Rear Seat entertainment system
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1
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2009 GL-450
Rear Seat entertainment system
I bought a 09' Gl-450 about 1 mont ago and was against the new design for the rear seat dvd players. I was going to have a aftermarket company install dvd's in head rest like older designs but found out that you can't do that anymore due to the power head rest controls.
Well I'm back to settleing for the OEM edition of the rear seat entertainment package. The question that I'm looking for a answer too is:
On car window sticker it states:
"Accessory code 866 PRE-WIRING FOR REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT".
Does this mean all the wiring is already installed and all I need to do is purchase the Head rest dvds from MB.....
Any help in this matter will save me alot of head aches with the wife!!! LOL
Well I'm back to settleing for the OEM edition of the rear seat entertainment package. The question that I'm looking for a answer too is:
On car window sticker it states:
"Accessory code 866 PRE-WIRING FOR REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT".
Does this mean all the wiring is already installed and all I need to do is purchase the Head rest dvds from MB.....
Any help in this matter will save me alot of head aches with the wife!!! LOL
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2008 E320 Bluetec, 2008 GL320 CDI
Confused...
The 09 RES is installed behind the headrests just like 08. The headrest and monitor are seperate, the power headrest does not affect the installation. The headrest goes up and down, the monitor stays in place. Do NOT go with generic replacement headrests with the monitor in them.
There is also a less expensive version of the RES where the monitor is placed between the two front seats above the rear vent console.
Prior to selling his GL550 my father had an aftermarket system put in his, each monitor had its own dvd player and the headphone were wireless and the monitors were independent of the headrests and the color matched the interior. I beleive the total cost was less than 3k, but the hardware was discounted. Let me know if you need additional information on the hardware that was installed.
Bryan
There is also a less expensive version of the RES where the monitor is placed between the two front seats above the rear vent console.
Prior to selling his GL550 my father had an aftermarket system put in his, each monitor had its own dvd player and the headphone were wireless and the monitors were independent of the headrests and the color matched the interior. I beleive the total cost was less than 3k, but the hardware was discounted. Let me know if you need additional information on the hardware that was installed.
Bryan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
2002 S430, 2004 Cobra, 2004 Tahoe
Riz--what that means is the "pre-wire" for them has already been run. This allows the dealer to install the factory RSE system to your car. I believe it's a little more than just buying the monitors, but it does allow the dealer to install it for you. Hope this helps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 3
From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
GL has an active head restraint system which moves the headrests forward in case of a collision to minimize whiplash. Make sure your RSE will not interfere with that.
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
'13 CLS550, '17 Q7, '11 G550
Riz1 - Vizualogic makes the aftermarket DVD screens that look like the 07-08 leather boxes that sit behind the factory headrests - they do not interfere with active head restraint system. I installed these in my GL450 because I didn't like the location of the factory DVD player - on the vizualogics, you get wireless headphones, seperate players in each unit behind the seats, and you can pipe the music into your factory stereo (or use the FM modulator). I bet it will still be more affordable than going back to get the factory pieces (pre-wired or not). Even cheaper if you want to install them yourself - its pretty easy to do if you are handy with soldering wires - only really need to connect up 3 wires, constant power, car on power, and a ground.
http://www.vizualogic.com/active_headrest.html
http://www.vizualogic.com/active_headrest.html
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 3
From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
I bought a 09' Gl-450 about 1 mont ago and was against the new design for the rear seat dvd players. I was going to have a aftermarket company install dvd's in head rest like older designs but found out that you can't do that anymore due to the power head rest controls.
Well I'm back to settleing for the OEM edition of the rear seat entertainment package. The question that I'm looking for a answer too is:
On car window sticker it states:
"Accessory code 866 PRE-WIRING FOR REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT".
Does this mean all the wiring is already installed and all I need to do is purchase the Head rest dvds from MB.....
Any help in this matter will save me alot of head aches with the wife!!! LOL
Well I'm back to settleing for the OEM edition of the rear seat entertainment package. The question that I'm looking for a answer too is:
On car window sticker it states:
"Accessory code 866 PRE-WIRING FOR REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT".
Does this mean all the wiring is already installed and all I need to do is purchase the Head rest dvds from MB.....
Any help in this matter will save me alot of head aches with the wife!!! LOL
Its also about $600 less than the factory kit.
You can see how it works in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmQuZoYz3kE
the last 2 minutes show how it functions.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: LAS VEGAS
ML500
I got the OEM RES, and one of my three kids broke one LCD, and I wanted to replace it.
Just one screen costs more than the whole system, they wanted $3k's.
I checked around, even in Europe to see if I can get the Grundig screen at a discount, and it's impossible. I wish they would sell the OEM screen at a more accordingly price, I was willing to pay up to $1k.
The Vizualogic is great, and your price around $2k's is great, but what do I do with the OEM, and who is going to install it? Is it an easy DIY project? Can you play DVD from any region?
Just one screen costs more than the whole system, they wanted $3k's.
I checked around, even in Europe to see if I can get the Grundig screen at a discount, and it's impossible. I wish they would sell the OEM screen at a more accordingly price, I was willing to pay up to $1k.
The Vizualogic is great, and your price around $2k's is great, but what do I do with the OEM, and who is going to install it? Is it an easy DIY project? Can you play DVD from any region?
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Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 4
09 GL450
Riz1 - Vizualogic makes the aftermarket DVD screens that look like the 07-08 leather boxes that sit behind the factory headrests - they do not interfere with active head restraint system. I installed these in my GL450 because I didn't like the location of the factory DVD player - on the vizualogics, you get wireless headphones, seperate players in each unit behind the seats, and you can pipe the music into your factory stereo (or use the FM modulator). I bet it will still be more affordable than going back to get the factory pieces (pre-wired or not). Even cheaper if you want to install them yourself - its pretty easy to do if you are handy with soldering wires - only really need to connect up 3 wires, constant power, car on power, and a ground.
http://www.vizualogic.com/active_headrest.html
http://www.vizualogic.com/active_headrest.html
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
2009 GL450
Sorry to bring up this old thread but now that its 2.5 years later, are there any other alternatives that would allow me to utilize my pre-wired GL other than the MB units and the Vizualogic? Most everything that i am seeing either come with a DVD player (which i don't need as the head unit already has this) or are designed for the 2007 year. Hopefully less than 2k installed?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 626
Likes: 19
From: Austin, TX
14 GL550; 14 E63s
Not sure how old your kids are, but I would vote for an Ipad solution using the pro-clips to attach to the headrest bars. Then buy some bluetooth headphones. Definitely less than 2k and much more versatile. That is as long as your kids know how to operate an Ipad and you can get the movies onto it.
Only issue is that you can't control from the front which can be a pain anyways.
Only issue is that you can't control from the front which can be a pain anyways.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2014 GL350 Bluetec
Rear DVD entertainment- replacement
Hello. My new car got a bit beat up by the kids. They tore the DVD player out of the back floor console. An aggressive drop of the backpack in the backseat. The DVD player works, but the mechanism that pops it out and closes it is broken. For a mere $205, I have a replacement part, but can't figure out how to get the rear console off to replace. I pulled the top part off but it seems like there might be screws somewhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The dealer is going to charge me $200 to replace it (in labor) so I thought I would try it myself first. Thank you.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 36
From: Central NY State
2010 GL550
You would need to run an HDMI to Composite converter, which would let you go from there to the input on the screen in the rear. Most will need power to run as well, so you have to factor in having the converter plugged in, to whatever power source it might need - models may vary.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 604
Likes: 16
From: Atlanta, GA
2001 S500 (W220) / 2007 GL450 (X164)
You would need to run an HDMI to Composite converter, which would let you go from there to the input on the screen in the rear. Most will need power to run as well, so you have to factor in having the converter plugged in, to whatever power source it might need - models may vary.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 36
From: Central NY State
2010 GL550
Well the screens aren't exactly 4k wonders, I'd guess at best, you'd see maybe 720p quality. You shouldn't see any quality difference between converting down, versus playing a DVD instead in the car. It's not going to equal a great home setup, but you're only going to be as good as the weakest link, and in this case, a decade-old screen.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 604
Likes: 16
From: Atlanta, GA
2001 S500 (W220) / 2007 GL450 (X164)
Well the screens aren't exactly 4k wonders, I'd guess at best, you'd see maybe 720p quality. You shouldn't see any quality difference between converting down, versus playing a DVD instead in the car. It's not going to equal a great home setup, but you're only going to be as good as the weakest link, and in this case, a decade-old screen.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 36
From: Central NY State
2010 GL550
