ICE Upgrade

Our 4th son was borne on 22nd June. Portable DVD player is no longer suitable for the kids because our eldest now will have to sit at the third row.

Added a Malaysian made DVD player, ceiling mounted 9.2 inches LCD and a video booster. For RM650 inclusive of labour, it's a bargain!

The DVD player can handle all currently cheaply available disc type, has USB and SD card slot. It comes with a remote and a set of pre-out. The speakers are still powered by the original head unit. The signal was sent from the DVD player's pre-out to the original player's video input which is available underneath the glovebox (facelifted Ipsum - not). However, the brilliant installer dismantle the input and hide the connection for a neat installation.

The DVD has only 1 video out thus the need for the video booster. The booster accepts 1 input and provide 4 new output which I currently only use 2. 1 for the front original player and 1 for the roof monitor. Prior to that the installer used a splitter which degraded the video signal.

As a result of this installation, I can also use the DVD player's radio to listen to all local stations. Previously with the original radio and an FM booster, some frequencies cannot be catch. However, the installer must have forgotten to connect the antenna.

In another installation whereby the original head unit was replaced with a new DVD player with built in LCD monitor feeding signal to a roof monitor, the roof monitor will display whatever being displayed in the built in monitor. This means when reverse gear is engaged while playing video, the roof monitor will also display the reverse camera images. In my Ipsum's installation, this is not the case. Since the video signal comes from the separate DVD player, the roof monitor will continue displaying the video while the front monitor switched to the reverse camera.

The 9.2 inches size to me is the best size. I can still use my rear view mirror with the LCD monitor fully opened. Head rest monitors may not be a good option if one considers the third row passengers. This is if only 2 head rest monitors is installed. If 4 head rest monitors is used then it should not be a problem.

My eldest son is happy watching the movies while sitting in the third row. His only complaint is the sound is not loud enough. This is because there is no speaker placement for the third row. Thus, I adjusted the fader so the second row speaker is louder than the front row. Now, I hear no more complaint.

The original front roof light was removed to make way for the LCD installation. There was a screw hole meant to serve the roof light. The LCD is affixed to the same hole. It has been a month of happy viewing.

The only glitch is the DVD player and LCD will switched off whenever the side mirror is folded. This is something that needs re-wiring of the power source.