Stereo/DVD: DIY RSE Solution

[BestGear]

Guys

Just thought I would post up my DIY RSE system, having found some time today to install it.

I purchased the headrest monitors on ebay - lucky to find the right colour leather, but unlucky, in that one screen had a fault. I was able to fix it however - lucky it was a simple component failure.

Having given the source much thought, I decided do give the DVD player/changer a miss, and go for a media player instead - to play movies etc from USB memory key or USB hard drive.

I went for the Sumvision Cyclone - which can be had for around £20.



This is a very neat wee unit, and supports all the usual MP1,2,3,4 video and audio, as well as WMA, AVI,DIVX etc. It has HDMI too, but that is wasted here.

The unit does have (and come with) a composite video/audio cable however, so is great for this use.

The unit is 5v powered so I made up a simple regulator to provide a stable 5v from the car's supply.

For audio, I took two routes - one RF for headphones and the other a RF FM modulator so that it could be used through the car head unit. Although and FM modulator is far from the best solution, it works fine and is very cheap. This also means that the rear screens can be used with headphones while the rest of the car listens to the CD or radio.

This wee unit cost less than a fiver delivered (!) and comes with a 12v cable too!



Headphones - I found another ebay seller - this time he was selling some new Thompson WHP-540 headphones. These were new, without warranty, and in very scruffy boxes. I took a gamble and got three sets for £18 delivered! They all worked 100%, so got a great bargain there!



The base units are 12v powered, so ideal for the car. I opened up the unit and hard wired in a power cable, as can be seen here.



I mounted the Cyclone media player in the centre console box - it is attached with velcro and I drilled a hole in the bottom to allow the cable to escape below. You can see a small switch above it too - that allows the unit, screens and RF and FM boxes to be switched off - and prevents the back seat passengers ruling the roost!




The remote control for the unit obviously only works with the lid up, which is ok for now - I will make up an IR extender so it works closed sometime soon. When the lid is up, the remote works fine from the rear seats.



So- a shot of the cyclone powering up...



Just FYI - there is quite a lot of room inside the console, as seen below. You do need to watch however, as the cup holders do use a fair bit of it up. You can certainly mount the RF transmitter and FM modulator in here is you wished. The power is already in here, as it runs through for the rear 12v socket - and saved another job!.



I am going to buy a module to allow connection up to the satnav screen too, and plan to add a rear view camera too. I will update this thread once I get that selected, purchased and installed.

As you are probably aware, the boxes to permit the video connection are quite expensive, especially as they are performing a simple task (its only a composite to RGB converter plus [non standard] sync) - the specialism comes I guess as it integrates with the satnav and the control buses so that you can switch video sources between rear view, media player and satnav and not get any errors thrown (not sure you would, but its possible/likely!)



Anyway - thats it for now... and hopefully of interest to someone!

David

[galloot633]

dave
great description , are they original volvo headrests ?
dave

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by galloot633

dave
great description , are they original volvo headrests ?
dave

Hi

Yes, they are original Volvo headrests - the type that Elliott2 (Peter) originally supplied to Volvo UK with the rear mounted DVD changer.

It appears from the paperwork that accompanied mine that the supply of these headrests was on a (surprisingly) non surcharge exchange basis, so the ones you find may be "new" but are infact recycled headrests (returned by the installing dealer) with new screens fitted. I am sure Peter could comment on that.

Having seen how these screens are mounted inside standard headrests, it would not be too difficult to make something up with a similar sized screen if you were starting from scratch and could not source complete units.

David

[Ron_XC90]

Great job David and thanks for the instructions!

[bobdabuilda]

Fantastic writeup and job as always David. I am looking at this item on ebay and wondering if its worth a go Item number: 190445390538

Any thoughts? Is it easy to route the wires through the seat and where do they meet with the existing audio cables etc?

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by bobdabuilda

Fantastic writeup and job as always David. I am looking at this item on ebay and wondering if its worth a go Item number: 190445390538

Any thoughts? Is it easy to route the wires through the seat and where do they meet with the existing audio cables etc?

Hi

Routing wires through the seats is easy, when you know the trick!

The ebay listing you show - I would give them a miss to be honest, as there are much better deals out there.

Fitting many of the aftermarket headrests will likley prove tricky as most of the ones I have seen have the wires emerging from the centre of one (or both) of the headrest tubes. This will not work on the XC90 - you would never (or at least be very unlikley!) get the wires through the headrest locking mechanism within the seat. You could possibly use the "ebay" headrest if you open it up and bring the cables out from the body of the headrest - the same way the genuine headrests have it.

With regards to routing the cables within the seats - easy peasy - remove the side bolster plastic wheel, and then use a 2-3ft fish, you can get the cables from the headrest down to the hole where the wheel goes. From there down to the seat base is then easy. Just watch that when you do run the cables that they are laced and cable tied properly at the base allowing full seat movement without snagging.

If you went with the "ebay" ones you highlighted, most come with RF/IR headphones so you only need to add power. You would not have any integration with your existing audio (or satnav) setup. This may actually be all you need.

There is 12V present in the centre console - so its a very easy connection to there and you are up and running.

I did not go through any detail of connecting things up - if anyone wants to know specifics, please post here or PM me.... its all simple stuff.

David

[lordlichfield]

I'd just like to say that this forum has needed someone like you for a long time. Someone who actually takes the time to give detailed answers, who's happy to take photo's to help others and who obviously has excellent ability to be able to do some of the things you have done.

I think between you and Clan you could cover most of the questions that come up here.

I know forum posts on here generally get more views than responses compared to many other car forums I've been on but I think your contributions are excellent - long may it continue.

(Just wanted to say that rather than look at the stuff you've done and not bother to comment).

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by lordlichfield

I'd just like to say that this forum has needed someone like you for a long time. Someone who actually takes the time to give detailed answers, who's happy to take photo's to help others and who obviously has excellent ability to be able to do some of the things you have done.

I think between you and Clan you could cover most of the questions that come up here.

I know forum posts on here generally get more views than responses compared to many other car forums I've been on but I think your contributions are excellent - long may it continue.

(Just wanted to say that rather than look at the stuff you've done and not bother to comment).

Hi

That is very kind and appreciated!

When I registered on here, I was (and am, when it comes to the XC!) the newbie, so at least having asked some daft questions, I try to give back where I can. Plus, a picture is worth a thousand words, and better than some line drawing from the likes of VIDA or perhaps Autodata.



David

[BestGear]

Hi

Thought I would add these extracts to clarify the wiring through the seats... you will get the idea...





David

[syko]

where did you buy the head rests were they expensive??
rich