Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 46

Overhead DVD/TV install 1999 Odyssey EX

I just finished installing an overhead DVD/TV system after reading others experiences on this site and wanted to share my experience and impressions.

1) Motivation
My family is again planning to drive to California this summer (almost 7,000 miles planned) and we wanted an entertainment system that wouldn't interfere with our comfort. I had built a little shelf that was strapped between the front seats to hold a 9" TV with DVD player. I had installed a Blitz audio adapter for the CD AUX input so we could listen through the van's sound system. We had considered portable DVDs (a problem if we had too many passengers that wanted to watch) and headrest displays (too much spaghetti and serves only one or two people) but realized that an overhead display would be clean, viewable by everyone in the rear and reduce the chance of people getting sick (from looking down rather than up).

2) Requirements
Affordable overhead system
DVD player
TV tuner (to check weather or news when stopped)
IR output for headphones
Audio output for connection to EX sound system (Blitz adapter)
AV input (optional) for Gamecube display
8"- 10" TFT display (big enough for all, not so big to interfere with rear view)
Widescreen 16:9 display (because so many DVDs are WS)
Two IR headphones
TV Antenna
Affordable install (or DIY if feasible)
Integrated system - DVD and TV tuner to be part of unit (don't want to take up space in the dash or under seats)

3) Search
Many local outlets (Best Buy, Circuit City) didn't have units that met enough of these requirements
www.autotoys.com had a few units but they were too expensive
I considered the Rosen, Pyle, Soundstream and Power Acoustik/Farenheit systems but this was going to run at least $700.
Trolled E-Bay and found an ideal compromise from Gooddeals18: Mobile Solutions MBN80.0 for $270
E-bay listing 5777790538
I chose this seller from New York because I was concerned about buying from a seller in China.
This unit can also be found listed as:
8" TFT CAR FLIP DOWN MONITOR TV DVD MP3 PLAYER JV8000
VS-8169 8" TFT CAR FLIP DOWN MONITOR TV DVD MP3 PLAYER
TView DVD 8000 8 INCH TFT LCD ROOF MOUNT MONITOR WITH BUILT IN DVD +TV
C-1007 8" TFT CAR OVERHEAD MONITOR W/ TV DVD PLAYER

The reason I called this a compromise is that the unit had a traditional 4:3 aspect ratio (like a normal TV). This particular unit also came with one set of IR headphones (I already had one pair that works with the system) and antenna. I also spent another $30 on a 3 year SquareTrade warrantee.


4) Install

1. Mark and cut headliner
   Based on advice from other posts on this board I measured 20.5" back from the sunglass holder to the front of the mounting plate. Then took a centerline measurement and traced the plate with a pencil. Asked the wife to validate the position (not too far back so kids don't have to look up too high) and ensure that screen wouldn't block rearview mirror. I then took a razor knife (mat knife) and cut 3/4" inside my line so I could adjust the plate but easily work under the headliner.
   Mounting Plate
   Cut headliner
   Headliner view
   Headliner wide shot
   I was surprised how easy it was to cut the headliner. Once you get over the anxiety - it is a piece of cake.
   
   
2. Remove Passenger Sun Visor
   Next remove the passenger side sun visor and disconnect the connector for vanity lights. Two screws hold it in and a little twist to snake it out. This will make it easy to fish the wiring and avoid having to remove the headliner.
   Sun Visor
   
   
3. Remove Passenger side post cover
   The piece of plastic just pulls off with a squeeze of your hands. I will run the wires down the channel.
   Post Cover
   Post with Cover Removed
   
   
4. Remove Passenger side kick panel
   This piece has a screw that attaches to a post in the carpet, a snap under the fuse box and a clip. After removing the plastic screw, just pull out with your hands. The is where I tap into power and ground the system.
   Kick Panel
   
   
5. Drop Glove Box
   There are two plastic snaps that are in the inside of the glove box, just snap them out with a flat blade screw driver. This allows me to run the audio cables to the existing radio/Blitz.
   Glove Box
   Blitz Adapter
   
   
6. Build wiring harness and fish
   I decided that I would rather wrap the power and audio cables in a 7' duct that I found at Home Depot for $1.25 to protect the cables. I use a straightened wire coat hangar to fish the harness up from the windshield post. The hangar was easy to fish by pulling down slightly on the visor edge of the headliner. The audio cable that came with the unit was 79" long - but I really needed at least 9', so I bought a stereo cable (no video needed). The unit also came with a 79" power cable and noise filter. The grounding wire was long enough but the hot lead (red) needed an extra 18" (which I extended by soldering a lead - but I could also have used a splice connector).
   Harness
   Harness Pulled to Hole
   
   
7. Optional Dome Lights
   I ran the cables but didn't use them because the DVD dome light isn't really needed. The DVD manual is very poorly written and it took me a while to decipher the wiring for the lights. In the manual they are identified as Anode Cathode and Door Control. If you want to run connect to the dome lights, there are two screws and a slide that connect the dome light. You simply pull off the air deflector and light cover to get at them.
   Dome Light
   
   
8. Connect power and audio
   I ran the audio cable carefully behind the glove box taking care that the glove box movement would not allow anything to catch on the cables. You can see the factory radio and the Blitz adapter.
   I chose to splice into an existing circuit for power and use a groundling lug above the passenger side fuse box.
   Extend harness down to behind glove box
   Blitz connectors behind glove box
   10mm grounding lug
   Cabling above fuse block
   
   
9. Affix Mounting Plate
   Next I prepare the mounting plate. I use four #10 aluminum spacers to connect the plate to the roof beam.
   Parts list:
   Front: 2 x 3/4" spacers, 2 x 1.25" #8 sheet metal screws, 2 flat washers and 2 locking washers (start type).
   Rear: 2 x 1" spacers, 2 x 1.5" #8 sheet metal screws, 2 flat washers and 2 locking washers (start type).
   I mark the roof beam where I want the screws, use a center punch to make drilling easier. I put a steel angle bracket between the beam and the skin of the roof so I won't dent the roof when drilling.
   After the holes are drilled I tape the spacers and screws to the plate with duct tape to hold them in place while working.
   With this unit you must first connect all of the wires and then hang the DVD from the ceiling before you mount the plate.
   After I connect the wires, I mount the plate.
   I decided that the antenna would work best if we put a magnetic strip under the antenna plate and we would put it on the roof when needed. So instead of wirking the antenna cable under the headliner, I poked a hole in the front of the DVD base (where the vent screen is) and just let the antenna connector poke out for use when needed.
   DVD hanging
   Mounting Plate closeup
   
   
10. Attach DVD
    Shove the wires up through the slot in the plate and attach the DVD with the four screws supplied. Now replace all of the stuff I removed.
    All set
    
    
11. Enjoy
    It Works!
    

__________________
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Stuart Berman
My blog
1999 Odyssey EX

Last edited by stuberman on 06-15-2005 at 04:06 AM

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: South SF Bay, CA
Posts: 2003

Well, let me be the first to say, congratulations on your first post, and GREAT JOB on the writeup!

Looks like you did a great job on your install and glad you and your family are enjoying your new system!

One quick question, if I may: any reason you didn't run the wires down the B-pillar instead of the A-pillar? Maybe 6 of one, half dozen of the other.... Just curious.

Anyhow, great work and keep on modding!


p.s.- I am with you on the ebay thing... I buy and sell alot there. In fact, I am about to (FINALLY) install a video system in my Ody very soon. I was waiting for the right deal on the equipment I wanted.... I'll post pics and all that for "Stage 3" of my Ody A/V mods...... stay tuned...

Here's a teaser of what's coming:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...me=STRK:MEWN:IT

SJ is one happy guy! (I can't resist a good deal!)

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-Shin John
'01 DEP EX
My Odyclub Picture Galleries

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Registered: Dec 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 681

quote:

---

Originally posted by shinjohn
Well, let me be the first to say, congratulations on your first post, and GREAT JOB on the writeup!

Looks like you did a great job on your install and glad you and your family are enjoying your new system!

One quick question, if I may: any reason you didn't run the wires down the B-pillar instead of the A-pillar? Maybe 6 of one, half dozen of the other.... Just curious.

Anyhow, great work and keep on modding!


p.s.- I am with you on the ebay thing... I buy and sell alot there. In fact, I am about to (FINALLY) install a video system in my Ody very soon. I was waiting for the right deal on the equipment I wanted.... I'll post pics and all that for "Stage 3" of my Ody A/V mods...... stay tuned...

Here's a teaser of what's coming:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...me=STRK:MEWN:IT

SJ is one happy guy! (I can't resist a good deal!)

---

What a sweet deal Shinjohn. I got my system working again, but wish I could upgrade to your soon to be system.

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 46

quote:

---

Originally posted by shinjohn
Well, let me be the first to say, congratulations on your first post, and GREAT JOB on the writeup!

One quick question, if I may: any reason you didn't run the wires down the B-pillar instead of the A-pillar? Maybe 6 of one, half dozen of the other.... Just curious.

---

__________________
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Stuart Berman
My blog
1999 Odyssey EX

Last edited by stuberman on 06-10-2005 at 06:03 AM

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: W. Sacramento, CA
Posts: 195

Nice install!

I'll be doing mine in the next couple of weeks.

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Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 26

Interesting.... I was looking at the same unit. So the unit blends well into the beige roof liner? How much of the screen blocks the rear view mirror? Can the video be fed to a second screen?

We have 3 little kids (oldest is 4 years old), and I was thinking of installing something like this in the front, and a secondary screen for the 3rd row.

Can the speaker in the unit be turned off when the wireless remotes are used? Too bad it's 4:3 ratio.

__________________
2007 Honda Fit Sport MT
2000 Honda Odyssey EX
1994 Honda HRM215 2 speed
1992 Acura Integra GS-R (red)
1992 Acura Integra GS-R (green)
Honda brain washing completed...

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 46

I found that the color is a little lighter but it seems to work (just like the forum colors around this post - various shades of beige and white).

I will upload a photo of the rear view - but it partially blocks the top 1/4 of the view out of the rear view mirror - not enough to be concerned in my estimation.

I assume the video out will work for a second monitor but I haven't tried it. I think everyone in the back rows will be able to view the single unit just fine. My advice is to put one up and judge for yourself if you then want a third row unit. I considered this too - but after mounting the first one it just doesn't seem necessary and it feels like there is no room for it. (Would remind me of an airliner with a monitor above every row.)

The internal speaker is affected by the volume control as well as the audio out to the head unit. The infrared headphones are unaffected by the volume control. Each headphone has its own volume control and balance.

I haven't tried to use the FM wireless transmitter for the speakers - but I can if you have a question about that.

I was really concerned about the 4:3 aspect ration - but now I am very pleased with what I bought. The screen size is prefect for us and we are not trying to recreate our 'home theater" in the car.

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Stuart Berman
My blog
1999 Odyssey EX

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 46

I just check the audio after replacing the stock speakers with Pioneer speakers. They sound much better when listening to DVDs.

Here are the audio conditions as it affects head unit:
DVD:
Audio out constant level (but mute cuts signal)
RF (FM) out constant level (but mute cuts signal)
Internal speaker varies by 'volume' control

TV:
Audio out - no signal
RF (FM) out constant level (but mute cuts signal)
Internal speaker varies by 'volume' control

AV in (Gameboy): haven't tried yet

I though I would hate the little internal (built-in) speaker on the player BUT I found that it adds vocal clarity to the middle row occupants (since the car speakers are in the rear row and front row). But if you don't like the sound then just turning down the volume takes them out of the equation.

DVD color: mounting 'ring' lighter than headliner, DVD player close to headliner color

Visibility through rear view mirror

Looking back from the mirror

I also mounted the antenna plate to magnetic strips so I could just position the antenna on top of the roof while not driving.
Antenna on car roof

The display is plent large from the rear seat and doesn't force you to strain your neck.
A view from a low position in the rear seat

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Stuart Berman
My blog
1999 Odyssey EX

Last edited by stuberman on 06-15-2005 at 04:13 AM

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Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Richmond - VA
Posts: 153

Is there a way to fix the monitor without cutting the top headliner ? From the photos posted here , I sow mounting plate is screwd to the hole in the metal body on top ( after cutting the head liner ) . If there is a way to locate the hole without cutting the head liner ( by way of measuring from 2 or 3 locations ) , it might be possible . ANy comments !

I wanted a flipdown monitor but like to avoid cutting the headliner . Other option was to go for a head rest monitor but that is too much hussle ( cables , fixing , fixing external player etc )

Thanks
-Vincent

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 46

Mounting w/o cutting headliner

I am certain you could mount the plate without cutting a large hole in the headliner.

I would mark the headliner so that the front edge is about 18-20" back from the sunglass holder.

Then I would drill four small holes (two front and two back- each about 1 1/2 inches off center) to attach the mounting plate to the center rail [support] attached to the roof. Your greatest challenges will be to ensure that you don't drill too far past the roof rail and dimple the roof ( I would try to devise a drill guide to allow no more than 7/16" travel through the support) - and to accurately mark the center of the support.

I would also install the spacers as I mentioned (which would determine the minimum size of the holes in the headliner - although you would try to use the minimum diameter spacers that worked with the screw thicknesses you choose).

You will also need to run wires through the headliner - so you will need another hole to feed the wires (I would guess around 1/2" in diameter - but you could create a "flap" rather than cut a true hole). I imagine that you will still be able to fish the wires with relative ease.

Good luck - and let me know how things turn out.

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Stuart Berman
My blog
1999 Odyssey EX

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Registered: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada, eh?
Posts: 62

This sounds like a great project. Thanks for the terrific instructions & photos!

When you get a chance, could you let us know about the sound quality when played thru the unit's FM wireless transmitter? Thanks!

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 46

Some answers

vincent_va

I removed the DVD to get some precise measurements for you:

If you look at my photo of the exposed roof support you see that it basically looks like a square '8'. (3 inches wide and 7" long (exposed))

If you measure back from the sunglass holder there are three 'bridges' which are ideal to drill into. The width is 3" before they taper off.

The first bridge is 22" from the edge of the plastic to the center of the bridge. I drilled the two holes 1.5" apart from each other.
The second bridge is 26" from the edge of the plastic to the center of the bridge. If you use this bridge you need to drill two holes 2" apart.
The third bridge is 29" from the edge of the plastic to the center of the bridge.I drilled the two holes 2" apart from each other.

aturko - I checked the FM quality
There are three frequencies you can choose from (by dropping the DVD player from the mounting plate) 88.1, 88.5 and 88.9 MHz (FM)

Unfortunately all three of these bands are in use in my town (and strong) so I chose the weakest one to run this test.
I played a CD and a DVD - in both cases the Line Output was far superior. When the DVD player is turned on - the local 88.5 station is over powered by the FM transmitter so there is little background noise. But the sound quality compares to AM on an old radio - it works but you won't brag about it.
On the TV and AUX (Gamecube) the sound quality is acceptable because TV broadcast sound is pretty lousy and Gamecube sound is dependent on the game - not what I would describe as 'symphonic'. There is no Line Out signal for either TV or AUX in.

We also took a drive to another town (Kalamazoo 55 miles away) with the kids playing Gamecube. I switched to 88.9 MHz and we were unable to use the FM transmitter due to the interference of a local radio station. Once we got 25 miles away this was no longer an issue. They were quite content with the built in speakers (barely loud enough) and the FM sound was even better once out of range of the local radio station.

Bottom line:
Best sound is with the IR Headphones
For DVDs Line Out is superior if everyone wants to listen
FM is fair - but you may have to contend with interference if you are in an area with a very strong signal.
Built in speaker is good for fill or simple sound.

P.S. I took the advice of others on OdyClub and filled some of the under car beams with expanding foam. This substantially cut down on road noise - the van is much quieter on high speed freeway driving as well as country (dirt) roads. I used about 7 large cans available at Home Depot. Just realize this stuff is going to make a mess of your driveway and needs to be trimmed after setting.

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Stuart Berman
My blog
1999 Odyssey EX

Last edited by stuberman on 07-13-2005 at 03:16 AM

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Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Richmond - VA
Posts: 153

Thanks stuberman ,

Very good info .

My daughter prefer the head rest screen because it is easy to look . wife wants Flip down . I am still looking around on both options .

Thanks
-Vincent

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Registered: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada, eh?
Posts: 62

Yes, thanks for the detailed account of your unit's FM performance - sounds like the direct connection is the way to go!

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Registered: Jul 2005
Location: frankfort,ky
Posts: 63

Hello, I saw your thread, and thought I might ask for some help. I've searched the old threads, and still can't seem to find an answer, and handaaccessories doesn't show how to remove the headliner. My problem is this: We just recently bought a 99 from the original owner who only got rid of it because they bought an 05.
When they bought it, it was a program car, and honda had installed a sunroof and rosen system. The vcp still works, but the monitor has gone bad. We bought a jvc 9000 to replace it, but as we were looking at how the old system was installed (of course the plugs don't match, so the whole system has to come out), we saw that the wires were taped to the roof and we will have to take them out to put the new wires in. We bought a Haynes manual to see how the headliner comes out, but that is not in there. Can anyone tell me how to take the headliner out? Thanks so much for the help! Corie

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