Headrest or Ceiling mount video

[Net4n6]

I have hard time to decide whether to install a set of headrest DVD player/video or ceiling mount.

One drawback on the headrest I can think of is the distance. I afraid the headrest video is too close for my kids to see the movie.

Please add your advices. Which one do you have. Its possitives and drawbacks.

Thank you

 

[RamThis]

Headrest, IMO, are much safer as far as theft goes. They are not invading into the cabin area drawing attention to themselves, and if so inclined, Im sure you could have an interior upholstery shop make you a quick set of color matched headrest covers that would slip over your headrest to make the screens invisible from the outside unless you were really, really intently looking to notice the headrest was covered, not just easily viewed big black screens from the outside of the car that can be seen from a distance and targeted for theft. Someone would have to be intently looking into your vehicle to discover headrest covers as long as they fit snug and are color matched


That big DVD player/screen unit sticking out of the headliner grabs alot of attention, even from a distance it's easily visible. And it's impossible to hide. Unless its a removeable unit. Then what do you do with it?? And if someone sees the mount up on the headliner, dont you think they'd be thinking you just stuffed it under a seat or something and that it's still in the vehicle somewhere??


As for the distance, we took a long drive in my old Hond Accord from FW Tx to Roswell NM last summer. Used my sister's portable 13" DVD player to keep our 2 YO happy on the long drive. It was a large widescreen LCD player that would strap to the seat back. Even being there, it wasnt too close. (only so many times you can watch Nemo or Toy Story though lol)

So personally, I'd go with headrest monitors hands down.

 

[riverwolf]

Unless you just have to have a permanent install, I strongly encourage you to consider a portable unit. We picked up a Panasonic portable that straps to the back of the headrest very solidly. There are dual monitor units available as well.

Advantages for us...we roadtrip in both the 4Runner and our CR-V so we can move the player between vehicles. We also found it useful when our lodging didn't have enough age appropriate TV programming available.

Main disadvantage is exposed wiring, although our Panny has a 12 hour battery so we never connected it to a DC outlet while driving. That leaves the headphone cable as the only thing exposed in our case. We also don't use the unit around town or for drives of 1 hour or less so we don't have to live with the potential extra clutter as would someone who plans to press "Play" everytime the child's in the vehicle.

With an 8" widescreen, I'd say the viewing distance is fine in both vehicles.

If it has to be a permanent install, I'd vote headrest. Better viewing angle for viewers' necks on long drives and you won't feel like you're driving a box truck when the monitor's in use...personal experience on both counts from a center mount unit in my sister's Expedition.

-Brent

 

[tarheeltp17]

here are the differences I've ran into...

Headrests are ideal for kids that don't get along. You can get headrests with DVD players in each so that both screens can play different movies, or both can watch the same movie. This option is fairly expensive though. Around the $1500 range.

Overheads are nice because you get a bigger screen, cheaper, and increase the resale value in your car. A lot of screens now-a-days have AUX in ports so you can plug up your playstation, xbox, etc without any extensive wiring. You can get a 10" Audiovox installed and out the door for around $1000. And if you purchase within 90 days of purchasing the car, they give you a 3 year warranty.

 

[Net4n6]

thank you everyone for great advice. I still couldn't decide it yet. It is $1000 + decision.

 

[azacher]

Headrests are definately the way to go, if you shop around online you can find a pair of tan replacement ones for less than a grand. You can also buy pre-made slipcovers to go over 'em to hide them for about 30$ each. I should mention tho that I have a 10" drop-down in my rig that I bought at Fry's for $115 brand new and included the in dash DVD player and 3 year replacement warranty. It's a total no-name but it looks nice and works perfectly, and I was able to easily install it myself where my dome light used to be. If I had a grand to spend that would have left me with over $800 for other goodies!

Here's the screen I got (kinda)...
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4970611?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

with this DVD player...
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.a...3340&Type=PI&Category=Electronics&dcaid=17194

 

[abbs]

Definitely

Headrest. Just got mine installed today and the view is not too close.

 

[tarheeltp17]

The ratio for overheads to headrests at my shop are easily 10:1 ....

 

[abbs]

Cost is probably the #1 factor.

 

[tarheeltp17]

possibly...

On my display the headrest monitors are directly under the overheads, and neither have price tags. 90% of the customers looking for video ask directly about the overheads more so than the headrests.

I like headrests, but in my car I would do an overhead. Bigger screen being the main reason. I had headrests in my BMW, and they were just hard to see when I had the playstation going.

 

[RamThis]

possibly...

On my display the headrest monitors are directly under the overheads, and neither have price tags. 90% of the customers looking for video ask directly about the overheads more so than the headrests.

I like headrests, but in my car I would do an overhead. Bigger screen being the main reason. I had headrests in my BMW, and they were just hard to see when I had the playstation going.

I think some of it may be hesitation to have someone cut a hole in the headrest upholstery to install the monitor, or that more people are familiar with an overhead monitor setup since it's more like an OEM system so they feel safer with it.

The bigger screen would be nice in the overhead, but Im still sold on the headrest for one reason, inconspicuous installation. couple fitted headrest covers, and no-one's the wiser.

 

[abbs]

Do the overhead monitors interfere with the rearview mirror image?

Ram is correct for my case too. I did not want my overhead to get cut and I have a sunroof that would have pushed the setup back so view angle would be higher.

 

[sbbamafan]

I don't know why more people don't do what we do. We use a 17" laptop sitting (usually sitting on a cooler between the back seats) with the audio out plugged into the auxillary input. This gives us (the kids) a bigger, clearer screen and more security as we just put the computer back in the case and take it with us. As parents we also have more control on how much they watch. And best of all, it didn't cost a penney since we already have the computer for work. Even if we didn't I would buy a laptop instead of the cost / hassle of getting a system installed. This gives far more functionality at a lower cost. There are now nice looking 17" laptops for +/- $550 - $600 everywhere.

 

[tarheeltp17]

sunroofs do not push the unit back... at all. Did your local installer tell you this?

sunroofs have a metal brace between them and the headliner, and normally atleast a 1/4" gap on top of the brace between the sunroof. That is plenty room to mount the metal tv bracket or piece of wood to mount the tv too and not worry if the screw is sticking up too far. I've done well over 100 overhead installs and the only time a sunroof makes things complicated is when it is an aftermarket sunroof. If thats the case you can't do the overhead at all.

People don't do the laptop thing because of the overall appearance of it. Sure it doesn't look bad to some people, but it isn't as clean looking as headrests or overheads. Not to mention overheads and headrest monitors help the resale value of your car.