seat back DVD vs overhead

[jeremy56]

If you had a choice which is better? Are these units plug and play if I can find them in vehicle parting out?
About to purchase one with no nav or DVD but would like to add DVD for kids.
Thanks

 

[jonshonda]

I've got the seat back DVD that came stock in my 07, and I really don't like it from a UI perspective. Clunky if your kids are too young to operate the remote and push buttons on the screen. Which means you are "guessing" from the front seat w/ the remote, as they are not tied into the factory sound system. Turn on the main screen, push a few buttons to get the audio going, push a few more buttons to get the other screen to mirror the first screen (if they both want to watch the same movie), then I don't think it remembers where you ended last when the truck shuts off. I would much rather control everything from the drivers seat, but the reality of the headrest units is you are setting everything up from the back seats.

The only positive is there are two screen down low, in their face.

 

[jeremy56]

Thanks for the input, that does sound inconvenient to have to pull over to change this or that.
I guess my question is if I find a lexus at pick and pull is it doable to grab the overhead dvd or is it protected by antitheft of some sort. Would it be able to hook up with non nav lexus? Anyone know?
Probably easier to buy a couple Samsung notes and duct tape them lol

 

[langsen]

Would it be able to hook up with non nav lexus? Anyone know?
Probably easier to buy a couple Samsung notes and duct tape them lol

Mine is an '04, non-nav, and came with the overhead DVD and Rear Seat Entertainment package. So it is possible to hook up the overhead DVD in a non-nav but I'm not sure if you also need the RSE packaged for the headphones to work.

I think all the overhead DVD systems were dealer installed and I would recommend avoiding them. Mine was killing my battery every 3 months because it was wired into constant 12v power and kept turning on by itself. Also, the DVD player, where the disc goes, is in the glovebox and takes up the space where the owners manual is supposed to go, so the glove box really doesn't have much space left. When the overhead screen is closed it still hangs down about 2" and people are always hitting their heads on it when getting in or out of the backseat.

It would be much better to get a couple of tablets and put them on the headrest mounts. They should be able to hold a bunch of movies and TV shows and would certainly be easier for kids (or anyone) to figure out how to use.