Flip up DVD/TV/CD...ISSUES!!!

esta · Post by **esta** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:14 pm

My friend has recently given me a flip lid DVD/TV/CD combi thing. Due to its width it will only fit in the radio slot, but then the lid cant pop up cos of the overhang on the fascia.

I had two ideas...one was to make a nice looking (vacuum formed plastic) bracket to extend the DVD player out from the dash and therefore i could have the flip up open. However it doesnt look right with something protruding like that.

The second option was for...me to cut the dash...i was thinking of cutting a gap where the screen needed to pop up-this would prevent me having to extend the player outwards. However i am a bit dubious about slashing up the dash...i was also considering cutting it very carefully and using the bit i cut out as a lid itself so that when the DVD screen was inside i could pop it back in so it didnt look untidy-either perhaps as an insert or on hinges.

I really am just wondering if anyone else has any good ideas or can improve my current thoughts. Also if i was to do the second choice and cut a gash out, what could i cut it with to leave the nicest finish?

Thanks in advance for any replies

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:50 pm

I would cut it then use filler to shape the dash to how you mean it.

Spray the whole dash black again.

Dan the 480 Man · Post by **Dan the 480 Man** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:18 pm

I think your easiest solution would be to remove the storage bins in the centre console behind the gear lever. I've seen a set of the Turbo/Oil/Battery dials in that section just below the heated seat switches. The only real problem i think you'd have would be getting the wiring down-although i'm pretty sure you could get it to reach easy enough, you may have to lengthen the wires to do so. I think Roo managed to fit 2 headunits into his 480 at one point-he fitted the second under the original space in the aux. gauge slot...

The other problem you may encounter down there is the screen coming out-is there a big enough space for the screen to come out without hitting the lever?

If it were me, i would try and source another centre console-i think thats the best place for it to go-and just have a play with the stereo cage and see what it will fit into/how much you'll need to chop out to get it to fit. Then if/when you sell the car, you can re-fit the old centre console.

I believe 'Red' fitted and smoothed a TV screen into his dash where the CD player/auxillary gauges go-did look very smart, but i expect he put alot of time into it, and i wouldn't want to risk chopping my dash up!

Keep us informed

Roo · Post by **Roo** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:39 pm

It would be cool if you could turn the screen upside down so it came out from the unit and folded down instead of up.
I had two din sized units in the dash but the second lower unit wasn't as deep as the main radio unit so there was (a little!) space for wires.

I've returned it to standard now as although i liked the setup, i wasn't happy with the look of the guages in the lower console.

JJ · Post by JJ » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:04 pm

I had two ideas...one was to make a nice looking (vacuum formed plastic) bracket to extend the DVD player out from the dash and therefore i could have the flip up open. However it doesnt look right with something protruding like that.

Not sure about UK, but in some other countries you would probably not pass MOT (or its equivalent) if you installed anything that protrudes from the standar interior and is not properly certified (i.e. sort of guaranteed it does not kill anyone in case of an accident).

What if you move the gauges where the radio is and place the LCD in the lower slot? There may be enough space for it to open.

Personally I would disassemble the unit and do what I have actually done before:

Strangely I passed the Dutch APK even with the weird temporary mount of the controller between the seats.

Red · Post by **Red** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:44 am

you could cut off that little bit of the dash and make it slide inside the dash, it would be held in its place by a spring when the monitor is off and slide inside the dash when the monitor is on. very complicated construction i know but it would be unique.

the best compromise is like Roo said to reverse the flip mechanism of the monitor. or you could put the gauges on the top where the radio was and place the monitor instead of it, maybe then there is enough room for the monitor.

@JJ thats a nice controller between the seats, which one is it and where can i buy it?

JJ · Post by JJ » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:25 pm

Red wrote:@JJ thats a nice controller between the seats, which one is it and where can i buy it?

It is a Contour design's Shuttle Express:

http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro ... xpress.htm

They have a list of resellers on their site. However I have recently replaced it with 3Dconnexion's Space Navigator:

http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/3a1d.php

Also the NuLOOQ from Logitech is not bad (except for the white colour):

http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/378/

esta · Post by **esta** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:41 pm

Wow! Loving JJs interior pic! That is what i would have wanted if i had the money-something that would fit into the dash. I think the flip swap may be an idea...although it would hide the guages i have just bought. I tried to make it fit where the guages are but it is too thick.

I think in the UK you can have something protruding ( i often see random Sat Nav systems ) but i think it is illegal to watch DVDs on the screen while you are driving-however i have bypassed that wire cos my little sister likes to watch the DVDs...

zeilgekje · Post by **zeilgekje** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:21 pm

hey all,

red You have an popup-screen on you car right? Can you show us a picture?

thanks

Red · Post by **Red** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:06 am

@JJ thanks for the links. the space navigator is also my favorite, just have to find a shop here in germany. its time that i change my install again (havent done anything on my car for about 1 year

)

@zeilgekje - no i dont have a popup screen, i have a build in tft, similar install like JJ's but only with a "normal" pc and not a mac

, just search for carpc in this forum and you will find alot more

zeilgekje · Post by **zeilgekje** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:24 pm

@ Red: You should write a Tutorial or how you write it. So everyone could make someting so beautiful

. I'm falling in love with your carcomputer.

thanks

Big Brother · Post by **Big Brother** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:30 pm

zeilgekje wrote:@ Red: You should write a Tutorial or how you write it. So everyone could make someting so beautiful . I'm falling in love with your carcomputer.

thanks

agreed, would be very useful

zeilgekje · Post by **zeilgekje** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:17 am

Its a little bit sillence in here