[Jim Wenk]

I just picked up the 2021 Yukon Xl Demali. My 2018 XL had just come off the lease.
I was disappointed to learn there is no DVD player, all content must be view by a streaming device. So I purchased an Amazon Fire TV Stick and insert it into the back HDMI ports and plug it in to the outlet below. I Sign up for the onstar WIFI account and get my Firestick set up on the screen. All good so far. Here is where the issues start:
1) As you know, the default is for the car to have the engine ON/OFF control always ON (so the engine shuts down at a red light when applying the brake, etc.). So if you have a device plugged into the back, the device AUTOMATICALLY shuts when the engine shuts, because power is lost to the back outlet. My wife who is the primary driver is a typically busy mother of 3 young boys constantly shuttling them all over to school, sports, etc. So EVERYTIME the kids want to watch content, the content is going to shut off at red lights, etc. There is the option to TURN OFF the ON/OFF switch EVERYTIME the driver gets into the car but that is in no way realistic or practical to remove this incredibly frustrating issue .
2) We have 3 young kids (9 and under). The Amazon Fire TV content cannot be seen from the front video display. So there is no way for the driver to scroll through content and know what is actually being watched. The driver literally has to open the back set of doors when the car is parked and scroll through content on the Fore TC Stick remote to find suitable content for the kids. The is not realistic. What if its raining outside or freezing temperatures. She has to find, scroll and load content for the kids, then go to the front seat to start driving. Wait, by the way, then REMEMBER to shot the engine ON/OFF override button. That is a total show stopper from my perspective.

Can anyone make any suggestions? Are there workarounds to this?

 

[Hampton]

I am surprised to read that GM would design the system to where the entertainment also shuts off. You would have thought that they would have caught that in testing and written the code for the vehicle to keep entertainment features on while the vehicle stops at red lights.

Although I don't have a better suggestion for you, at least one touch of the on/off button does appear to resolve the problem related to the system turning off. I believe emissions regulations prevent that from being a default setting.

 

[Brennen81]

Hey @Jim, for your first issue, there may be a firmware hack or some module to override the default setting so the screens don't shut off when stopped. I haven't seen or looked for one yet but there's a good chance that some solution is out there.
It may be the only solution.
If you can't find it online, try speaking to a reputable automotive audio/video shop near you.

 

[Duffy]

That's crazy that the entertainment system shuts off with the auto start/stop. If they can keep the radio on they should be able to do the same thing.

For the second issue I kind of get why GM did that. The last thing they want is for a driver to get distracted scrolling through their Netflix or Fire TV and something happening.

 

[Tanntann]

That's crazy that the entertainment system shuts off with the auto start/stop. If they can keep the radio on they should be able to do the same thing.

For the second issue I kind of get why GM did that. The last thing they want is for a driver to get distracted scrolling through their Netflix or Fire TV and something happening.

USBC to power the unit will resolve the issue.