As I mentioned before I am starting a weekly discussion on a specific topic.

This week it will be LCD Screens. Specifically how they work and the
technology behind them. I will post some more information or feel free
to direct people to informative websites you have found.

The phenomenon of In-Car video started a while back when motorhome
builders started installing regular CRT Televisions on wall mounted
platforms. This has gone now to extremely thin TFT (Thin Film
Transistor) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screens that can be motorized
on a hinge to flip down from a roof mounted shroud. The idea started as
a way to keep people entertained on long trips. But it has exploded into
putting them into placed no one has dreamed of.

This week it will be LCD Screens. Specifically how they work and the
technology behind them. I will post some more information or feel free
to direct people to informative websites you have found.


For now I just have a couple of things with LCD screens. Cheap LCD's are
typically just that, cheap. They may work fine for situations where low light
is easily acheivable, but in a car you have to compete with daylight during
alot of usage times.
Also traditional CRTs are, for the money, generally offer more quality and
reliability, but its not practical in most cars. But that is the route I went
with in my last Bronco, since it did have the room.
Thats it for now.

Les

EFFENDI wrote
As I mentioned before I am starting a weekly discussion on a specific
topic.

This week it will be LCD Screens. Specifically how they work and the
technology behind them. I will post some more information or feel free
to direct people to informative websites you have found.

The phenomenon of In-Car video started a while back when motorhome
builders started installing regular CRT Televisions on wall mounted
platforms. This has gone now to extremely thin TFT (Thin Film
Transistor) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screens that can be motorized
on a hinge to flip down from a roof mounted shroud. The idea started as
a way to keep people entertained on long trips. But it has exploded into
putting them into placed no one has dreamed of.

1) Using more then 1 screen ...
I don't have kids yet, but in the future I might consider installing
screens in the headrests to keep the back seat quiet. Is it best to use a
splitter to run multiple screens, or have a source unit with multiple
outputs?

2) For DVD player ...
I would assume that using an in-dash player is useless due to the fact
that you cannot play a DVD when the car is not in Park. Do you actually need
to install a full-sized player somewhere?

BTW, I think this thread is a good idea ...

--
Regards,
Dan Snooks

No, you do not need to install a full-sized player. There are some
mobile units made that are pretty small and made for vehicles. On the
other hand, there *are* workarounds for the ones that won't play when
not in park or have the emergency brake engaged. I do believe there are
also in-dash players that do not have a screen that don't have this
problem either. You just source it to an external screen somewhere.

Brandonb


Daniel Snooks wrote:
2) For DVD player ...
I would assume that using an in-dash player is useless due to the fact
that you cannot play a DVD when the car is not in Park. Do you actually need
to install a full-sized player somewhere?

BTW, I think this thread is a good idea ...

1) Using more then 1 screen ...
I don't have kids yet, but in the future I might consider installing
screens in the headrests to keep the back seat quiet. Is it best to use a
splitter to run multiple screens, or have a source unit with multiple
outputs?


I haven't seen a source unit with more than 2 video outputs. I would run
the video to a switcher like the Pioneer piece. The switcher will give you
independant switching for 3 screens and 3 sources. Plus it has a built-in
video amplifier so the picture quality won't degrade running multiple
screens.


2) For DVD player ...
I would assume that using an in-dash player is useless due to the fact
that you cannot play a DVD when the car is not in Park. Do you actually
need
to install a full-sized player somewhere?


It depends on where you live. In CA the CVC says you can't watch "broadcast
television" while the car in motion. If you get pulled over take it to
court and you should win on a technicality since it was prerecorded video
not broadcast TV.
But video up front is great for the front seat passenger. My wife and I
went to L.A. and the trip went a lot faster with video in the car.



Paul Vina

.. My wife and I
went to L.A. and the trip went a lot faster with video in the car.



Paul Vina




I can now see the need for a dvd player. keep the wife and kid busy on
trips.. plus give me something to do at lunch! LOL

I do believe there are
also in-dash players that do not have a screen that don't have this
problem either. You just source it to an external screen somewhere.



The Alpine DVA-7996 is a DIN sized am/fm/cd/dvd/mp3 player with an output
for a separate screen. That should work out great for you.


Paul Vina

Scott Johnson wrote:
. My wife and I

went to L.A. and the trip went a lot faster with video in the car.



Paul Vina





I can now see the need for a dvd player. keep the wife and kid busy on
trips.. plus give me something to do at lunch! LOL



Im glad this has turned out to be a positive thread for everyone. I will
be posting a new topic every Sunday or Monday. The main idea is to
educate people and help them.

EFFENDI