Sachsi

I've been searching for a decent solution for an entertainment system for the back seats and can't seem to find all the answers.

<b>The Monitors</b>
I'm not looking for an overhead monitor/dvd player but rather for something attached to (preferrable) or embedded in the headrests. I looked through the Audi catalog and the DVD players they offer look pretty lame, despite the $1200+ price EACH (they really look like a pair of $50 devices plus the respective brackets).

I've been going back and forth between the Vizualogic screens (nicely embedded but with rather large replacement headrests) and the clip-on brackets (like <a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31eWVFRN8qL._SS500_.jpg">this </a> one). I'm thinking with the clip-ons I could eventually get a higher resolution (but unfortunately bigger) screens. All 7" screens I've seen at the store have rather poor resolution and image quality. On the other hand I can't seem to find a serious brand monitor with such clip-on brackets neither do the local stores have anything like that).

If any of you have one of these clip-ons, how do you like it? Could you post some pictures pls.?

<b>The Video Signal</b>
I really would like to do away with the piles of DVDs I'm currently schlepping around. Have any of you successfully used a video iPod with the back seat monitors? How about one of <a href="http://www.archos.com/products/gen_5/archos_605wifi/index.html?country=global&lang=en">these</a> instead?
I'm guessing the answer is no but I'll ask anyway: If a video Ipod is plugged into the MMI, can the sound/playback be controlled through the MMI? I'm guessing the system has some sort of bus/hub architecture, so is it possible to plug in the monitors somewhere so that the iPod can be controlled via the MMI but the video signal is sent to the monitors in the back?

Your suggestions are very much appreciated. TIA!

RAD2

I have vizualogic A 1250 headrest and a dension GW 500/AV Extender, with audio from headrest to Dension aux (since the built in FM transmitter did not work well) and video from AV extender to vizualogic headrest. Unfortunately I have not decided which iPOD/iPHONE will get, so I have not tested iPod video (from dension av ext or straight to) on vizualogic screens yet.
See link for a iPod-dvd-game-MMI interface product that should be available soon.
Good luck and happy New Year.<ul><li><a href="http://www.neocaraudio.com/products/nav.php">http://www.neocaraudio.com/products/nav.php</a</li></ul>

pw-man

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125937/cimg6929.jpg"></center><p>It has A/V in's for both monitors, each can work independently (2 dvd players) or one can watch the other and vice-versa.

There is a A/V in on the main box IIRC as well as TV antenna. (I can get local tv pretty clear, no cable, of course...) Don't currently have any external A/V device... so I can't give more info on that.

Infrared remotes and headphones as well as audio out via FM (which works really well.)... IR is ok, but can be finicky.

Nice, integrated setup...

pw-man<ul><li><a href="http://www.invisionindustries.com/products.html">http://www.invisionindustries.com/products.html</a</li></ul>

Double_Dip_A6

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/98346/img_2963.jpg"></center><p>Here are links to other pics:


http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/98346/img_2967.jpg

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/98346/img_2968.jpg

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/98346/img_2966.jpg

Sachsi

With the video inputs right on the monitor, is there also a "central" box for the Invisions so you can simultaneously send the same signal to both?
How big are the monitors and how good is the resolution?

Tnx!

Double_Dip_A6

you can have different video on each monitor since each has it's own DVD slot. However you can also sync them so they watch the same movie. The resolution is great even with older movies and if you have someone in the 3rd row seats they can watch the movie with no problem (unless they are really old with poor eye sight).

Along with the wireless headsets, the audio is also heard via FM modulation through the MMI.

I have seen other systems in other Q7s (all which look good) but I still like the flexibility of the Invision especially the game input for each monitor.

Sachsi

I take it that means there is no central box like with the Vizualogic. How do you sync them then? Do you run a cable from one to the other?
The Invision website seems to be exceptionally poor at providing anything but basic information.
I'll try calling the Audi dealership, I believe they may offer and install them (the local BMW dealer does).

If I may ask, what was your total cost for the system?
Do you have a hard time finding an interference-free FM band or does it work well? (I tried to use a couple of iPod FM transmitters in the past and they both ended up in the garbage within a couple of weeks).

Thanks!

RAD2

Vizualogic also give you the option of watching movie on both screens, they are good quality lcds, they have iPOD aux on headrest. FM modulators do not work well, you will get interference with both products.
This only my opinion, but invision will work too.
Happy New Year

pw-man

It has A/V inputs on it that will route to either / both headsets according to the manual. Though I don't know anybody that has done it, you can actually run 4 headrests, so in theory, you could run them to the third row as well ... don't know if Invision makes Q7 specific third row headrests...

The screens are 7" TFT-LCD and have a tilt feature - picture quality is very good ... with OSD for adjusting contrast, brightness, etc.

I had mine installed by the dealer... I don't remember the full cost ... but I'm thinking around $2500 with install...

Sachsi

They only install Invision and the Audi-provided system. The guy confirmed that the Audi system is nothing more than a generic player + bracket and he didn't seem too impressed with it. He gave me the name of the manufacturer which I promptly forgot.

Now if only I could get my hands on one of those Archos devices before I had to make a decision ...

Thank you all for your answers!