I'm looking into putting a rear seat video system in for my kiddies. I know audio products very well and am total comfortable customizing and installing these products, but I have no experience to pick the equipment.

I've used wireless headphones in the back of a Town & Country van and was unimpressed, not sure if they were IR or RF though.

Here's a generic idea of what I want to do:

Monitors in both headrests and possibly one in the passenger visor. DVD source and possibility of a future PS2 (or equiv.) install. I thought about VHS, but I'm done buying tapes, so we aren't going to go there.

The audio system I'm planning to put in (have the stuff) does not have the capability of an external input (from the DVD to run it through the speakers). I'm OK with all of the video sound being through headphones - or maybe even integral speakers (in the monitors).

I'm not looking for some killer 5.1 system, just something to entertain the kids on trips.

Any thoughts? Brands and models to look at (and those to avoid)? Cost is an option, so if there is a good bang for the buck out there, let me know.

Thanks all.

 

if you want dvd and playstation 2 in the future, i would just go ahead and use the playstation as the dvd player since it can play those as well. it would save some money. just a suggestion

 

I would advise using a PS2 as a DVD player source as the PS2 really isn't made to be a travel system and I think you will have problems with it and end up having to replace it anyway. The PS2 is more for home or show cars that aren't really driven and I don't think the internals would hold up to a lot of jostling due to off roading and just regualr daily driving.

Buying a dedicated DVD player is you best bet IMO and from reading experiences of others.

 

you would get some alternator whine should you use the playstation as your dvd player... just buy a standalone ac/dc dvd player such as this one from blauplunkt http://www.blaupunktusa.com/Blaupunk.../DVD-ME1NA.htm

i think its under 200 dollars... its what i have in my 4runner... and run the sound through an fm modulator so you can hear it thru you radio...

 

Try these. Instead of replacing the headrest, these just clamp to the upright bars & can be removed easily. http://www.pyramidcaraudio.com/itempage.asp?model=MV7SC

 

Bump

 

theres also metal inside the head rests that will limit the size of anything you want to put in there. poke around with a needle to see if your monitors will fit. i know mine didnt and i scrapped the whole project.

 

Gets your kids an imagination... Sorry I am just a wee bit jelous as i had to spend thousands of hours in the back seat avoiding my sister and watching cows go by.

 

I did the same as you growing up.

I've got 3 boys in close quarters back there, so this sort of thing keeps the peace (as we recently found on a trip with a portable unit).

You can only watch cows for so long...

 

I know this isn't what you want .. but it might be the cost effective way. Circuit city has portable DVD player with 4" screen for like $145, and they make a little strap to strap them to the back of the seat.

just my .02 cents

 

I have a 1st gen and put a Pyleview in dash dvd in the second din slot under the factory radio and 2 Audiobahn 7" tft's attached to headrest brackets with seat covers covering the bracket and wiring to clean it up. Looks great and I can take the screens out if I am ever somewhere that the temptation is to much for the low lifes of the world.

 

Cebby,

I know how it is to have to get the kiddies quiet to drive and keep your sanity. I got a system installed in my Sienna, pricey, but works great. It was one that I got from the dealer made for Toyota to fit almost all the vehicles. It goes where the dome light goes on a 4Runner, so it is stealth when closed and not so obvious as an LCD headrest. It has all the necessary inputs/outputs to hook up just about anything and it has the FM modulator w/ wireless headphones that do work very well. I got mine on a special at the dealer, but like I said it is a bit pricey, but it has more than paid for itself while driving on my vacation 2 weeks ago!


Best pic I could find, but mine is a lot more stealth than this one.

 

This thread is a bit old and I've since changed my approach to this. The 4Runner will get no video. It is getting a full-bore stealth audio system though since it will become solely my driver when I step it up for the Mrs. I'm diligently searching for the "right" 96-97 LC or LX450 with locking diffs. This will become the new family truckster (the 4Runner kind of is now). Obviously the vehicle choice was my input.

Those overhead units appear to interfere with sunroofs (in the 2G 4Runner for sure due to size of the glass - not sure about the LC). When I actually have the LC, then I'll take a look at this againg. I hope to have one in the next couple of months.

My wife's tolerance for driving a vehicle that is under construction is minimal. I'm driving the Runner currently - she doesn't like the handling without the front sway bar on...

 

Cebby,

Check your email.

Bob

 

I was at best buy the other day and they have a 15" wide screen flip down monitor!($1500) that thing was huge!

 

cebby,

go portable, the kind you strap between the 2 front seats. that way, you can move it from car to and car and it cant be stolen when you remove it from the car...