badjuju342
02-26-2006, 02:16 PM
So you're ready to put the video setup in your ride but you're not quite sure how? Here's a few basic guidelines to help you.
Video installation is fairly simple and straight forward but cosmetics can be a bit overwhelming , be it mounting an overhead monitor or installing a monitor in the back of your headrest.And lack of forethought can make your installation go south very quickly. Let's start with overhead monitors.
First , most headliners will NOT support a monitor , you need to some sort of support to keep it secured. Failure to do this can lead to damaging the unit , the headliner , or the person watching it. remove the dome light (if so equipped) and you'll probably find a roof brace under it. If you can , gently pull down the headliner, and feel for the roof brace behind the first one you've found . Theses will be your mounting points. Next, set the monitor up where you want it , and see where it lays between these 2 braces. A lot of overheads have a built in dome light so you can possibly discard the stock one. Another thing to look for is if your vehicle is equipped with a power sunroof , will it interfere with where you want to mount the monitor? If so , you may need to reconsider where you want to install it. After you have figured these parameters out and everything looks good , it's time to make your mounting template .
If you've bought a new unit and it's in the box still , you've got half the battle defeated. Trace the outer edge of the monitor with a pencil on the cardboard of the box . After looking at the hidden side of the monitor (the bottom) , trace inside your first outline . You've just made a template! You want to cut this out and cut the headliner on the INNER part of your template. Next up , we're going to make a support out of wood.
For a support , 1/2 inch plywood should do the trick. MDF tends to crumble and doesn't bode well with the moisture , so plywood is a better alternative. Measure between the centers of the two roof brace s , this is the length you will want to cut your plywood . The width will be slightly larger the the width of the monitor . Once this is cut and done , cut the center od the plywood using your cardboard template. Make sure you have left provisions for the mounting holes of the monitor .
The next step is one of the most critical of all the steps: the proper length of the plywood to roof brace screws. Mess this up and you'll be visiting the body shop to repair the holes you ran throught the ouer roof skin. Measure twice!You just want one or two threads in the roof brace. Slip your plywod throught the headliner hole you've cut and screw it down.
The next thing is to run your cables . You will need to run a video signal (yellow RCA input) , 12v+ (usually red) , and ground (black). The source of the video signal (DVD and /or VCP ) will need to positioned will you permanently want at this step. Once you've done that , connect the yellow RCA input from monitor to yellow RCA output on source unit. There should be a red RCA ( audio out right signal ) and a white RCA ( audio out left signal ) from source unit . You can do several options with the audio.
1. Run it to radio using a RF modulator to set it to an FM preset on your radio OR
2. Use an existing RCA input on radio (if equipped) This will give you the best sound quality OR
3. Run back into monitor inputs that will go to a headphone output ( if equipped ) OR
4. A combination of 1&3 or 2&3
Screw the monitor down and you've got video.
The headrest monitors are pretty much the same wiring wise but a different mounting technique will be utilized here. First , set the monitor on the headrest , it must be smaller than the headrest. If not , it won't look too spiffy . If it is smaller ,then proceed. Using a pencil , outline the trim ring of monitor . Cut at least an inch and 1/2 SMALLER hole than your outline . cut away foam and use short screws to mount trim ring. Be carful not to overtight as this will possibly warp the trim ring and the monitor will not sit flush .
Route wiring neatly down seat. You can usually find the zipper or snaps that the seat cover is being secured by and route inside the seat. Leave yourself some slack for seat movement at bottom and keep wiring away from the moving seat track to so wiring will not be cut or pinched. Connect to source unit and enjoy!
Video is fairly easy to install and an afternoon is usually all you need to install it properly.Provided you took the time to do it right , you should get years of enjoyment from it.
Video installation is fairly simple and straight forward but cosmetics can be a bit overwhelming , be it mounting an overhead monitor or installing a monitor in the back of your headrest.And lack of forethought can make your installation go south very quickly. Let's start with overhead monitors.
First , most headliners will NOT support a monitor , you need to some sort of support to keep it secured. Failure to do this can lead to damaging the unit , the headliner , or the person watching it. remove the dome light (if so equipped) and you'll probably find a roof brace under it. If you can , gently pull down the headliner, and feel for the roof brace behind the first one you've found . Theses will be your mounting points. Next, set the monitor up where you want it , and see where it lays between these 2 braces. A lot of overheads have a built in dome light so you can possibly discard the stock one. Another thing to look for is if your vehicle is equipped with a power sunroof , will it interfere with where you want to mount the monitor? If so , you may need to reconsider where you want to install it. After you have figured these parameters out and everything looks good , it's time to make your mounting template .
If you've bought a new unit and it's in the box still , you've got half the battle defeated. Trace the outer edge of the monitor with a pencil on the cardboard of the box . After looking at the hidden side of the monitor (the bottom) , trace inside your first outline . You've just made a template! You want to cut this out and cut the headliner on the INNER part of your template. Next up , we're going to make a support out of wood.
For a support , 1/2 inch plywood should do the trick. MDF tends to crumble and doesn't bode well with the moisture , so plywood is a better alternative. Measure between the centers of the two roof brace s , this is the length you will want to cut your plywood . The width will be slightly larger the the width of the monitor . Once this is cut and done , cut the center od the plywood using your cardboard template. Make sure you have left provisions for the mounting holes of the monitor .
The next step is one of the most critical of all the steps: the proper length of the plywood to roof brace screws. Mess this up and you'll be visiting the body shop to repair the holes you ran throught the ouer roof skin. Measure twice!You just want one or two threads in the roof brace. Slip your plywod throught the headliner hole you've cut and screw it down.
The next thing is to run your cables . You will need to run a video signal (yellow RCA input) , 12v+ (usually red) , and ground (black). The source of the video signal (DVD and /or VCP ) will need to positioned will you permanently want at this step. Once you've done that , connect the yellow RCA input from monitor to yellow RCA output on source unit. There should be a red RCA ( audio out right signal ) and a white RCA ( audio out left signal ) from source unit . You can do several options with the audio.
1. Run it to radio using a RF modulator to set it to an FM preset on your radio OR
2. Use an existing RCA input on radio (if equipped) This will give you the best sound quality OR
3. Run back into monitor inputs that will go to a headphone output ( if equipped ) OR
4. A combination of 1&3 or 2&3
Screw the monitor down and you've got video.
The headrest monitors are pretty much the same wiring wise but a different mounting technique will be utilized here. First , set the monitor on the headrest , it must be smaller than the headrest. If not , it won't look too spiffy . If it is smaller ,then proceed. Using a pencil , outline the trim ring of monitor . Cut at least an inch and 1/2 SMALLER hole than your outline . cut away foam and use short screws to mount trim ring. Be carful not to overtight as this will possibly warp the trim ring and the monitor will not sit flush .
Route wiring neatly down seat. You can usually find the zipper or snaps that the seat cover is being secured by and route inside the seat. Leave yourself some slack for seat movement at bottom and keep wiring away from the moving seat track to so wiring will not be cut or pinched. Connect to source unit and enjoy!
Video is fairly easy to install and an afternoon is usually all you need to install it properly.Provided you took the time to do it right , you should get years of enjoyment from it.