Electronics: where to put the DVD player???? (1 Viewer)

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Hi there to all,

"First time poster, long time fan...."

I own an '03 100. I love it to bits, only complaint is the thirst, but I knew this, so not really a complaint.

I have the Executive edition as it is known over here, 4.7 V8 with pretty much all the options available at that time.....

But: I have the "old" nav/headunit. So: DVD-nav under the passenger seat, but not a DVD-video player. 6CD-changer in center console/cubby. No MP3 or WMA support. No rear entertainment system.

What I would like is rear-seat entertainment, but with signal to the front screen so I can "see" and operate the DVD player menus and stuff. My kids are too young do do this themselves.

The idea would be 2 screens in headrests, FM-modulator to radio/speakers for the sound for short trips so that we can sing along with the kids, but I already have a wireless headphone unit + headphones from Philips for the longer trips so I can keep my sanity and listen to CD/radio over the speakers.

My electronics guy assures me he can "break in" on the "map" video signal from the nav computer and add a switch, so I can ALWAYS see the map screen on my headunit and flick the switch to operate the DVD-menu and stuff. Basically, all existing functions remain. (I still have to be parked to operate the satnav and stuff, I am fine with this).

Now the big question: where do I build the DVD-changer???? There seems to be nowhere to hide/mount the thing...

I have read that Yoyota offered/offers a rear seat (non-overhead/non-headliner) entertainment system, screens in the fron headrests, and where the DVD player is mounted somewhere in the back next to the second row of seats somewhere? Anyone have any pics of this?

I'll be damned if I can find a place to actually fit a 6 DVD changer/player.

Any input would be greatly appreciated...
 
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We have headrest monitors in the back, but no front monitor to control it. Like you, I wanted to add one, but the kids got old enough to do it themselves before I got around to it. Our DVD player is in the upper right corner of the glove box opening. The glove box drop down is cut to allow it to close without hitting the DVD payer. Not the cleanest install, but you don't notice it at all when the glove box is closed.
 
That's a solution I was thinking of, but indeed "not the cleanest install".

Plus the 100 does not have that much storage space to start with: I hate to sacrifice my glovebox space....

Somewhere I read about a dvd player in the back next to one of the thrid row seats.
 
The rear video in our 06 integrates the DVD player into the headrest: pretty common. Not sure how you would control it from the front though. I'm getting ready to have to figure this out as a little one is on the way. :D

Might look into doing it this way as you wouldn't have to hide anything. :meh:
 
if you could find one with a small enough form factor you could put it in the back where the first aid kit is. accessible by 2nd/3rd row passengers, out of the way and protected. That's where I have my "ancient" nav unit.
 
That last option is what I presume Toyota does with the OEM ones that apparently do exist somewhere...

There are 2 cubbyholes on the right (=passenger) side at the third row, this is where a first aid kit was at some point? Fairly wide, but shallow with a broad elastic across the front and a lid? I was thinking about seeing if it would fit there, and if not maybe cutting out a bit from the back plastic part so it sticks into the carbody above the wheel well.

@jhrrld: I can buy those off the shelf, but the problem is with operating it. You'll see when your kid is old enough to actually want to watch something. The first half year (here in NL at least) your kid will be facing backwards anyways. Then it will want to be ENTERTAINED. I suppose you could feed that video signal form the all-in-one headrests into the front screen, but I have two kids, so 2 video signals??? And two sound signals as well?
 
Well, I do have a tapedeck, so VHS is an idea.....

I do NOT have cupholders back there. Surely that is an American option ONLY. What is it with you Yanks and cupholders????:cheers:

I used to own BMW's and Audi's, and on all owners forums, especially BMW, there was a LOT of bitching about no cupholders, or like "only 5 cupholders in a premium German car, ripoff, etc".

It's a 5-seater car, what do you expect!!

End of rant: it is the US market that supports these kind of cars still being made and I for one am grateful for that because I get to drive one....
 
the 997 was the first 911 to have cupholders, and it pisses me off. Porsches shouldnt have cupholders. Anyways, can you get me a picture of the back of your center console? I'd like to see how it looks without cupholders.
 
I misunderstood you: I thought you meant 2nd row cupholders as in 2nd row rear seats. I do have cupholders in front of the 1st row of back seats, on the back of my center console I think....

I do not want a DVD player there though, because it would be seen and get stolen. And it would be too easy to put a drink on there:p which would spill. Also, it would be within hand reach of stuffing raisins in the tray, or checking which buttons are detachable....


Porsche caved with the 997, because the US market wants cupholders, and the US market is a huge part of most carmakers decision-making.

It is your gas prices that still allow the fabrication of HUGE cars and engines.

And if that market wants cupholders, they get them....

You should be more pissed off that you are still not getting certain cars over in the US. And that US carmakers are still allowed to sell you some of their products.

The current crop of Alfa Romeo's (Brera, 159SW, MiTo) should really be getting sold in the US. Some of the newer Fiat's (500) too.

And that the glory of certain European diesel engines/cars is not getting sold over there should also piss you off. The new Audi Q7 with the 6liter V12 for instance...

Or the friggin' GLORIOUS BMW 535Diesel.

I would still take your choices over ours anyday: I paid just a hair over $45.000 for an '03 100 with 45Kmiles on it. How does that make you feel over there? Oh, and I pay around $9 per Gallon for gas..... You'll take the cupholders and like it, OK?
 
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Well you would replace the cupholder. I think your best bet is to sneak it into one of those cubbies in the cargo area, that way all the people in the second row have to do it reach over and insert.
 
I also have the 2003 - are you sure you don't have DVD in the center console? Maybe I totally misread your post and reference to the "old" head unit... you mention it's just a CD player - but mine hase DVD...? Unless yours is replaced or just an EARLY 2003 with the 2002 headunit... anyway, I just put in a DVD and then hit "Disc" as you would with playing a CD and it will recognize it as a DVD and start playing on the Nav screen so long as you are in park and have the emergency brake set (there is a by-pass/hack for this so it can play while driving). Then, all you have to do is have your guy hack into that signal and put it to a screen ?? Not sure, maybe it would work....

OR>>>> my prefernce was a differnt route, for older kids though.... they simply use an iPod Touch with video's I've burned on them from the DVD. That way they don't get stolen out of the car, the kids each have their own movie with headsets, they can also watch it on the plane, in the hotel, they have music, games, internet wifi etc... it's about 1/2 the price, NO pain on install, no losing the set-up if you sell the rig - it's a win all the way!!

For little kids I totally understand the DVD screen since they can't control things as they are too young. But I say the ONLY way to go with older kids is and iPod touch.

My .02 cents :grinpimp:
 
Unbelievably enough, you actually have me doubting myself and I will check tonight.

I do not however have a single disc feeder, only the 6-disc changer in the center console. Which I know will only play Audio (WAV) CD's, not mp3 or wma.

The satnav DVD (unit) is under the passenger seat, and getting to that is a hassle, so I presume that is not the "unit" that accepts the DVD-video Discs. If that was the case, that would be the dumbest design ever.

For the hell of it, I will pop a DVD into the disc changer and see what happens. If it accepts DVD, it would play the video through the Map screen?

I am indeed looking into mounting the changer in the rear cubby somewhere, but was (originally) wondering of someone had any pics of that, because - again - Toyota does or did offer that. And I am talking about building in a 10Disc changer, not a unit that would have to accept a new disc with every movie.
 
Funny as I am also looking at a dvd system for my ride.
The headrests are a nice option... though I preferre the roofmount player... that way you don't have to huzzle around with leather color etc and its a lot cheaper. Last but not least it is saver (less noticable for thieves).

You can actually turn the monitor left or right for beter viewing, dvd player installed right into it plus you can hook up an usb stick/disk. Handy when you want to bring a load of mp3's with ya aswell.

*back on topic* :D
 
I can't believe I went outside to check, but I did..... no joy. No cd-input, and only CD icons everywhere. DVD really does not play.

Dutchy, do you have any suggestions on the roofmount unit, like brand or price? En weet je een plek die goed kan/wil inbouwen? Ik ben namelijk een zeikerd.....:D

Problem with the roofmount unit is still how to operate the menu's with small kids....
 
@feddomw

I' am now steering away from roofconsoles...shop really didn't reccomend due to the weight and many times the start to sag down because it wont hold properly..unless you are gonna make a serious case out of it by spending some good money to built a frame etc.

So I also started looking at the headrests that are available. There is a lot of choice and the premade headrests don't seem to be very expensive either... Anyone know a brand where the leather colour kinda matches up to the oem grey lc100 leather.

Ik weet wel wat plekken waar ze kunnen inbouwen..welk gebied woon je in NL?
 
If you want it done right have headrest monitors installed in your factory headrests. Any good car audio shop can do this and it will look like the LC came with the monitors installed at the factory. If you are worried about cutting your headrests you might find a used pair at a salvage yard.
 
Yeah, this last approach is the one I am taking, I have an appointment tomorrow for this.

I still have not found a solution for WHERE to put the 10-disc changer, but we'll work it out tomorrow.

@ Dutchy: I had heard the same thing about the overhead/liner players, and using a frame would make it as expensive (time-consuming) as a headrest install, yet without the benefit of 2 screens and with the disadvantage of a blocked rear-view mirror....

Ik woon in Wassenaar, en ken een Lexus specialist die ik dus wel de Toyota toevertrouw. Hij werkt bijna exclusief voor Louwman/Lexus, dus dat komt hopelijk wel goed.....
 
Mag jij het proef konijn zijn... ;) Ik ben benieuwd, kosten etc. Check hier eens Gallery vervolgens klik je diverse foto's inbouw en Toyota. Daar staat een 100 tussen... wel het vorige model 98-2002 geloof ik. Ik heb zelf het 04 model. Kom zelf uit Amsterdam.

Back to english ...its just a link to a dutch custom shop for car audio.
 
That is a crazy install in that link (http://www.brian.nl/gallery2/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=14581)..... But that is the pre-facelifted model, so I think Dutchy is right, '98-'02, juding by the look of the shifter. I have the 5-speed '03 model.

I called the guy from the link/gallery, he seemed very serious and knowledgeable. But he is more expensive than my guy, and I already have an appointment with my guy tomorrow because we go on vacation this weekend.

Since nobody has firmly and definitely answered my original question, the common wisdom seems to be: put the player where it fits.... :meh:

Which will most likely be somewhere in the rear (interior) quarter panel. Maybe beneath my (driver's) seat will fit, we'll see.
 
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