Is there an after market DVD system out there that does not use an FM Modulator to plugin to the stock system?

I would think there would be some company out there that does sense the Stock Factory system doesnt use one.

Is there an after market DVD system out there that does not use an FM Modulator to plugin to the stock system?

I would think there would be some company out there that does sense the Stock Factory system doesnt use one.
I have an XM satellite radio with fm mod and to me it sounds perfectly. In order to do a direct install you need to buy an adapter that is not very cheap. I am really happy with mine. :D

The FM modulators are limited by the frequency range of the radio. Typically this is 100hz-15000Khz or so.
CDs/DVDs are 20-20000.
MP3 ranges are more like the radios. By chopping off the ends, they allow you to compact the files and fit more music in the same space.
If you are just using the stock system like the Bose crap, its probably fine. If you are going to put in a good quality setup, you will hear the difference.

If you know what you are doing, you can tap into the factory harness.
Tutorial by "llajumpvid"
http://www.clubarmada.com/showpost.php?p=932&postcount=2

Or just tap into the AUX wiring behind the dash. You might need to add an inline amp to get the audio volume up. I personally would do everything possible NOT to have to use a FM modulator. Another alternative is to get an aux input adapter for the sat prewire. I've confirmed with them previously that it works with the Armada. http://pac-audio.com/products/aai.htm look for AAI-NIS.

@llajumpvid do you know if the pac-audio adaptor will work in a Titan? It's a six disc in dash changer (non-Fosgate). It does not have a sat. button but I heard it can have a sat. radio install to it.

Is there an after market DVD system out there that does not use an FM Modulator to plugin to the stock system?

I would think there would be some company out there that does sense the Stock Factory system doesnt use one.
What are you looking to do?
Plug the DVD into the stock system? Theres'a company that makes those boxes.
Add a new system independent of the stock system? You can do this also
Add a complete new system including DVD, stereo, etc. You can also do this.

I listed the choices in order of cost, labor, and quality of outcome. First one is a couple hundred bucks installed.\
Second is $1500 +/- depending on options.
Third, skis the limit but a good setup would be $3000 and higher.

@llajumpvid do you know if the pac-audio adaptor will work in a Titan? It's a six disc in dash changer (non-Fosgate). It does not have a sat. button but I heard it can have a sat. radio install to it.

If you have the SAT prewire it should. Shoot them an email. I tried to get a freebe from them saying I would test the Q56's on the Armada....they didn't go for it and said they know it will work on the Armada as it's the same stereo as the Q :damn:

If you have the SAT prewire it should. Shoot them an email. I tried to get a freebe from them saying I would test the Q56's on the Armada....they didn't go for it and said they know it will work on the Armada as it's the same stereo as the Q :damn:

Well its always worth a try, worst they can do is say no. Thanks for the info, I'll try to call them next week.

Where can you get an adapter that plugs in to the stock harness and utilizes the stock controls?

Also is there a way to use the stock wireless headset transmitter in the upper console?

Where can you get an adapter that plugs in to the stock harness and utilizes the stock controls?

Also is there a way to use the stock wireless headset transmitter in the upper console?
do a search for the aai-nis. If you tap into the hu through any input but the AUX you can use the rear control.

I just installed a 7inch monitor and Blaupunkt DVD/TV in my 2005. I simply tapped into the rear of the AUX plug on the dash. I did this by stripping a set of RCA's, matching the grounds together and soldering this to the center (black) coming out of the aux. plug. And then soldering the signal wires to the appropriate wires coming out of the aux. plug. YES, it is not nearly as loud as the stereo... But in all honesty its plenty loud for me. I MAY install one of the amplifiers later, but not sure.
The most fun was taking apart the overhead bin and fiberglassing in the bezel for the monitor. It now looks like a completely stock unit. The monitor I used was a Soundstream 7 inch wide that I bought brand new for $125. The DVD/TV was on sale also for $99. Cables were another $35. And it took all of about three hours to install. I will post pics if people are interested...

Yes pictures would be great. You didn't want to try and tap into the DVD harness? That way you can chose it with the Steering wheel controls. :thumbup:

I checked the link here for the DVD harness and I do not have the harness plug under the shifter assemebly and didnt know where to tap into behind the stereo.
My steering wheel controls do work for volume, and so do the controls in the rear...

Yes can you please post some pics of the install. If possible also some pictures of the process you took.

Here are some pics of the finished product... I did not take any pics along the way because I was under a rather tight schedule and working alone.
The first pic is of the overhead. As I said, I used fiberglass and bondo to mold the monitors bezel into the factory pocket. I just didnt like the small gap around the outside or the angle at which the monitor had to be mounted if not doing this. With this done, the monitor is mounted flush with the pocket and angled perfectly to the rear. After I was done, I used a flat black textured paint to paint the monitor surround, the bezel and the inside of the pocket. From the outside it is factory, once opened everything is flat black and matching.
The second pic is of the simple install of the DVD player. I didnt spend alot of time here, but it works well and is very easy to get to. The remote sensor for the dvd is mounted on the round aux. circle pop-out thingy just left of the stereo surround.
Enjoy, I can answer any questions... AND for those who felt they had to run the monitor wires to the front of the cabin or to under a seat... YOUR WRONG. There are wires inside the overhead that can be tapped to give acc. power.
PS: the rear controls work, and so do the wireless headphones!!!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/carlsbad0331/S4021270.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/carlsbad0331/S4021272.jpg

That monitor look good, look better than factory. :amazing:

do a search for the aai-nis. If you tap into the hu through any input but the AUX you can use the rear control.

baseballfanz or llajumpvid...

The beautiful thing with the aai-nis is it it can toggle power to the devices connected to it. So when you hit Sat 1 or Sat 2 it powers the coreesponding device.

I would love to use one.. but has anyone determined yet if the PAC Audio aai-nis will work with the non-bose stereo (one without the Sat button)?

The non Bose sytem does display XM (if you have the receiver installed) as you toggle through the settings with the radio button. But there is no external Sat button that I am guessing the Bose system has.

I have spoken to PAC and read their instruction sheet and they say to use the Sat button to operate the aai-nis. I also confirmed this with a local dealer of theirs so it appears I am SOL unless someone here has a different experience?

Another question since it looks I am SOL. How could I manually split the stock Aux input from behind the bezel? I would really like to have two audio aux inputs.. one for a Clarion Nice and another as a spare. Can you simply splice two sets of plugs into the the aux wiring from behind and have the device that is powered at the time use the Aux input? Are ther any two into one aux splitters already available? I want to use the factory DVD wiring as another input for a seperate DVD player and want to leave it free for now.

I am planning on removing the stock XM reciever and using the Clarion NICE which has a much better Sat radio interface with Sirius. The seperate DVD player's video out would go to the NICE A/V in and the DVD audio out to the stock DVD harness. Sound feasable?

TIA for any and all input!

Actually.. I fond this pic of an 05 Bose system and it does not seem to have a Sat button either. Can anyone with an 04 confirm if your Bose system has a Sat button or not?

http://clubarmada.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=104

No sat button on mine. I don't know how the factory sat system is activated. There is surely something in the manual that explains how it works. I would think you should be able to hook up the aai-nis even without a sat button. I believe only the early 04's had this button but I could be wrong.

Hmm.. thx. I am going to check with the techs at PAC Audio again. They are local.. maybe I'll run down there.

Somehow the stock HU sees that the XM or Sirius reciever is attached and then displays the XM or Sirius option as you toggle the radio button. I bet it would work.. I guess I need to do some more foot work.

Thanks llajumpvid


If anyone has an actual Sat button on their HU please speak up! I am trying to find out specificly if your head unit displays SAT1 or something like that when you hit the Sat button. If it displays whatever satellite reciever type you have installed then I may be In like Flynn.

Do a search on here for aai-nis, I remember someone put one on their Armada about 6 months ago.

Do a search on here for aai-nis, I remember someone put one on their Armada about 6 months ago.

Found it thanks.. I think I originally searched on everything but aai-nis. :rolleyes:

From his post it does not sound like it would work. But I did some extensive Google searching last night and found at least one Infinity owner who says he does not have a Sat button and succesfully installed the unit. Basicly he said he toggles the Radio button until Sat 1 comes up. It may work it may not... but that is how it sounds like it might function with my head unit since toggling the radio button brings up the XM reciever.

I have actually decided to simply go the Aux input route and tap in behind the faceplate. The reason is that the only thing about the aai-nis that I wanted was the ability to turn the Clarion NICE on and off by toggling SAT 1 on and off on the head unit.

The problem I see with that setup though.. is if I wanted to listen to a CD in the changer then the navigation unit would not recieve power. So I could not navigate (without voice promts) while playnig a CD. Or if I wanted to be in video mode on the head unit when I want to play a DVD I wouldnt be able to see it Clarion screen since it wouldnt be recieving power.

BTW for anyone reading this.. the Clarion NICE sound level is great coming through the AUX input. I will not need an inline pre amp to boost the signal levels!

Thanks for all your help llajumpvid.. your posts have given me alot of insight into how the stock system functions and how to tap into it.

Someone on titantalk posted the other day that this will definately work with our systems. You toggle through using the radio buttons.