Rear Seat Entertainment - Headrest DVD

[S4TA]

Has anyone added a headrest DVD system lately? If so, I am interested in the route you went and your review of them. I am torn between going cheap and seeing how long they last, going mid range but still universal (Audiovox), or going all out and getting factory match.

I am about to start taking trips with the family in the 4Runner in lieu of our minivan so we can hit some trails. I have 3 girls, all below the age of 7. A rear seat entertainment system a safety feature in my world.

 

[ZebRuaj]

I too was looking into this for awhile, but soon realized that must decent audio manufacturers don't go this route leaving it to Chinese/Ebay brands. The reviews seem to be shotty, you get what you pay for type of stuff. I also tried to talk my wife into a new project installing a center roof mounted DVD player after watching Eric the Car Guy do it to his Odyssey. That idea has been pushed back for now.

I ended up just getting a head rest tablet mount + aux chord on the cheap, then load movies and videos onto my Nexus 7 for my son. The portability of it going from my car to my wife's car helps too.

Of course, I only have one child so this works for me, but I see your conundrum with 3 children.

 

[CookieRoe]

To each their own. I got 2 headrest DVD from Rosen. They are GOLD (keeps my little one calm during long road trips). My 1 1/2 year old will appreciate these as well, as my system allows different DVD from one monitor to another. It's expandable as well. Anyway, the screens are "touchscreen-ish" and come incorporated with games. It's very cool. I have experienced trouble with them, but the warranty has helped huge, but it was expensive.

I'm surprised I don't have more pictures.

Out of hte box:

 

[S4TA]

To each their own. I got 2 headrest DVD from Rosen. They are GOLD (keeps my little one calm during long road trips). My 1 1/2 year old will appreciate these as well, as my system allows different DVD from one monitor to another. It's expandable as well. Anyway, the screens are "touchscreen-ish" and come incorporated with games. It's very cool. I have experienced trouble with them, but the warranty has helped huge, but it was expensive.

The Rosen set was the exact set I had in mind when I said "factory match". I have seen a lot of people say their cheap ones broke within a year so I was wondering if you get what you pay for with the Rosen.

I like that the Rosens has a junction box with the HDMI input making steaming to both monitors easier. I learned that most of the headrest DVD players with HDMI inputs on the actual headrest will not pass through the signal from the HDMI to the other headrest; they only pass the DVD or RCA input video through.

 

[CookieRoe]

The Rosen set was the exact set I had in mind when I said "factory match". I have seen a lot of people say their cheap ones broke within a year so I was wondering if you get what you pay for with the Rosen.

I like that the Rosens has a junction box with the HDMI input making steaming to both monitors easier. I learned that most of the headrest DVD players with HDMI inputs on the actual headrest will not pass through the signal from the HDMI to the other headrest; they only pass the DVD or RCA input video through.

It's a corny adage, but its totally true. The Rosen AV7900 (my system) cost me something like $1300. Worth. Every. Penny. Like I mentioned, YES, I had some issues with the DVD player, but they were replaced (warranty). I had another issue with the screen/touch, but that was replaced as well.

The AV7900 is very versatile. I ordered duel DVD players and like you said, you can "shoot" the movie over to the other monitor and vice versa. The junction box does allow "expansion". I can't remember IF is does have HDMI input, but with the size of the screen, you won't notice. I plan on adding a bluray player (only b/c most of our "collection" is bluray, remember this won't play them). I believe you can connect a smart phone, as long as you have the right connectors.

The "factory match" isn't 100%, I would say about 95%, but you have to squint hard to see the differences. I installed mine a long time ago, and they are still hold up nice (the leather and the system).

If you decide to go with the Rosen, I would suggest you HARD WIRE the audio to your stereo. The built-in wireless FM modulator fades in and out when in metropolitan areas. It's a pain to reset the station, but not a deal breaker.

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck!

I got mine at: #1 Car Audio and Car Video source - Quality Mobile Video

 

[S4TA]

If you decide to go with the Rosen, I would suggest you HARD WIRE the audio to your stereo. The built-in wireless FM modulator fades in and out when in metropolitan areas. It's a pain to reset the station, but not a deal breaker.

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck!

I got mine at: #1 Car Audio and Car Video source - Quality Mobile Video

I was leaning toward wiring it directly into the nav. I bought a used interface for an iPod from someone and it has an extra aux-in for audio. However, I would love to figure out how to wire it to the plug that is just for the RSES on the back of the nav. Our Sienna has a factory overhead DVD player and I like how it plays and can be controlled on the nav screen when in park and e-brake applied. To do so, I would need to find that plug/harness and also figure out what I would need to do to mimic whatever the ADPG wire does, which I think has something to do with the ability to control the player.

I was actually already leaning toward QMV.

 

[<<<<]

DVD players are distant past. I'd get 2 I-pod Minis and mounting brackets. Now rear passengers can have internet, apps, games and o yeah DVDs.

 

[S4TA]

DVD players are distant past. I'd get 2 I-pod Minis and mounting brackets. Now rear passengers can have internet, apps, games and o yeah DVDs.

I actually considered that quite a bit.

Have you figured out a way for one to play what the other is playing, simultaneously, using the vehicle's stereo for sound? That sounds sarcastic reading it back to myself, but the question is serious. I can figure out the sound part, but can one iPad easily mirror another?

Also, we have a ton of Disney DVDs.

 

[<<<<]

I understand. I took a lot of heart for me to trow away old DVD's while my player is just a toy with fancy lights an buttons for kids now. I get all my movies and stuff online. Mirroring: "Can you mirror two ipads?
Simply connect your iPad, iPhone, or iPod to your computer through AirPlay and then select mirroring. When you connect multiple devices, Reflector will automatically arrange your screen for a layout that shows all connected devices. ... While Reflector doesn't limit multiple AirPlay devices, your computer may." Two Ipads can be mirrored same as with computer. Sound to cars stereo will go automatically just like your phone via blue tooth. Sound part is easiest thing here.

 

[Ed_C]

I used to install the A/V systems while working for Lexus. Rosen over Audiovox.

I also recommend headrests over headliner mounted. If the unit ever fails and has to be sent back for repair you're stuck with an ugly gaping hole in your headliner while it's out. With the headrest systems, just swap back to the original headrest assemblies.

 

[J.A.]

Toyota 4Runner 9" Vizualogic LCD Monitor DVD Headrest Rear Seat Entertainment

I have the 9" Vizualogic A-1290 LCD monitor DVD headrests. Can play the same DVD on both or each play their own DVD. Has Infrared wireless Headphones, Remote Control, audio/video controller with auxiliary RCA style inputs and outputs, Wireless Audio via built in FM modulator, etc. Excellent set-up and work flawlessly over years I have had it installed. Kids love(d) it. Also modded it so that the video can be streamed to the factory Nav screen.

That said, technology changes so fast, it's basically out of date at this point. If I was buying a new 4Runner right now, I would simply use the two Ipads they already have in the vehicle...no real need for these headrests any longer. And this being one of my most expensive mods, not sure I really got my money's worth out of them for the amount of actual usage they received.

Anybody want to purchase this RSE, let me know...:tape2:

 

[S4TA]

Toyota 4Runner 9" Vizualogic LCD Monitor DVD Headrest Rear Seat Entertainment

I have the 9" Vizualogic A-1290 LCD monitor DVD headrests. Can play the same DVD on both or each play their own DVD. Has Infrared wireless Headphones, Remote Control, audio/video controller with auxiliary RCA style inputs and outputs, Wireless Audio via built in FM modulator, etc. Excellent set-up and work flawlessly over years I have had it installed. Kids love(d) it. Also modded it so that the video can be streamed to the factory Nav screen.

That said, technology changes so fast, it's basically out of date at this point. If I was buying a new 4Runner right now, I would simply use the two Ipads they already have in the vehicle...no real need for these headrests any longer. And this being one of my most expensive mods, not sure I really got my money's worth out of them for the amount of actual usage they received.

Anybody want to purchase this RSE, let me know...:tape2:

Thanks for your input. I actually go on your website quite a bit to figure stuff out and get ideas. Thanks for creating such a resource. I was planning on building a video switch similar to what you built or maybe a variation using a Raspberry Pi. Seems like a fun little experiment and I have been looking for an excuse to try a Raspberry Pi.

For the iPad option, my biggest issue is ease of use. I have a 2, 4, and 6 year old so ease of use is important. I also want them to easily be able to watch the same thing, over the speakers without me having to bring a computer.