How to mount dvd player on headrest

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 17:46
ThreadID: 32916 Views:2689 Replies:7 FollowUps:18
This Thread has been Archived
G'day all.

We are in the middle of getting ready to go camping in a couple of days(yes after Easter) and I wanted to put in our little portable dvd player for my daughter to watch movies while we travel.

The unit is on of those fold out affairs which comes with a bag to mount it on the seat in front except the constuction of the bag leaves a lot to be desired. Once the bag is mounted it relies on a bit off webbing held on with velcro to stop it falling out. Worse part is when you wish to change movies this webbing sits in front of the dvd door and makes it a pain to change dvd while on the move.
So how to improve it............Dingdingding.......Brainstorm.

Let me say from the onset the guy who invented velcro is my hero!

Basically what I did was line the bag and the back of the dvd player with ............you guessed it ........velcro.

Now the reason for this post.

I tried to think of how to fix the velcro as the sticky backed velcro would never hold IMHO. Sewing it on wasn't possible.
So I thought of using some sort of glue. Well being an electrician I have seen what it does to plastic and it ain't pretty. Contact may have done the same.

Well I used Silicon and boy did it work well. If anyone ever decides to stick velcro to plastic or cloth and can't sew it on I can thoroughly recommend good old fashiond silicon.
And that was the reason for my post. May seem silly to post this but if it helps someone I have done a good deed for the day.
Regards
Sparkiepete.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Marn - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:12

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:12
Yep! If it cant be fixed with silicone, cableties, bellwire or tec screws, then it cant be fixed at all!!
AnswerID: 167148

Follow Up By: Laura B - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:58

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:58
dont forget "100 mile an hour tape"....does wonders for me!

Laura B
0
FollowupID: 422226

Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:38

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:38
Might as well leave the kids at home, if all their going to do is watch DVDs.
AnswerID: 167149

Follow Up By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:48

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:48
That's extreme mate - there are a lot of kilometres my kids watch DVDs, but they still experience (and remember) the places they go to.

As an example, we go to Fraser Is. from Canberra - about a 14 hour drive just to get to the island - with three kids jammed in the back seat, if I can make that 14 hours a bit more pleasant, I'm more than happy too.

Even over some of the 4wd sections, I let them watch a movie - you can't tell me that 6 and 10 year olds get the same enjoyment out of the travel that we adults appreciate. What is more important to me, is that:

1. they remember all their trips with good memories
2. they learn to appreciate the places we go and why we go there
3. they continue the adventure when they leave home

I can tell you that when ever we are in camp, the DVDs and game boys are off.

Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 422198

Follow Up By: Member - TPM (SA) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:55

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:55
Thats the problem with todays generation, they can not cope without technology. I call it the " what about me syndrome " Pandering to their needs just reinforces it more. I can remember 9 hour drives as a child, it sure reinforced my imagination.

No offence ment to the doting dad, but does she misbehave that much a DVD is needed ?

Great scenary in this country and they want to watch Nemo ?

Maybe I am just getting too old ?
0
FollowupID: 422201

Follow Up By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 19:26

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 19:26
No mate - you missed the point...

If you knew me or my kids, you would know that it's not pandering, or "what about me"

It's making the trip more enjoyable, and "all things in moderation" - whether that be scenery, kilometres of blacktop, playing games, or roughing it..

Maybe you're getting too old - or is it "because you didn't need it, they don't need it"...

No offence intended - but my kids spend a $hitload of time in the car - no dramas with a couple of DVDs - at least in my mind anyway - and they're my kids!! (like I said, all things in moderation, and I'm their moderator......

No offence intended - and none taken
Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 422208

Follow Up By: Member - TPM (SA) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 19:40

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 19:40
You are right they are you're kids and you bring them up as you see fit.

You hit the nail on the head with " because you didn't need it, they don't need it"...

Its great you are showing them the real world outside of the cities.

It was more of a reference to all the kids you see with their phone, gameboys and crap. Parents need to understand that technology is not a baby sitter and that children should understand there is more to the world than objects and consumerism.

I am not offended, I actually wrote that post in reply to shakers, I think you got in first ! : ) which gave the impression I was replying to yours.
0
FollowupID: 422210

Follow Up By: Sparkiepete - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:03

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:03
I figure if it means both my wife and me get to where we are going and keep the child occupied DURING THE TRIP it should be worthwhile.
I admit I am a bit of a techno junkie and like my electronic toys but why shouldn't a child(3 year old in my case) be occupied by whichever means, for the duration of the trip.
I love driving but hate being a passenger.

Regards
Sparkiepete
0
FollowupID: 422213

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:29

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:29
>but why shouldn't a child(3 year old in my case) be occupied by
>whichever means, for the duration of the trip.

Chat to your GP maybe he'll prescribe some drugs to sedate your child - that should make things easier for parents who thought they wanted children but discover they don't want the bother they little devils cause....

On the other hand you could talk to him, sing to him, read to him, teach him to be happy with his own company....

Mike Harding
0
FollowupID: 422215

Follow Up By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:33

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:33
>that should make things easier for parents who thought they wanted children but >discover they don't want the bother they little devils cause....

Way out of line Mike.......

>On the other hand you could talk to him, sing to him, read to him, teach him to be >happy with his own company....

Yep, absolutely agree - and don't forget a DVD or too ;-)

Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 422218

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:35

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:35
>Way out of line Mike.......

Was it...?
0
FollowupID: 422219

Follow Up By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:42

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:42
May apply to some mate - but get a grip of what we're talking about here...

We're saying a DVD or two is OK to take the edge off the long hours it takes to get to our remote destinations..

You're talking about "parents who *thought* they wanted children but discover they don't want the bother the little devils cause"

Yep - I'm happy to stand up and say you are WAY out of line..
Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 422220

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:09

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:09
>You're talking about "parents who *thought* they wanted children
>but discover they don't want the bother the little devils cause"

That's what I said - and quite a few of those parents post on this forum asking how they can entertain their children and then get all upset when told to do things which will enrich both them and their children rather than have Hollywood distract the children for a few minutes. Why have children unless you want to spend time with then? Get a stuffed doll instead?

I appreciate this might come as a shock to some: but we did manage without audio visual entertainment for a long time.... (I know... we managed without electricity for a long time too... your children... your choice....)

Mike Harding
0
FollowupID: 422231

Follow Up By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:17

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:17
No, you're right mate - you read things out of context....

Go back through the half dozen posts above - you'll see I agree with the more traditional methods of entertainment (Plus DVDs)

But you come back with that *thought* statement that still sends shivers up my spine....

Maybe we're from different generations..... I talk to my kids, I spend time with them, I kick the footy with them, I take them dirt bike riding, I am their scout leader, we go camping often, we build things in the shed, I play games with them - AND I give them DVDs during long periods of travel - maybe I've got it all wrong...........
Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 422232

Reply By: geocacher (djcache) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:44

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 18:44
Not bad but if you really want it to stick use Sikaflex. What that stuff won't glue can't be glued.

Dave
AnswerID: 167152

Follow Up By: Sparkiepete - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 19:45

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 19:45
I never thought of Sikaflex as I only tend to use Silicon. Still, it's something to keep in mind for next time.

Regards
Sparkiepete
0
FollowupID: 422212

Reply By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:11

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:11
Shaker said it for me - but, then again, my (now grown up) children never got to watch too much TV either - they now think that was a "good thing" and, I have no doubt, will adopt the same policy with their own children.

Bury the DVD player in a 6 foot pit and get them a few reading books, pads of paper, some coloured crayons, a few $2 shop toys (which you give out rarely) and some spoken tapes/CDs of children’s stories - read some bedtime stories to them and have a tape recorder at your side or borrow some from the library if you don't wish to speak to tape.

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 167163

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:25

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:25
Mike,

Would you rather listen to someone tell you about the bush on a cassette or look at it through your own eyes. I know what I would prefer and it's not listening to some bozo talk through my cassette player.
I agree that books are very important but at 3 yrs old their imagination is running wild if they can visually interpret what's going on. Totally agree with sparkiepete's methodology, a 3 yr old when they get bored can put a real spanner in the works if you have'nt allowed enough travel breaks (which is common in todays hustle-n-bustle lifestyle).
No sense telling me about what they used to get up to 30yrs ago or whatever, CAUSE WE DON'T LIVE IN THE PAST, WE LEARN FROM IT.

Happy Easter Mike, although I am expecting you to return serve haha.
Cheers Trevor.
0
FollowupID: 422214

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:33

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 20:33
Excuse me? Did you read what I wrote?
0
FollowupID: 422217

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:25

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:25
I did read what you said, and it seems to me that you would rather not learn from your past rather lament in how your parents brought you up. That may have and may still be working for you but some of us would rather step out of our parents mould and make a stand as parents ourselves with our own ideals. If this means embracing technology whilst still encouraging our kids to smell the roses then others that don't, should not ridicule those that do.

As I said Happy Easter and don't worry too much about how other people bring their kids up cause yours will give you enough grey hairs to keep you stressed enough for one lifetime.

Regards Trevor.
0
FollowupID: 422234

Reply By: Member - Steve (ACT) - Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:30

Saturday, Apr 15, 2006 at 21:30
Go for it, it's the best thing we ever did!!

Our 3 year old was shocking for car sickness, since we got the DVD player she's never sick!!!

We used to play eye spy with the kids, but with a 3 year old that everything starts with "b" and a older child who sometime uses creative spelling, and Ivan's car was running out of thing to spy!!! It's great

We don't use it on small trips or around town. And once we hit camp, it's all off!!! The kids are two busy exploring to worry about DVD's.

We drive to my parents in Townsville once a year, 2365km one way!! Personal choice, I say if it's what you want go for it!!!

Steve & Sandy
AnswerID: 167178

Follow Up By: Markymark - Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 11:58

Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 11:58
Hi Steve,

Our daughter gets car sickness too and I was thinking about a DVD player to help with this but didn't know if watching a movie while on the move would make for more sickness, like trying to read when travelling - even that one gets me. Do you put a blanket or similar over the window while the DVD is playing?

We go through every trick in the book to take her mind off it - singing songs, I spy, creative stories, story time tapes, 'magic' healing stones...Living around mountains we can't go far without finding winding roads.

Cheers,

Mark.
0
FollowupID: 422313

Follow Up By: Member - Steve (ACT) - Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 19:49

Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 19:49
The loss of the car sickness at what seemed like every hour was a bonus, I think she used to look out the window and watch everything whizzing by!! We just put the movie on and she's fine. We forgot DVD's on a drive one day and bingo, she was sick!

I have another friend whose child never suffered from car sickness, and when they got the DVD player, she gets carsick watching the movies.

Can't guarentee it but if it works it's great

Sandy and Steve

0
FollowupID: 422367

Reply By: Sparkiepete - Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 08:21

Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 08:21
Well I have been trying to teach my daughter how to use the portable dvd player and she was watching Hi 5.

While she was watching that I thought I would catch up on whats been happening here on exploroz.15 minutes later out comes daughter with portable dvd player in hand and the power lead and says she has finished with it and she wants to play.

So to all those who reckon kids are bred on technology and always have to have there heads behind a tv..............pooiee to you ;-)

True story.
Regards
Sparkiepete

PS she is currently running around showing me she can climp over chairs and jumping from them. Portable dvd player all forgotten!
AnswerID: 167202

Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 14:47

Sunday, Apr 16, 2006 at 14:47
I think the people slamming the DVD in the car use is just getting old and are not use to it and are use to what they got when they were young. I am a young bloke and when I have kids I will make sure there is something for them to do or watch when we do long drives. I used to read books and stare out of the window when dad used to drive. I would have rahter watched a 4x4 video or a camping DVD of Australia if we had that back then.

My 2 cents
AnswerID: 167234

Sponsored Links