Stereo/DVD: DIY RSE Solution

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by syko

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

Hi - to be honest, eBay... they appear very frequently.

If you dont get genuine screens, you can do it DIY if you get a sensible sized scren and can fabricate a mount up within the headrest. The leather is sufficiently "slack" to allow the insertion.

There are plenty of cheap headrest replacements around too - you just need to check how the wires emerge (see earlier thread) and that the "poles" are the right size.

If I did it again, and did not have access to a pair of the "volvo" ones, then I would fit screens to the factory headrests I think.... but its a hard call given the value of the other available options.

It goes without saying however, that changing the headrests from the factory ones may reduce the saftey factor when it comes to WHIPS effectivness, and also affect other occupant safety if the vehicle crashes - its your call and responsibility to be aware and accept that.

David

[Silver Wolf]

Can I ask how much you spent on this soluction?

Thanks

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by Silver Wolf

Can I ask how much you spent on this soluction?

Thanks

Hi

Not a great deal really... rough prices...

Headrest screens... check ebay but they can be had from £75 - £150 a pair.
RF headphones - £15-£25 a pair
Media player - £20
misc cables etc..probably £5-£10
FM modulator - £7

Not much!

Adding the video input to the SATNAV obviously adds cash, but it also adds a lot of value.

David

[Silver Wolf]

Not bad.
Really not bad!

Thanks!

[jangol]

Great work Best Gear.

I'm a 1 day XC90 owner, went on a mad ebay shopping spree b4 car i got car, so sitting in my gym I have

the following

Pioneer AVIC -F500BT Nav Blue Tooth System
Panasonic 8 DVD changer
Panasonic 7" Screens.

Looking @ the Media set-up in this thread, may stick the changer back on Ebay & go for that.

just a few questions?

Have you any diagrams on installing screens??
& what else would I need to get video coming out my screens, I've have an 05 XC90 with no Factory Sat Nav.

or do I ditch what I have & get a new shopping list!!

Cheers inadvance

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by jangol

Have you any diagrams on installing screens??
& what else would I need to get video coming out my screens, I've have an 05 XC90 with no Factory Sat Nav.
Cheers inadvance

Hi

I am not familiar with the Panasonic kit - was it sold as an "all in" AV solution?

It may be wise just to sell it on as such especially if all the cables use custom (or unique to the setup) connectors. If you start hacking the plugs off if they are unique, then it will lower the resale value of the kit you move on.

Can you post a picture of the connectors on the screens... and possibly model numbers of the screeens?

I would certainly say any wee media player is a sensible option these days - there are so many now for not much cash (and they support many formats...) - plus taking a usb harddrive or memory key to the car is much better than messing around with DVD discs.

There are often genuine headrests with screens on ebay - and go for varying amounts. Failing that, its not too difficult to fit an aftermarket screen to an original headrest if you are a fairly competent DIY man - the leather has a lot of play at the rear so lets you pull it out to cover the screen mount. Just dont go buying a big wide and deep unit!



David

[jangol]

I think I'm going to give your idea a go!! I'm going to keep the standard head unit, will i need the fm module thing?? to get sound from? or what else options could I try??

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by jangol

I think I'm going to give your idea a go!! I'm going to keep the standard head unit, will i need the fm module thing?? to get sound from? or what else options could I try??

If your head unit has an aux in then you can use that, otherwise you can use an FM modulator to get the audio in easily.

If you have plenty cash there are other input options (boxes to give more wired inputs) around that are better, but at a cost.

You can try the fm modulator and see how you get on.. they are typically less than a tenner.

David

[jangol]

Don't think it has an aux port!!

What else could I use to get audio out.

I've just ordered a micro player off ebay!

what do I need to power it!?

Soz for all this questions, not sure if a PM from you will be better!

Thanks
JA

[BestGear]

Originally Posted by jangol

Don't think it has an aux port!!

What else could I use to get audio out.

I've just ordered a micro player off ebay!

what do I need to power it!?

Soz for all this questions, not sure if a PM from you will be better!

Thanks
JA

No worries, here or by PM... your call...

If your head unit has no aux in then the cheapest way is via an FM modulator like in the thread - the part 1 RSE thread shows a picture of the cheapo one I bought.... for about a tenner ISTR.

Power for media player? depends on what you bought. if its a 12v unit then you are good to go I expect, if its a 5v powered unit you need a amll regulator to provide 5v from the car's 12v supply. There are many cost effective regulators around - check out a model shop for some deceint 3A ones that would be way over the spec that your player needs and cost around £8.

David