BMW X5 3.0Si 2008 E70 Owner's Manual
Page 181 of 292
Navigation
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 179Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
CD changer
The BMW CD changer for six CDs is installed in 
the glove compartment.
Controls and displays
1LEDs on the CD bay
flash when the CD can be inserted.
2Buttons for CD compartments
LED lights up when CD compartment is 
filled.
Filling CD changer
1.Press the   button.
The LED on the first empty compartment 
flashes.
2.Select another CD compartment if neces-
sary:
Press the   ...   button.
3.When the LEDs 1 o n  t h e  C D  b a y  f l a s h ,  i n s e r t  
an individual CD.
The CD is automatically pulled in and 
inserted into the selected CD compartment.
Do not push in the CD until the 
LEDs1 on the CD bay are flashing; 
otherwise, the CD or the CD changer may 
be damaged. Do not continue to push on the CD; this may 
cause it to jam and prevent it from being 
able to eject again.<
4.To fill additional CD compartments:
Repeat steps 1 to 3.
Filling empty CD compartments
1.Hold down the   button.
The LEDs on the empty CD compartments 
flash.
2.When the LEDs 1 o n  t h e  C D  b a y  f l a s h ,  i n s e r t  
an individual CD.
The CD is automatically pulled in and 
inserted into the first available CD compart-
ment.
Do not push in the CD until the 
LEDs1 on the CD bay are flashing; 
otherwise, the CD or the CD changer may 
be damaged. 
Do not continue to push on the CD; this may 
cause it to jam and prevent it from being 
able to eject again.<
3.Wait until the CD has been pulled in.
4.To fill additional CD compartments:
Repeat steps 2 and 3.
Removing CDs from CD changer
1.Press the   button.
2.Press the   ...   button to select the 
CD compartment.
The CD is pushed partway out of the CD 
changer.
3.Remove the CD.
Removing all CDs from CD changer
1.Hold down the   button.
The CDs are pushed partway out of the CD 
changer in sequence.
2.Remove the CDs. 
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CD player and CD changer
180
Notes
BMW CD/DVD players and changers are 
officially designated Class 1 laser prod-
ucts. Do not operate if the cover is damaged, 
otherwise severe eye damage can result.
Do not use self-recorded CDs/DVDs with labels 
applied as these can become detached during 
playback due to heat buildup and can cause 
irreparable damage to the device.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard 
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play CDs/
DVDs with an adapter, e.g. CD singles, as other-
wise the CD/DVD or the adapter can jam and 
may no longer eject properly.
Do not use a combined CD/DVD, e. g. DVD
Plus, 
otherwise the CD/DVD can jam and will no 
longer eject.<
General malfunctions
BMW CD/DVD changers and players have been 
optimized for performance in vehicles. In some 
instances they may be more sensitive to faulty 
CDs/DVDs than stationary devices would be.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played, first check if it 
has been inserted correctly.
Humidity
High levels of humidity can lead to condensa-
tion on the CD/DVD or the laser's scan lens and 
temporarily prevent playback.
Malfunctions with individual CDs/DVDs
If malfunctions occur only with particular CDs/
DVDs, this can be due to one of the following 
causes.
Filling the CD/DVD changer or 
removing CDs/DVDs
If all of the LEDs on the CD/DVD changer flash 
rapidly, then a malfunction is occurring. 
To rectify the malfunction:
1.Press the   button.
The CD/DVD last inserted is ejected.
2.Remove the CD/DVD.When the LEDs stop flashing rapidly, the CD/
DVD changer is once more operational.
Self-recorded CDs/DVDs
Possible reasons for malfunctions with self-
recorded CDs/DVDs are, e.g., inconsistent 
data-creation or recording processes, or poor 
quality or high age of the CD/DVD blank.
Only label CDs/DVDs on the upper side with a 
pen intended for this purpose.
Avoiding damage
Avoid fingerprints, dust, scratches and mois-
ture. 
Store CDs/DVDs in a sleeve.
Do not subject CDs/DVDs to temperatures over 
1227/506, high levels of humidity or direct 
sunlight.
CDs/DVDs with copy protection
CDs/DVDs are often provided with a copy pro-
tection feature by the manufacturer. This can 
m e a n  t h a t  s o m e  C D s / D V D s  c a n n o t  b e  p l a y e d  o r  
can only be played to a limited extent.
Care
If necessary, clean the reflective scanning side 
of the CDs/DVDs with a commercially available 
cleaning cloth by wiping in straight lines from 
the center outward. For additional information 
on the care of CDs/DVDs, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure. 
Page 183 of 292
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
DVD changer
Installation position
The BMW DVD changer for six DVDs is installed 
in the glove compartment.
Controls and displays
1LEDs on the DVD bay
Flash when the DVD can be inserted.
2Buttons for DVD compartments
The LED lights up when DVD compartment 
is filled.
Filling the DVD changer
1.Press the   button.
The LED on the first empty compartment 
flashes.
2.Select another DVD compartment if neces-
sary:
Press the   ...   button.
3.When the LEDs 1 on the DVD bay flash, 
insert an individual DVD.
The DVD is automatically pulled in and 
inserted into the selected DVD compart-
ment.Do not push in the DVD until the 
LEDs1 on the DVD bay are flashing; 
otherwise, the DVD or the DVD changer 
may be damaged. 
Do not continue to push on the DVD; this 
may cause it to jam and prevent it from 
being able to eject again.<
4.To fill additional DVD compartments:
Repeat steps 1 to 3.
Filling empty DVD compartments
1.Hold down the   button.
The LEDs on the empty DVD compart-
ments flash.
2.When the LEDs 1 on the DVD bay flash, 
insert an individual DVD.
The DVD is automatically pulled in and 
inserted into the first available DVD com-
partment.
Do not continue to push on the DVDs; 
this may cause them to jam and pre-
vent them from being able to eject again.<
3.Wait until the DVD has been pulled in and 
the LEDs1 on the DVD bay are flashing 
again.
Do not push in the DVD until the 
LEDs1 on the DVD bay are flashing; 
otherwise, the DVD or the DVD changer 
may be damaged.<
4.To fill additional DVD compartments:
Repeat steps 2 and 3.
Removing DVDs from the DVD changer
1.Press the   button.
2.Press the   ...   button in order to 
select the DVD compartment.
The DVD is pushed partway out of the DVD 
changer.
3.Remove the DVD.
I f  t h e  D V D  i s  n o t  r e m o v e d ,  i t  i s  p u l l e d  b a c k  
in again after about 10 seconds.<
* 
Page 184 of 292
DVD changer
182
Removing all DVDs from the DVD 
changer
1.Hold down the   button.
The DVDs are pushed partway out of the 
DVD changer in sequence.
2.Remove the DVDs individually.
Malfunctions
If all of the LEDs on the DVD changer flash rap-
idly, then a malfunction is occurring. In this 
case, proceed as follows.
1.Press the   button or   button.
The DVD last inserted is ejected.
2.Remove the DVD.
The DVD changer tests the DVD compartments 
and the rapid flashing of the LEDs stops. The 
DVD changer is once more operational.
DVD country codes
Your DVD player only plays DVDs with the cod-
ing of your home region, e.g. Europe = 2. The 
country codes supported by your DVD are con-
tained in the information on your DVD. It is not 
possible to change this coding. An overview of 
the six coding zones:
DVDs with the code 0 can be played back 
on all units.<
Playing DVDs
Depending on the equipment in your vehicle, 
you have the option of playing back both the 
audio track and video track of DVDs or only their 
audio track.
>Vehicles with two drives: audio and video 
playback
>Vehicles with a single drive: audio playback, 
refer to page186
Audio and video playback
For your own safety, the picture only appears in 
the Control Display at speeds of up to about 
2 mph/3 km/h. For certain national-market ver-
sions, the picture does not appear in the Control 
Display unless the vehicle is stopped and the 
transmission is in Park.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Select 
"DVD" and press the controller.
4.Switch into the second field if necessary, 
select the desired DVD and press the con-
troller.
It can take a little time for the DVD contents to 
be scanned in. Then the DVD is played and the 
DVD-specific menu is displayed.
CodeRegion
1USA, Canada
2 Japan, Europe, Middle East, South 
Africa
3Southeast Asia
4 Australia, Central and South America, 
New Zealand
5 Northwest Asia, North Africa
6China 
Page 185 of 292
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
DVD control
Using the DVD control, you can select the title 
and chapter, open the DVD-specific menu and 
operate functions such as language, fast for-
ward and reverse, or freeze frame.
A DVD can briefly deactivate functions of the 
DVD control, under certain circumstances even 
while the entire DVD is being played. It is not 
possible to operate the DVD control under 
these circumstances. In this case, try to make 
the selection using the DVD-specific menu.
During playback:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "DVD control bar" if needed and 
press the controller.
The DVD control is displayed.
The DVD control disappears again after a short 
time if you have not selected a function.
Fast forward/reverse
Forward/reverse with DVD control
1.Press the controller during playback to hide 
the DVD control.
2.Select the     symbol and press the 
controller.
3.Press the controller repeatedly to increase 
the speed of the fast forward/reverse. 
The DVD playback will be distorted.
To cancel fast forward/reverse:
Select the   symbol and press the controller. 
The DVD will start play at the point selected.
Forward/reverse using the controller
1.Turn the controller during playback.
Fast forward/reverse is interrupted.
2.Turn the controller further.
The speed is increased.
3.Release the controller.
Fast forward/reverse is interrupted. The 
current DVD will start play at the point 
selected.
Skip chapter
You can change to the next or previous chapter 
during playback.
1.Press the controller during playback to hide 
the DVD control.
2.Select the   symbol and press 
repeatedly until you reach the desired chap-
ter.
Or:
Press the  button on the left or right 
repeatedly until you reach the desired chapter.
Making settings for DVD
With some DVDs, it is only possible to 
select language, subtitles, camera angle, 
or title by using the DVD-specific menu.
Refer to the information on your DVD for possi-
ble selections.<
Function
Exit DVD control
"SET" Settings for playing DVD
Start playback
Stop playback
Activating freeze frame
 Skip chapter
 Fast forward/reverse
"Menu" Open DVD-specific menu 
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DVD changer
184
Tone control
In DVDs with multichannel or surround sound, 
for optimum playback, select an audio track 
with multichannel sound and set the tone set-
tings to Surround, refer to Selecting language 
on page184 and Professional HiFi System* on 
page165.
Adjusting brightness and contrast
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "SET" and press the controller.
3.Select "Video settings" and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "Brightness" or "Contrast" and 
press the controller.
5.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.Resetting to defaults:
Select "Reset" and press the controller.
DVD format
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "SET" and press the controller.
3.Select "DVD format" and press the control-
ler.
>"Standard"
>"Zoom": full-screen playback. 
Selecting language
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "SET" and press the controller.
3.Select "Language" and press the controller.
4.Select language or audio track and press 
the controller. 
Page 187 of 292
Navigation
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Driving tips
 185Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Mobility
The languages and audio tracks are generally 
accompanied by an indication of how may 
channels are included. 5.1 means multichannel.
Selecting subtitling
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "SET" and press the controller.
3.Select "Subtitles" and press the controller.
4.Select the language of the subtitles and 
confirm by pressing the controller.
Selecting title
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "SET" and press the controller.
3.Select "Title" and press the controller.
4.Select the desired title.
Changing viewing angle
Notes or symbols that appear during the play-
back of a film generally indicate the availability 
of different camera angles. These are usually 
only briefly available.
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "SET" and press the controller.
3.Select "Angle of view" and press the con-
troller.
Opening DVD-specific menu
Additional functions may be available on DVDs. 
For example, the viewer can select from several 
possible plots or display information on the film.
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "Menu" and press the controller.
3.Make your selection in the DVD-specific 
menu. To do so, move the controller in the 
corresponding direction in order to select 
the menu items and then press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Confirm selection" and press the 
controller.
You can also select language, subtitles, 
camera angle, or title in the DVD-specific 
menu. 
Refer to the information on your DVD for possi-
ble selections.<
Closing the settings menu
>Select "Return" and press the controller. 
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DVD changer
186
Audio playback
In vehicles equipped with a single drive, you 
have the option of playing back the audio track 
of a DVD, even when no video playback is pos-
sible in the vehicle.
1. button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Select 
"DVD" and press the controller.
4.Switch into the second field if necessary, 
select the desired DVD and press the con-
troller.
Displaying DVD audio contents
DVDs are usually divided into titles that are 
divided into chapters. The playback begins with 
the title that contains the most chapters. For 
example, this has the advantage that the intro-
duction of a DVD is not played first.
All of the chapters, numbered all the way 
through, are show, i.e. the numbering is differ-
ent than on the DVD. The numbering of the 
DVD is displayed in the status line. 
Example:Chapter 06 of the selection corresponds to 
chapter 4 in title 1 of the DVD.
Since the first title is not played automatically, 
the display in the chapter selection can begin 
with a higher number than 01.
The behavior during playback of the DVD 
can differ, depending on the DVD. It may 
not be possible to play some DVDs or the play-
back may stop before the end. In this case, the 
system usually skips to the next DVD in the 
DVD changer.<Selecting chapter
Select the chapter by turning the controller.
If playback does not automatically continue 
after the end of a title, then use the controller to 
select the next chapter.
A maximum of 99 chapters of a DVD can be 
played back.
Display in the status line Display in 
the chapter 
selection
Title 1 Chapter 1 01
Chapter 2 02
Title 2 Chapter 1 03
Chapter 2 04
Chapter 3 05
Chapter 4 06
Title 3 Chapter 1 07
Chapter 2 08 
Page 189 of 292
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 187Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Tone control
In DVDs with multichannel or surround sound, 
for optimum playback, select an audio track 
with multichannel sound, refer to Selecting 
audio language, and set the tone settings to 
Surround, refer to Professional HiFi System* on 
page165.
Selecting audio language
If there are different languages on a DVD, you 
can select the language.
1.Select "Set" and press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed. 
2.Select "Language / Audio format" and press 
the controller.
The different languages of the DVD are dis-
played.
3.Select the desired language and press the 
controller.
The languages and audio tracks are generally 
accompanied by an indication of how may 
channels are included. 5.1 means multichannel.
Notes
The DVD changer can play back the following 
formats:
>DVD video
>Video CD
>CD-DA
>CD-DTS
>Compressed audio files
MACROVISION 
This product includes copyright-protected 
technology that is based on a series of regis-
tered US patents and the intellectual property 
of the Macrovision Corporation and other man-
ufacturers. Use of this copyrighted material 
must be approved by Macrovision. Unless oth-
erwise agreed upon with Macrovision, it is only 
permissible for correspondingly protected 
media to be produced for private use. The 
copying of this technology is strictly forbidden.
Dolby 
Manufactured under license from Dolby Labo-
ratories. 
"Dolby", "Pro Logic", "MLP Lossless" and the 
double-D symbol are registered trademarks of 
Dolby Laboratories. 
DTS 
"DTS" and "DTS Digital Surround" are regis-
tered trademarks of DTS, Inc.  
Page 190 of 292
AUX-In connection
188
AUX-In connection
You can connect an external audio device, e.g. 
an MP3 player, and play the sound via the vehi-
cle loudspeakers. The sound can be adjusted 
via iDrive.
Connecting
Open the lid of the center armrest.
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks through the car's loud-
speaker system, connect the headphone or 
line-out port of the device with the AUX-In con-
nection.
Starting audio playback
The audio device must be switched on.
Via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "AUX" is selected and press 
the controller.
4.Select "AUX IN" and press the controller.
5.Adjust volume and sound if necessary.
With programmable memory/
direct selection buttons
You can save the function "AUX" on the pro-
grammable memory/direct selection buttons to 
start audio playback, refer to page21.