Starting a new project; need help from forum members!

[roccos_van]

Hello all!

Well, i'm a very proud and happy new owner of a 2007 Escalade, but I'm the type that just can't leave well enough alone.

Here's what i'm up to:

I purchased the Escalade used, it does not have the factory rear entertainment system installed, but does have the navigation. The previous owner had the dealer install the cadillac headrest dvd system, a dealer installed accessory, seen below in this link:

http://www.gmaccessorieszone.com/ind...1[type]=gm

As i'm sure most of you already know, the factory dvd player and the head rests operate independantely of each other.

My dilema is getting the factory nav unit to control the rear headrest dvds. I've done quite a bit of searching and have a solution but have run into a few roadblocks.

Fist off; i found this thread started by GM_GEEK:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...-escalade.html (Video Integration into 2007 Escalade)

In this thread; GM_GEEK explaines exactly how to tap into the factory system. There are two keys to GM_GEEK's write up.

1. There is a 'plug' that plugs into the factory a/v output and terminates itself with RCA out. (The plug can be seen in the top picture)

2. The factory Nav unit needs to be reprogramed to think the truck came factory equipped with the overhead lcd tv. This can be done at any gm dealership and is actually fairly easy to do.

My roadblock is the 'plug' that GM_GEEK says you need. I emailed him to get this plug, but he is not responding, so i've decided to look elsewhere.

Well...to my suprise, guess what i found! I'm looking around the coastal tech website and i find this:

__________________________________________________ _____________

ALSO AVAILABLE NOW!!

THE A/V1600 INTERFACE CABLE

THIS CUSTOM CABLE IS MUCH REQUESTED BY INSTALLERS

PLUGS INTO THE BACK OF THE RADIO

PROVIDES AUDIO AND VIDEO INPUT ON AUX CAPABLE RADIOS

PROVIDES AUDIO AND VIDEO OUTPUT - NOW YOU CAN SEND THE SOUND AND PICTURE FROM YOUR NAV DVD PLAYER TO YOUR HEADREST MONITORS OR REAR ENTERTAINMENT SCREENS!!

THIS IS A FULL "T" HARNESS WITH FACTORY MALE AND FEMALE CONNECTORS - COMPATIBLE WITH FACTORY REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS ALREADY PRESENT

__________________________________________________ ______________

If you scroll down the GMX-320 page it's right there at the bottom!

http://coastaletech.com/GMX320.htm

Here is the independent page for this item:

http://www.coastaletech.com/cgi-bin/...ey=AVCABLE1600

Well suffice it to say I was floored; so i decided to buy it. Well, then things went from good to bad again.

I went to fill out the order sheet, entered my info, clicked 'complete' and got an error message! CRAP!

They dont accept orders from Canadians. The strange thing was that they had special feilds for province, postal code and even special shipping options for canadian orders!

I emailed them and of course no response; i also tried calling the 800 number and i'm blocked from using it.

So, i'm asking for a forum member to help me; will anyone buy this for me and have it shipped directly to my address? I would happily send the paypal money + paypal fees in advance for such a favor!

I know this is a strange request but i don't know what else to do?

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
Marco

[roccos_van]

I know this is a wierd request; but i really need the help. Maybe someone out there is a coastaltech dealer and they would sell me one? I don't know what else to do. Coastaltech won't email me back and i can't call them.

Like i said, if anyone is willing to buy this for me i will gladly prepay them with paypal; i'll even give an extra $20 bucks for the trouble.

God I must sound like an absolute nut...oh well...what can one do?

[hcvone]

coastal customer service is the WORST

[yourgmsolutions]

Originally Posted by roccos_van

God I must sound like an absolute nut...oh well...what can one do?

let me start with the bad news first.
1. that GM headrest kit that installed in your vehicle, does not have audio/video inputs/outputs for external sources/upgrades.
2. however, its possible, but some modifications to those headrest needs to be done. as well as reprogramming your Nav

[roccos_van]

Originally Posted by yourgmsolutions

let me start with the bad news first.
1. that GM headrest kit that installed in your vehicle, does not have audio/video inputs/outputs for external sources/upgrades.
2. however, its possible, but some modifications to those headrest needs to be done. as well as reprogramming your Nav

I have seen that there are external rca in on the headrests; also, there is 4 sources on the system. Monitor A, monitor B, aux (which must be external rca in) and channel 2.

reprogramming the nav is no problem. i've got that one licked so far.

Did you get my email? Would you sell me one of those plugs you mentioned in the above noted thread?

Thanks,
Marco

[yourgmsolutions]

Originally Posted by roccos_van

I have seen that there are external rca in on the headrests; also, there is 4 sources on the system. Monitor A, monitor B, aux (which must be external rca in) and channel 2.

Thanks,
Marco

if you are going to use those exteral aux inputs, then your cables are going to be exposed.

[roccos_van]

Originally Posted by yourgmsolutions

if you are going to use those exteral aux inputs, then your cables are going to be exposed.

Haha...yeah, that would look like sh1t, wouldn't it? No, i'm going to take the monitors apart; i'm going to connect it internally. The external rca/in will then be dead.

Thanks for all the help so far; glad to have you here with us, all the posts i've read from you are very informative.

BTW - i got your PM. I can't PM you back because i don't have 20 posts yet. I'm very interested in buying this plug from you. I do have a paypal account and it's verified. You can send me a Paypal invoice including shipping to Vancouver, BC to roccos_van@shaw.ca (I'll delete my email once i get the invoice)

Marco

[roccos_van]

Yourgmsolutions could you please pm me and let me know whether or not you can get the connector? Don't feel like you have go out of your way, i just need an honest reply so i'm not waiting around 'hoping' when I could be researching other ways to get this part.

Thanks for your help so far, it's much appreciated.

Marco

[yourgmsolutions]

Originally Posted by roccos_van

Yourgmsolutions could you please pm me and let me know whether or not you can get the connector? Don't feel like you have go out of your way, i just need an honest reply so i'm not waiting around 'hoping' when I could be researching other ways to get this part.

Thanks for your help so far, it's much appreciated.

Marco

I must be confused you with somebody else, because I just shipped 3 sets, and I though one of those guys were you. I'm sorry.
just send me an email, and I'll take care of it

[roccos_van]

Originally Posted by yourgmsolutions

I must be confused you with somebody else, because I just shipped 3 sets, and I though one of those guys were you. I'm sorry.
just send me an email, and I'll take care of it

Email sent.

Thank you, Mark.

[roccos_van]

Yourgmsolutions; thank you for all your help so far. I've sent payment through for you. Looking forward to the parts.

I'm excited about this project; looking forward to it!

[roccos_van]

I wanted to update on this project; i just had my navigation reprogramed by the dealer; and they did it differently than the way Mark (GM_GEEK) had it done.

The AUX display has two monitors on in; i'll have to take a picture of it and post it.

It looks like this:

FRONT DISPLAY <-----------------> REAR PANEL A

FRONT DISPLAY <-----------------> REAR PANEL B

And you can toggle between the the rear and front.

Mark did you know you could do this?

Marco

[roccos_van]

Here are the pictures:

[custombrakelights]

Anyone located in Vancouver?