Photos of aftermarket DVD Installs

[Edog]

I am going to be installing an aftermarket DVD system in a NAVI Pilot, and was hoping that some of you would:

A) Post some pictures of your installed aftermarket DVD units
B) Let us know how you like them now that they are installed (functionality, quality of sound/picture, or any problems)

I've seen a couple of pics of aftermarket DVD systems in a couple of different threads, but I thought it would be nice to have a gallery of them.

[sungchang]

I believe my Vizualogic Headrest DVD system is posted on the gallery already, but here are some....

[sungchang]

2 of 5

[sungchang]

3 of 5

[sungchang]

4 of 5

[sungchang]

5 of 5...

I got the DVD head unit installed at the bottom of the center console.

[sungchang]

Originally posted by Edog
B) Let us know how you like them now that they are installed (functionality, quality of sound/picture, or any problems)

My setup is as follows:
- Vizualogic Headrest DVD system (2 screens)
- Vizualogic DVD head unit (installed at the bottom of center console)
- Blitzsafe
- two IR headset (IR unit is integrated into the 2 screens)

PROs:
- love the professional look, seamless integration into the interior of the Pilot
- 7" screen quality is very good
- able to hook up two separate connections simultaneously (play DVD on one screen, while the other can play video games)
- does not block the view on the rear view mirror as other ceiling mounted DVD players tend to do (especially with 10" screen)
- mounting the DVD head unit at the bottom of center console provides easy access for front passengers
- direct connect via Blitzsafe provides better sound quality than FM modulated
- ability for front passengers to listen to radio/cd while rear passengers can watch DVD and hear via IR headsets

CON:
- since the viewing screen is behind the front headrest, the front passenger who controls the dvd headunit has a hard time seeing what's happening to the screens. Since my kids are still young, it's sometimes hard to understand them and to clearly assess the situation (i.e., the screen could be in input B mode and thus only the blue screen is on)

For the above Con reason, if I had to do it again, I would probably use a combination of Vizualogic Headrest DVD system and Navigation Video Switcher System from AVElectronics (the brain). This will allow my front Navi to act as another DVD screen when it is required.

[sungchang]

Overall, I have been very happy with my choice to go with Vizualogic Headrest DVD system over the overhead unit, and I would recommend it highly to others.

[glennd357]

I see you say that you used the blitzsafe adaptor. All the info I have found on the blitzsafe is that it is not compatible with Pilots with a navigation system (I guess they don't have the 14 pin connector at the back of the head unit maybe?) You obviously have the nav system, as I do. I want to buy one to install a Sirius radio, but I want to make sure it works with a Pilot with a nav system. Does it have that 14pin connector behind the head unit, or did you have to do something else?

[sungchang]

Originally posted by glennd357
I see you say that you used the blitzsafe adaptor. All the info I have found on the blitzsafe is that it is not compatible with Pilots with a navigation system (I guess they don't have the 14 pin connector at the back of the head unit maybe?) You obviously have the nav system, as I do. I want to buy one to install a Sirius radio, but I want to make sure it works with a Pilot with a nav system. Does it have that 14pin connector behind the head unit, or did you have to do something else?

I'm not too sure about the 14pin connector. I had my system installed my local stereo store. The way my system is hooked up is as follows: my DVD head unit connects to Blitzsafe, Blitzsafe is connects to OEM stereo unit as CD Changer (slot). As far as I understand, it has nothing to do with the navi system as the OEM head unit sees my dvd input device (via Blitzsafe) as a CD Changer.

You might contact Blitzsafe directly and see what they say.

Good luck.

[Edog]

Originally posted by sungchang
Overall, I have been very happy with my choice to go with Vizualogic Headrest DVD system over the overhead unit, and I would recommend it highly to others.

I have been looking at all of the options for DVD for my upcoming Pilot, and I think I have made the decision to go with the visualogic. Thanks for all of the great info sungchange!

[sungchang]

Originally posted by Edog



I have been looking at all of the options for DVD for my upcoming Pilot, and I think I have made the decision to go with the visualogic. Thanks for all of the great info sungchange!

You are welcome. If you have any questions, just shoot it over to me. By the way, I paid around $1800 for the whole install.

[Edog]

Originally posted by sungchang


You are welcome. If you have any questions, just shoot it over to me. By the way, I paid around $1800 for the whole install.

Thanks, I will probably have a few. Crutchfield has the 2 headrest package (everything except the DVD player) for $1099 on sale. They can sell me the DVD for an additional $150.

I love DIY projects, so I am going to consider trying the installation on my own. Since I wont have to take down the headliner, or cut through it , it looks fairly straight forward. I will make that determination once I receive all of the parts, and take a look through the manuals.

Worst case, a local shop has quoted me $200 for the install, so with tax, the whole thing will run me $1,545.80. The headrests are on sale for $300 off, which is the difference between our prices.

One question that I do have for you is have you tried to play DVD-R discs in the Vizualogic DVD player? I like to make copies of all of my kid's movies to keep in the car, and record them using DVD X-copy. Also, how does their deck do with MP3s?

Thanks again!

[rjmcne]

I too have the Vizualogic setup and like sungchang am very pleased with it. I installed it myself and it wasn't particularly complicated but there are lots of wires running all over the place.

I have a Boss DVD changer mounted under the drivers seat. (Nav unit is under the passenger seat.) I also added the AVI-Nav-Tuner unit which brings the signal to the nav screen. It is pretty slick! I also used the Blitzsafe adapter and it fits fine into the changer plug on the back of the radio.

The only thing I would add to sungchang's excellent pros and cons is a pro of having the kids listen to their own music via the headphones - the DVD changer also plays CDs. A con is that the screens are a little small for third row viewers. One other con - there are three remote controls - one for the changer, one for the monitors, one for the tuner. It's as bad as the living room!

...and as good. Nothing quite like a couple of hours of silence on a long road trip.

[Edog]

Originally posted by rjmcne
but there are lots of wires running all over the place.

I have a Boss DVD changer mounted under the drivers seat.

I also added the AVI-Nav-Tuner unit which brings the signal to the nav screen.

A con is that the screens are a little small for third row viewers.

Thanks for the input. I have a couple of questions for you on your comoents above.

1) Do you mean wires are exposed all over the place, or that there just a lot of connections to make and that the wires are actually hidden?

2) I am getting a '05 with NAV, and will have a factory cd changer below the drivers seat. I would like to replace this with a DVD changer, so I like your setup. Are you pleased with your Boss? Can it play MP3s?

3) Where did you purchase the AVI-NAV unit?

4) That is my wife's only holdback on saying yes to the headrest system. She claims that if we take some adults with us on a trip, and throw the kids in the rear seats, that the kids wont be able to see the screens. Are the rear seats higher, so that you can see the screens, and they are just far away? If so, you would have the same problem with a ceiling mounted screen.

Thanks again...we should probably rename this thread to the Vizualogic installation thread.