Topic: Hillbilly rear seat entertainment system

[BooomerX]

HH Gregg has been running a deal on a 13" LCDTV for 99 bucks. It's an offbrand but I found it's a decent little TV. It fit perfect between the front seat backs and allowed me to have a portable PS3 in the Avalanche to keep the boys occupied on trips. The TV is actually a 12V unit out of the box but is only supplied with the 12V to 120V adapter go figure. A 12V power cord can be found at Radio Shack. The TV has a bunch of inputs along the side including HDMI, USB, PC. Here's my low tech low budget setup. It's just a simple wood frame that fits inside a 24" duffle bag to protect the PS3 and TV for transport. I mounted a powerstrip on the frame to connect all the cords up so I would only have one going to the 800W inverter under the seat. I put the duffle and frame in the backseat floor, place the PS3 on top and the TV rests on top of the PS3 right against the back of the jump seat snuggly between the front seat backs. It worked great on our trip to Florida.

With the PS3 you can play, watch movies, listen to CD's, and if your close enough to a WIFI hot spot surf the internet, and play games online. Add a set of head phones and mom and dad have a peaceful drive on trips. I've found a omni-directional digital antenna that is the exact size as the TV. I'm going to add it later to the back of the TV  and see if we can get any digital TV on the move. The area where I'm at has very few if any digital signals available right now. That's why I haven't added the antenna yet.



 I had the PS3 so it's cost doesn't count but the TV, bag, 800W power inverter, wire, and power strip was less than $180 bucks and worked flawlessly on our vacation trip.


Here's the link for the TV    http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=23805

[oHIobellboy]

Now that's what I call a great setup using some ingenuity and some basic parts. 

[Ski Edition]

I think that's great!!   

[Scott41677]

Very nice! How hard is that to get out if you need to lower the mid-gate?

[BooomerX]

I used a power strip mounted on the stand in the duffle for to connecting the TV and PS3 to the inverter there's only one cord to unplug. I can have everything packed back in the duffle bag in less than 5 minutes. You have to make sure you don't block the air vents on the PS3 or it will run hot.

[Donnie1]

That's awesome

However, I do know someone with a pair of Myron & Davis heardest monitors for sale. 

[BooomerX]

The head rest monitors was my initial plan but when I found the TV for $99 bucks I figured I would get more use out of it that way. When we arrive at where were staying I just pack it up and take it inside. The son is happy and  mom and dad can still watch what ever we want. I can also easily move it from the AVA to the wife's Altima when I get it wired for the inverter. I can set it up an use it at home. If we are stopped somewhere for an extended time I usually fold the TV down and throw a towel over it, that way it looks like just a kids duffle bag in the floor lessening the chance for a break in. I was afraid the built in monitors might increase the break in risk.

[Donnie1]

We had a similar setup in a van we used to have, yes many years ago, anyway, the headrests have interior matching covers. I had them installed for about a yr or so with no issues. Only used them once as we have older kids. I guess it was an impulse buy on my part. Thought we needed them and found out we didn't.

I don't blame you a bit. That is a very ingenious setup you have.

[BooomerX]

Had to run a pair of 8  gauge cables from the battery to the back seat for the inverter. I tried using the 12V accessory plug but as soon as I turned the PS3 on the inverter shut off. The plug got real hot also but after running the cables from the battery everything worked fine. My 11 year old and his friend used it all the way to Ft. Walton Beach this past summer. It was used for 9 hrs down and 9 hrs back plus when they were in their room in the condo we rented.

[Donnie1]

I ran an invertor as well with the headrests. They are only monitors so I had to use a portable DVD player with them. Not a big deal plus it made for 3 screens back there.

[BooomerX]

I'm running an 800W Cobra inverter which is probably overkill but I got it online and shipped to me from Walmart less than what I could have walked in locally and purchased a 400W Black and Decker one.