I have a 2007 TL-S. I would really like to be able to watch movies on the navi screen. It sounds like most of you have Doms Unit. I have also seen a thread where someone has installed a Avelectronic Video Switcher (AVS). From what I can tell, both have plug-n-play. the Doms unit is around $250 and the AVS is about double. I really like the fact that the AVS has multiple AV inputs, but if all I really want to do is watch movies, then maybe the Dom unit is a better way to go?

Does anyone know if one is easier to install than the other? Since the 2007 TL-S has the aux input in the armrest, couldn't I just use that for the audio instead of buying other equipment (maybe use a mini to RCA cable).

I am leasing this car for now as I really haven't decided if I am going to buy it at the end of the lease or not. So I would like to be able to pull this equipment out fairly easily should I decide not to keep it.

I dont really have the confidence to install myself (I dont want gauges acting weird or the car to have electrical problems the next day). Does anyone know of any good installers in the Salt Lake City area? I have been quoted once about $1500.00 which seems pretty steep just to watch movies.

http://www.avelectronic.com/products.htm
http://www.tvandnav2go.com/

Thanks in advance!

 

dude, can use use a screw-driver? If the answer is yes, you can do this yourself. Dom's unit has 2 inputs for video only, one that is for a backup camera and the other for another source. the inputs can only be sent to the navi screen. With the avelectronics unit, you can input 4 different signals and send the signal to 4 monitors (using RCA YELLOW cable) and send to the navigation system. As well, all the monitors could be watching different sources. IF you only want the dvd on the navi screen and don't want headrest tv's dom's unit is the way to go.

Parts you will need:
Dom's TVNAV2GO unit (plug and play cable helps alot) 225 dollars
RCA to Mini-Headphone cable (10FT) 15 dollars
Electrical Tape 3 dollars
14-16 Guage wire (25 ft) 10 dollars
Scissors
acurazine Do it yourself guide
case of beer as reward


there are alot of DIY's on the board, and if you need help with the install, PM me and I can help over the phone. I have taken apart my TL to the metal (interior)+trunk and know my way around. The install is fairly simple and should not take 1500 dollars to do.

 

what he said.

$1500 is pretty steep. You can fly me over there and I'll install it for you for less than that.

You are correct. Since you have an '07, you can use an adapter for the audio to the DVD player. It might not look as clean, but it will work.

The install is really not that bad. Just do your research to build up your confidence. A lot of useful guides in the 3G TL Audio & Electronics FAQ.

Good luck!

 

I used the budget version from av electronics. It is equivalent to the Dom unit and it cost about the same. I am told that with the av electronics unit, if the unit fails, it reverts back to the normal navigation system....with the Dom unit, you would have to remove it and connect the plugs back to get it back to the way it was before the install.

Additionally with the budget avelectronic unit, I was also able to install (2) custom headrest with monitors with wireless headphones (utilizing a video amp), install jacks for plugging in video games or external DVD player into either the (2) headrest monitors or the navigation screen in the front, and with an additional aux switcher ($40), was able to switch sound from i-pod to DVD thru the aux input. Utilized a in-dash DVD player. Install price...around $300. I purchased all the equipment from av electronics, except for the aux switcher.

 

If you got the scratch, the extra features of the AVElectronics multiswutch is totally worth it... get the TV Tuner too!

To be able to switch between, Ipod, PS2/DVD, and mediagate without switching source input cables is priceless.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=tuner

 

Thanks for the info everyone.

Kennedy,

Have you had any issues with yours? The more I think about it, the more I think I should pay more and get the Avelectronics Video Switcher. Maybe the more options the better? I would like to hook-up a PS2 and video ipod.

Does this install the same way as Doms unit?

Thanks again!

 

the questions i have can help you decide:
1. DO you want to watch live TV in the car?
2. Do you want to hook up more than 2 video sources?
3. DO you want video on NAVI ONLY or do you want on navi plus other screens?
4. do you want to operate the unit via remote or a simple toggle switch?

if yes to number 1:
AVeletronics unit
Dom's w/ TV tuner via dvd player
.
if yes to 2
AVelectronics Unit
.
if no to 2
Dom's unit
.
If Navi only, 3
DOM's
.
If multiple screens, 3
AVElectronics
.
If toggle
Dom's unit
.
If remote
AVelectronics

 

Over a year and no issues. I actually have a brand new one to install in the wife's Odyssey. I wanna watch the Simpson's with the kids dammit.

It install's EASIER that the Dom's unit. Power, ground, reverse signal, I tapped off the DVD power in the rear (install took about 2 hours, and that included the reverse camera install (which you don't need)... and PnP harness in between Nav.
It'll take you under an hour.


The hard part was gutting the interior to run all the AV cables for all the sources (one to glovebox, one to console, and one to Kuda mount for Ipod).
The TV tuner requires you to run a wire up the C-pillar to install the antenna. That's what those crappy pics are in the thread I linked.

All control of the AV switcher is through an RFID remote control... No need running a toggle switch to the front of the car to toggle between Nav screen and Video screen (like Dom's).

Only thing bad about this setup is all the damn remotes... I might need another logitech harmony for the car...

 

If you want live TV, then you do need the TV tuner.

Once again, with the budget avelectronic unit (not the more expensive multi-switcher.....or even with the Dom unit), I am able to watch another video source (via jacks in my ashtray) in the navi screen and still watch another video source in my (2) headrest units (via jacks in ashtray and dual input headrest monitors). My audio for the DVD plays thru the aux on the radio and with a 3 position toggle switch and 3 input audio switcher), I can switch from DVD audio/Ipod/or whatever the third desired input is. I have a 2007 TL and this switch is in the center console by the ipod input jack....... flip the switch and listen to ipod.....or leave the switch in the center and listen to DVD. With the wireless headphones, I can listen to the DVD individually (dual channel) playing thru each of the headrest units and listen to whatever else I want to listen to thru the radio speakers

For me, this works fine.....my other video sources (like playstations or an extra DVD video source) are not permanent fixtures in my vehicle and will only be used once in a blue moon, so I did not mind plugging these in when needed and I didn't need the more expensive av electronic unit (multi-switcher)....The most improtant things to me was being able to watch DVD on the Navi screen and on the (2) headrest units and be able to listen to the DVD via the radio or the wireless headphones or both and still be able to receive calls/navigation directions etc...no matter what. This can be easily done with the dom or the budget av electronic unit without jacks.


It really depends on what you want and what you want to spend.

 

I've read through hundreds of related threads, and gone around in circles following links until my laptop almost exploded from having 20+ browser sessions opened, but I can't quite get the answer to one question ... so I apologize if this is anwered categorically but I can't find it.

So my question is - since the original video source (NAV) is the trunk, as is the rear-view camera, is it possible to do these mods without ripping out the head unit and/or all the front panels? I know it 'only takes a screwdriver', but I'm not eager to rip all that out yet, on my 1 month old car. But I'd love to have the flexibility to view various sources. Thanks!

 

it depends on where you want to put the stuff. THe AV/Dom's unit will only be in the trunk. The rear seats should be removed to make it easier to install the unit and to run the wires for the tv tuner. Also it depends where you put the dvd player, if you put it in the front such as the glovebox, you will need to take apart the glovebox, which takes 2 minutes, Look at the Cabin air filter change DIY for instructions. If you put it on the floor under the driver seat, it should be simple as only 3 of those foot-well panels by the door need to come out to get to the trunk.

 

Not exactly...
- yes, the unit goes in the trunk. yes you can wire the whole thing in the right rear quarterpanel and not have to remove a single piece of trim... IF you choose to pull your power from the DVD drive, and only for the switcher/camera function.

You have to remove trim for three reasons:
- Some folks like to pull switched power from a seperate fused source, or tap the cigarette lighter (warranty concerns).
- Dom's and Budget AV use a physical switch to toggle between Nav and Video. You have to run that switch from the box to the front. The big AV multiswitcher uses a remote for that, no need for that.
- Source cables. DVD player on the glovebox? Ipod in the armrest? Gotta run the RCA cables to the switcher in the trunk, and (in the case of the multiswitcher) then run more RCA cables from the AV switcher to the Blitzsafe/USA Spec audio in the front.

Take your time, make a map, amass all your parts and plan plan plan before you begin. get all done at one swoop so you don't have to do it again.

It's areally a piece of cake. Take your time, few tools required, most stuff just pops on/off.

 

Thanks! Just so I understand the process ... from what you describe above, the head unit does not have to come out at all in order to hook in different video sources; that can all be done in the trunk. However - I'm guessing the HU has to come out in order to address the audio side of the project - or can I tap into the 'aux in' that the '07 TL has?

 

If you look in the 3G garage, you'll find threads that explain how to remove the audio plug to install a Y cable without removing the radio...

 

Thanks. I did search before, but I searched again, and found this set of instructions (PDF linked in post):
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...4&postcount=11
This suggests the minimum amount of removal involved is: remove two silver trim pieces, remove center armrest/console, then remove driver's side panel. (but is right silver trim removal necessary ...)

From this post, looks like you can escape from removing the center pieces ...
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...1&postcount=93 although I'm not sure how he got that carpet section out without removing the side panel - or maybe he just took that photo after some level of re-assembly?
Later in that same thread, this post suggests LEFT silver trim removal (but not right) is necessary.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...6&postcount=97

I'm paranoid about rattles - introducing them - which is another reason I'm looking for 'minimally invasive' techniques.