Honda Odyssey Audio, iPod, Bluetooth, Video Questions

phil47

I've been looking around for a video system for the Ody (flip down ceiling unit so the 3rd seat passengers can see it also). I'm also interested in a DVD source and a game station. I figure I will get a Sony PS2 as the source as it plays DVDs and games. I'm really undecided on the video screen as they really should be seen before buying to check things like brightness, off-angle viewing, etc.

I noticed this one is getting some air time at the SEMA show:

www.backseattheater.com/package.html

It's kinda slick in that it's wireless and seems to be a "do it yourself" install. Anybody seen this thing in action? Opinions?

dmathews3

Looks good but the instructions make it sound a lot easier than I think it is. They say to put the screen up to the headliner and decide where you want it and cut two holes. My thinking is you have to cut the holes where there is a headliner support bracket. If not what do you use to screw the screen to.

johng14

I'm in the process of purchasing an 01 EX Odyssey. I know that Honda does not offer the TV entertainment package, but the dealer offers it. The system is similar to the one being offered by Toyota on their Siena's. The system comes with a VCR and is able to plug in a play station. I was wondering if anyone new of the quality of these systems.

thanks

phil47

Could you find out what brand of components they are putting together in this "package". Is it Rosen or Audiovox or Sony or Alpine etc. If they are putting together an aftermarket package, I'm sure someone here has pieces of this system installed.

I don't believe all dealers are installing the same "package". I know my dealer has installed 3 completely different setups as they try and find one that they are happy with.

johng14

The brochure said is made by Rosen

phil47

If you go to this topic:

/direct/view/.ee93b16/256

you will find someone who posted about a Rosen system they were very happy with. Good Luck.

videonavi

Here is a quick run down of what I've done in the family 2000 Honda Odyssey I/Nevi.

1. Mounted rear 6.5" Clarion OHM-641 display just aft of front seats. Selected this unit because of low profile mount (doesn't block rear view mirror when in the down position). Also mounted Clarion TV tuner I/VA switched under drivers seat.

2. Put in-dash Panasonic CQ-DVR909U DC/DAD/Dad-audio,Dolby Digital, DTS, Multizone so front seat can play different source while the kids in the rear can watch a DVD. Mom & Dad up front can listen to music. Hooked navigation mute + audio into this stereo.

3. Placed 8-disc Panasonic CD changer under passenger seat. Sony VCR under drivers seat (facing rear passengers).

4. Used Pioneer CD-CM1 cell phone mute adapter and made a bypass timer circuit. This gives 15 min. bypass on mute when cell phone is in use and kids can still listen to the movie.

5. Mounted Bazooka 6.5" HP subwoofer tube in front of the rear tire jack compartment (3rd row seat still able to fold up and down). Routed sub volume/crossover crontrol up front.

6. Created "Video On My Navi" to play video on the Navi screen. See http://www.acura-tl.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000288.html. This is real handy for starting up DVD videos or as a screen for front seat passenger (Not the driver - that is illegal while the car is moving).

Still not done!

Next backup distance/warning sensors...

Steve

phil47

Sounds first class. You wouldn't happen to have some pictures available for posting would you? I'd love to see it. This club has a board for just such things. Thanks.

seahoss

I Talked to a staffer at TMI Products today and he indicated the monitor on the Back Seat Theater doesn't attach to any part of the roof of the vehicle, but rather just to the headliner itself. The unit only weighs 1.5 pounds and the weight is distributed across the two mounting brackets, so the headliner is enough to support it solidly. I pulled one of the passenger dome lights in our 2001 EX and found I should be able to easily run the power over the headliner to the bracket without having to disturb anything. This seems to me preferable to paying about $500 more to have a custom shop remove the entire headliner in order to install an equivalent Audiovox unit. I'm going to go for it, and will post the results when I'm done.

seahoss

My Back Seat Theater package was delivered yesterday and installed last night. It should have only taken an hour but I spent that much time just worrying about the placement and measuring to get the cutting template centered. I wound up mounting the brackets right in the middle of the cross beam above the door pillars because that was as far as I could pass a coat hanger over the headliner from the second row dome lights without running into stiff resistance. The toughest part (psychologically) was cutting the two 3/4" holes in the headliner of my month-old van. I used a sharp, narrow Exacto blade (the headliner is about half an inch thick) and the plugs came out so cleanly that I am sure I could replace them and no one would notice. The pictures under "Complete Package" and "Installation Instructions" at http://www.backseattheater.com show the pieces and process pretty clearly. The mounting brackets are secured by a split "T" that is inserted through the cut hole and positioned above the headliner, one half at a time. The bottom of the "T" passes through the bracket, which is secured with a threaded cap. I pulled the power wire from one of the brackets over the headliner to the dome light with a coat hanger and spliced it to the black lead on the outside. This wire is hot when the dashboard light switch is in the middle and off position. I pulled the wire from the other bracket to the other dome light and grounded it to the mounting screw. The monitor fit into the brackets perfectly and locked securely into place with spring-loaded levers. The whole unit seems extremely solid just due to the rigidity of the headliner and the secure grip of the bracket and "T" design. In the closed position, the monitor is held flat against the ceiling by tension in the same way the sun visors are held up, and it can be similarly placed at varying angles for best viewing. Because there is no collar or other housing, the monitor has a very low profile when closed, and does not create an obstruction.

Since video and stereo sound signals are broadcast to the monitor via a gigahertz- frequency radio transmitter, the video cassette player can be placed anywhere in the van with clean reception. I fired up a "Blue's Clues" tape to simulate real-world conditions, and the picture and sound were surprisingly clear--particularly the sound since the built-in speakers are only 2". And I am sure I will like the sound even better when the kids are using the infrared headphones.

All in all, I am pretty pleased with the design, construction, and output of the system, but I will be able to make a more thorough assessment on our upcoming road trip during spring break. At the least, the ease of installation lived up to the vendor's claims.

gess

Where did you place the player? Will it fit under the passenger seat?

seahoss

The video cassette player that came with the Back Seat Theater is fairly compact and it fits pretty snugly under the second row seats. It should also do well under the front passenger seat if the storage bin is removed, but it would need to be secured under the third row seat. The transmitter is so small that it isn't a problem, and since it is not attached, the player could be easily swapped on the fly for a PlayStation or DVD. About the player: it is a Sylvania four-head stereo hi-fi with a nice compliment of features including an extension remote-control reciever on a wire long enough to run anywhere in the van.

dmathews3

Tomorrows (Sunday) Best Buy has the Video Traveler by SteelHorse on sale for $319.99 -$20.00 rebate for $299.99. Fits between the front seats and comes with a VHSplayer, monitor and remote. Sounds like a good deal. Didn't say what size monitor

rollie66

I have been researching alot of systems. The back seat theatre sounds great. Seahoos does the wireless transmitter have an audio out? I know I can go from vcr directly to car stereo, however I want to be able to use both or either one. Is the vcr 12 volt and 110. also Does the vcr record.

The Steel horse system at Best buy is 4inch. Does anyone have experience with a 4inch display?

seahoss

The wireless transmitter on the Back Seat Theater has both video out and stereo audio out, however, since it is high frequency (gigahertz range) it is not receivable through the FM radio. Unfortunately, the wireless head phones do not use the same transmitter, but are line-of-sight infrared from a second transmitter built into the monitor housing. I was extremely disappointed with the sound from the head phones and am sending them back. TMI gave a return authorization for them without argument, but the customer service rep did mention that they had not had that complaint before. Maybe I just got two bad pairs from the same lot. I do plan to research adding an RF modulator to route the sound to the stereo system (for better sound, and so I can route the sound to just the rear speakers when necessary).

The videocassette player is a 12-volt Sylvania 4-head, hi-fi stereo player with 181-channel tv tuner, but it is a player only, with no record capability. I have not tried the tv tuner since the unit does not come with an antenna.

Still, the system performed very well during our recent trip, and I would highly recommend it, but without the wireless head phones based on my experience.

phil47

I've got a 2001 EX and I'm having a hard time figuring out a good location to mount an in-dash DVD player for a flip-down ceiling-mount video system. All the units available (Clarion, Alpine, Panasonic) are a full DIN. The pocket below the CD head unit in about 3/4 DIN. Replacing the stock Honda head unit with a DVD head unit would render the steering wheel stereo controls useless. I could have it mounted below the passenger seat, but I would have to permanently remove the storage tray and I'd rather not do that if possible.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

mikeclarke

What you have sounds perfect for my 1999 Odyssey EX. The price is pretty steep, though.

My stop-gap solution to keep our daughter amused on road trips consists of a 12VDC to 120VAC inverter, a home VCR, and a 2.7" LCD TV mounted to my seatback with an elastic band. I think the screen is small, but it's no different from viewing a 21" TV from about 10'.

I thought about a "Video Traveller" soloution, but there's enough junk lying around on road trips as it is. The only thing that worries me about an overhead unit is that I'll have to go through the entire install AGAIN if I ever sell the van.

Questions: What is the exact mounting location in terms of inches from fixed reference points (e.g. Homelink panel, dome lights, etc.)? Why did you run one wire to one dome light and one to the other?

cincy_ody_mike

Buy a 9" TV/VCR combo with a 12 volt adapter.
Put the kids in the back row.
Fold one of the middle seats all the way forward and put the TV on top. Hold it down with some bungee cords.
Not the most graceful solution, but the kids love it, which means mom and dad love it! Beats a 5" screen.
For the next trip, I might try to put the TV on the floor between the middle seats so I can fold down the rear seat to hold more luggage.

pnthobby

I took this system out of my 94 Accord EX when I traded in, and wanted to know if anyone knows if the harness (I soldered the connection harness to plug in directly in the Accord) will connect to the Ody's harness. I realize that the steering wheel controls may not work, but I don't mind. System has a remote controller and a 12 disc changer, and I would really like to use it again, unless I have serious wiring trouble. Thanks for your help in this matter...

Paul Weber
Bedford, Indiana :m5:

swebsurf

Hi,

We've just purchase a Toshiba 9-inch TV/DVD combo. I'd like to be able to place it between the driver and passenger captains chairs, but the center tray table is in the way. Has anyone ever removed this? If so, do you have any tips? there appear to be 4 plastic screw covers, but the whole thing appears to be attached at the very bottom. Thanks for any advice on that front. We're also considering a setup with the APEX portable DVD player and a separate 9inch tv monitor. If we could find a monitor (w/ or w/o speakers that is approx 10" x 10" x 10", it would fit nicely under the tray table. The player could go just about anywhere in the vicinity. Yikes! this is long! sorry!

thanks,

Scott

nedlyj

I'm looking at overhead LCD options. While I like the custom fit for the Odyssey of the new i-VES, I'm concerned that the specs listed on www.handaaccessories.com. It has this 7" screen only with a resolution of 480x234. That's only half of all other 7" screens I've seen which are listed at 960x234. Some are even listed at 1440x234. Was this a typo, or is this screen really bad?? For the money ($1400) I'd expect more than just an easy installation. Does anyone have this that can comment?

Also looking at the Backseat Theater. Partly because it's wireless, but also has an easy installation and the picture is supposed to be good (6.8"). However, it would be nice to run audio to the speakers directly. Although I could simply get a cassette adapter to run audio through the speakers (like the ones that come in car adapters for personal CDs). But, does the wireless controller require batterries? If so, how long do they last?

And, lastly, does anyone have exact installation instructions for a Honda Odyssey for any other overhead LCD screen?? Thanks

mikeclarke

Here's one for all of you electronics buffs.
EBay has some REALLY great deals on older laptop computers, some of which have 8.5 inch and larger TFT screens. Would it be possible to connect one of these to a scan converter to allow switchable NTSC/VGA signal input?

Mike Clarke

mikeclarke

I may have found what I was looking for:

http://www.flat-panel.com/controllers.htm

Mike

phil47

I ended up getting the new Audiovox 7" widescreen flipdown unit (VOH702) installed with 2 RF headphones. I also had the Audiovox DVD player and an inverter installed under the passenger seat (tray removed). I'm very happy with the quality and performance of the equipment (as well as the installation). Actually...so is my 4 year old! If anybody would like details or pictures, let me know.

viskha

Looks like you got a great system that you are very pleased with! Please send me details (cost, where did you get it, how did you install it, etc.) and pictures on your system at my email address (that you can see if you click on my username).
Thanks.

nmnazareno

Scott,
I borrowed a 9in tv/vcr system and what i did was remove both of the center armrest from the front 2 seats and velcro'd it down on the center tray. it worked like a charm!
Now i'm in the market for the same tv/dvd system like you. I'd like to leverage the existing sound stereo system without having to tear into stuff. Since these tv systems have a headphone jack, could you plug the cassette attachments that come with the cd walkmans into into the tv and then stick in the cassette in the cassette player? Since my 2000 EX did not come in cassette, I need to poll some folks before i pursue this option.
thanks in advance,
Noel

gglenn1

I bought a 2002. The 240 horse engine is a kick in the pants!! I have a 9" Panasonic TV/VCR that is AC-DC. We set it behind the two front seats and remove the two captains chairs. (Know this sounds crazy-removing the chairs but the kids like the back seat better. We do then have lots of room for ice chests ect.. With two sets of headphones, we do not know the kids are in back. Its great until Honda comes out with an after market system available at dealers in Sept. 2002. Wonder what it will cost with my 30% discount. Probably still be outrageous!!

dcaddeo

Ok, this seems like the best place to post this topic, but don't know how long it will be before I get a response, but here goes:

We just purchased a 2002 Honda Odyssey EX with the IVES system. This is the Honda installed Entertainment System, flip down screen, wireless headphones, it's a VHS player in the front.

Problem is that the screen has one solid RED pixel on it. We took the van back in for service last week and the Honda service called Honda directly who said that this is NORMAL, and some screens have more than one solid RED pixel.

This is really annoying to watch a video and be distracted by what has to be the defective screen.

Looking for other 2002 Honda Odyssey owners with the VHS Honda Installed IVES system to compare. Do you have red dots too?

Also, the in-dash 6 disc CD changer...broken already. We've had the van just barely one month. Luckily we can use the single CD player for now, but still very disappointed.

Feel free to respond here if I can remember to check back.

dmathews3

I doubt you will ever find very many LCD screens that don't have a few pixels froze on one color or another. This is common and unless there are a bunch of them in one location you won't hardly be able to tell. Like anything else that is damaged be it a plaster wall with one little spot of paint missing no one else sees it, just you cause you know it's there and keep looking for it.

rolandk

We use our lap top on trips for the map/gps and to keep the kids quiet(read Dad happy!), and previously just plugged it from the speaker out into the cars cassette deck (using an adapter available at Radio Shack, Future Shop etc.) The Odyssey only has CD, but the option of adding the factory cassette deck. Is there a way to hard wire in an "Audio In" jack instead of the cassette deck. I've seen several after market CD players with the input jack included (around $200 Can. and up). Any help would be great!

dmathews3

There are little boxes (don't know what they are called) that plug into your jack and broadcast the signal from your laptop,cassette,CD or whatever to a empty freq. on your radio. Maybe someone else here can come up with the name.

wyngon

After two weeks of research to replace our current mini-van (Dodge GC) We have decided on the 2002 Odyssey. They now offer a DVD entertainment center should we get it with this installed or wait and have one installed after market at a later date? Also, I am not able to find out what kind is installed by Honda? The Honda installed option is $1500.00 does this sound fair?
Any input would help!
TIA

starjr13

They put in audiovox. A middle line type of dvd--Tweeter sells one just above their level for 2,200. Honda is a bargain at 1,800.

wyngon

Thanks to starjr13 for the response, I know nothing technical about all of these systems, so any input helps. You mention that it is middle of the road yet is a bargain at $1800 (it is actually $1500). Does factory installed mean less issues with the other systems in the car? We are trying to decide because this will change our order of the new Odyssey and the sooner we decide the sooner they can change the order. Would audiovox be able to tell me more about the system installed, the dealer and Honda were sketchy at best?
Again any input would help!
TIA

sgergen

For the $1500 you get all the DVD functionality actually hardwired into your van, not using a radio frequency like you'll need to do if your going aftermarket.

You also get a cassette player which is usually at least a few hundred installed by Honda.

It's also covered by the honda warranty.

Seems that this is the way to go (at least to me).

Scott

dptrask

Does anybody have experience with the Kelton sub offered by HandA Accessories? I'm thinking of installing it but am questionning its abilities.

chavtur

We recently had the IVES installed in our TW 2000. When we exit the van, the head phones end up in one of several different places. Wondering if anyone has come up with a safe place to hang the head phones when they are not in use.
Thanks

mmcfarland

I am considering, and probably will purchase, a 2002 EX w/Entertainment. While I was test driving one, I brought it home and connected my son's PS2 to it through the A/V connections in the armrest in the back driver's side. I also used my inverter connected to the power plug in the storage area. The result was not good. I noticed a horizontal line that moved from the top of the screen down over and over. I decided to connect the PS2 power to AC via an extension cord. The result, perfect picture. So, I then decided to get a new inverter. The result, no more horizontal line, but a snowy picture. Has anyone else experienced this problem, and, if so, what was the solution? Thanks, in advance.

dmathews3

Most invertors are made for running things that have electric motors. For electronics the best invertors are what they use on high end motorhomes are are called true sine wave invertors. But the down side is they run from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars. It may be possible to get one of the cheaper ones to work but it may cause you problems in the long run.

mmcfarland

nm

dmathews3

Aren't the AV jacks part of all DVD's and VCR's? They were put on the VCR's a number of years ago. They were installed in part to play back your pictures taken on a camcorder and now digital cameras. But again, just a guess.

mmcfarland

Allegedly, the alternators on Hondas do not put out as much voltage as alternators on other manufacturer's vehicles. This may be the source of the problem I am experiencing. I have asked the dealer to check this out. Secondly, it is also alleged that the voltage from the battery to the power outlet may be insufficient to properly run the inverter, thus causing my problem. I have asked the dealer to connect the inverter directly to the battery to see if this fixes the problem. I will report back on the results of these possible fixes.

klinebch

For those who were wondering how to plugin a laptop to the audio system on an Odyssey or any other vehicle, you need a Wireless FM Stereo Transmitter to do the job easily. It's a little keychain-sized unit that plugs in to a laptop's sound port (or MP3 or pretty much anything) and broadcasts a short-range FM signal that is picked up by the stereo tuner in the vehicle. Just tune to the right station and your done (very similar to what you'll see at a drive-in movie theater).
An example of an inexpensive one I found online is at http://www.geocities.com/evngeo/. You can also search on eBay and find them for around $20. I haven't received mine yet, but sounds from what I've read like it's just what I need to make my laptop into a more complete solution for those long roadtrips. We put the laptop between the front seats on the fold-down tray, and my kids can see it fine. The sound has been our major problem at road speeds, though. This should provide the solution for that. That'll do until I can afford the built-in DVD systems.

mlempire

installed the sub on my 2002 ex in november and love the difference however handa's upgraded door and rear speakers help with the overall sound quality too... There is a huge difference with and without the sub, you can switch it on and off. My neighbor and I both had 2000 ex's and we both sold them for what we paid for them a year and a half later and bought 2002 ex's and did the sound upgrade on mine first,after he heard mine he had to do his as well ...no question about it!

newhonda

We've been thinking about replacing our current mini-van (Chrysler w/~100K miles). We don't like paying so much for the Honda, but it has a lot of what we want.

The local dealer said that the Entertainment package supports VHS tapes, DVD's and PS2 (Sony's Play Station two.) My wife beleives that the PS2 can be brought into to the house and connected to our TV. I didn't hear anything about taking the PS2 out of the car. The Honda web site doesn't give details on the entertainment package, so I'm curious if anyone has this package and could provide more info. Model is 2002 Ex w/Entertainment.

Just read somehting about iVEs or IVES. Is this the name of the etertainment system? Is the brand Audiovox?

dmathews3

Yes in a sense it supports it all, BUT only comes with the DVD player. You can purchase a Sony PS2 and VCP/VCR and plug them into the DVD player but you will have to find a inverter that will change the 12V into 110V for the VCR PS2.

swebsurf

Hi,
We have a 1999 Odyssey EX with the CD player (no Cassette). Are there any replacement units that will play MP3 files? Would this replacement (if it exists) be easy for the DIYer or best left to the professionals?
thanks,
Scott

dchopp

Checkout www.crutchfield.com Tell them about your vehicle and they will spit out players that will fit your vehicle along with intallation instructions and the the adapters required.

ponch49

I saw an Ody with an aftermarket roof mounted tv/dvd combo with the flip down screen. It's and all inclusive unit where you slide the dvd disk right into the unit on the roof. Well I just had to have one. I called the stereo shop and they managed to do the installation the next day. The shop did a superb job installing it and I consider it a good investment. Kids sure do enjoy it as I haven't heard them complain once or ask "are we are there yet?". Came with two wireless headsets and can be switched to the van speakers. Price wasn't too bad at $2,000 Cdn

Paul

ohlone

for those who have a TV tuner with their entertainment system; where is the antena for reception? how well does the picture come in? can you actually hold a signal while driving?

Re: Sub wolfer ; sounds like a good addition - I was hoping someone could mention how easy/hard it is to install, where did you place it and if the wiring is already there.

phil0044

My factory radio/cd unit gives me an E-00 when playing the CD's. It works okay if the unit has not warmed up, but gives the error and won't play any CD's once it has been working for about 5 - 10 minutes. I'm looking to replace the unit with an after-market radio/cd with steering wheel remote controls. How difficult and what are the steps to removing and replacing the unit? The dealership wants $250 to remove it and send it in for analysis. Also a factory replacement is $500.
Any information would help.
Thanks.