Headrest Moumted LCD Monitors

Umineko · 08-06-2007, 04:32 PM

Hi Everyone
I finally got around to fitting the headrest monitors into my beastie, wasn't the easiest of jobs but I am happy with the result, and the kids are pretty stoked that they can watch movies on long trips now, I am thinking of installing a camera into the front of the car somewhere so they can watch what's going on but I have a feeling it might lead to even more back seat driving from the peanut gallery... If anyone is thinking of doing something similar I'd be happy to write up a tutorial on how it's done with drawings of the brackets and clips I made to hold the things in place...

I also threw in a couple of pics of other bits and pieces that have gotten the woodgrain treatment over the last couple of weeks.

blackers10 · 08-06-2007, 05:52 PM

looks good mate!!
what brand screens are they??

now all you need is black leather interior to go with all that wood grain!

Umineko · 08-06-2007, 06:07 PM

Black would be nice, but darned hard to come by...fortunently though I don't mind the grey... and having pulled the complete interior out of my old DL I am not in any great hurry to put myself through that type of hell again, That said I do have a spare black interior from my old 96 Thunderbird which I have considered grafting into the old girl... the T'birds had all sorts of nifty gadgets that never made it to australia like self dipping headlights with automatic low light switch on and variable automatic wipers with rain sensors. but I think it'd be a small nightmare to get all that to work.

LUXO_8 · 08-06-2007, 06:08 PM

damn that looks awesome.....!~! love your woodgrain work mate, thats looking a treat

i still have to get around to finishing off my radio surround then getting you to do it.... one of these days....:S

Hords · 08-06-2007, 06:14 PM

And here's another shot of his talents...

blackers10 · 08-06-2007, 06:15 PM

that looks good hords!!
i love that steering wheel!!
(well the outter section being black and all) with the wood section in it

Hords · 08-06-2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

that looks good hords!!
i love that steering wheel!!
(well the outter section being black and all) with the wood section in it

Thanks...

The steering wheel was from FTG through eBay. Umineko did the instrument cluster fascia and 3 switch bezel above the stereo. Can't recommend him highly enough. Having some more items planned.

Rob

peterban · 08-06-2007, 06:25 PM

Did you use the original LTD headrests.
A tutorial etc would be great

Umineko · 08-06-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

what brand screens are they??

Screens are 7 inch units made by LG, got my wifes family to pick them up for me in Japan, (handy thing having rellies over there) they were the largest ones I could fit into the headrest that also came with a seperate frame, I wanted the frame not only because it's easier to fit them and remove them but after being painted it tied them nicely into the interior. even had a guy who owned an LTD the same model as mine ask me last week if they were a factory option. Originally I bought a set of 8.5 inch units but once I got them I realised there was no way in hell they were going to fit.

they have 2 video inputs and come with infra red stereo headphones, next step is to install an inverter in the boot and run video inputs and a 240v power outlet into the panel behind the fold down armrest in the back seat so the kids can plug in their X box or Playstation, then they can keep themselves amused with that using the headphones while I listen to my music. Hopefuly then I won't hear that dreaded phrase "are we there yet?" again.

Umineko · 08-06-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterban

Did you use the original LTD headrests.
A tutorial etc would be great

Yes the headrests are standard items, I thought about getting the after market ones but the colour didn't match and I figured by the time I sell the beast I'll be wanting a new stereo anyway so the whole package can go with her... can only make the car easier to sell even if it doesn't add anything to the selling price.

I'll write up a tutorial over the next couple of days and take some pics with the headrest taken apart, truth be told putting the screens in wasn't nearly as hard as getting the cables through the seat back

blackers10 · 08-06-2007, 06:46 PM

just remember most of those inverters cut out when you turn the car on and off as it creates a surge and it protects it self by going into surge protection etc

maybe talk to some of the more electronics gurus on the site? to see whats good

also do the screens display english or do you have to change the language from japanese etc?

and if you dont mind me asking how much were the screens?

StealthAu · 09-06-2007, 08:34 AM

slimline ps2's only run of about 9volts

Umineko · 09-06-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stockoau

slimline ps2's only run of about 9volts

12.8 volts on one rail if I remember correctly and 5v on the other, like most computerised equipment you can certainly run them direct from your cars power supply... thats not the problem, the problem is the cars power supply fluctuates to much and requires filtering and buffering before you could feed it directly into something like a ps2, ultimately it's easier and cheaper to use an inverter to power them. I will still have to fit a buffer of sometype to cover the surge issue Blackers spoke of or perhaps just a system that cuts power when the starter system is engaged

StealthAu · 09-06-2007, 10:26 AM

Slimline runs runs on 8.5v
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PS2-Slimline-...QQcmdZViewItem

Umineko · 09-06-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

also do the screens display english or do you have to change the language from japanese etc?
and if you dont mind me asking how much were the screens?

Screen menus came in japanese originally but had english and a few other languages as options, they will handle both NTSC and PAL video systems and I paid $270 for the pair of them including the headphones

Umineko · 09-06-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stockoau

Slimline runs runs on 8.5v
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PS2-Slimline-...QQcmdZViewItem

I stand corrected,
nonetheless the issues of power fluctuations in the cars power supply remain problematic

Riksta · 09-06-2007, 10:57 AM

Looks VERY nice, I'm in awe.

I love the woodgrain work too, beautiful.

b2tf · 09-06-2007, 08:22 PM

Nesa Vision sell headrest monitors in a range of sizes to do this sort of thing too, and they are reasonably priced. From what Ive seen theyre a well put together bit of gear too. I have a catalog at work if anyone wants info/prices etc.

Alan Shore · 11-06-2007, 12:16 PM

...thats pretty kool there mate. Thinking of doing something similar to my AU Ghia. My one has the black interior. I've already got the dvd/tv unit in the normal position and it does have video outputs as well. If you were going to write up a tutorial on how to do it, then I'd be most interested as I don't feel like ripping up my leather without having some sort of idea hehehe...

StAndArdAU · 20-06-2007, 06:01 PM

hey, dragged this one back up out of the past. Was wondering what head unit your using for the monitors? i have some monitor headrests installed already (premade ones bought from ebay) but no DVD player as of yet. was wondering which were the best without handing over millions of dollars?

blackers10 · 20-06-2007, 06:06 PM

the JVC items are GOOD for the money!
thats what im running currently cost me $480

LUXO_8 · 20-06-2007, 06:08 PM

i bought this just recently, havent installed it yet though...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....2806&rd=1&rd=1
JVC do a few decently priced DVD headunits... ive already got a motorised Clarion in dash screen with TV tuner, but have been running it through my old headunit and have a cheap dvd player in the glovebox...., the JVC is the best option for me

Umineko · 20-06-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StAndArdAU

hey, dragged this one back up out of the past. Was wondering what head unit your using for the monitors? i have some monitor headrests installed already (premade ones bought from ebay) but no DVD player as of yet. was wondering which were the best without handing over millions of dollars?

I am using a pioneer 6 stack in dash dvd player with 7 inch touchscreen, it wasn't cheap but I think it was good value for money

StAndArdAU · 21-06-2007, 01:16 PM

yeah, see i just want the video in the back seats not in the front, maybe one day i'll hook one up for the passenger front seat but if the driver isn't allowed to watch it then i dont see the point in one being in front. these JVC ones look good. do they fit easily into the dash? my curernt clarion head required some effort but it fits smug now.

LUXO_8 · 21-06-2007, 05:37 PM

it'll fit the same as your clarion unit, they're all a standard size.

it does everything, meaning you'd replace your clarion one with it

Umineko · 21-06-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StAndArdAU

yeah, see i just want the video in the back seats not in the front, maybe one day i'll hook one up for the passenger front seat but if the driver isn't allowed to watch it then i dont see the point in one being in front.

the point and the reason I fitted it was that it came with a reversing camera system, the LTD isn't the easiest thing to see what's behind you when you are reversing

StAndArdAU · 22-06-2007, 01:22 PM

yeah i see your point. i'd probably do the same if i was to get a bodykit to avoid the rear bar hitting our large curbs when i park.

have been checking these JVC units out. i thank you for pointing me in their direction, cheers.

StealthAu · 13-07-2007, 12:17 PM

Hey Umineko, Where do the wires run for the monitors? are they at all visable?

blackers10 · 13-07-2007, 05:09 PM

they usually wrap around /run down the head rest stalks
then down the guts of the seat

Umineko · 19-07-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stockoau

Hey Umineko, Where do the wires run for the monitors? are they at all visable?

The wires come out the bottom of the headrest, feed down beside the support stalks and run down the inside (consol side) of the seat body internally, the exit under the cover plates that cover the seat back hinge points and then under the seat runner and center consol, no wires are visable