In Car DVD Players

[Josheh]

READ LAST POST PLEASE

Hey guys, Already have a thread in the VT / VX section, But i feel it's not seen by many people who know a thing or two about these.

I'm looking at Buying a Double Din DVD Player for my VX, That has GPS/Bluetooth/USB, Most of them will have TV/DVD as well but Isn't needed, And probably would never use that.

I'm on quite a small budget, I don't want to spend too much, Since the screen isn't really much of a matter for me, As long as i can see the GPS It's good enough for me.

I've found a LOT on ebay for under $350 And this website has TONS:

[url=URL REMOVED[/url] // On the right change currency to Australian.

I was wondering if anyones ever brought one of these cheaper model Double Din DVD Players, And what's exactly needed to install?

Heres the questions I have:

1. People say if it has an ISO connector that It's just plug and play from the old cd player already in the VX? Is that true?

2. Do i need to buy some sort of frame from JB Hifi or something to go around the unit to make it look like a factory fitted job and not dodgy? Or do they come with one or something?

2. To get the GPS to work, I'm guessing I'll need to have a receiver "which would probably come with the player" And most are magnetic, Where do people put these little receiver boxes? Under the bonnet?

3. Is it really ALL that hard to do? My mechanic Installed my sub to my old cd player in my old vehicle, And He's going to probably give me a bit of a hand, I hope I'm not over my head with it...

Thank you.

Edit:

[url=URL REMOVED[/url]

80% Sure I'm going to buy this one, It seems like he's giving more information than most china sellers, He seem's to be Australian, And it comes with this ISO connector thing.... Thoughts for an Average Joe like me ?

[holdenboy]

I cant comment on the product itself as ive had no experience with them. But i do stress to take into consideration warranty and GPS map accuracy etc before making purchasing one. I have had experience with the "eonon" brand and it has been good.

In answers to your questions though:

1. Its not an ISO connector you need, as the standard Commodore stereo plug is not ISO. The stereo will need an ISO plug in order for you to connect a harness adapter with an ISO plug. Heres a link you what you will need if you go ahead with that product:
Its an APP 061.

2. As the standard head-unit in the VXs is a little bigger than an aftermarket double DIN, it will leave a small GAP at either the top of bottom of the unit. AFAIK theres no readily available facia kit, i usually just use a piece of 16mm MDF underneath the unit and hot glue a section of black ABS plastic to the front, so it covers that gap.

3. Definitely not that hard to do, the hardest part will be wiring the unit up if you dont have a harness adapter and making up the cover panel as ive explained above.

[Josheh]

Thank you very much mate, Can i buy those things from JB Hifi ? And how much will I be looking at for one ? If i buy one of those, Would the unit above just plug and play practically? "Aside from finding a place for the GPS Receiver?

P.S. this guy gives me 12 months warrenty, So I should be alright about that part.

[url=URL REMOVED[/url]

I'm now 80% sure about this unit here, Would I kindly ask you too check that link and see if the same as what you say goes with needing that cords you just showed me mate? Thank you Very much.

[Josheh]

I'm talking to one of them live, and they are mentioning I'll just need this:

AP1784H **PLEASE TELL ME I CAN BUY THESE HARNESSES PRETTY REASONABLY PRICED LOCALLY LIKE JB HIFI / AUTOBARN...**

Which is:

Holden Commodore VT- VX Wiring Harness 1997 - 01

- This Harness enables you to wire aftermarket high powered radios to fit directly into your car wiring harness. Suit Holden Commodore VT- VX Wiring Harness.
- 1 x 14 pin plug

The one you sent me mate it says is for a vr/vs, I have a vx... So if i buy this product, its a simple plug and play install? hmmm I'm getting very confused and confuzzled right now.

EDIT:

Am i correct to say, That if i get an ISO harness, that plugs into the already iso thing in the back of my stereo / car, That all the other random plugs - these [url=URL REMOVED[/url] Are not needed? And that I would just use the 1 plug - Shown in the bottom left of the picture, and with the harness I buy from locally - Its just the 1 plug set? Or are all those other cables needed some how?

Hopefully, Someone can make me very unconfused by explaining simply what will be needed to do, I know someone on here would know, And i know it isn't that hard, I'm just making sure exactly what i need to do before i buy one of these. thanks.

[holdenboy]

Theres not much info on the wiring in that link you posted, but by the looks of the pics its an ISO plug.

The AP1784H is a commodore plug (it plugs into the standard stereo plug in the car) and it has bare ends. Which means you will need to make the connections yourself. I would assume the wiring colours will be the same, so all you'll need to do is make the right connections (see the wiring colours thread) and solder them together. Then insulate with either heatshrink tubing or electrical tape.
Heres the pic:


I know the one i sent you is for a VR/VS, but that is what Aerpro has for the VT/VX, and IMO, will fit the VT/VX.

Not sure why he dosent recommend you buy that unit.....personally i'd save up the extra cash and buy something like the Pioneer AVIC-F310BT.....But ofcourse it up to you.

[Josheh]

Thanks, With all my funds i really can not budget for a better system, I am sure these cheaper ones for what I like and for such an average joe like me it will be fine..

What about all those 1 to 10 coded plugs in that picture link here - [url=URL REMOVED[/url] Are they all still needed if i use the ISO part instead? What plugs into those plugs if I do still need them? And are they at the back of my cd player now ?

Thanks for helping me a lot mate. Just so you know - [url=URL REMOVED[/url]

That is the one it seems i will be going with.

Thanks for helping me mate, Happy easter too you.

P.s. he didnt recommend too me because he said his product doesn't offer those functions, When i replied i said it says they do and he didn't reply back... either dodgy or we got our questions mixed up, So I'm staying away from him... This person with the link i sent to you just now Is on MSN helping me out, Which is brilliant... But she has no idea about what my car has so she can't help me with what i need to install, But you're kindly helping me there so that's alright.

By the way, All the speakers in the car end up wired to this ISO plug right?

[holdenboy]

Alright, i'll try to catch up and answer all your questions, lol.

Firstly, regarding the other plugs / sockets in that pic youve posted. Unless you have things like a reversing camera, iPod, TV tuner etc etc then you wont need to connect anything to these. They provide them so you can add extra things (like an reversing camera, iPod) if / when the time comes.

That link you posted does specify that it has a ISO plug, so yes, the APP 061 is what you will need. You can also use the other one but as i said it will require you to solder the joins yourself. I believe the VR/S are the same as VT/VX.

All your power and speaker wires are in the ISO plug. The only other connection you'll need to make are the GPS antenna (it goes on the dash BTW) and the bluetooth mic if it has one (goes up near the sunvisor).

Hope this helps, Andrew.
Oh yeah, happy easter
I

[Josheh]

Bloody awesome mate, thanks a ton!!! I'm pretty sure the mic is built into the dash of the player, So That shouldn't a problem, Nice it goes into the dash itself "GPS" and nice that I can easily do this stuff.

1 last question mate: Where else can i get the plug from, They're about 20 - 30 dollars, And I'd rather buy locally if possible, Jb Hifi, Autobarn, Motoquipe, Any actual retailers able to sell me this item?

And thanks, I know you said it should work, But i hope the APP 061 Isn't just for VR/VS, But i will trust you! thanks a lot mate.

EDIT: I know I've changed my mind a couple of times, But After finding out we both got mixed up, And the seller is in Australia, And all my friends like his model better, I might get this one: [url=URL REMOVED[/url]

Seems better quality, Has Digital TV So if i ever decided I wanted to use TV in it I can "Analoge going out soon"

Thoughts on this model?

[holdenboy]

Yep all those retailers should have the plug in stock......its fairly common AFAIK.

As far as the APP 061 goes, all the models (VR-VX) used a Eurovox stereo, and the wiring colours are the same. So the only variable is the wires are at different locations on the plug, but thats unlikely. If Aerpro associate this harness with the VT-VX then thats good enough for me. (Please note i dont use harness adapters hence the reason why im not 100% sure).

[Josheh]

Thanks mate, I can just ask them anyway no biggy, When i go into Autobarn and what not..... And they will explain to me hopefully what needs to be done.

Any quick thoughts on that last player i showed and if theres any obvious bad things compared to the other one ? I've gone over it a couple of times, Can't find much wrong with it compared to the other one.

[holdenboy]

Well i could go on explaining the good and bad points. But i wont

Only thing i can see is the "GPS Software" thats included with the unit. It says "Free 2GB SD Card with Evaluation GPS Software" Which i interpret as evaluation GPS, meaning time limited or reduced features???

If GPS is a major feature then i would be looking into that.

[Josheh]

Yeah that's no biggy, The program only runs Windows CE So i can easily put what ever GPS Software I want on and maps and what not...

Thanks for your time and help mate.

[Josheh]

Removed... PM for why

[Josheh]

Have had to edit my post, As the ebay seller has just gotten real angry at me, Saying His lawyers are looking for my post etc etc, All because I didn't think the way he handled the situation of just answering "My questions", And just blocking me from buying his goods after he told me some sus stuff about his product, And decided to post here what I thought and to warn people... I really don't see how he can sue me for this...

I don't want to get sued, I don't want to cause enemies, And I have no ****ing idea what ""Defamation" even is.

I'm not even sure I can have my free speech on why I wouldn't recommend the seller "Who I've removed since I don't want to be sued"..... :S I've never had to deal with such a grumpy seller in my life...

Have no idea why i can't have the freedom of speech by telling this website why i wouldn't recommend you, But if that's the law then thats the law.... Please don't sue me I've removed your ebay ID and won't say bad things about your "online store"

[codeunknown]

i think you should have the right..to tell people your story...
and you should be able to mention the brand of the item and firm you delt with.......
that is the reason for a forum.....

if the site is being targeted from this person by attacking his rights to to tell his own story...
give the right to reply....temp membership rights to reply.....to allow for due process....

[VZ-Rob]

......

I don't want to get sued, I don't want to cause enemies, And I have no ****ing idea what ""Defamation" even is........

conned by BS legal speak
Say Buddy it's when you B..S.. about an individual.
Tellin' it how a web site operates is NOT " ****ing Defamation"

[stocky]

Thats a bit of a shit situation. I was looking at these myself, but a single DIN unit for my VR. I like the idea of having GPS and everything on the one screen, instead of trying to use my phone. Did you do much research into the quality of these units? Im curious about things like sound quality, touch screen wearing out, reliability, etc. I know theyre cheap, but that doesnt always mean bad

[Josheh]

That's what i thought guys, I'm still a little worried about it though..

I'll let you know stocky, A few people on google after doing a lot of searching for china double din dvd players are enjoying them, Some are having occassional problems but that's their wiring problem and what not, They seem to be really good for the price.

I still brought one, Just from a different supplier who had no problems with my questions "Funny that" And Should have it soonish, I'll post pictures and tell you how I find the product when it arrives mate.

[VX-monkey]

Hi ,

The Aerpro ISO to VT/Vx harness adapter is APP062 labeled "ISO connector to Holden Commodore VT". I bought mine from Autobarn and I think the price was $20. WES Components in Sydney list them in their catalog at $6.90. (Maybe + GST?)

Which unit did you end up buying? Can you PM me the link? Regarding the facia kit, my RoadKing comes with a clip on mask which makes the front of the unit the the same dimensions as the Eurovox.

The ISO connector on my unit,(and probably on other units these are the same) has the wiring for the Front Left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right Speakers, +12 V direct from battery, +12 V from ignition switch, Ground and +12 V to BCM to initiate the raising of the power antenna. And the ISO to VT/VX harness adapter provides the correct paths for these functions, when you plug it into the car harness connector.

The ISO connector does not have the connection facility for steering wheel controls, reversing camera switching or parking brake switching for video. If you have any or all of these you will have to find where in the VX wiring loom to connect into. Also my unit has an additional ground lead which has to be run to a ground point and without which there does not seem to be any life in the unit.

With GPS evaluation SW, that's if you get any at all from the seller, you will find that to be mostly crap. You will need to chase around the net to find something more decent to use. And the installation of that and getting it to work can sometimes be not the easiest of tasks.

Cheers

[Josheh]

Thanks mate, I ended up buying this:

Road Warrior 7" Touchscreen Car DVD Player GPS + DVB-T - eBay Players, Audio, Video, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 25-Apr-10 08:20:37 AEST)

I ended up buying one of those cables from autobarn for $25 "Everything seems more expensive when I seem to buy it"

That sucks about the steering wheel controls, But with touch screen and being pretty decent location for the VX i won't have much of a problem switching through songs, I Never had steering wheel controls in my VR and I don't use them all that much in the VX now anyway, It seems to be more of a hassle using steering wheel controls than just using your hand on the knobs / touch screen.

Thanks also about the GPS evaluation, I had no idea what it would be, And I've already got myself tomtom in the past, It will be a little annoying but I'll have fun mucking around with that...

Our systems are quite the same and from the same people... What do you think of the product? Worth the money? How's tv reception if you use it? and GPS?

[VX-monkey]

Hi,

By looking at the pictures of the wiring connections on the back of Road Warrior, they look exactly the same as mine. The Screen and the front controls look different but have much the same functions. The screen is 480x234 as against 800x480. The various menus look different but much the same functions. So all in all it looks reasonable. As far as the quality of these units is concerned, I think they are good value for the price they are, whether it is the Warrior or the King.

I don't think you will have great problems in installing it, especially if you have some help there. If you have the steering wheel control buttons already there on your steering wheel, there is just a two wire connection from there to the back of your existing radio. I cannot remember now but I don't think they come to the main car loom connector, I think there is a separate two wire connector on back of the existing radio. The colors of the two wires are Black with a yellow stripe and Black with a red stripe. The B/R you connect to the Brown Key1 cable and the B/Y to the Black GND one, both on the back of the Warrior. It's that easy. And when your unit is connected up you will find in the setup where you can program the Vol up, Vol down etc functions to the buttons on your steering wheel.

And the Warrior also appears to have that clip on facia mask included if you look at picture of the front.

The Reversing camera wire you have to hook to your reversing lights circuit, so that whenever the car is in reverse, the screen will automatically pop up the reverse view. Of course you have to buy a reversing camera, if you want that feature. Many of these are listed on eBay at quite reasonable prices.

The Brake-in wire needs to be hooked to your parking brake warning circuit such that it is earthed when the car is stationary so that you can watch TV or play movies, as you are legally not allowed to do that while driving (while the car is in motion). (At least so in Vic, SA may be different). Or if you are not fussy about the laws and want to have it on always, you just run that wire to earth permanently.

Oh the most important thing, the Navigation Software. A good place to start looking is:

GPS Apps & Tutorials for Windows Mobile, CE, PNA/PDA & iPhone - Austech

Well that's about it, good luck.

[Josheh]

Thank you very much mate, I will be printing everything out you have mentioned Just incase i do get a little lost, 1 question though.

When you say "The Brake-in wire needs to be hooked to your parking brake warning circuit", If i do this Can i still listen to the radio, Use my USB music, And use the GPS? or does it completely make the machine just say "Cannot use while driving" etc etc?

If it only cuts out proper dvd movies, And TV I'll wire it up legally, But if it cuts out the Radio, USB Music, And GPS when I'll have to wire it too the earth.

Thanks a lot mate!

Edit: Crap, 1 last thing I was wondering today, I can easily get my old unit out "2 buttons each side, thing pops out" Anyway, When i unplug them, And pull the old cd player right out, Can i just slide the new player in? Or do i NEED to use the new brackets? If I need to use the new brackets, I'm guessing I'll need to remove my dash.... Hmm

[stocky]

Yeah I'd like to know that as well. I can't imagine it would, and should only cut videos. If thats the case, ill hook that up and on a switch just in case

[VX-monkey]

No, the Brake-in control line does not affect radio or GPS, only watching video and TV. Don't know about USB audio, so far never tried it but I wouldn't think that it is affected.

When I first installed mine, I also had to replace the car aerial which had been broken, and also the antenna lead. Therefore I had to remove the glove box and the left footwell side covers and other bits as well. It also made it easier then to undo the radio connectors, before pulling the radio out. I am not sure but I think that you can pull the radio out without doing all that. However if you want to fix the Warrior you need to get some screws into the side of it. I only had the RoadKing sitting in there loose for week and a bit, before I took it out again so that I could work out my automatic switching arrangement between the reverse and front end cameras. Yes I am installing a camera in front as well to do the same thing as the rear one, that is to be an aid in parking. And now, 3 months later it is still sitting on the bench inside here all hooked up and fully operational, just haven't had the time to finish it off. Its actually been a blessing, because it has made the setting up and testing of various nav software so much easier.

Incidentally, to get your car radio out, you may need special tools to release the inbuilt anti-theft locking latches. I'm not sure if all radios have that, but mine does. If there are two small holes, a couple of mm in diameter, on either side of the facia near the edge, you do need them. You can buy them from Autobarn, I am sure, but you can also make them up yourself. Just use a heavy gauge wire coat hanger and make up two U shaped tools, about 10 cm in length and a spacing such that it goes into the holes on either side of the facia. To use them, just push them into the holes about 2 to 3 cm and that unlocks the latches and you can then pull the radio out.

Another thing that I have been thinking of doing is to put an on/off switch in the +12 V direct from the battery to the unit lead. That can be done by cutting into the appropriate wire in the ISO to car harness connector, and mounting a switch under the dash somewhere. The reason for this is that, I have come across so many people, including myself, having to do Resets, when playing around with nav software and locking up the the whole system. And in order to do a reset on these units you first need to remove all 12 V power for a period of time, usually 10 to 15 minutes but sometimes longer. And with the way it is wired up, that can only be done by removing the negative battery terminal, and that is a real pain in the backside if you have to do it many times. So that switch will make it easier again. But of course at the same time you will also have to turn off the ignition switch.

[Josheh]

Hey guys, Will do video / Pictures tomorrow, Got the unit, Very happy with the product...

Didn't do the steering wheel controls yet, Like said Needed to solder, Had no PC with me to check what i needed to do, Didn't bother...

Got a question though, The DVB-T / TV Section is only showing all SBS channels, No other Channel, No ten, No one, No 7, no 9 no other channel... Anyone have any ideas?

Also, Not a biggie, Can fix myself later probebly but the tomtom in my china player works fine, But It skips and jumps around like a crazy bitch always changing location, Probably my Buade rate or what ever and the settings.