Easily Installing a Headrest Car DVD Player

A small, portable DVD player can be mounted into the back end of a car seat headrest for back seat passengers to view movies. While some vehicles come with headrest Car DVD players installed, it is possible to install an aftermarket DVD player into a car headrest. Installing a headrest player can be easier than an overhead one, as you don't have to worry about mounting screws or headboards. The following directions are general, but they can vary for a specific player, so read over all instructions before beginning installation.

Step 1Disconnect the headrest from the car seat and take the upholstery cover off of it. Using a felt-tip marker, trace the outline of the DVD player's holding frame along the foam cushioning at the rear end of the headrest.



Step 2Cut a hole into the headrest foam along the traced outline using a razor knife. Use the frame as a guide to see how deep the hole must be, and whittle away at the hole until the frame fits completely within it.

Step 3Glue the frame into the hole using contact cement, applying it to the hole and the outer sides of the frame. Place the frame inside while the adhesive is still wet, then push the frame all the way in the hole once the cement sets. Find the hole in the frame for the cables, and poke another hole in the foam there with a large screwdriver.

Step 4Place the upholstery back onto the headrest, and cut it away where the frame is. Glue the cut upholstery edges along the edges of the frame with more contact cement.

Step 5Place the Headrest DVD player into the frame once all the contact cement is dry and hard. Feed the cables through the bottom hole in the foam (the one created with the screwdriver) and down through the seat's upholstery. Place the headrest back on the seat.

Step 6Wire the DVD to the car's power source, unless it uses a cigarette lighter adapter. The wiring process can vary depending on the player, but it normally involves connecting the red wire to the ignition switch, the yellow wire to a constant 12-volt source like the battery and the black wire to a chassis ground