Rear DVD Installation Question

[gajjuauf]

Not as mechanically challenging as some of the other issues on this board but I was hoping to get some feedback on after market rear seat entertainment installations. I've searched the board a bit but wasn't able to find enough substance.
- If I go with an after market installer, are there any "gotchas" I should look out for?
- Should I avoid Best Buy, Circuit City type installers? they didn't seem to have an expertise on the floor, the guy just read the label out to me... what about tweeter? The local Toyota dealers actually outsource RSE installations.
- Any recommendations on systems that are easily integrated with the sunroof and dome light on the TLC?
- Systems that I should avoid? some that I've seen are by Valor (?), Audiovox, Alpine, RCA, Boos Audio, Directed (???), Rosen (seen a lot of these when I was researching TLC/LX for a purchase).
- Where should the power be routed from, dome light or s separate circuit?
- There are obviously competing schools of thought on headrest versus overhead monitors and at this time I'm leaning overhead.

If there's someone specific that I can pose these questions to, please let me know and I'd be happy to take the questions offline.

Thanks!

 

[viper501]

I've been doing a lot of the same research. I wouldn't trust the monkeys at BB or CC with a Yugo, much less your Cruiser. Tweeter seems better ... I think the overhead has a lot going for it over (pardon the pun) the headrest design. I like the Alpine unit so far the best due to the screen size and output / input capability as well as my prior experience with their head units.

As far as power, I'd be hesitant to use the dome light circuit without verification of the power requirements of the DVD and the capacity of the circuit.

I'm still trying to figure out whether I can output the factory DVD changer to a remote monitor. Based on the menu options, it looks like it is possible but there don't seem to be any threads from anyone who has actually accomplished it.

 

[coryc85]

Mine came with a Panasonic overhead unit installed. It seems like they sourced power from the dome light circuit because I don't see any extraneous wires anywhere. I don't know if it was "professionally" installed or if the P.O. did it. The one complaint that I have with the install is that the weight of the unit causes the ceiling to flex and hang down just slightly. I can press up on the unit and there is some give. I don't like that about it. I saw an install on TV once and I saw the pro put some kind of a piece of wood that was hardmounted in there somehow like a cross-brace and then the player was screwed into this piece of wood. He said that was how he liked to mount them to relieve the stress on the ceiling.

 

[gajjuauf]

exactly along the lines of what I was thinking, now just to get someone knowledgeable to respond.

i tried the club lexus forums but couldn't find anything there...

 

[fish2live]

anyone thought about just intalling an LCD screen (no DVD player) and using an iPod to drive the content?

 

[mudlover]

My 04 came with a roof mount unit installed. I have no use for the thing and wish it was not there. I used it once just to make sure it worked and have never turned it on since.
It I was having terrible radio reception and my tech suggested removing the FM modulator which was behind the passenger kick panel. Reception improved greatly, so now dvd must be listed with headphones not thru stereo system. I suggest checking the radio reception after install to be sure it is ok.

 

[cpcc]

Oops, I just had BestBuy install an amp in my LS400. Luckily nothing bad has happened. After hearing everyones concerns, I may go to WeeBee next time.
Thanks

 

[gajjuauf]

no other takers?

 

[BOLANDMARC]

wiring help please

Along this thread I purchased a nissan overhead dvd player but doesn't have any install info have looked on web and can't find any info, if someone could help me or give the address of someone in Brisbane that can do the work that would be appreciated

1oo series lifted but no dvd ....yet

 

[aedgington]

anyone thought about just intalling an LCD screen (no DVD player) and using an iPod to drive the content?

Or a full-blown carputer. I almost went that route, but didn't. I'll revisit it on the next rig when the kids are older.

 

[cpcc]

I just strapped some to the back of the head rests. All is fine now.

 

[gajjuauf]

After all the back and forth I figured I would go with DVD headrests rather than the overhead monitor. The disadvantages, as I see them, are that the screen size is smaller and viewing is restricted to the person sittig behind the screen, instead of anyone sitting in the second and third rows (with the overhead).

I've got similar estimates on getting a Visuallogic A-1290 (9", dual DVD) and the Invision RevIII (7" dual DVD) but am leaning towards the latter because of their existing relationship as an OEM supplier for Toyota. Anyone have experience with their monitors or products? The monitors are listed here: Mobile Entertainment Systems - INViSiON Industries, Inc.

If you're looking for Invisions, there is a person in the company who will do his best to get you the best price and I can give you his contact information if you're interested. I haven't committed to them yet.

 

[slimbuddha]

About 4 or 5 years ago, I bought two Pioneer 7" widescreens. They came with a pivot arm that attaches to the headrest (you pull the headrest off, put the holder on, then push the headrest back through. THe picture is great, and they ahve lasted along time. Also, they come with quick disconnects to take the screen off/on. We use these in our Minivan, and come in handy to take themout when we are travling, and drop them into a bag (as to not get stolen). Also, it helps when there is extreme temperatures and not mess up the screen. We only use it for long trips though, I don't want my kids getting used to having to be "entertained" for 15 minute rides across town.

If, and when I ever get some for the LC, i am going to get some more of these.

 

[jones]

Anybody figure out anything about hooking a monitor into the OEM DVD system?
Like others here, my LC doesn't have the rear entertainment system. What I'm trying to figure out (LC not in my "hands" yet or I'd take a look myself), is if the rear-entertainment system (RES) is pre-wired.
When you go in to buy a new LC and you see one you like, but it's missing the RES, can you just ask them to put one on? Or does it have to come to from the factory that way? If it's the former, then I'd say it should be pretty easy for me to just slap an aftermarket monitor up there since there should be some video-out wiring I can tap into.

Something like this...
Valor RM-850W 8.5" widescreen overhead video monitor at Crutchfield.com

If not, then at the very minimum, there should be an aux video output from the head unit. Then it's "just" a question of running wires from there to the dome light area. But I don't really see how to do this in a neat & tidy way. Any suggestions??

Looking into this because I'd prefer to use the existing DVD system so that I can control it from the front for the kids in the back and make use of the existing DVD changer. I would also have to do that hack to override the drive-time lock on the system.

 

[aedgington]

I've got similar estimates on getting a Visuallogic A-1290 (9", dual DVD) and the Invision RevIII (7" dual DVD) but am leaning towards the latter because of their existing relationship as an OEM supplier for Toyota. Anyone have experience with their monitors or products? The monitors are listed here: Mobile Entertainment Systems - INViSiON Industries, Inc.

Invisions are awesome. I'll probably never use anything else, especially now that the R3's don't use the jumper cable to do dual display.

Anybody figure out anything about hooking a monitor into the OEM DVD system?
Like others here, my LC doesn't have the rear entertainment system. What I'm trying to figure out (LC not in my "hands" yet or I'd take a look myself), is if the rear-entertainment system (RES) is pre-wired.
When you go in to buy a new LC and you see one you like, but it's missing the RES, can you just ask them to put one on? Or does it have to come to from the factory that way? If it's the former, then I'd say it should be pretty easy for me to just slap an aftermarket monitor up there since there should be some video-out wiring I can tap into.

The factory RES are an all in one, so there isn't any VO to tap. You can, however, tap the nav unit VO, but then you have to be playing the movie on that, as well.

 

[jones]

Maybe part of my problem is that I don't know what I'm talking about (go figure). My *assumption* has been that all LC's with nav allow you to play DVDs on that screen... and have some sort of touchscreen interface to control the movie playback. Is this correct?
My thought/hope was that that component would have a video output that I could hook up to another monitor. I'm fine with it if it would just mirror everything seen on the nav screen... including nav stuff, menus, etc. In fact I think that would be kinda cool and educational for the kids to see the maps.
Anyway, guessing by your comments, that I'm probably way off base on my assumptions. Any corrections would be appreciated... otherwise I'll just wait until I get mine and check it out for myself to see what I have to work with.
Thanks

 

[dealmaker]

As a follow-up to your post, I'm interested in the factory RES as well. Is the LC pre-wired for this so I can just find one and have it installed, or is it specially wired from the factory? If it is an all-in-one, does it use the IR headphones? If the system is added-on after the build I assume the mounts are already in the roof, probably part of the existing dome-light mounts? Does anybody know??

Anybody figure out anything about hooking a monitor into the OEM DVD system?
Like others here, my LC doesn't have the rear entertainment system. What I'm trying to figure out (LC not in my "hands" yet or I'd take a look myself), is if the rear-entertainment system (RES) is pre-wired.
When you go in to buy a new LC and you see one you like, but it's missing the RES, can you just ask them to put one on? Or does it have to come to from the factory that way? If it's the former, then I'd say it should be pretty easy for me to just slap an aftermarket monitor up there since there should be some video-out wiring I can tap into.

Something like this...
Valor RM-850W 8.5" widescreen overhead video monitor at Crutchfield.com

If not, then at the very minimum, there should be an aux video output from the head unit. Then it's "just" a question of running wires from there to the dome light area. But I don't really see how to do this in a neat & tidy way. Any suggestions??

Looking into this because I'd prefer to use the existing DVD system so that I can control it from the front for the kids in the back and make use of the existing DVD changer. I would also have to do that hack to override the drive-time lock on the system.

 

[aedgington]

The factory head unit will play DVDs in park only, but can be hacked to bypass this limitation. The only way to aux video out is to splice into the signal running from the changer to the head unit. So yes, it's doable, but no, it's not "pre-wired".

 

[iseibert]

My factory stereo died in my LX last spring and I went through this debate myself. I decided to go with an aftermarket nav system that would also provide entertainment for my two kids.

I purchased the Fujitsu AVN5495 nav system and Myron and Davis 7" headrest monitors. The new head unit is great and allows the nav system to function during dvd playback. The monitors come in a new headrest, eliminating the need to cut the factory ones for installation, just in case you want to remove the system at some point. The new headrests looks as good as the originals and the monitor installation is very clean. The clarity and color of the monitors is superb.

I had a custom stereo installer do the installation and bypass the restrictions on dvd playback and nav access while driving. I don't recommend watching a movie while driving, but changing destinations or routes while on the go is a must for me, and usually the job of the copilot.