Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: London
Posts: 425
Mods this weekend - GVIF, reversing camera, Roof mounted DVD
This weekend I finally got around to installing my new rear seat entertainment system. We're leaving in a week for a five thousand mile trip around Europe, and I don't want the kids to get bored on the motorway . While I was dealing with the electrics anyway, I also installed a GVIF unit to let me bring the DVD image to the Navigation display on the centre console, and a rear facing camera to help with reversing (we have parking sensors but the camera helps, the discovery is a big car). I also wired up the GVIF audio output into the Harmon Kardon Logic 7 sound system; this means I can play music from my iPhone on the car speakers, and films sound pretty good through it too. The sound system also has the rear earphone sockets, so the kids can watch films and listen to their soundtrack on headphones while I listen to say a radio or a CD on the speakers.
Here are some pictures of the install - excuse the quality of the photos, I'm tired and just snapped them on the iPhone.
The roof mounted DVD player (in black, to match the seats and window blinds).
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It's easy to insert a DVD (there's also a USB port and and SD card reader on the right).
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There's a nice clear image easily visible from all the passenger seats.
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Also a nice view from the third row seats (the third row passengers sit higher, so headrests don't get in the way at all).
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The input switch button and remote control sensor for the GVIF unit are hidden on the inside left of the console - easy to reach but not obviously visible
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Here is a picture of the camera itself, hidden in the right hand number plate light:
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The camera comes up, with calibrated lines, when the reverse gear is engaged:
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The same picture comes up but without the lines when you hit the switch button (camera is connected both to reversing camera input and AV1 video). This is so that I can look at what's behind me without having to drop into reverse gear (e.g. I want to take a look at the beautiful Ductai that's pulled up behind me!).
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Press the switch button again and the image from the DVD player shows up on the centre console (not for use by the driver while driving of course!).
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All in all a productive weekend
-simon
29th Jul 2012 7:56 pm
yogi972
Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3372
I like
Reccon I might have to go get me a reverse cam next
29th Jul 2012 8:32 pm
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1533
Good job.
On mine, for the switching on of the camera when not in reverse I added a switch and a diode, this way I still have all the AV inputs free and I do not have to cycle through the all the AV selections.
When I select the switch, the camera turns on and the screen switches automatically, switch off back to normal.
Question, when you select AV1, how the camera gets powered?
29th Jul 2012 8:32 pm
mrszymon
Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: London
Posts: 425
flydive wrote:
On mine, for the switching on of the camera when not in reverse I added a switch and a diode, this way I still have all the AV inputs free and I do not have to cycle through the all the AV selections.
When I select the switch, the camera turns on and the screen switches automatically, switch off back to normal.
I did consider this, but I didn't want to add yet another switch!
flydive wrote:
Question, when you select AV1, how the camera gets powered?
The camera is connected directly to a switched live power source, independent of the feed from the rear light. Yes, I know, wasteful, but hey.
29th Jul 2012 8:48 pm
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1533
My only worry on having it always powered on would be the life of the camera/heat.
29th Jul 2012 8:58 pm
mrszymon
Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: London
Posts: 425
flydive wrote:
My only worry on having it always powered on would be the life of the camera/heat.
Hmmm. I suppose that's valid on a longer journey - didn't really think of it to be honest.
Oh well, too late to change now (leaving tomorrow for 5000 miles around Europe!). I guess it'll just have to do
I'm still really pleased with how it worked out.
-simon
5th Aug 2012 11:06 pm
Ceekay
Member Since: 17 May 2009
Location: Bury
Posts: 2057
Nice
I'm sure I will be driving you and others mad about these mods when I eventually get around to doing them.
Looks like a good job been meaning to do it with my Rosen for some time D4 HSE Lux MY16 Club Waitomo
D3 HSE MY06 missing her still…
6th Aug 2012 9:20 am
wvlenthe
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1967
flydive wrote:
My only worry on having it always powered on would be the life of the camera/heat.
Which is why I run a live wire to the camera though a switch in the center console... if I want to operate the camera whilst going forward, I have to switch it on. When going into reverse, the camera gets powered from the reversing lights. I added a diode here so that my extra switch will not ignite the reversing lights.
I had to run a wire anyhow for the wireless receiver in the rear headlining that receives the image from the caravan reversing camera (which can also be powered through a switch in the center console).
The switches are there to prevent the parts from being switched on all the time, hopefully prologing their life and reducing produced heat.
regards,
WiljoD3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - driveway version gone but not forgotten, only the living room cupboard version remains
6th Aug 2012 7:24 pm
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1533
wvlenthe wrote:
flydive wrote:
My only worry on having it always powered on would be the life of the camera/heat.
Which is why I run a live wire to the camera though a switch in the center console... if I want to operate the camera whilst going forward, I have to switch it on. When going into reverse, the camera gets powered from the reversing lights. I added a diode here so that my extra switch will not ignite the reversing lights.
Member Since: 07 Jan 2009
Location: Arnhem
Posts: 1967
Flydive,
I think I used your drawing as an inspiration to make up my own .
WiljoD3 V8 HSE Auto in Zermatt silver - driveway version gone but not forgotten, only the living room cupboard version remains
6th Aug 2012 7:56 pm
mikeyp
Member Since: 29 Dec 2009
Location: London. Scotland. The Alps.
Posts: 131
mrszymon - Would you mind posting details on the GVIF unit you used, and where you got it from? I like what you have done BTW.
Regarding camera being on all the time, I don't think this will be a problem. I have a motorhome which has a reversing camera, and as there is no rear window, I keep it on all the time. No problems in the 60K miles I have covered.
7th Aug 2012 12:15 am
mrszymon
Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: London
Posts: 425
It's a HIDS4U unit and came complete with the reversing camera. No problems with the camera after a 1000 mile drive...
8th Aug 2012 6:07 pm
copey28
Member Since: 05 Aug 2012
Location: ayr
Posts: 90
Re: Mods this weekend - GVIF, reversing camera, Roof mounted
GREAT JOB,how easy or hard was it to install (and wire) the dvd roof pod
8th Aug 2012 6:42 pm
mrszymon
Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: London
Posts: 425
Not too hard - search for RCDTripper's thread with instructions!
8th Aug 2012 7:51 pm
yogi972
Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3372
Thought my ears were burning.......
Still eyeing up the gvif unit
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
. While I was dealing with the electrics anyway, I also installed a GVIF unit to let me bring the DVD image to the Navigation display on the centre console, and a rear facing camera to help with reversing (we have parking sensors but the camera helps, the discovery is a big car). I also wired up the GVIF audio output into the Harmon Kardon Logic 7 sound system; this means I can play music from my iPhone on the car speakers, and films sound pretty good through it too. The sound system also has the rear earphone sockets, so the kids can watch films and listen to their soundtrack on headphones while I listen to say a radio or a CD on the speakers.
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