Rear Seat DVD Questions..

[TPIJeep]

Hello,

I have been lurking here for a while and reading thru all the posts and made my mind up to order a 2500HD Max/Alli Crew Cab LongBed 4x4 with ALL the trimmings.. The truck should be here within the week!!

I got the rear DVD player option and had a few questions about it since the dealer did not have one on the lot. Will it play the DVD audio thru the factory speakers are do you HAVE to use the headphones?

Has anybody pulled the unit apart to see if there is the ability to hookup a second monitor to it? The reason I ask is being the gagdet freak that I am, I plan on adding a Alpine In Car Naviagation system, the monitor that the system uses has a 6.5" screen with a dedicated Nav input plug and an additional Video input. It sure would be nice to tap into the factory DVD and make it available to watch up front. Don't jump my case about this, 99% of the time the Nav system will be up and running but this would be something neat to do if possible...

Getting anxious for the new truck... thanks :D :D :D

[steve700edgex]

yes it plays through the front controls out the speakers and can also be played in the back audio control through the wired headphones, not sure about other screens

[FisHn2DMax]

Yes, The DVD Audio (as stated earlier) can routed to the cabin speakers and it sounds great with the bose system!

I have looked into the DVD video output, because I too wanted to put a small 5" visor mounted LCD monitor on the passenger side so my wife could watch the same DVD the kids in back are watching. The Factory DVD is a Panasonic and does not have an external standard NTSC composite video output jack. It only has a video and audio inputs. However, I did talk with a car audio/video installer that claims he has added additional monitors to with GM/panasonic DVD unit. I've ordered a schematic of the DVD unit and I'll be able to tell in a few days exactly how to do it. I also plan to install a portable small 3" LCD monitor in the console for a back up camera when I'm towing the 5'er. When I'm not towing, I'll just unplug it and place in the center console. I usually pull tandem trailers ( the 30' 5'er and a boat at the same time), so the back up camera would be really nice.

I believe it can be done! In a few weeks, I'll know for sure and let you know.

Congratulations, you'll love your new truck!
smile.gif

[TPIJeep]

Thanks FisHn2DMax,

If you don't mind when you get a copy of the schematic would you mind if I got a copy of it from you? I would love to hook up that second screen if possible!

Talked to the dealer today, Arrivial date is 5-10 but they are about 7 days ahead of schedule :D

[BKColeman]

It would be nice if the normal stereo (CD, XM, etc) could be played through the wireless DVD headphones. Seems silly to have to carry wired headphones for rear seat passengers when I've already got the wireless ones laying there.

That bugs me. :mad:

[FisHn2DMax]

BK,

Thanks for your observation. I totally agree this should have been a no brainer feature! Hummmmmmm, You gave me an idea. All I would need to do is bring the AM/FM/CD head unit audio back to the DVD player audio Aux inputs. Hummmmm..... I think this could be done very easily? I'll let you know as I also working adding another LCD monitor for the DVD on the passenger side visor.

Thanks,
smile.gif

[TPIJeep]

Well I got my truck and am just itching to add the second screen, any word on the diagram, FisHn2DMax?

Thanks, I love this truck.. already added the Amsoil filter, bug guard, ventvisors and the 4" mandrel bent exhaust goes on Monday!!

[SoCalDMAX]

TPIJeep,

Congrats on the new truck, and welcome to the forum!

I've heard a saying in reference to off road toys: "Go Big or Go Home!" Man, you went big, and then some! :D

IRT the video output to the Alpine NAV unit, I imagine if you unscrew and pull down the factory video display, it probably has a regular old RCA jack vid input. Just put a 1 male/2 female Y splitter on it and a decent length RCA cable and run that up to wherever you're gonna mount the Alpine unit.

I have to warn you of forum "policy". Whenever someone adds more toys, he's gotta post pics of the completed install. ;)

Enjoy! Steve

[TPIJeep]

SoCal,

I wish it was just the simple.. :rolleyes: but of course its not. I just pulled the DVD unit down to find a nice little 13 wire plug that goes from the DVD to the Screen. There are a couple of other harnesses that plug into the DVD player but one goes to the Aux input console and the other looks like the power supply and probably the audio. Here is a picture of the harness... My "Guess" is the two black shielded wires are the Vidoe but who knows this may be a Digital picture with seperate color source feeds..

Can anybody Help with a diagram?

Thanks

Well since you can't link a picture :rolleyes: here is the link!! The picture is at the bottom!

http://www.tpijeep.com/dmax.htm

[FisHn2DMax]

TPIJEEP,

I opened up my DVD and found the same plug. I ordered a schematic diagram from Panasonic over a month ago and haven't seen it yet? I guess It's time to call them and find out what the delay is..?

I'm no longer as optimistic that we can easily tap into or find a composite video output on this unit. I didn't see any direct composite video output connections anywhere in this unit. It's possible that there will be none as there is no real need for it. The DVD was intended to only drive a single LCD screen, so it's likely no composite video is avialable.

Once the schematic arrives, I'll let you guy's know.

[TPIJeep]

BTT :confused:

[SoCalDMAX]

TPI,

I see the schematics haven't shown up yet. I don't know how comfortable you feel about electronics, but it's possible to use a dental pick or similar to release the pins from the 13 pin connector one at a time and tell which 2 are video and ground when the picture goes away.

I have to reverse engineer stuff periodically at work, while it can be difficult, it can be rewarding. ;)

Regards, Steve

[TPIJeep]

I guess I am just going to have to start messing with the connector, none of the local shops have ever had anybody requesting this..

:(