Rear LCD/Video - Rear Headrest or Rear Ceiling?

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I am trying to decide if I should do video for the backseat (kids) in either the individual headrests (2X) or a ceiling mount (1x). I am not even sure if I can do the ceiling if I have a sunroof.

Any ideas what might be better?

Thanks,
Rich

[TSlice]

I think headrest monitors (when installed correctly, of course) look much better than roof-mounted monitors unless it's in an SUV.

[3.2some]

yeah unless you're driving an suv or a minivan you should put the monitors in the headrests.

[RichTJ99]

Should I be doing a TFT LCD? Is there a particular brand that is better than others, or is anything on ebay ok (cheapie's)?

[3.2some]

I suggest you check out crutchfield.com. They got a couple package deals. If you go too cheap......well you know how kids are with cheaply made stuff

[TSlice]

I'd stick with a well-known brand such as Alpine.

[RichTJ99]

This looks pretty interesting:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...0A1A4748&tp=80

Its a little pricey but I will have to see how much a replacement headrest would cost to see if its worth it.

[provenflipper]

This looks pretty interesting:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...0A1A4748&tp=80

Its a little pricey but I will have to see how much a replacement headrest would cost to see if its worth it.

Do it!

[Sal_B7]

wow thats pretty cool!!! Never seen that before!!

[Sanjman]

I usually see ghetto people have headrest monitors... but I think it's a perfect application for your children as well. I'm not sure what part of NY you are in but be sure the monitors blend in well with the seats and do your best to keep your car safe from break-in. You might want to invest in some headrest covers in case you are in an "unsure" area where you can just keep it covered which will also prevent it from dust collecting and heat.

If you go to a professional installer they might be able to wire a DVD player into your storage bin which is easier to access for you.

Just throwing up ideas... good luck... take some pics!!!

[RichTJ99]

I usually see ghetto people have headrest monitors

I was kind of thinking the same thing. I wouldnt mind a ceiling monitor that would close but I think their isnt enough room in the backseat to make it work (as it was stated, thats better for a SUV).

I think a headrest cover is a good thing as well. I am waiting to see how much a replacement headrest would cost (if its under $200, I might try this on my own if I can do it for under $400). I can always buck up the $1500 for the "professional" install.

I am still not sure if this should be a standalone DVD/LCD combo or if it should be tied into my RNS navigation (or maybe both).

[Jay B7]

The visualogic brand is not bad but then again, it's not as great as say the Alpine screens. The quality you can definitely tell. However, it's always nice to know that you can go back to stock whenever you want to. As far as where to place the dvd player, use the location for the stock changer. And the audio input, use the CHEAP ipod adapters that only have the headphone jack (i.e. NOT the one that audi sells that you can control 5 playlists. ) cuz we all know FM modulated sound sucks.

On a second note, you can just go with the headphones and not integrate it with the stock stereo.

[Doctor]

yeah unless you're driving an suv or a minivan you should put the monitors in the headrests.

I couldn't agree more
( re patrida, den tous antexw tous kagkalous edw...mono pws tha allazoune ledakia lene kai pws tha vapsoune nikel pantou...eleos...)

Monitors in the headrests, are very very OEM-ish style, and add to the interior look of the car, as well as the kids can watch movies much better, without having a pain in the neck looking upwards...

[Vito Roma]

go with the ones you tie to the headrest save a ton of dough and if you have more than one kid they can watch different movies which usually happens

[RichTJ99]

I need to look a little close at my headrest but....

http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_.../HRDVD-700.htm

That might be the way I might go. For under $300 bucks its both sides & while its not an exact match, it will do the job (I think). For the price even if it only lasts a few years its probably worth it.

EDIT:

This might match a little better but its the LCD only (not a big deal for me to tie it into the Ipod).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180248422519

This has two DVD players & other extras
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=120270256597

This could be a close color match:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=230257225941

This tan color almost looks like it might match too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=310055615633


I figure if I have two headrests that match, it should look OK (unless the coloring is totally off, then it just looks ghetto).

[Sanjman]

be careful... cheaper units = cheaper LCD screens... either the resolution, or clarity, or the response time of the screen... sooner or later you kids are goign to have seizures in the back from watching it.

[RichTJ99]

Im still debating on if I should skip this completely. The airbag in the seat wasnt something I was considering.

[Quattro]

ok here is my 2 cents....

flip down tv's are great if you want the kids to watch the same thing the whole way there. I personally (this is me) didnt want that option, so I am going with 2 7" alpine headrests.

If you went with a flip down tv, they have a large array of sizes from 10-19" wide screen I would go with a wide screen if you chose flip down. Also, some flip downs have a small motor in them that you can twist left and right, so its just not straight down no more.

Problem with flip down tvs is it will block your rear view mirror and make it harder for you to see the kids in the car. When you do 17" monitor like I wanted, it is huge and will block all visibility in the rear, but you are rolling in style. One pro is the larger screen size 15" as opposed to 7"

One other thing is that, just because you are getting a 15" flip down doesnt mean the quality will compare to some 7" monitors....my alpine ones are god =D


As for headrests, another two options: A. buy them pre installed, b. have them custom made into your headrests.

Problem with A, is that most of the online ones you will find or prob at local stores for you in NY will not have a perfect match for your interior. If you have black, then you might be in luck because you really cant tell most of the time. I am very picky and never found anything that matches, luckily my buddy does car audio so he is able to custom make tvs in my headrests for me.

If you go headrests and have two monitors and 2 kids you can get a video selector or splitter and have different things showing on the back, each kid might want that...maybe one wants to play ps3 the other watch a movie....This is getting more extreme and might not be a route you want to do.

Rich, if you have questions about quality of lcd monitors shot me over a pm and I can help ya out...my buddy gets good deals on head rest monitors built in, etc but I am sure on ebay you can find cheaper ones.

my vote is headrests...when done right it will look sick...

[Sharkfin]

Randy, I think you need to post pics!!!