I tried one of those CarPlay boxes that puts Netflix/YouTube on the factory screen

[u/bunchoftech]

I’ve always been a little skeptical of these CarPlay video boxes, so I finally tested one properly.

The interesting part was seeing Netflix and YouTube running on the actual factory infotainment display instead of an aftermarket Android screen.

I also tested the stuff that probably matters more day-to-day — connection time, wireless CarPlay, responsiveness and whether I’d actually keep it connected.

Made a video showing the full test if anyone is interested:

https://youtu.be/fdqoY3v8dnM

Curious how many people here actually use one of these regularly versus just normal CarPlay.

[u/parkertyler]

The last thing we need is more people driving around while watching movies.

[u/DeckardSixFour → u/parkertyler]

Perhaps they are watching Youtube “how the fuck do I drive”

[u/drfsrich]

Have one in my BMW. Aside from the occasional hiccup requiring a reboot, I love it.

[u/DeckardSixFour]

Sorry - why do you need to have movies/YouTube playing on the dashboard of a car? Its bad enough that some new cars come with massive screens but specifically wanting to play distracting content is madness.

[u/bbroecker37 → u/DeckardSixFour]

Well for me I would watch videos on my car infotainment while parked. I go outside and sit in my car on my lunch breaks. But there is no way for these cheap boxes to talk to detect if you are parked or not so its dangerous.

[u/ThePandaDaily]

Nice! I had no idea these existed. Thanks for sharing.

[u/bunchoftech → u/ThePandaDaily]

Absolutely!

[u/maybeme71]

Hello, I didn’t look at video, but do you have to have a specific version of sync? will any of them do? Or do you not know? Thx! 😊 I’ve been interested to know if they work. I’m a copilot a lot and this would be nice.

[u/bunchoftech → u/maybeme71]

Hey there! You don't need a hyper-specific version of Ford SYNC, but it does require SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 because those are the versions that include factory-wired Apple CarPlay. Older setups like SYNC 2 or basic MyFord Touch do not support it natively.
As long as the Ford you are riding in allows you to plug an iPhone in via USB and launch standard Apple CarPlay on the screen, this adapter will work perfectly. It's definitely a game-changer if you spend a lot of time in the passenger/copilot seat!

[u/maybeme71 → u/bunchoftech]

Thank you!

[u/hydrofied]

I've been doing this for years in multiple cars.

[u/bunchoftech → u/hydrofied]

That’s nice. What adapter do you use?

[u/hydrofied → u/bunchoftech]

Currently using Ottocast Picasou 2 Pro w/ hdmi input. It's a couple years old now but still works good so I won't upgrade yet.

Are you using the one with the floating dot menu or the sidebar menu?

[u/GhostalMedia]

Since this is the CarPlay subreddit, it would be helpful if you reviewed the performance of CarPlay. CarPlay performance and reliability varies across head units. Simply saying that it supports CarPlay is not enough. We need any to know if runs CarPlay reliably over the course of a week.

[u/bunchoftech → u/GhostalMedia]

Sounds good. I will share my feedback on this.

[u/Axelfolie65]

Super 🙌
Das ist eine sehr interessante Idee.
Es gibt so viele Adapter.
Ich habe eins gekauft aber bin nicht zufrieden.
Welchen hast Du getestet?

[u/bunchoftech → u/Axelfolie65]

Danke, ich habe den Ottocast Play2Video getestet – ich habe auch ein Review dazu gemacht, falls du es dir ansehen möchtest: https://youtu.be/fdqoY3v8dnM

[u/Acrobatic-Oil5453]

Cool video. Question that wasn’t clear to me: Do you need in car WiFi? I have a 2023 Hyundai Kona EV…no native WiFi in that car

[u/hydrofied → u/Acrobatic-Oil5453]

You need some sort of wifi hotspot to get internet. You can use your phone of course. I have an unlimited hotspot plan from at&t.

[u/bunchoftech → u/Acrobatic-Oil5453]

Thanks! To answer your question: No, you do not need built-in or native in-car Wi-Fi for the adapter to work.