Brief description of components

iDrive consists primarily of the following components:

• Central Information Display (CID) 

  The CID is the central graphic display unit. A number of displays are available depending on the equipment fitted:

  CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY REFERENCE
  
  

  E60

  CID colour 6.5 inch, fully int (combined with option 606 "Business navigation system" with arrow display) in conjunction with M-ASK

  CID colour 8.8 inch, fully integrated (combined with option 609 "Professional navigation system" with map view) in conjunction with CCC

  The Central Information Display is connected via a LVDS data line (Low Voltage Differential Signalling) to the M-ASK or CCC.

• Controller with menu button 

  The controller is the central control element  for the Central Information Display or iDrive. The controller is located in the centre console behind the gear lever or, in the case of automatic transmission, the selector lever.

  The menu button is located behind the Controller (with CCC, two-part option: menu button and Push-to-talk button for voice recognition system).

  The controller is connected via the K-CAN to the M-ASK/CCC.

  The controller is operated in the same way as on the 7 Series by slide or turn and then press.

  The Controller always returns to its home position when released. The basic variant of the Controller, however, only has 4 sliding directions: forward, back, to the right and to the left.

  In the High version, the controller has 8 directions of movement for the following function: destination input using crosshairs.

• Loudspeakers 

  The loudspeakers output the audio signals from the M-ASK or the CCC, as applicable.

The control unit that manages the functions of iDrive depends on the vehicle equipment:

• M-ASK: Multi-audio system controller 

  The M-ASK combines a number of functions in a single control unit, as follows:

  • Audio system controller (ASK)
  • Control unit for the Central Information Display
  • Navigation system with DVD drive
  • Aerial tuner
• CCC: Car Communication Computer 

  The CCC incorporates further functions at the top end of the range in the form of a control unit (e.g. voice recognition system).

The M-ASK or the CCC generates the LVDS data (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) for graphical presentation on the Central Information Display.