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Best All-in-One DVD Player/Head Unit?

F

Flapjack

Full Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2003
Messages
239
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
I first saw the all-in-one Panasonic HU that had a 7" motorized screen, DVD player, CD and MP3 abilities about 3-4 months ago in downtown Raleigh.

Since then, I've seen the Clarion units on the Crutchfield website. The problem with them is they have Sirius controls, and I want XM.

I noticed the Panasonic doesn't have either XM or Sirius.

Does that mean I should be able to use either?

Basically, I want a head unit that has a built-in screen, DVD player, MP3 + CD, w/o requiring a separate "brain" like the Pioneer units do.
 
I'm suprised no one knows about these! I've seen a few sweet ones in Avalanches/Tahoes, but unfortunately, the owners weren't around to converse with. :)
 
I will try and get some shots of my D900 in my AV and post them so you cna see what it look slike. Right now I only have the D900 and the headrest monitors installed (everyhting else stock) but the box is coming along nicely, and then it will be a whole other story.

Christian
 
So the DV-900 has an in-dash screen, and you can add more monitors if you need?

Did you disable the safety feature, so you could watch it too? If so, is it very visible from the outside? I'd like to enjoy it too, for long trips... but really don't need the ticket.

Tinted windows would probably help, huh? ;)
 
I think the Alpine IVA-D900 is the best, but the cost $2300.00. Ouch! I like the model and I prefer Alpine, so I'm looking for alternatives to add a DVD Player.
 
2300 is retail, but you should be able to get it for 1800ish from most retailers, and even less on e-bay.

I did disable to parking brake lockout and you can see it from the outside, so i may ave to move the whoule unit to where the stock add on cd/cass goes so it is lower, then I am probably going to put a small (3 inch or 4inch) display in the stock stereo location.

It does support several different monitos and allows them to also have differing inputs and it is pretty cool, but I am using the indash DVD for output on all monitors.

Christian
 
Man, I just spent 30 minutes looking around. The cheapest I could find was $2143.

I buy a lot of stuff from Ebay, but I wouldn't buy something that expensive there. In fact, look at completed auctions for that item, and you won't find a single one completed where the high bidder left feedback for the seller.

You'd figure with a sale that big, there'd be some sort of feedback. Sounds shady to me...
 
You should be able to go to your local Alpine dealer and work it out with them. cost on the unit (after terms discount) is right aroound 1450 so the 18 is pretty fair, and everyone wins. I paid 18 plus tax for mine from my local authorized dealer.

Good luck and if I can help let me know, but check locally and be nice.

I have known the guys for years and some of the deal I made them was once it was put in I would bring it by so they could look at it and play with it since they had not seen it yet, and they had sold the 3 they got in so they did not have one for display :)

Christian
 
I am considering the IVA-D900 and the Mobile Hub and the Nav system. I have heard of issues with the auto screen hitting the shift lever when in park. How are you guys with this system solving that problem?
 
After having just spent 1000 miles driving to texas, I am probably going to move my headunit down to the center console to the area for the factory add on piece, and then add a small (3.5 inch) screen to the stock radio location. I do not like having my unit open when drving as it sticks above the dash and can easily be seen, but I do like having the display for info, so I am going to fabricate a mount for a small screen for in the dash so I have all the info I need, and then have the headunit down low, so when I want it open I will still be able to see it easily, but when it is closed I can still read the display throught he small auxillary screen.

And no, I do not know of anyone who has figued out a way around the hitting the lever. I was considering chopping the end off and moving the OD switch to the dash into one of the blanks, but I would rather modify the dash than modify the shift arm.

hope this helps. and in the meantime I have my D900 set to full manual so I have to open and close it when I want to and if I forget it stays open.

Christian
 
I've chopped the end of my Gearshift off closest to the steering wheel and shortened it about an inch. This was a spare gearshift lever I purchased from someone else and I haven't installed it yet. I still have a small bit of machine work to do on it but it's pretty much straight forward stuff. I'm also trying to build a custom gearshift knob and lever that will incorporate my small steering wheel remote that comes with the brand Nav I bought. I can't install the gearshift knob until I get back to the States but it's killing me waiting to do this.
 
How do you guys like the IVA-D900 itself? Glad you did it? Have you tried any of the add ons? I am really getting it because I want a navigation system and an integrated phone. The DVD playback ability is really just a bonus. I have been pricing the Nokia 6310i phone that is supposed to work with the MobileHub. It seems resonable. A little bigger than I would like, but not too bad. I was going to try to e-mail Alpine today to ask them if the MobileHub will work with any other phones or if they have plans on adding any others in the near future. Just haven't gotten to it yet.
 
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