So I've tried to get a confirmation on this, but am having a hard time. I'm ordering from Tech12Volts, the M&D ANS185 screen and AD218 DVD player. For headphones, I really wanted folding ones, so we took the headphones our the package...so I need to buy them on my own now. The way I plan on hooking everything up, I want to use the factory IR. He made some calls to M&D for me and relayed the following:

1. You need single channel IR headphones for the factory IR.
2. The M&D screen requires dual channel headphones.

I guess I'm not sure if I understand how IR works, but I assume we are just talking about 2 frequencies. The factory IR works on one frequency, and the M&D on the other. So my questions are:

1. I've read that the M&D IR interferes with the factory IR. Wouldn't that only be the case if they were on the same frequency? If the M&D requires a 2 channel headphone, and the factory only 1, it would suggest they are on different freqs. If they were on the same freq, the interference makes sense, but then I would think both systems (M&D and the factory) would require 1 channel headphones.

2. For maximum flexibility, if the M&D is in fact not on the same freq as the factory IR, if I bought 2 channel headphones, I would have maximum flexibility if I wanted to ever use the built in M&D IR in the screen, or the factory IR. Sound right? I would just set the headphones to one freq when using with factory IR, and to the other freq when using the built in IR in the M&D monitor. I don't see how they interfere if they are on different freq.

On the M&D site, it says the ANS185 has IR in the 2.3/2.8 freq. But I can't find anywhere what the factory IR is...

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Tech12Volts has been extremely helpful, but I just don't want to keep asking more and more questions.

Thanks.

Just thought of something after reading a thread on TitanTalk.com. Perhaps M&D's specs for the ANS185 on their site isn't accurate, and they now offer selectable channels on their screens, vs just one channel like the product page shows...

I may not know for sure until I get it in my hands I guess...Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

You can use the M&D dual channel headphones with the factory IR.

Steven

Thanks for replying.

Right, but I'm trying to figure out if the M&D monitor and factory IR are in fact on the same freq, or if M&D has changed that, as I read they might be.

I don't want the M&D headphones, I want folding ones, so I'm buying my own, and basically deciding if I need to buy dual channel or single.

...
1. You need single channel IR headphones for the factory IR.
2. The M&D screen requires dual channel headphones..
That's not necessarily true, mine work with both..... I don't remember the brand/model of my folding ones, I'll have to look... And on mine, the IR signals defintely interfere so I disabled the monitor's IR... The newer ones might be different though....

I think I'm getting closer on this, and I think I like where it's going. First, I found this:

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/titan-visual-audio-discussion/69971-augh-myron-davis-making-me-crazy.html

This explains that M&D now transmits on 3.2/3.8, so it doesn't interfere with the factory IR. They told James (Tech12Volts) the same, that their monitor requires a 2 channel setup. So, I can actually use both the M&D IR and factory IR at the same time, which would rock.

Because....it would allow me to only use the AUX input of the truck's audio system on the rare occasion that I want to listen through the truck speakers. Every other time, they could listen through the M&D system, or I could have one kid listening to a DVD, while the others are using the factory IR to listen an MP3 player.

So I think the M&D site has bad product info on it. If I buy 2 channel headphones, I'm good (I think).

Well, there you have it. I decided to just call M&D and one of their tech support guys, at first, said they were on the 2.3/2.8 freq, the same as the factory IR. I told him about what I read and what Tech12Volts was told, so he took my number, did some homework and called me back.

He confirmed that up until about 2 years ago, the ANS screen shipped on the 2.3/2.8 frequency, but at that time, they made a change and all units now ship on the 3.2/3.8 freq, which allows it to operate at the same time as the factory IR without conflict. This is actually awesome news!!

One set of headphones can be used for factory IR and the M&D screen, and I'll only tie up my AUX input jack on the head unit on the rare occassion that I want to listen through the speakers. And the kids can still listen to the factory radio sources through the factory setup, using the same headphones, even while a movie is playing!

Dual channel headphone are used with 2 screens with 2 dvd players. If you have only one screen just get single channel headphones. There is a switch on the screen to select which channel. The purpose is so one person can listen to their dvd while the other person can listen to the other dvd in a 2 source application.

Dual channel headphone are used with 2 screens with 2 dvd players. If you have only one screen just get single channel headphones. There is a switch on the screen to select which channel. The purpose is so one person can listen to their dvd while the other person can listen to the other dvd in a 2 source application.

True, in a dual screen setup. But also in this case, where you have two different IR systems on different freqs. If I buy one channel headphones, they only will work with the factory system. I have not seen one channel headphones that work on the 3.2/3.8 freq. And if I did do this, I would not be able to use the factory IR at all for other sources, like CD, Aux, radio...

My plan is this, when I install the DVD player, I will put a Y splitter on the audio out. One set will go to the M&D monitor for it's IR capability. The other output will go to an RCA to ministereo wire. This will allow me to listen to the DVD through the Aux input of the HU occasionally. When not using the Aux input, the kids will set the headphones to channel 2, and listen through the M&D IR output. If they want to use the same headphones with another source, they would just set the headphones to channel 1.

Originally, I thought the M&D and factory system were on the same freq, and that meant I had to pick one IR system for use all the time. I was going to pick the factory IR, which meant my AUX jack would be tied up whenever a DVD is being watched. Now, it will only be tied up if for some odd reason, I want to listen through the stereo...

I just installed a planet audio screen and looked at my headphones and they are single channel even though the screen is dual channel. And the right side of the headphones are 2.8 and the left is 2.3. When I upgrade to the M&D screen I guess I might have to get new headphones because of the frequency. At least I am a dealer and I can get them at cost.

I just installed a wireless fm modulator to listen to the dvd over the armada speakers.

Just my 2cents. I know a lot more about home a/v than car a/v. I didn't know that the ir was in different frequencies.

I just installed a planet audio screen and looked at my headphones and they are single channel even though the screen is dual channel. And the right side of the headphones are 2.8 and the left is 2.3. When I upgrade to the M&D screen I guess I might have to get new headphones because of the frequency. At least I am a dealer and I can get them at cost.

I just installed a wireless fm modulator to listen to the dvd over the armada speakers.

Just my 2cents. I know a lot more about home a/v than car a/v. I didn't know that the ir was in different frequencies.

So you're replacing the screen you have now with the M&D? As far as I know the M&D is not selectable, so you would need new headphones. But as I'm doing, if you get dual channel, you can still use them with the factory IR and the M&D IR. I'm actually going to start a new thread on my audio setup that I'm planning, so you might find that interesting. I'm going to be wiring the DVD player into the AUX so I can listen through the speakers as well, when I want to do it, which will be rare.

Just to follow-up on this in case anyone searches and finds the thread, I received my ANS185 the other day. Sure enough, it's on channel 2 (3.2/3.8) and the factory as we know is channel 1. They do not conflict any longer when on at the same time.