We found a 2018 Expedition Limited that we are considering purchasing but it does not have the DVD headrests. My dealer says he can add it after the fact but I'm concerned the sound would go through an FM modulator as opposed to being directly connected to the car's stereo. Since the new expedition has the EVO by developer VOXXHirschmann Corp I can't seem to verify if dealer added headrests are the same sound quality. Does anyone know?
Add DVD headrests- audio through stereo or fm modulator?
- Thread starter momof4
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ExpeditionAndy
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Welcome to the forum.
I would question the dealer and ask them if they are installing the factory system. If not, order what you want, don't settle for something that isn't going to be exactly what you want otherwise you will always be disappointed by it.
deweysmith
Full Access Members
I just built an iPad mounting system that mounts an iPad between the two front seats. We use the bluetooth audio for sound. I'll post a write-up one of these days.
I don't think I'd ever get DVD headrests, the iPad setup for us is just way more flexible.
I don't think I'd ever get DVD headrests, the iPad setup for us is just way more flexible.
That’s the one option we choose not to add to our rig. We had screens in our old truck and while we didn’t allow them to be used except on road trips, when we did allow it the kids ALWAYS chose to use their own devices or borrow one of our phones. The passive watching of a shared screen held no interest for them.
The amount saved by not adding that option is YEARS of tablet/device purchases and upgrades for the kids.
That’s us. Especially since we’re a “no screens” family with local driving. If you always used them it could be different.
The amount saved by not adding that option is YEARS of tablet/device purchases and upgrades for the kids.
That’s us. Especially since we’re a “no screens” family with local driving. If you always used them it could be different.
deweysmith
Full Access Members
Same here, we only set up the iPad mount on cross-country treks. We might set it up on shorter trips occasionally but usually not.
jrc50
Full Access Members
Or just go online and order Sylvania or other cheap DVD players, 13" screen is $99 (sit it on full duffle bag or squeeze onto console sideways) and can later bring it into hotel/house to play kids movies. Get audio splitter with it so 2 people can use headphones. Beats the heck out of a $2,000 optional system that if there is an accident with the headrest design will probably injure whomever is watching!!
I totally agree. If you want the screens, find an Expy with them factory installed. Dealer installed electronics always have problems and never work as nice as the factory installed ones. In the long run it’ll be worth it to wait and get the Expy you want, already built correctly to your specs, by Ford.
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You wont have any issues getting it installed from the dealer. They have a special "technical" department and team of installers that only do one thing and that's install options that weren't preinstalled when it was built. And yes the sound will go through an FM modulator whether its factory installed or installed later. You just tune to a specific FM channel and you'll get the sound. The real question is why do you want to listen to whats playing on TV's you cant see? When I purchased my 17 EL I added the DVD system, Weathertech mats and window tint to the final price. They ordered the system from Ford because they come already installed in new headrest. I came back two days later and dropped my truck off about 9am. Around 12 they called me and said it was ready. Apparently my truck as I'm sure others do come prewired for the system. All they do is swap headrest, make a couple connections under the seat and its a done deal.
No they don't
You think the lifted F150's and Superduty's with TV's and big wheels and tires come that way from the factory? They don't. Those are dealer installed extras and are done all the time without issue. Plus when theyre dealer installed after the fact theyre still covered under warranty
Installing a factory made part (dvd) at the dealer is different. I was referring to having a dealer add an aftermarket dvd system.
I was in the same situation. I was promised it would all work out, yadda, yadda, yadda. (I didn't want FM modulated and I didn't want to buy multiple ipads, keep them charged and keep track of them. Plus, I would have very little control over what the kids were doing on them while we were driving. Additionally, if they had a problem, I couldn't help. )
I emailed Voxx and here was their reply (11/30/17):
The system that is being offered and installed in the 2018 Ford Expeditions will only be available as a factory installed option, there unfortunately will not be a version available at this time for after sales.
The Entertainment System does come equipped with 2 wireless headphones for listening so that others in the vehicle can still listen to the radio station of their choice.
We decided to purchase one with the factory installed headrest. I know it will work and I can control it through from the nav/screen. "You're fighting? No movie." (Yeah, I'm mean that way.)The Entertainment System does come equipped with 2 wireless headphones for listening so that others in the vehicle can still listen to the radio station of their choice.
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
Welcome to the Forum. Congratulations on your new purchase.
EXACTLY.
Spoiledhappywife
Full Access Members
Since you have/are purchasing it as factory installed, you can get a slingbox and stream live tv through the head rest dvd players. Works beautifully!
That’s so awesome. Car technology has advanced so much recently.
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No kidding!!! Remember having the only forms of entertainment on road trips being the road sign alphabet game or I spy... and that was provided you weren’t playing keep your mouth shut because mom “got” dad lost!
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
LOL! or you play count the yellow cars game.
This was the games my wife mentioned playing and said our kids will be just fine if we survived with our TVs in the car. Since she had already made the jump up from buying the explorer to the Navigator I agreed and counted my blessings lol I think we’ll survive with out the TVs.
You think that now, but soon you'll want them. But luckily there is a very simple solution so don't fret...iPads. They make cases for them to strap right on the back of the head rest, so simple. So you'll be fine even if you regret that decision. Apple made it simple for us.
This is our thought as well. We won’t need them for the first couple of years and when we do start these long trips we will do the tablet alternative. After 8-10 years we will be replacing the vehicle again so we will reevaluate what our needs are at that time.
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We opted not to get the rear seat entertainment with our 2014 because we were just starting our family and they were both rear-facing. We did the same with our 2017 since one was forward-facing but the other was still rear-facing and we figured we’d go the iPad route and just velcro the one to the rear seat headrest and do the same with front passenger seat headrest for the other. It worked out great during the trial runs but every one of our 1,000 mile road trips we had to stop several times to make adjustments due to sound sync problems, or a screen than got rotated or something else that resulted in one kid or the other upset. I know, I know, first world problems but this time around, they’re finally both forward-facing so RSE was an option we opted for with our 2018.
On a side note, for you iPad/iPhone software developers, here’s an idea for you. Design an app that can sync the video between two or more iPads that are playing the exact same content that could be controlled by an iPhone or a third iPad. Set it up so you can route the audio through the vehicle’s Bluetooth and I think you’ll have an app that would sell $20-30.
On a side note, for you iPad/iPhone software developers, here’s an idea for you. Design an app that can sync the video between two or more iPads that are playing the exact same content that could be controlled by an iPhone or a third iPad. Set it up so you can route the audio through the vehicle’s Bluetooth and I think you’ll have an app that would sell $20-30.
