New Car Audio/Video System

[Al_Capown]

Ok I've got some guidelines as to what I want to do.

At the moment I've got maybe $300-450. I plan on getting a job once school lets out and I'm definetly going to be saving up as much money as possible. Birthday is in march so financially I've got a budget of about $1500.

In april I'll be getting an Oldsmobile 1998 LSS.

For the main cd player (yea sorry i'm not down with the lingo, yet) I want a IN dash DVD player (the type that you push a button and the tft display comes out. I'm pretty set on the Sony XAV-7W (http://store.yahoo.com/millionbuy/snyxav7wal.html). Only requirements for this is that I can hook my ipod up, play dvd's (dur), play a little console, cd playing, and a nice clean face.


For the subwoofer box what should I be looking for? I've the term 3/4 MDF being thrown around. What does this mean? Main things I want in my subwoofer box is clarity (don't want to be rattling, nice clean bass) as well as a clean look. I wan't to pop open my trunk and have my friend say hooooly **** effing incredible. So i'm pretty set onthis concept (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384084573&skuId=3149024&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03082), but for $150 I'm not about to buy it. I saw something that look pretty similar to the probend model http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3071756288&category=20334 . Does this look like a pretty good price. Do you guy's think I should spend my money now on it and accumulate the parts over time?

Next come the actual subs. I've heard JL, Infinity, and AudioBahn are the subs to get? I'm willing to spend up to $300 on a pair of 12's. I'm looking for the best punch, bump, and clarity.

When it comes to amps I have no idea what I am talking about. I'd like to spend a maximum of $150 for an amp. I want something that's gonna clear everything up and still be moderately sized. Looks are also a factor.

Last comes the speaker setup. I've read that Infinity setups are the best. I want something that is going to incredible. The stock speakers the LSS came with are terrible. Probably some generic pieces of crap and are definetly gonna have to go. The speakers don't have to be ridiculous just very nice. I want them to at least sound like my Klipsch 4.1's. For a set of 4 I'd like to spend about $150 or so. Just want the lowest price/performance ratio :)

Now keep in mind I know Jack about car audio. Everything I've learned so far has come from just looking at other people's setups. If possible I would like to install everything myself because Best Buy is gonna pwn me if I don't. So if you can include any guides please do. Also please if there's something I think I can do that is physically, theoretically impossible please enlighten me. Any information you can give me is appreciated and wanted.

Thanks for reading,
Al

[GnomeWizardd]

Damn I thought I had some money! you be rich boie!

[Al_Capown]

When I want something I'm good at gathering money. Downgrading from a R9800 Pro 256 to a ti4200 helps too :D

[GnomeWizardd]

ouch man that hurts!

[Al_Capown]

I might hold off on the video portion for Fall2004 so if you guys have any 100-200 price range head units that have mp3 playback that'd be neat.

[JB]

Panasonic CQ-DP383U - I bought it from www.crutchfield.com this summer for $149. It sounds great and they included the adapters for my car for free!

[GnomeWizardd]

never ever ever buy crutchfield! what you pay 300 for on crutchfiled, etronics has for 1/2 price

[Gargoyle]

Panasonic CQ-DP383U - I bought it from www.crutchfield.com this summer for $149. It sounds great and they included the adapters for my car for free!

That's exactly the kind of head unit I'm looking for! I even started a thread asking for advice a week or two ago. I've got a couple of questions though: how easy is it to navigate between different folders of MP3s? And can you randomize playback using multiple folders? How's the display? I've thought about spending megabucks to get one with a nice high-res display, but I can't quite justify it.

[Al_Capown]

Ok guys I've changed my mind and finally decided to switch it up. Instead of going audio and leaving video for later on I've decided to take the alternate route and put audio on the backburner.

So here's my plan: I'm going to get the 3 disc dvd player from my room which is capable of mp3, vcd, dvd, SVCD, and cd playback and mount it somewhere in my trunk.

Next I'm going to purchase 2 of these http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=pylplvh72&store=&catid=385 for the passengers in my backseat. At 109 a pop that's an incredible price for a 7 inch monitor and should keep everyone in my car happy.

Next I'm going to buy a couple of these http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=pylplvs720&store=&catid=4645 for the people in the front seat (of course only when the car is parked). These are also 7 inchers.

Now I'm trying to figure out how I could wire all of this. Obviously the headrests are going to tough as I can't go through the ceiling or the floor. I wonder if I could wire it through the seats. Also when all these cables make their way to the dvd player I need to find an adapter to take all 4 monitors and make them all receive the same signal. I'd also have to find some way to play the dvd through my audio system. As well as making whatever is holding my dvd player shock absorbant.

The nice thing about this is it comes out to be cheaper than just a regular indash dvd player and it has 3 disc, mp3 playback, vcd, svd, and it will have 4 7 inch monitors throughout the car.

Another concern of mine will be security, in which I plan on getting my windows tinted so that no one can see the rear headrest monitors. I'll also probably get another security system if the stock one isn't sufficient. I'll also have to figure out a way to power the dvd player from the trunk.

Please I'm open to solutions to all these projects.

Al

[JB]

true, but gnome they dont include antenna adapter, power adaptor, or mounting kit...which seem to be pricey at local stores around me

[Al_Capown]

Anyone have any ideas or thoughts on the planned video system?