Mobile Movie Magic
www.magnadyne.com
David Navone installs Magnadyne's Movie Vision
MV-1001 system.
by David Navone
I'm impressed. After installing just about every brand and model of multimedia car audio components, Magnadyne's MV-1001 beats the clock by a quantum leap. This install in a new Chevy Suburban took less than three hours, and the audio/video quality and super competitive pricing is quite surprising.

Five main components make up the MV-1001: The flip down 6.4-inch TV monitor, the Hi-Fi VHS cassette tape player and tuner, the remote control, and two sets of wireless headphones. The VCR connects to the monitor via a special DIN cable, and the +12-volt power, accessory +12 volts, and ground connections are all made at the VCR.

John Chumley, owner of Auto Perfection in Lodi, CA, carefully organized the parts, assembled the few tools required, and implemented this installation. We began the install by strapping the VCR under the left rear passenger seat. Magnadyne supplies a VCR strap and buckle which saves quite a bit of time in mounting. This strap also makes removing the VCR a 30-second task. We grounded the player to the Suburban's chassis and routed the remaining two power wires under the carpet, up to the fuse box. We also ran the monitor's DIN cable under the carpet, up the driver-side door post, and into the overhead console.

Since Movie Vision's VCR is small, we had room to install a Nintendo game and power supply under the same rear seat. We fed the outputs of the video game into the audio and video inputs of the VCR. The game controls easily stored under the same seat.

Next, we mounted the drop-down video monitor in the Suburban's center console. Notice that this monitor requires less than 1-inch of mounting depth, which means that it will fit in practically any vehicle with a headliner. The DIN cord was attached and the overhead console was screwed back into place. I really like the idea of using only a DIN cord for signal, power, and IR remote control.

With the video handled, we were now on the last part of this install - the audio interface. Rather than tie into the factory Chevy audio system with relays, amplifiers, and converters, the Movie Vision system transmits a stereo FM signal on 90.5, 90.1, or 89.7 MHz. This is so very cool! There are no FM modulators required and we didn't even have to yank the factory radio. The audio is also transmitted from the VCR to the two sets of wireless headphones. We slid the transmitter frequency switch on the inside of the monitor case to 89.7 MHz and that completed the install.

As soon as the Suburban's ignition key was activated, the Movie Vision system came alive. A simple press of the drop-down monitor's release button causes the monitor to slowly swing into place. We placed a VHS tape (Disney's A Bug's Life) into the player and were immediately treated to a great video display. The quality of the video monitor is so good that passengers seated at the far extremities of the rear seats could easily see the beautiful color display. We dialed the Suburban's FM tuner to 89.7 MHz and the audio sounded better than our best local FM station. After installing 2 "AAA" batteries into each set of wireless headphones, we adjusted the headphone frequency to 89.7 MHz and there was A Bug's Life in stereo.

We started the engine and checked for engine noise, and I'm pleased to report that there was absolutely no engine noise, power window clicks, windshield wiper hash, or horn relay pops. This system is clean!

We next connected an antenna to the VCR so that we could pick up broadcast television. A simple dipole around 24-inches per side was temporarily affixed to a rear side window on the Suburban. By pressing the TV button on the remote, we could not only watch local TV programming, but we could record while driving down the road. This feature is a good idea for vacations. Consider plugging a back-up camera or camcorder into the VCR's video input. The Movie Vision system will record all the action around your vehicle while you're inside the grocery store.

We pushed a couple of more buttons and were able to play the Nintendo video game over the Movie Vision system. The audio was heard in both the headphones and over the factory sound system. If more headphone sets are needed, there's a 3.5 mm mini male jack that's capable of powering a second wired set from each set of wireless headphones.

Magnadyne's Movie Vision system proved even better than the brochure claimed. The television reception was great, the video monitor was exceptional, and the installation was a breeze. Magnadyne has certainly come up with a great multimedia system and it is sure to be a success.
For more information, contact Magnadyne Corporation at 310-884-7777, or visit them on the Web at www.magnadyne.com.