear monitors
- The driver's and front passenger side can be operated independently of one another
- Navigation in 2D and 3D with navigation transfer to the driver
- Control of temperature distribution for seat heating on the rear seats (only with optional equipment)
- Rear-seat telephone unit with cordless handset (only with optional equipment)
- BMW Online with Internet (only with optional equipment)

Functional description
The RSE control unit can be switched on as of terminal 30B ON. After terminal R OFF, the RSE control unit can be switched on within the after-running period (approx. 30 minutes).
The control unit for the Rear Seat Entertainment system (= RSE control unit) is a bus user on the MOST.
The rear monitors serve as the display units for the RSE control unit. The images shown on the rear monitors are all created in the RSE control unit. All image information is transferred via the LVDS data line from the RSE control unit to the rear monitors.
Infrared transmitters for the infrared transmission to the headphones are also built into the rear monitors. The infrared transmitters are directly connected to the RSE control unit. When the RSE control unit is switched on for the first time after terminal 30B ON, the diodes light up. The diodes remain lit up until the RSE control unit is switched on or can be switched on.
The rear seat entertainment Professional is controlled using the rear-compartment controller and the two operating units (operating facility of the left rear-compartment controller and operating facility of the right rear-compartment controller) while the rear seat entertainment (standard) is controlled using an infrared remote key. The signal path of the infrared remote key corresponds to that of the remote key services. This means that the remote key signals are received by the aerial for remote key service. The signals are transmitted via the remote key receiver in the aerial amplifier to the Car Access System (CAS). The CAS outputs the signals as a message on the K-CAN2. The central gateway module (ZGM) is the data interface between K-CAN2 and MOST. The RSE control unit is a bus user on the MOST. The remote key that has been learned in for this specific vehicle is the only one that is operative.
When a DVD is being played in the DVD drive of the rear seat entertainment system, the image cannot be displayed in the central information display (CID). Display of the image via the rear monitors is also not possible if a DVD is being played in the DVD drive of the headunit. However, audio playback is possible in both cases. If a DVD is being played from a DVD changer, the sound and vision are output via the head unit and Rear Seat Entertainment system.
On the standard rear seat entertainment version, the volume is set using the infrared remote key. On the rear seat entertainment Professional version, the volume is adjusted using the operating units of the rear-compartment controller.
Audio playback takes place optionally over the speakers of the vehicle or headphones With audio playback through the speakers, the audio signal is sent by the RSE control unit via the MOST to the head unit or Top Hi-Fi amplifier. The volume of the speakers can be adjusted using the multifunction steering wheel, the controller, the rear-compartment controller or the infrared remote key. In the case of playback through the speakers, volume control is speed-dependent. Tone setting is also possible.
If audio playback is through the headphones, the volume is adjusted on the headphones (infrared) and with wired headphones on the infrared remote key (standard rear seat entertainment version) or rear-compartment controller (rear seat entertainment Professional version). The infrared headphones receive their signals from the two infrared transmitters.
External audio devices and video devices can be connected to the cinch sockets. Operation takes place via the external device. According to the selected cinch sockets (left or right), the video signal is displayed on the assigned rear monitor. The selected display can still be seen on the second rear monitor.
The TV receiver receives the TV signal via the TV aerial. The picture signals are transmitted from the TV receiver via a CVBS line directly to the RSE control unit. The TV receiver transmits the TV sound on the MOST bus. In the equipment version "Rear Seat Entertainment Professional", the RSE control unit has two inputs for CVBS lines that are assigned to the two sides of the RSE control unit (left and right).
The control unit for rear seat entertainment Professional is additionally connected via Ethernet to the Car Information Computer. The extended functions of Ethernet mean that high data loads are transferred quickly and in high quality to the Car Information Computer.












Structure and inner electrical connection
A plug connection connects the RSE control unit to the vehicle electrical system and MOST.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the picture signals are transferred from the TV receiver (VM) or DVD changer (DVDC) directly or through a video switch via a CVBS line to the RSE control unit.
The LVDS data lines are used to transmit the image information from the RSE control unit to the rear monitors.
The infrared transmitters in the rear monitors are directly connected to the RSE control unit (lines designated with SIG in the following graphics).
The rear power distribution box supplies the RSE control unit with terminal 30B.
The locator lighting (terminal 58g) for the buttons is controlled by the footwell module (FRM).







In order to transfer the extended functions and high data loads quickly and in high quality, the RSE control unit in the rear seat entertainment Professional versions is additionally connected via Ethernet to the headunit.
The picture signals are transferred via 2 CVBS lines to the RSE control unit.







Pin assignments
The graphics above show only the supply and bus connection. The current pin assignment is recorded on the wiring diagrams in the ISTA diagnosis system (Integrated Service Technical Application). Click on the component code in the wiring diagram to activate the "Installation location" and "Pin assignment" tabs.

Nominal values
Observe the following setpoint values for RSE (Rear Seat Entertainment) control unit:

Size Value
Supply voltage 9 to 16 V
Overheating protection (switch-off) Above 105 °C
Temperature range -40 to 85 °C

Diagnosis instructions

Failure of the component
If the communication to the RSE control unit fails, run the standard checks (global testing procedure). If there is an internal control unit fault, the following behavior is to be expected:
- Fault entry in the RSE control unit

The cinch sockets of the Rear Seat Entertainment system cannot be diagnosed. As these sockets are fitted directly in the front panel, a visual inspection is sufficient to check whether there are any defective parts or other foreign bodies in the sockets.
There is a service function in the BMW diagnosis system to teach the radio remote control of the Rear Seat Entertainment system. The radio remote control requires teaching when the Car Access System (CAS) is replaced or a new radio remote control is used.


We can assume no liability for printing errors or inaccuracies in this document and reserve the right to introduce technical modifications at any time.