DVD - In Car Entertainment (I.C.E.)

[K Hamlet]

I have not noticed any posts about adding DVD capabilities to the 300C. Here is what I came up with. I wanted to keep all the features that come with the stock head unit (Nav, CD changer, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, etc) and use then at the same time as video, but I also wanted DVD, so instead of removing the OEM deck and replacing it, I added a flip down Sony unit. This is their Dream System which consists of a seperate DVD player and flipdown unit (only $700 at Goodguys). It has very good quality video. I used this unit because the flipdown is small and I felt it would fit in the stock Sunroof/overhead light/sunglass holder area. I removed the stock overhead light setup as a unit (it snaps into place) and had to trim the plastic support bracketry under the headliner some. I also had to fab up a mounting bracket, very easy. I have not got around to relocating the Sunroof or garage door opener switches yet. The neat part is that the stock opening in the headliner is unmolested. The DVD player is mounted to the bottom of the package tray (pointing forward) so it can be accessed inside the car by lowering the seat back. For back seat viewing I added a seperate Pioneer unit to a canabilized mount I had left over from a previous I.C.E. install. It mounts to the pillar just behind the passengers head. The audio comes from an F.M. Modulator (until someone comes up with a hardwire fix), and the Sony unit also comes with wireless headphones that read IR from the flipdown unit. The remote sends IR control info the the flipdown unit so direct line of sight is not needed for the DVD player. There are additional headphone jacks in the Sony breakout box (where all the connections are made). So let me know what you think and if you have any questions I will try to answer them.

[mileshoover]

Great work on a nice mod. No one else has even come close.

Two things -- VA (my location) is an annual inspection state; having the LCD up front where the driver can see it would never fly; and with no valid inspection, no driving would be legal.

Likewise, wouldn't the CHIP's in CA get upset about the forward unit's location for the same reason and its possible interference with forward visibility? I believe it is a FED law about driver viewing of that type of screen/programs. A state could lose FED funding, etc., among other things.

[K Hamlet]

Same issues here is Ca. A wire is hooked up to the emergency brake switch. The video only works if the brake is set. Rear unit works all the time. I can pipe sound through speakers if I want to listen while traveling or the passenger can use headphones.

When my wife wants to spend some extra time in a store, no problem. I just go out to the car and catch some Osbornes (short time period) or a movie if some heavy duty shopping is going on.

[LWOOD]

Well aren't you crafty. Martha Stewart got nothin' on you!

[Arabian300C]

A question … asks it self
How much is it cost?

What's the system brand's name?

[K Hamlet]

Originally Posted by K Hamlet

I have not noticed any posts about adding DVD capabilities to the 300C. Here is what I came up with. I wanted to keep all the features that come with the stock head unit (Nav, CD changer, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, etc) and use then at the same time as video, but I also wanted DVD, so instead of removing the OEM deck and replacing it, I added a flip down Sony unit. This is their Dream System which consists of a seperate DVD player and flipdown unit (only $700 at Goodguys). It has very good quality video. I used this unit because the flipdown is small and I felt it would fit in the stock Sunroof/overhead light/sunglass holder area. I removed the stock overhead light setup as a unit (it snaps into place) and had to trim the plastic support bracketry under the headliner some. I also had to fab up a mounting bracket, very easy. I have not got around to relocating the Sunroof or garage door opener switches yet. The neat part is that the stock opening in the headliner is unmolested. The DVD player is mounted to the bottom of the package tray (pointing forward) so it can be accessed inside the car by lowering the seat back. For back seat viewing I added a seperate Pioneer unit to a canabilized mount I had left over from a previous I.C.E. install. It mounts to the pillar just behind the passengers head. The audio comes from an F.M. Modulator (until someone comes up with a hardwire fix), and the Sony unit also comes with wireless headphones that read IR from the flipdown unit. The remote sends IR control info the the flipdown unit so direct line of sight is not needed for the DVD player. There are additional headphone jacks in the Sony breakout box (where all the connections are made). So let me know what you think and if you have any questions I will try to answer them.

Just reread the quote for cost. I did the install myself. Very easy mod, good weekend project.

[Z2SO4]

That is a really nice install, made me reconsider what I wanted. I was actually thinking of putting something else in the sunglasses holder, but this looks like it could work really well.

If you don't mind doing a walkthroug it would be much appriciated!

[Tibbs]

I'd like to offer a stupid question: Why not move the screen farther back, between the seats, so the rear passengers can see it better (assuming they are the intended audience)?

We just put a 10.4" in our Jeep, anything smaller and the kids needed Hubble telescope implants for viewing. I was going to do the same to the C, but after driving the Jeep with the screen down, and not being able to use the rear view mirror for anything but reading the manufacturer's label, I decided against it. Right now I'm considering two head rest screens and then a screen on the passenger visor to distract the spouse's attention away from the speedometer. But a lot of these units come with a screen in the dash unit itself. I had assumed this was for small cars that lack space...but now I'm curious, do you actually park and sit in the car and watch DVDs?

[Billy94Z]

Someone needs to figure out how to make the navigation unit play dvd's quick and cheap.

[carre']

Someone needs to figure out how to make the navigation unit play dvd's quick and cheap



there is a way to make navigation work with dvd. tyr looking for NAV-TV.