[cdawg]

I purchased an Audiovox 7" widescreen DVD package with RF headphones and a tv tuner. I also picked up an extra accessory cable so I don't have to go back into the roof again if I ever decide to add a game console.

Overall it was a long and tiring practice. The limited roof line between the front seats and the backs and the sunroof make for a less than standard installation for a flip-down lcd system. While the system is complete and works well I think I would recommend headrest installs to most others unless they have small kids like me (too much kicking and pushing buttons).

The DVD is mounted under the driver's seat and the antennae for the tv tuner is mounted underneath the rearview mirror on the windshield. I used an RF modulator to pipe the sound into the stereo system and the headphones are wireless RF (I did this because I didn't want line of sight limitations with the IR units because the next piece of the puzzle is to install my converter to view the DVD video through the nav screen and I wanted the front passenger to be able to hear the sound).

I've got some pictures here of the bracket and the finished product. I have more if anyone is interested.

 

[cdawg]

Picture 2

Fabricated bracket from aluminum strips, attached with rivets.

 

[cdawg]

Picture 3

Another view of the bracket, this time with the video unit attached to verify postion, clearance, etc.

 

[cdawg]

Picture 5

Unit is in place now and works great. It actually looks even cleaner and better in person. Solid mount and it doesn't move a bit, and there is no clearance problem with the sunroof.

 

[WarpSpeed]

I was researching the same setup. What did the whole system cost you?I hope you don't mind me asking.

 

[cdawg]

Actually, the whole thing cost about $1250 with shipping, etc. I saw the system advertised for cheaper in a couple of places ($1129 or $1149 instead of $1200) but no one had it in stock. I did see it advertised for $979 yesterday online somewhere but they didn't indicate if it was in stock. I can try to dig up the site if you are interested. The only thing I added to the package was an extra RF headset and an extra a/v cable for the next console.

 

[MDXtrous]

How about pics with actual pictures? Do all passengers get a good view, even at an angle?

 

[MDXtrous]

Sorry may not have been clear on previous post

Can we get some pics of the video itself for us to see the quality (pictures)? That's what I meant.

 

[srpbep]

cdawg ... Awesome

Very impressive ... love to see well thought out plans ....

What did you mean by long and tiring [e.g. how long, how tiring]. Your installation looks clean, professional, .... I suspect far more functional than a headrest install. Did you do this yourself or get help? I know that dropping a headliner can be less than fun.

Anyway ... thanks for sharing, thanks for the pics, sure is something to consider doing ... based on your success, I don't headrest is the way to go ...

 

[MDXtrous]

Agreed. Looks very professionally done.

 

[cdawg]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the feedback. The install was long and tiring (mostly the back because I didn't fully remove the headliner, just dropped it and left it attached in the very front (if I did it again I would definitely drop the liner all the way). As for long, it probably took me a good 8 - 10 hours all the way but some of that was figuring out and purchasing the bracket fabrication pieces.

The quality is excellent and the viewing angle is great from all seats and angles. The video unit will control the IR of any DVD or game console/video source and the pass through is done well. The headsets are awesome and I can even hear the source well from outside the car. The TV tuner doesn't have great reception but I haven't been in closer to the city where terrestrial broadcasts are better.

I'll post some actual usage pics tomorrow and some more of the install itself.

 

[cdawg]

This is the front cross brace that is right behind the opening for the sunroof. This is the front brace that the bracket was mounted to.

 

[cdawg]

These are the two pieces of aluminum strips that I purchased at my local Lowes for about $5 each. They are lightweight and strong and are approximately 1.5" wide. These are the full length pieces before I cut them to fit the car.

 

[cdawg]

This is the area where the braces were to be mounted. You can see here the brace in front and the center map light bracket where I attached the braces.

 

[cdawg]

This is a closeup of the brace mounted to the center maplight brace. You will see the rivets used to attach it. This turned out to be the key, the rivets were a cinch to set in once the holes were all drilled. A lot easier than standard screws/nuts-bolts would have been.

 

[cdawg]

Here are the braces mounted to the cross brace under the sunroof recession area with rivets again.

 

[cdawg]

The braces fabricated and installed with the sunroof shade slid back for perspective.

 

[cdawg]

Another finished shot, this one from outside the car in the back. I will post some pics tomorrow of the actual video working and in some sunlight so you can see more detail.

 

[srpbep]

Nice, very nice

Thanks cdawg. You mention that the aluminum was approx 1.5 inches wide. How thick was the aluminum stock that you used?

 

[Mocking-DX]

that is an awesome job considering the the time you did it. That could have taken me 2 days just figuring out ot remove the headliner and fabricating brackets.
Just wanna know how did you partially remove the headliner. Did you have to remve the A and B pillar plastic trims? Any other bolts clips you need to remove?
Thanks in advance