Have you got a rear tv screen?

[PaulJS]

Hi Guys,

Over the weekend me and the family went to see some friends, and this meant a couple of hours on the motorway. During this journey i got to thinking. In my E-class i've got the Command APS with tv/dvd capabilities, but the picture disapears when you start moving, not a bad thing really. Even if the picture didn't go off, the kids in the back wouldn't be able to see it.

So, i've basically got this flashy bit of kit that isn't really any use. I started to search the net for a retro-fit option and found this web site http://www.braybrooks.co.uk They have got some really nice screens that they can embedd into your head rests, great i thought.

I phone them and speak to a sales, he tells me i can have the head rest screens, but they wouldn't work from my command system, i would have to have another dvd player installed. :-( . I've already got 2 dvd players in my car, 1 for the sat-nav and one for the command, i don't want another one. I also want to take advantage of the kit i've already got.

He then suggests i have the mercedes flip screen that fits onto the centre console in-between the two front seats. This would plug straight into the back of my command. :-D However, i'm told the centre console would have to be changed for a diffenrent size, not sure how this would effect me as i have got the 4-zone climate control.

Have any of you guys got one of these screens? are they any good? Ideally i would like to see some photos of this type of installation, has anyone got any photos i could see? i have searched the net and the mercedes web site but couldn't find any.

Cheers
Paul

 

[Blobcat]

If you go into your dealer and pick up the E-Class Salonn and Estate Accessories brochure (ASM/616/0304) there is a picture of this screen on page 22.
Listed as 'The Mercedes-Benz drive-in cinema' Complete DVD system (includes DVD player, screen and all mountings) - £1,362.00.
I would either go for the head rest screens of the flip down roof mount screen or portable dvd player (my choice)

 

[PaulJS]

Cheers Blobcat, i'll try and pop into my dealer and have a look. Just out of interest, why wouldn't you go for the centre screen option? any thoughts are appreciated, as they will help me form my final decision.

 

[Blobcat]

I was going to go for the flip down Pioneer 8.6" screen and a pioneer 10 stack DVD palyer in the boot. I priced this against a portable DVD system and did not think it finacially worth it. We travel a lot and find that being able to take the DVD player into hotel / holiday home etc is handy.
Although having screens and a DVD player in the car makes it more saleable it does nothing for the resale price at all. When you sell you loose the system.
I do prefer a fully installed system, however I have the Playstation, DVD with twin screens, road angel, Garmin Sat Nav, Inverter all wired tidily and I can remove the lot in less than 5 minutes.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Listed as 'The Mercedes-Benz drive-in cinema' Complete DVD system

Hmmmm sounds like heaven, wonder if they do them for the VW Golf

 

[jberks]

I'm sure VW will do something!
As Blobcat says, its a hell of a lot of money for an occasionally used screen. Sure it impresses your friends but ..
.
I'd go for a portable DVD player for £100 or so, or else buy a laptop for < £400 which will play DVDs and then you can plug some joysticks in and it will double as games console! 12v power supplies are readily available and when you've finished travelling you can use it to post on the forum from the comfort of your sofa!

Just beware of motion sickness whilst they are waitching the movie or your lovely leather upholstery could start to smell less pleasant!

 

[Blobcat]

I'm sure VW will do something!
As Blobcat says, its a hell of a lot of money for an occasionally used screen. Sure it impresses your friends but ..
.
I'd go for a portable DVD player for £100 or so, or else buy a laptop for < £400 which will play DVDs and then you can plug some joysticks in and it will double as games console! 12v power supplies are readily available and when you've finished travelling you can use it to post on the forum from the comfort of your sofa!

Just beware of motion sickness whilst they are waitching the movie or your lovely leather upholstery could start to smell less pleasant!

And if you have access to a projector you can show your movies against the wall .
Just had a thought if your Car Stereo has an Aux I/P you could take the line out from the laptop feed it into the stereo then project the dvd picture onto a wall infront of the car and have your own drive in movie

 

[littlebrooklyn]

I'm sure VW will do something!
As Blobcat says, its a hell of a lot of money for an occasionally used screen. Sure it impresses your friends but ..
.
I'd go for a portable DVD player for £100 or so, or else buy a laptop for < £400 which will play DVDs and then you can plug some joysticks in and it will double as games console! 12v power supplies are readily available and when you've finished travelling you can use it to post on the forum from the comfort of your sofa!

Just beware of motion sickness whilst they are waitching the movie or your lovely leather upholstery could start to smell less pleasant!

Well I have 2 laptops so I could take one in the car, didn't realise you could power them in the car though

 

[Blobcat]

Well I have 2 laptops so I could take one in the car, didn't realise you could power them in the car though

You can get very cheap 12V DC to 230V AC inverters so you can plug in your laptop. From Maplins, RS, Farnell, CPC etc.

 

[Blobcat]

Attached is the picture of the optional rear screen from my previous post

 

[PaulJS]

Thanks Blobcat for the picture, it looks a bit different to how i'd pictured it in my mind. After reading yours and Jberks replies, it kinda makes sense to have a portable DVD with screens so i can take them out and are somewhat cheaper. It just bothers me that i've got the system already there, albiet completly useless in its current form without the rear screen.

I think more time thinking is required......