In-dash DVD

[Wed Turner]

I've got a 2000 Ex with the premium sound, and 6 disc changer in the arm rest. It has the controls in the back with headphone ports for the kids and what not. I was wanting to get an In-dash DVD player but was wondering if anyone knew of one that would work with the CD changer and the remote controls with headphones.

 

[Remo]

Unfortunately--to my knowledge, anyway--it is not possible to replace the factory headunit and retain the ability to use the factory CD changer and rear-passenger controls.

 

[Wed Turner]

Hrmmm... I'm not liking this as I don't want to loose the changer. I might be able to live without the rear controls as most of the units I'm looking at come with two remotes.

 

[Remo]

Well...maybe this will make you feel better...pretty much any indash dvd player you get will most likely also be able to play mp3/wma files. That being the case, you can burn cd's in one of those formats. I can fit around 120 wma files on a burned cd, which is roughly 6 cd's worth of music--just like if you kept the stock cd changer. So in the end, it evens out in terms of the amount of music you can play without changing the disc(s).

 

[Wed Turner]

Yeah, that doesn't really make me feel any better. I still want to use my cd changer. Thanks for trying though.

Even if the unit lists as having changer control capability, is it still likely that it won't be able to control the factory unit?

 

[Remo]

If the aftermarket units say they have cd changer control capabilities, it is for aftermarket units of the same make as the headunit. In this case, you need to buy the changer and cable to connect it to the headunit. For example: Pioneer DVD Headunit + Pioneer CD Changer + Pioneer cables/connectors...etc
Sorry for the lousy news....

 

[Remo]

If you want to keep all of your stock components so badly, maybe you should just look into portable DVD players. There are lots of different kinds so I'm pretty sure you could find something you like. Millionbuy has a good selection of them and I'm sure there are dozens of other websites as well. But here's millionbuy's selection (it was the first website I checked) http://www.millionbuy.com/podvdpl.html
This in particular looks like it might be a good deal for you. It's got two 7" monitors, headrest mounting bags, audio outputs if you want to run it through the car speakers, etc
http://www.millionbuy.com/cbytfdvd7750.html
Maybe that's not what you are looking for, but from what I know so far, this might be your best bet. You can keep all of the stock features and use this when you want. If you let us know exactly what you are trying to acheive, maybe other people can help better. Hope this helps some. Good luck!

 

[bobthegod]

I was checking Crutchfield.com for my 2003 expy and found that many of the ALPINE HU are complatible with many of the factory installed system. You can retain use of the RSE and steering wheel buttons also with the adapters that are available. You would however have to remove the CD changer as the HU would have CD in it. This is good as you'd gain more space in the center console. You would have to call/email crutchfields to check your year and what is compatible but with an Alpine HU you'd get better sound also. You also gain other features with them, ipod, Satellite (Sirius/XM) Bluetooth to name a few. Look into them.

 

[Remo]

He really seems to want to keep his factory CD changer, though... Like I said, seems like his best bet is a portable DVD Player/Screen combo or two with some seatback mounts...We'll see what he has to say...

 

[bobthegod]

For about 300.00......and get a good Alpine HU.... makes no sense to keep the stock P.O.S. Besides the ability to plug an ipod (some up to 80 gig of music) WHO NEEDS A CD WITH ABOUT 20-25 SONGS WHEN YOUR IPOD HAS 25,000. But some folks want the stock stuff.....oh well....you right let's see what he decides......

 

[Remo]

Yeah, Bob, that's along the lines of what I was saying...One disc full of WMAs or MP3s is more or less a CD changer magazine's worth of music...and of course auxillary input from audioplayers...Oh well...

 

[davesexplorer]

Yep, say bye-bye to the stock cd changer, unless you figure out a way to take the signal wires from it, convert it to maybe an RCA cable and run it to aux inputs. Even then though, how would you control it?

 

[Wed Turner]

I was just trying to get something that was easy. It seems as though it's going to be more trouble than it's worth. We've got a portable DVD player that we can take with us. I just thought if I could get an in dash unit it would be easier because it would automatically go through the speakers and we wouldn't have to worry about it sliding around all over the place, or having to have someone hold on to it.

 

[Remo]

Yeah, I know what you're saying...Well, if its for the rear passengers, there are mounting straps you can buy to hang the player on the back of the front seats. I'm not sure if it would work with what you have, however, but it might still be worth checking into. I know that doesn't solve the issue of running it through the speakers easily, though...Sorry...

 

[Blown90LX]

I have a 04 Expo with a Pioneer 7500DVD(awsome HU) and a pioneer 6 disc changer mounted in the center console. Works great. I know you want to keep your stock stuff but if you decide not to, I highly recommend this set up. It has the 7" touch screen and the picture is beautiful. I put a 12" PIP Directed Flip down TV in the center and I have MA speakers in every door and 2 12" Kicker L7's i nthe trunk with a D2400 amp and it sounds like a movie theater. I'm sure you don't want to go that route but it is a lot of fun!

 

[Wed Turner]

Honestly I'd love to go that route. My pocket book just couldn't afford that route.

We took our first trip in the Ex a couple of weekends ago and we took a portable DVD player and it got me thinking about in dash setups. So I searched and found a few that I thought were reasonably priced, but I wanted to make sure it'd still allow control of everything I already have an enjoy. As the price tag goes up, it makes the portable unit so much more tollerable.

 

[Blown90LX]

I had the head unit put in, picked the truck up, drove to my friends house who had the same head unit but had 3 10's in the back and after listening to his I called the shop right back and told him I wanted to come in for a custom stereo. I did two different ones and still have the first one in my garage and the second one is just about to come out because I am selling the truck soon. I don't want to but I now drive 2 hours for work so I do not want to rack up the miles. I'd rather sell it while it still has some value.

 

[Blown90LX]

I'm gonna take some pics and put the truck up on here soon. Same with the stereo. If you decide to go that route let me know. Everything is going to be for sale soon and at a real good price to because I do not have a lot of room in my garage and already have one stereo set up in there. There is no room for another!! Both boxes were custom built to fit in the truck with the third row seat still up so you cannot even tell it is there. The first box is for 4 10" subs and the box that is in there now is for 2 Kicker L7 subs. I have two thunder series amps for the 4 10's and a directed D2400 for the 2 L7s. Both of these set ups hit real hard, I just switched to the L7s because I wanted a little more but they both sounded great, especially with movies like Jurasic Park, the Matrix, Lord of the Rings, etc.