I just bought a 2001 MDX (touring/nav). I'd like to install a rear entertainment DVD system. I've read the thread regarding the mod for the nav, but how is that for viewing from the rear seats, and does I presume this would conflict with the navigation system if I were on a long trip? I'm less interested in the system for me as the driver, and more interested in something to keep the caged animals at bay in the back.

In any case, my initial thrust is wanting the headrest mount type. Any caveats with this type?

What brands should I be looking for in an aftermarket system (both headrest type and ceiling mount)? What price should I hope to pay? Good, reputable suppliers? Key features I should look for?

Oh, I take it anything I do will have to go through the FM rather than a direct connection?

Aaron
Wilmington, DE

 

Audiovox just came out with a new unit that is an all-in-one ceiling mount. It's pretty good and comes with 2 sets of wireless headphones for the animals. In this case, you can listen to music while they do their own thing. Not sure about pricing, or if it uses a FM modulator. I'll get back to you on that.

 

this is the one:

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/s...5325&langId=-1

 

that unit is actually pretty impressive... being its all one unit, the install is a breeze.

There is a built in FM Modulator, to get sound through the factory stereo easily, but the sound quality suffers. You can use an auxillary input adapter (from autotoys.com) to get cleaner sound through the stereo though.

www.parts-express.com has the Audiovox unit, as well as the trim rings to mount them.

Although at $1400, there are other options for the same price. You may want to consider going to the dealership for an OEM system.

Theres a ton of options... price is the biggest factor, because they can get very expensive... you'll also want to consider screen size, DVD or VCR or both, if you need/want inputs for a game system, headphones if you want them...

 

if you realy want to save money, going to the dealership will not save you any, you will actually over pay.

a dealership will take to a local shop, pay them, then overcharge you.

 

that's what I do at work

 

Thanks all!

I'm starting to veer off the permanent install, now. Portable DVD players are so small, I'm thinking I could tuck one away, and when we pull it out, have things like a power inverter and the aux input to the car sound system all set up (permanently) so we can just plug right into everything--among other things, the inverter can drive 900mhz transmitters for wireless headphones that don't require line-of-sight.

It's been suggested adding a "gameplate," too--some of the portable players have a/v inputs, so my intention is to have my son be able to hook up a game machine, too.

But, what is a gameplate?

The main attraction to the portable approach is the long flights we sometimes take (a trip to British Columbia just this winter), not to mention the occasional lodging where it'd be nice to hook it up to the big tv inside the accommodations.

 

Look in to one of the portables that you can mount upside down. A friend of mine has a Samsumg portable DVD player, and his has this mode. It flips the picture upside down so you can flip the whole unit upside down and stick it up on the roof.

 

How does he attach it to the roof?

 

He doesn't. He said his didn't some with any brackets, even tho it has the recesses for one.

I just thought that might be something you could look into for a best of both worlds thing.

 

This is what it says on Samsung's site:

"Reverse Angle Display

The Reverse Angle Display is a very convenient, amusing feature, which allows a 180-degree flip of the displayed picture. You can easily share the screen you are watching with the person in the front seat while you are still in the back."

He was playing a movie when he showed me, but it sounds like it might not be meant to do that. Oh well...sorry.

http://www.samsung.com/Products/DVDP...r_DVD_L100.htm