VES tab on factory nav units

[redmagrt]

hello all I heard that this tab(found by pressing the mode button) was for vehicle entertainment system and it is a dvd player for the back.It also will plug right INTO the back of the nav unit. If this is true what advantage will the aftermarket products have. The only thing i am hoping is that it will be a headrest monitor because a flip down will end any visability FROM the rear view mirror.Also if it plugs right INTO the head unit,i wonder if an aftermarket can also. the rear unit (xrv) wont be available until feb 2005 any help would be appreciated

[Unholy]

I saw that in the manual but dont see the tab on my nav... does it SHOW up on yours?

[redmagrt]

no it doesnt but I'm wondering if it shows up when you plug the unit INTO the back of the nav. If it does then i wonder if you can hook up an aftermarket because i am curious of what options the nav unit will have for the dvd player in the back

[Bo]

My Nav unit does not have the tab, but I would be willing to bet that the VES will utilize the CAN BUS system like everything else on this car! I know FROM converting my car to the factory nav unit that there are still several pins on one of the connectors that are not currently being used in my vehicle.
Another thing I would bet on is that everyone that has the nav unit will be able to upgrade their unit to have the tab with a software upgrade that the dealer can program. Of course, I don't know for sure........
You are right on the headrest issue with the screens.... anything that is flip-down would certainly block rear view mirror visibility.
I have to take my car in sometime this week for some TSB issues.... I will ask about the potential for the VES to be a software upgrade.
Thanks for the info!

--Bo

[redmagrt]

Bo do you think you will need a software upgrade for ves to work or would it maybe work as soon as you plug it in??? Maybe the ves tab would SHOW up as soon as the plug is in the back of the nav(but I'm just guessing).Please be sure to post back when you find out I am very curious
Thankyou !!!

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

I believe when you plug in the Sat Radio Receiver, the SAT tab appears. I would also expect the VES Tab appears once you plug in the hardware.

[Unholy]

The unit is made by Alpine http://www.alpine-usa.com ... maybe they have some information about this?

its happening again... where is my signature?

[2003z]

its happening again... where is my signature?

only shows up on your 1st post per thread

[2003z]

see

[Bo]

I would agree with that theory based on the fact that the SAT tab comes up when you install the satellite receiver. However, Redmagrt says the tab is already on his radio, but he does not have the system installed..........

If Redmagrt was in Houston, we could remove the radio, and see what pins are being used on his radio vs. mine....... <G>

Redmagrt, are you willing to remove your radio??????

I'm also going to try and make it to the dealer over the next day or so.......

--Bo

[Unholy]

its happening again... where is my signature?

only shows up on your 1st post per thread

Oh man... I thought I was going crazy. Thanks for the reality check.

[DMAG]

It's once per page .

See....yours showed up again on your first post on the second page.

[redmagrt]

sorry for the confusion but the tab DOES NOT SHOW up on my screen (i mentioned that on my response to unholy on this thread) but i would like to utilize it if possible whether i get the factory or aftermarket video set up why not take advantage of all the options of the unit

[Bo]

It has been a while since this topic has been discussed... but I have answers today!

I just purchased a factory VES unit out of a Durango off of eBay........

It did not include the wiring harness (I think the Mopar kit does, however). The P/N for the wiring harness is 5135247AA (list 74.15).
Others have discussed the visibility issues with the roof mounted kit..... and with a sunroof, I can tell you that it will be an issue! I have other plans for my VES unit, so this will not be a concern for me.
My radio did NOT have the VES tab on it.... I went to the dealer, and "borrowed" their StarScan to enable VES on the CAN Bus network (the option is there for the LX cars). Still no VES tab. I plugged the VES unit INTO the car today... and the VES tab is there!
The VES unit works great..... full integration with the factory head unit... you can listen to one source through the factory speakers, and another source through the wireless headphones..... The 7" fold-down screen even has a menu system similar to the factory nav unit where you can SELECT the audio source for the wireless headphones......

Now I have to figure out how to hack the video signal so I can feed it to a pair of headrest screens..... my plan right now is to disassemble the VES unit, and mount the DVD player where the ashtray is currently..... Hopefully, I will have enough time in the next couple of weeks to make this happen.....

--Bo

[Fred]

Have you found a way of mounting it yet?