Morning TV on my MFD during commute to work

Maybe Ken in Japan could help you.

 

To the anti "distraction" posters on here, have you ever taken a look (in the past when the doors were open) at what your airline captain and co-pilot have in front of them? I bet they don't need a Lockpick to allow NAV commands to be entered in flight. Talk about distractions, how can 2 people watch for small planes, weather conditions, wind shear, mountains, and other hazards while pushing buttons to change screens, and recalculate fuel balance in 4 fuel tanks, talk on the radio, etc? Do you seriously think it is mentally taxing to change stations and maybe glance at a TV screen when all you have to do is watch the road ahead at posted speed limit velocities. Hell, I've taught racing classes on a road course while sliding through a corner at 11/10ths and talking to the student (passenger) about vehicle dynamics, and always looking ahead at least 1/4 mile to see what to expect next from 30 other cars on the course. Some of you are frightened when other cars are close around you and surprised whenever someone pulls out in front of you. Being aware and ready to react to your surroundings while driving isn't something that comes naturally. How can you say that I am going to be distracted by something inside of my car when you don't know what my attention span and skill levels are. Don't you think that you object mainly because YOU can't do all these things and still maintain priorities and safety. Take a course with your local car club and drive your car (or someone's) on a racetrack and learn how a car handles at and beyond its limits of adhesion. It may save your life someday. So many accidents could be prevented or made less serious by proper and intuitive car control.

 

Seems to me there are two different approaches and you just have to decide which one to take. First option is if you want to use the MFD for display. That can be done at least two ways I know of. Lockpick 3 with a TV tuner/DVD player should be easiest. Most OEM-looking option but there are drawbacks and the screen is small. Second option is separate from the MFD. A Lilliput or a Xenarc single DIN motorized (or manual) screen fits beneath the radio in the map box and you could use the DVD player/TV tuner as your VGA input. Sound gets a little difficult because of the IEBus or you can send it through your AUX port.

I want to eventually install a car pc and I am trying to figure these questions out for myself -- your problem is very similar. Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

There is another site out there that has mostly audiophiles that do exactly the kind of thing that you are talking about, but they aren't always very responsive and they don't have much experience with Prii. Despite some of the responses you've gotten to this thread the PC group is much more helpful.

 

This unit looks to be single DIN and would fit under the OEM radio and could be hooked up to your ULP3. That location would work great because you could keep the flip-cover and make it less obvious to would-be thieves. This unit didn't seem to have the 40 MPH limitation.

 

I really think that satellite radio may be the best choice. You are not just limited to TV audio.

 

Yeah, I am amused at uninformed opinions that turn into lectures about what we should not have or do. Almost as bad as the anti-gun movement. They have never really checked related crime statistics in cities/states when the right to carry laws were adopted. It's a fact that criminals don't want to rob or hurt citizens that can and will shoot them to defend themselves. The facts prove it and only an idiot can't see the logic in it.

 

The Japanese are just less likely to sue. Tort law in the U.S. is much more plaintiff friendly than in Japan. If we had TVs in our car here, there would be a class action lawsuit overnight.

 

I understand that everyone has an opinion on the subject of "TV or no TV in MFD." I think that both sides have explained their thoughts on the matter, and I think that it would be best for people to stop the arguing and let the thread be for what it is. PriusChat is a great website with loads of information and smart people. If Chris wants to put it in his car, this is his platform for him to ask questions and get information. If people do feel passionate about the subject, maybe someone should start a new thread about the topic.

 

^well said^ id like to also know more 411 about using the MFD as a monitor of some sort of video/tv/gaming etc.

thanx

 

Here's a unique idea: when you're driving your car, drive your car. Don't do anything else. If you're watching anything but the road and car controls while driving you're going to get into an accident sooner or later. Try not to kill anyone when you do, okay?

 

My apologies to everyone who thinks I was trying to hijack this thread.

You do not know anything about my driving habits except that I will not talk on a cell phone while driving. Please do not make assumptions.

I would be happy to have a discussion on distractions while driving and what we all find annoying. Perhaps FHOP would be an appropriate place.

One last thought - comparing driving a car while flying an airplane is an apples to oranges comparison, imho. While planes do travel faster than cars, there is much more distance between 2 airplanes than there is between 2 cars. It is highly unlikely that an airplane in front of you is going to slam on brakes and come to a complete stop or execute a right hand turn across your lane of traffic right in front of you. An airplane has more "directions" to avoid a collision - to the right, to the left, above or below. Cars have more limited options and those options may or may not be blocked by other vehicles. That's not very likely in a plane. My spouse is a pilot.

Y'all have fun.