I installed a DVD player in my 2008 Prius!

Yes, I spent an incredible 11.5 hours yesterday doing my install (including drive time to three different stores for parts) but now that it's all over, it was completely worth it. I installed the Ultimate Lockpick 3+, including the NAV unlocking controller board, and installed a brand new DVD player which now plays movies on my NAV screen!



It was slow going at first mainly because I kept finding it hard to believe that parts of the dash would just pull off if you pulled hard enough, and I kept going slow because I was scared of breaking something (especially the screen). It took a long time to get to where I could install the DVD player, which was a real chore, and a really long time to figure out how to wire it up since i had never installed a stereo or anything like it before.

Everything was going slowly but smoothly until it was time to connect power to the DVD unit (which I installed in the storage space underneath the stock radio). I had no idea how to do this. I even went to the back of Best Buy to ask the audio guy for help. He helped a little but didn't know which wires were the ones I needed. He suggested I buy a multimeter for $30 to test the wires (and by the way, he said Best Buy wouldn't do the install even if I paid because there is no wiring harness for a 2008 Prius and they don't want to splice wires together because they're afraid of screwing up the car?). I came home and found a wiring description for a 2007 (or maybe it was a 2006) Prius and used that, and just hoped that it was the same! Apparently it was because everything worked out. I used plastic clamps from radio shack and just clamped the DVD players' power wires onto the Toyota wires going into the stock radio. There is a "constant power" wire, an "accessory power" wire, and a ground wire, which I just attached to a metal screw.

The hardest part of the entire process was getting the center consol put back together because there was now a ridiculous amount of cabling back there that somehow needed to be stuffed behind the stock radio and the NAV screen. The DVD player came with very, very long video, audio, and power cables. I could have made my job easier if I had bought some very short audio and video cables, but by this point it was 11pm, and i was tired of going to the store and tired of spending money. I managed to stuff everything in after trying several times and it was finally finished.

 

Okay good, looks like those pictures showed up alright.

Anyway, I actually wrote that post a month ago, and just got around to posting it today. I have absolutely loved the DVD player since then. The best part is it is totally stealth so I don't have to worry about anyone breaking in or having to remove a faceplate every time I leave the car. Also, you'll notice I picked a DVD Player that has additional audio/video inputs in the front. As a result, I can now hook up my video iPod to it and watch video podcasts or movies right off my iPod if I want. This is an unreal experience. It is crazy to be watching a full version of "Meet the Press" on my car nav screen just 10 minutes after the show aired on television...and with no commercials! It is a pretty cool trick to show friends too. The future is here.

I had a friend stop by this weekend who was wanting a Volvo C30, but now he's jealous of my Prius.

 

Thanks! I get "Meet The Press" by subscribing to the podcast through iTunes. They have a audio version and a video version. The video usually comes out within 30 minutes of it airing here in Texas. If I have my iPod handy I can grab it, then watch it in JBL glory in the car...hah. I don't even have cable tv in my house anymore.

Makes road trips way more fun too...only for my passenger of course

I am actually regretting a DVD install a little though...I'm wondering if I should have installed a small PC instead, which can play movies anyway.

 

Well, it would be able to play movies like my DVD player can, but it would also have all my music and podcasts already in a full version of iTunes, so I wouldn't even need to bring in my iPod. Any time I drive up to free wifi it could auto update my podcasts. Or, I could get one of those small t-mobile antennas that gives you internet anywhere. Also, I'd have all my shows and movies that are on my hard drive accessible as well. If there is a way to make it so you can use the touchscreen...i may just have to dismantle my car again and switch out for a small pc!

 

I haven't read that thread...but I can venture a guess at its contents. I should mention that installing in this way means that I can listen to a DVD (I watch an awful lot of documentaries from Netflix) while my screen shows other things like the GPS Map of the fuel economy screen. This is a safer alternative that trying to watch a movie while driving!

 

Very cool, RB. For some reason I didn't have to do any trimming on my. I guess I just got lucky with the size?

 

Thanks, guys. I'm probably going to be wishing I installed a blue ray player now! But I haven't seen any for cars (I'm sure they're coming out). I'll probably be getting rid of this car in two years though when the plug in is released in 2010, so I guess I'll just install the blue ray or the computer then

I forgot to mention one other thing...I took the foam pad that was in that storage bin (where the DVD player is now) and cut it, then put it on the inside of the glass door (you can see it in my pictures). This way, when a thief shines a flashlight into my car, he won't be able to see the telltale red/yellow/white from those input jacks shining through that tell them there is a dvd player there. I live in a high car burglary area, so that was a concern of mine.