Roof Mounted DVD Player - Alternative

[Sharkie]

I've been toying with the idea of instead of mounting a normal DVD player to the roof ..... to mount an iPad cradle instead ..... to the roof and able to fold out of the way ....


Now I've already established that the BT fitted to the new Multivans (if optioned) has media capabilities and works with Apple toys ..... I can play a movie on my wife's iPhone and the audio plays through the sound system ..... So an iPad can play movies for the rear passengers and do so much more .... and can be unclipped and taken with you when you go .....

And I've found these :
BMW Kills Rear-Seat DVD Screens with OEM iPad Cradles | Cult of Mac

and

ClicOn Apple iPad Cradle with Car Headrest Mount, prices


So watch this space for an upcoming test .....

[Big_M]

Good bits of kit there by the looks of it.

[Sunny43.5]

I have fitted many roof mount DVD players and still believe they are the cheaper option as most of them play all disc types play games and can play movies via USB and sd cards . They also have the option of wireless headphones or FM transmisision to the factory radio . I know its not your cup of tea but have a look at these , I can recommend the company as we have been buying from them for the last two years with no returns and look at the price including delivery .ES668AU 10.4" Roof Mount Monitor with DVD Player Game | eBay Regards Howard

[The_Hawk]

I'm in two minds for this one. In one hand, if you have the iPad(s) anyway, a simple cradle to hold it (but not charge) could be a very quick and simple solution to the problem. The bonus being you can hold it to play games if you choose and take it with you when you leave.

The idea of the DVD players though is that they are relatively cheap and will always be there, not need charging and do the basic job they are supposed to very well. Also very tried and tested.

The iPad dock solutions (which a tech nerd like me loves the idea of) would need some fiddling to get a nice neat foldaway unit including power, you might as well include an analog audio line to and use the AUX IN rather than screwing with bluetooth (also then means your bluetooth is left useable by the drivers phone). It might also be worth testing and maybe integrating a small set of speakers for the rear viewers (assuming the stock speaker isn't good enough).

[rob64981]

I bought a set of theses...http://cgi.ebay.com.au/C1036-2x9-HD-...QQcmdZViewItem
Very easy to fit and didi not cost much.
I can remove them from the Multi and put them in the next one if i ever sell this one.
You can let each child watch there own movie or they can watch the same one.
Wireless headphones come with it so the kids are kept quiet!
Thought I would show you another idea,
Rob

[Sunny43.5]

Hey Rob I can concurr I have a T5 that we have had since the T5 was first released , I have two disabled kids who travel in the van along with our other son , when we are not travelling with the disabled kids my other son and I like to go Moto Cross and trail bike riding . I fitted two additional seats behind the driver side one behind the other {T4 seats on original bases } I have fitted headrest dvd players to both front seats and one of the back seat ones . All the units are integrated with a 7 inch in dash Dvd Player and a front passengers sunvisor Dvd player . I can use the dash unit for my needs CD,s Bluetooth GPS etc and my son and his mates can watch a movie via the Passengers sunvisor player , we can all watch the same movie at the same time with sound going through the cars beefed up sound system or I can just flip a switch to cut off the indash screen {keep it legal} and just hear the soundtrack , or alternativley they can use headphones and I can listen to my preferred stuff . One word of caution the only down side of the units on Ebay is that they are not ADR compliant I had to make some additional internal brackets to prevent the headrest from tilting backwards as they are adjustable and they should be rigid or have lockable positions . Regards Howard