Tapping into stock DVD video for aftermarket screen

[00 Trans Ram]

Wife has a 2008 Pilot with rear entertainment system (RES), but not navigation. Also, no bluetooth or rear backup camera. One of the aggravating things about not having navigation is that, when we put a DVD in, I can't see the screen. I have no idea if the menu is on, which option I'm selecting, or what. Sometimes, if I forget to hit the "REAR" button, all we hear is audio, and the kids have no video (they're 2, so they don't say much). We might catch it 30 minutes later!!

So, for Christmas, I bought her the Boyo VTG43 rerview mirror. Here's a pic:



I also bought a color/IR rearview camera to mount.

This gives us a rearview camera, GPS, and bluetooth. However, there's a separate video-in that I want to use. I had a thought that I'd be able to splice the video signal going to the DVD display and route the signal to a video plug and attach to the mirror. That way, I can see what I'm doing on the DVD.

I've searched quite a few threads on here and elsewhere about the issue. Seems that most people want to add an aftermarket head unit or DVD player, and use the stock screen. They run into problems because the BCM or HU sends some bus-level signal that is needed to turn the screen on. But, all I'm doing is stealing the signal. I was worried that the signal might be sent via component cables (those 3 RGB cables).

It appears (by some wiring diagrams I've seen and posts I've read) that I can splice into 2 wires and get what I need. Going to the rear DVD player is a blue wire called "RR NTSC" which is the positive video signal, and a pnk wire called "RR NTSC GROUND" which is the negative video signal. I should be able to grab a signal off those wires, splice in a yellow composite video cable RCA connector, and send the video signal to the mirror screen.

Anyone see a problem with this solution?

If it works, I'll let you know.

[00 Trans Ram]

Well, it worked. Not a problem. I snapped off the cover of the DVD screen/controls (just pull down - it's held on by 5 clips). Unclip the wiring harness from the right side of the unit. Unscrew the six 10mm bolts, push the unit toward the rear of the car, and it comes right out.

Tapped into the pink and blue wires. Make sure you get the right ones. There's a pink, blue and grey wire all bundled together. They are right near the center of the plug.

Tapped into those (pink is the ground, or outer, wire on an RCA plug and blue is the positive, or inner, wire) and ran the wires up to the AV input on the mirror.

Interestingly, as I was hooking it all up, I found out that I only needed the blue (positive) wire. Even without the pink (ground) hooked up, I got a picture. But, I hooked it up anyway.

[jezzy]

Thats very neat. You can basically watch the movie in the rear view as well then and/or switch between the movie and the rear view camera while driving.. how's the rear view camera hooked up? wireless?

[00 Trans Ram]

Well, I was going to do a regular wired camera. But, my wife did want a hole drilled in her bumper. So, I have to get a license plate one. While I'm at it, I'm going to get a wireless one (so that I'm not running wires). I left the pigtails for the video inputs to the mirror right under/behind the glovebox. So, I can plug in the wireless receiver, ziptie it to the glovebox support rail (right behind and under the glovebox), and be ready to go in about 10 minutes.

Actually, that mirror is really cool. I can:

- watch GPS while driving
- watch rearview camera when in reverse (it automatically switches screens when it senses a signal on the Video 1 input)
- watch a movie (more for making sure that the video is actually on in the back - rather than just audio; also for navigating menus from the front; but, the passenger can watch the whole movie if they want)
- listen to Bluetooth telephone via built-in speaker
- listen to Bluetooth telephone via FM radio (built-in FM transmitter)
- listen to iPhone songs via Bluetooth and FM transmitter
- look at pictures or movies via data card (there's a slot on the bottom of the mirror)
- listen to GPS directions via FM or built-in speaker

So far, that's about it. Not bad for a rearview mirror!

[jezzy]

Woah talk about features! All it's missing is an LED light

How much does something like that go for? Does it clip over your original mirror or replace it? Takes the power from?

[00 Trans Ram]

I think it was $250. The Boyo VTG43.

Amazon.com: Brand New Boyo Vtg43 4.3" Rearview Mirror Monitor with Built in Navigation, Built in Bluetooth, Touch Screen Controls, Sd Card Slot, Built in Fm Transmitter: Electronics

Amazon.com: Brand New Boyo Vtg43 4.3" Rearview Mirror Monitor with Built in Navigation, Built in Bluetooth, Touch Screen Controls, Sd Card Slot, Built in Fm Transmitter: Electronics

And, it has a few LED lights! hahaha

It can clip over your regular mirror. Or, you can mount it instead of your current mirror. It looks better without the original.

There is a single cord coming out the back. It's something like 6' long, with a box at the end. That box has power and ground, plus the 3 video-in plugs, coming out of it.

In the passenger footwell, there is a fuseblock. A single bolt holds it in at the bottom. I used that bolt for the ground.

For power, I tried using a blank fuse recepticle. It was hot, but it had power all the time. I wanted one that was switched so it came on when you started the car. I ended up tapping into the wire behind the front cig lighter.

If you remove the ashtray-that's-not-an-ashtray, you can see three screws. Two pointing up, and one in the back. Remove those and slide out the metal tray. Now you can see the back of the lighter. Unclip the wires (use screwdriver to press the tab). Pull it out and tap the white w/red stripe wire.

Now, when you start the car, it comes on.