Overhead Monitors

okiepolkie

I'm relatively new to this side of the forum. I've done quite a few car audio/video installs, but it has been a while.

So at this point, I've got a couple of questions:

1)What is involved in installing an overhead DVD/LCD combo?
More specifically, can the headliner be left in the vehicle during the intsall? Does it need to be attached to the car frame in any way?
If it just attaches to the headliner-does it make the liner sag eventually? What gauge power wire is needed for the unit?

2) What brands are acceptable?
An 8" screen or larger is wanted, preferably with the DVD player built in. Some of the ones I have found that would fit the bill would include the following:

A) http://www.cardomain.com/item/AVXVOD8521

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?coe=0&oidPath=0%3a-23542%3a-23589%3a-24248%3a-24251%3a928517&mt=a&n=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_0490827998.1134575623_CS_&BV_EngineID=ccckaddghhiilghcfkfcfkjdgoodfkg.0

C) http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ygSws48xRZO/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=170450&I=037M380DVD

D) http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ygSws48xRZO/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=170450&I=040MV10018

E) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=205-536

F) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=205-534

G) http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ygSws48xRZO/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=170450&I=158MV900SD


If none of these would be acceptable, give me some other choices.

Thanks for the help.

Zach

skydeaner

What type of car do you have so I can let you know about the sagging with my post.

okiepolkie

It isn't my car, but it will be going in a Chevy Trailblazer EXT.

exalted512

pyle is crap. period. no matter what you buy, speakers, radio-crap.

Having said that, my choices would be the audivox, sony, and delphi in that order.

All of them are pretty good. The delphi has the most pixels, but if i remember right, they dont have that great of a picture when youre not looking directly at it.

Another brand you might want to try is farenheit. They make really good stuff. Doing a quick search of ' farenheit 10.4" ' on google comes up with quite a few hits. Just be careful to find the one that has the built in dvd player.

As far as mounting goes, what we do at the shop is get a piece of mdf. 1/4", 5/8", 3/4". The smaller the better, but any of them will work. We pull both sides of the head liner until the sides are loose, but we dont take it down. Put the board in and liquid nails the **** out of it. If we can we'll screw it to the crossmembers of the roof, but if not, liquid nails the **** out of it. Put a broom on the seat to force it up and leave it for about 30 minutes. During this time you can start finding your constant, switched, ground, running rcas if needed, all that good stuff.

After that, hook up all the wires, screw the screen to the mdf(making sure you dont go through the roof), put the head liner back in place and voila.
-Cody

okiepolkie

Thanks for the info Cody.

I'll check into the Farenheit as well.
How long does it usually take to install something like this? I am guessing a typical intall would run 3-4 hours, however I'm sure you can do it faster.

Zach

MacLeod

I really like the Alpine monitors myself but if I were to buy one it would be a Sony. Sony may make ho-hum car and home audio gear but one thing Sony has virtually perfected is video.

exalted512

the hardest part is getting the wood into position, but depending on the car, it can be quite easy. Second hardest part is finding constant and accessory. Your best bet is to grab a test light and look for it at the back of the radio. I wouldnt chance looking anywhere else unless you have a computer safe test light, otherwise you might accidently set off an air bag...not fun
-Cody

exalted512

and your estimate of 3-4 hours is probably right for someone thats never done it before, its not hard at all, just tedious
-Cody

okiepolkie

Well, I don't think the guy is going to have me put one it at this time. I will probably put one in my vehicle within a couple of months, so I'm glad I asked about it.

Zach

cam5860

Please man do us all a favor and stay away from sorry **** like audiovox, audiobahn and pyle just to name a few. Thats a waste of time and money to even thinking about buying such junk as that. Now if it were me i would put a alpine overhead system in.

okiepolkie

Don't worry, if it for my own vehicle, I will defienetly go with a higher quality component. If it is someone else's, then I'm not as picky.

The Alpine would be nice, but I can't afford to put one of those in right now.

It will be at least two months before we actually do anything, so there may be even more choices.

Thanks for all of the help guys.