Hey guys, Just got back from the dealership looking at the FX4's and Lariats, decided to order a FX4 Supercrew I am taking some time to think about colors, and also about the dvd player. Do any of you have the built in DVD player from the factory? I am thinking about getting it..........for those of you with them, do you have any problems or concerns about it??

Thanks.


BTW, I am thinking DSG and medium gray flint, bench seat, audiophile and LOTS of other stuff
I cannot wait.


Thanks,

kats

 

Take a hard look at after market portable DVD players before you shell out $1,200 to the dealer for one. Tons of options out there and much better values. My aftermarket guy had some excellent portable DVDs.

 

the DVD is expensive, admittedly,
but it is currently the only product that utilizes the radio head aux input (enabled through the CAN audio Buss)

if you get the DVD when ordering your truck, it allows you to:

listen to DVD movies though the radio.

use plug in headphones,

use wireless headphones and a remote control if you purchase them additionally,

plays mps. recorded onto a CD (actual .mp3 format, not mp3's recorded in cd format)

allows the rear occupants to listen to DVD and the front to listen to the radio head.

allows rear occupants to listen to and control the radio from the dvd player when using headphones

has auxilliary audio and video inputs ( for your future sat radio, gameboy, etc)


Unfortunately, if you do not order it with the truck, Ford does not yet offer the wire kit to add it later and utilize the aux input/CAN buss. They will add this "prewire kit" in 05 which then allows the installation of the DVD player into an inventory truck easily

I just spent a good 6 hrs installing one after the fact because i ordered my truck before the DVD was available, and had to use an FM modulator and rout about 17 wires to the radio to make it work

then had to sit for 45 in the truck in the garage while my 5 yr old and 2.5 yr old watched Charlotts Web II. ( guess it was worth it )

I know this all because my team was part of the development of the Overhead rail system and DVD player. we supply it to Ford.
we are a $20billion annual sales company.

lots of cool accessories for the rail coming soon

 

So, what your saying is... FORD cannot add the DVD afterwards and have it function in the same manner as if it were ordered with the vehicle?

I got mine w/o because they were not available at the time... and I assumed that everything would be wired and ready to go as to accommodate the DVD system with the overhead rails when it did become available.

EDIT:
I just spoke with the company who does the DVD installations for my dealer and he said that he doesn't know if/when the overhead DVD will be released because of ongoing problems with it. However, they do install DVD with the exact functionality as if it were ordered from the factory (except for rear seat controls). So, it would have control through the audiophile for cabin sound, would be able to switch to rear seat DVD while the front seats listen to the radio/CD and comes with a wireless remove and wireless headphones. I think I'm gonna go that route and have 2 monitors (7") mounted in the back of the headrests so the passengers don't have to kink their necks looking up all the time.

 

DVD Options

 

If you have any kids....(Young ones that is) Buy it!!!!!
I have one in my expedition and it was the best thing as far as options that we got. My son who is now 4 years old can sit back there for hours on a trip and as long as ther is a movie on I dont get a peep from him.
I would have ordered it in my XLT but as you know ford doesnt want to get the extra $$$ from guys who want the XLT (Audiophile,DVD and 18 inch wheels) So its aftermarket for me.

 

wingn8ive,
Have you been given a price for that video system you are talking about?
I want to go with the headrest moniters rather than the overhead system.
Ive seen moniters go for about $500 for a pair omn ebay but Im not to sure about that..... Id feel safer getting it from someone local.

 

Ordered the truck Thursday

Got the DVD entertainment system

 

wingn8ive -- Based on Ford's 11/26/2003 Dealer News Bulletin (DNB 0348), "the DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System (Option Code 915) will be available with Job 2 production beginning on 12/1/2003. You may begin placing orders for this package at any time. The 12/1/2003 publication of the Order Guide will no longer show "Late Availability" of this option."

rambunctious -- Thanks for some great information on the factory system.