Installing a second monitor

Ban_One · 07-23-2008, 12:15 AM

I want to install a second monitor on the back of a headrest so my 4 yo daughter can watch TMNT. I currently have a Lilliput Touchscreen in the dash & I'd just like a plain display LCD for her. How to I hook it up to my Voom PC2? I don't think I'd fit a video card inside the case so does that mean I have to succumb to a new case or can I run multiple feeds off the motherboard output? I'm not concerned about having the same picture on the dash monitor as I can just turn it off so it won't distract me from driving.

Heres a shot of the back of my case:

Reno91011 · 07-23-2008, 12:20 PM

I'd suggest a VGA display splitter. They're about $30 on some sites. Make sure to get the right gender connections for what you need. After that, you'll need to run a slightly long vga cable from the splitter to the second monitor in the backseat and then a short one to the main touchscreen in the dash.

At least, that's how I'd approach it

Enforcer · 07-23-2008, 12:42 PM

You could add a USB VGA

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070...o-vga-adapter/

Reno91011 · 07-23-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

You could add a USB VGA

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070...o-vga-adapter/

Yeah, I would have suggested something like this, but they not only tend to be a bit more expensive (newegg has it for $60+) but they also tend to be a bit larger since the box that does the real splitting is a bit large. I have a friend who uses this exact one at work and swears by it, but I was focusing on the forced mirroring aspect. Some of the more advanced USB's allowed non-mirrored displays which is a good solution for doing it without buying a dedicated graphics card. I haven't really looked into it, but it may have a tiny bit of processor usage for such an application.

b3tts32 · 07-23-2008, 01:38 PM

Are you wanting the same picture on both screens?

Ban_One · 07-23-2008, 03:36 PM

I'm quite happy to have the same picture on both screens, doesn't concern me.

Will look into the other 2 options though. Thanks

Ban_One · 07-24-2008, 01:25 AM

OK. Any recommendations on a screen to use? I'm having trouble locating an appropriate monitor with VGA input to use

hailrazer · 07-24-2008, 08:57 AM

There are very few out there. I had to buy headrest with composite only and get a contact in China to program VGA controllers for them.

But here is the few I found :

http://cgi.ebay.com/9-2-car-headrest...QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/P...apabilily.html

It might just be easier to use Composite only Headrest screens and then just use a VGA-to-composite splitter to run them. Then you can buy whatever size/style headrest monitors you want to.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PC-MAC-TO-TV-VGA...QQcmdZViewItem

hailrazer · 07-24-2008, 09:07 AM

Looks like Lilliput is making the 7" with VGA in a headrest but I'll be darned if I can find anyone selling it yet

http://lilliputcn.manufacturer.globa...CD-Monitor.htm

Enforcer · 07-24-2008, 04:45 PM

I used the standard lilliputs.

Ban_One · 07-25-2008, 12:13 AM

Looks good Enforcer

Is it much of a challenge to modify/trim a factory headrest to fit a screen? What do you use for a backing?

Enforcer · 07-25-2008, 07:35 AM

There is no 'backing' as such.

Basically I have made an MDF surround which, with the leather in between, fits the monitor snuggly.

The original inner plastic plate had to be trimmed a bit and the way the metal tube fastens onto it also had to be modified slightly, and then it was a matter of cutting out excess foam.

I do have pictures of the process and will be doing a tutorial at some point.

There is already a tutorial by Cris who made headrests from scratch, well worth a look

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/fabr...headrests.html

Ban_One · 08-01-2008, 07:07 PM

Ok so I bought a 7" Headrest monitor that takes an RCA input (it was CHEAP!!!!). I also picked up a VGA splitter cable & then thought I'd be smart & get a VGA to RCA/S-Video cable................ I guess I'm not so smart though as the monitor has "No Input Signal". I assume that I need a VGA to RCA signal converter?

hailrazer · 08-01-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ban_One

Ok so I bought a 7" Headrest monitor that takes an RCA input (it was CHEAP!!!!). I also picked up a VGA splitter cable & then thought I'd be smart & get a VGA to RCA/S-Video cable................ I guess I'm not so smart though as the monitor has "No Input Signal". I assume that I need a VGA to RCA signal converter?

Yes you need a converter. look at my post above for one on Ebay.

Ban_One · 08-01-2008, 07:27 PM

Sweet!!! Thanks hailrazer