Aftermarket DVD install Qs

[USA1Fan]

Here's the deal. I'm going to be spending up to $4k to add rear seat headrest monitors in my ECSB truck in a couple months. But I'm totally undecided about the best setup for the actual DVD player itself.

 

My main requirements-

-DVD player itself mounted in front somewhere, for easy access to change discs, etc.

-viewable display up front (at least for passenger seat), so wife can start / stop / etc. without me pulling over every time the kids start yelling because the movie ended

-must integrate into my current Bose setup (same speakers / amp, I mean), because I don't want to spend the extra $$ for them right now (I'm happy with the sound I get for now)

-must retain OnStar / XM / steering controls

-display must allow backup cam input (gonna add a tailgate cam at the same time)

-prefer touch screen operation (not absolutely mandatory, but at least needs buttons near the screen)

 

After going through all of the above, I've come up with three different options, one of which doesn't meet all of my requirements exactly, but offers other benefits

 

1. Replace the factory head unit completely, mount replacement in its place, and use the available aftermarket adapters to keep the OnStar / steering control functionality, and adding the appropriate XM module. This is the one I originally thought about. But if I do this it needs to be a double DIN unit, and not a pop-out display single DIN, both for appearances and because I know the wife will sooner or later hit the button to pop the display out while the truck's in park, and it'll hit the shifter.

2. Add a pop-out player, mounted in the bottom cubby below the dash, make it work with the factory unit. This would require some cutting, and possibly a surround plate of some sort, as well as bracing behind the console to support the unit. Most importantly, it would require someone that knows how to allow the two separate audio decks (factory & DVD) to play nice together. I think it would look fine, but the actual working seems a bit strange to me. (Prefer #1)

2.b. Replace the factory headunit, but mount the replacement single DIN pop-up down below. This would require the adapters / XM module as in option #1. The only problem I have here is what to do with the opening where the factory unit mounts now? (blockout plate would look strange, and since this is permanent I would prefer to completely remove the factory unit if I went this way. Other ideas?)

3. (This one was suggested by a coworker, and sounds extra-cool) Mount an X-Box (360, since it's new and has much greater support of multimedia on its hard drive) under the back seat. I've already mounted a bin (really, a Fisher Price style plastic surround) under the back seat, and would want it modified in some way to allow easy access to the X-Box without taking the kids out or raising the seat, while still keeping it relatively hidden from outside. This setup would need lots of extras to work. Off the top of my head, a power inverter, wireless controllers, some sort of display mounted somewhere up front, the DVD remote to operate it, some sort of video splitter to send video both the the headrest monitors' input and to the front display, etc.

 

Basically I'm still leaning toward number 1, because it seems like the easiest way of accomplishing my goal. The problem is that I've found images and posts around the web that show where others have mounted double DIN units in 2003+ GM trucks, but places like Crutchfield indicate that double DIN units aren't compatible with these trucks. But I haven't been able to get in touch with anyone that's done this (looks good for the ones I've seen- DD fits the opening pretty well, or seems to, anyway).

 

Has anyone here done this, and if you have, what was involved? Did you have to modify the opening, or did you just have to create a mounting plate behind the dash opening? Anything you can tell me to help me plan this out will be great!

 

And if you did your DVD setup with something like options #2 or #3, I'm interested in hearing about that too. I'd love to know what I'd need to do to make either of those happen. (the headunit I liked best was actually an Alpine pop-out touch screen, but that goes back to the issue of the factory opening / shift lever / appearance, unless mounted down low).

 

I've got plenty of time to make my final decision (probably start on it around May), so don't feel shy about replying with ideas or information.

[NMBR1SPT]

I have a2005 Denali xl with an alpine iva d 300 in the dash (that is left open all the time) w/ the navigation in the 6 disc location a 15in. flipdown and two 7 in headrest tvs with a/v switcher w/ tv tuner, that makes it posible to have dvd on 1 and tv on another and Xbox on another at the same time while the wife listens to the radio. and as far as the xbox 360 in the car they already have a problem overheating and if you stick it in the car, well thats your money. I also have Type r components in the doors and type r 10 in subwoofers in the back and 2 PPI amps pushing them, all secured by a clifford alarm and my 9mm. I have a very good connection for car audio.

[USA1Fan]

I have a2005 Denali xl with an alpine iva d 300 in the dash (that is left open all the time) w/ the navigation in the 6 disc location a 15in. flipdown and two 7 in headrest tvs with a/v switcher w/ tv tuner, that makes it posible to have dvd on 1 and tv on another and Xbox on another at the same time while the wife listens to the radio. and as far as the xbox 360 in the car they already have a problem overheating and if you stick it in the car, well thats your money. I also have Type r components in the doors and type r 10 in subwoofers in the back and 2 PPI amps pushing them, all secured by a clifford alarm and my 9mm. I have a very good connection for car audio.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Wow. Sounds like an awesome setup. It sounds quite a bit like what I'm more or less leaning towards now. Alpine has a new double din DVD receiver coming on the market soon, the IVA-W200. Other than form factor it's a lot like the 300 / 310, but also includes the Alpine steering wheel control interface, so that the SWI-ALP module can be used to enable the factory steering wheel controls without having to have a visible external IR transmitter.

 

Thanks for the feedback on the X-Box too. If I buy one it'll be left in the house!

[NMBR1SPT]

No Prob on the xbox I have two of the 360's and 2 old xboxs, I was gonna get the new double din alpine, but couldn't wait so...... I got a really good deal on the 300, and there isn't really a big diff. between the 300 and 310 other than the face display when closed. I understand that the new alpine is supposed to be bad azz. glad to help USA1

[slemmer]

On my '05 I mounted an Alpine 10.2" screen with th PKG-RSE1 package - external player, FM modulator, and 2 IR headsets. I also ran a Gamecube output to the players input which was all located underneath the rear right passenger. Kids like it - that's all it counts.

[USA1Fan]

On my '05 I mounted an Alpine 10.2" screen with th PKG-RSE1 package - external player, FM modulator, and 2 IR headsets. I also ran a Gamecube output to the players input which was all located underneath the rear right passenger.  Kids like it - that's all it counts.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That pretty much sums up the need for DVD / video in my vehicles too. As the primary driver they don't help me a bit, and I watch TV in my house, so other than using a nav system I wouldn't have much personal use for something like this if not for my family. I may have to check into getting an inverter mounted under the rear seat (I have a storage compartment mounted there that hides everything), so that we can just bring the gamecube and plug it into an AV input for the displays and have power for them during a trip. (Yup, my kids have GCs. I have the XBox. ).

[NMBR1SPT]

my system also has a game port that goes to the power inverter.( they can plug a dvd, tv, small fridge, whatever.) so that way my kids treat the car the same way as the house, they just plug and play. I didn't relize I didn't put this.