Questions about in-car entertainment systems

[ichpen]

Morning all,

About to buy myself a new (or rather used lightly) Nissan Altima and being the responsible father of a 3 year old I'm attempting to investigate ways to keep my child from repeatedly causing me harm with sharp objects out of sheer tedium on our long drives.

So, aftermarket in-car entertainment systems. What I'm looking for is a 1 screen DVD system (so it would be presumably installed in the middle), in-dash, able to play DVDs, CDs, MP3 DVDs etc etc.

Not sure where to start. Other than FS are there any other places that do such solutions inc. installation? If so how much?

Don't want to cause too much permanent damage to the car as it is leased so it would need to come out in a couple of years.

Any suggestions/places/prices?

[FastFokker]

Maybe something like this instead?

http://a1480.g.akamaitech.net/f/1480/124/4h/images.ebags.com/images/Products/42836_sq250.jpg

[mart242]

Just get a cheapo DVD player with LCD screen from Costco, ~200$ max for a 7" screen, or get a 10" screen, even better. Mount it on the headrest and you're all set (much nicer installation than the one in the post above, the DVD reader is actually behind the screen when you fold it back)

[ichpen]

Maybe something like this instead?

http://a1480.g.akamaitech.net/f/1480/124/4h/images.ebags.com/images/Products/42836_sq250.jpg

That's pretty damn ugly but may have to do. Where did you get this image from?

[ichpen]

Just get a cheapo DVD player with LCD screen from Costco, ~200$ max for a 7" screen, or get a 10" screen, even better. Mount it on the headrest and you're all set (much nicer installation than the one in the post above, the DVD reader is actually behind the screen when you fold it back)

Do these things come with speakers of any kind?

[FastFokker]

Do these things come with speakers of any kind?
Yes, built in.

Do you have a laptop now? If not, maybe drop $1000 on a widescreen laptop with a DVDRom, then it can be used for other things, but also for playing videos in the car. Once the child gets a bit older, he/she can could also play games (Edutainment) on it.

[ichpen]

Yes, built in.

Do you have a laptop now? If not, maybe drop $1000 on a widescreen laptop with a DVDRom, then it can be used for other things, but also for playing videos in the car. Once the child gets a bit older, he/she can could also play games (Edutainment) on it.

Thanks.

Yes, I have a laptop though a little skeptical about unleashing my kid onto it. Looks kind of fiddly and insecure though. I'm thinking of getting the screen and mounting it on the headrest. I really wanted to hook it up to the DVD deck without a painful tangle of wires but I don't think that's an easy thing to do.

Do these things run of the 12v cigarette lighter or do they come with batteries of sorts?

[FastFokker]

Here's an example, though I am not recommending this one specifically.. but it will give you an idea:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10057335&catid=FEATURES:

* Included In Box: Battery Pack, AC Adapter, AC Power Cord, Car Power Adapter, A/V Cable, Remote Control
* Battery Run Time of 3 Hours
* Virtual Surround Sound
* Car Cord Included

The holder will probably run you something like $20-40.

All that together could be had for say.. $350-400 installed. That compared to an indash DVD Player (which would likely run something on order of $1500 installed) is quite dramatic.

Plus the portable device can be used anywhere.. not *JUST* in the car. Plus it can be taken into any car, not just the Altima.

[lumlum1013]

if you dun wanna invest too much
go w/ www.mp3playerstore.com,
these guys are in Montreal, pretty cheap....
and fast shipping

[i-o_o-i]

^ wow the stuff on that site is so cheap, $150 for an in-dash player/lcd??? Anyone buy from them before? oh but no dvd in that one...
for a small car like an Altima you really don't have to much choice its either in-dash, or built into the head rest or something ugly like the one pictured above.

[ajin86]

y dun u get an indash dvd player ....that way .. whn ur done leasin ur car .. u can remove the indash dvd and put back the stock system

here is a cheap and a nice one if u want smthin more cheaper let me knw ... pm me .. i might be able to find u smthin cheaper and if ur arnd gta .. i can even install it for u ....

that way there wont be any damage to ur car ...
....http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10062615&catid=20136&PCName=

[FastFokker]

Pretty bad when cheap is $800+installation+tax.

Plus then you have to get it removed from this vehicle and then re-installed into the next. Or what if the next vehicle already has some kind of entertainment system, now you've got to sell this old used hardware for dirt cheap.

If money is not a concern, this is a good idea.. but if you have any kind of budget, I'd still recommend a portable dvd player, that your child can use anywhere and everywhere. It's cheap up front, there's no installation costs and if it breaks, gets outdated or whatever, it's not a huge issue and it was affordable in the first place.

But if cost in no real issue and style is your primary requirement, then a $1000 indash system is where it's at.

[gimmegimme]

Isn't there a law or something that says in-dash DVD players can't play DVDs unless the hand-brake is on? So the driver isn't trying to watch a movie while driving.. :)

[ichpen]

Isn't there a law or something that says in-dash DVD players can't play DVDs unless the hand-brake is on? So the driver isn't trying to watch a movie while driving.. :)

There is but I don't plan on putting a screen for the driver or front seat passenger.

[ichpen]

Pretty bad when cheap is $800+installation+tax.

Plus then you have to get it removed from this vehicle and then re-installed into the next. Or what if the next vehicle already has some kind of entertainment system, now you've got to sell this old used hardware for dirt cheap.

If money is not a concern, this is a good idea.. but if you have any kind of budget, I'd still recommend a portable dvd player, that your child can use anywhere and everywhere. It's cheap up front, there's no installation costs and if it breaks, gets outdated or whatever, it's not a huge issue and it was affordable in the first place.

But if cost in no real issue and style is your primary requirement, then a $1000 indash system is where it's at.

Thanks so much for your input.

[ichpen]

if you dun wanna invest too much
go w/ www.mp3playerstore.com,
these guys are in Montreal, pretty cheap....
and fast shipping

I'd forgotten about that site. Yep, looks excellent. A cheapo MP3 DVD player with TV tuner, headrest mounts and 2 7" LCDs looks to be $359. :-0

Wow.

[Rehan]

I'd recommend a portable DVD player rather than an in-dash system... Advantages for us:
1) at times other than long trips, it can stay at home...they don't need an LCD screen in front of their faces when we're out for trips around town
2) we can transfer the portable DVD player between our two vehicles
3) the portable DVD player is usable inside the house, in rooms where there isn't a regular TV+DVD player...and we can even leave it at the babysitter's house, if necessary

I got the Polaroid PDM-0725 (http://www.polaroid.com/global/detail.jsp;FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574488338773&bmUID=1141317595383&bmLocale=en_CA) from Costco for $150 a while ago...it's a little bit like the one in the picture earlier in the thread, except that the screen swivels so it folds "flat" when it's in the headrest bag (a lot less bulky that way). Costco doesn't sell that model anymore, but they have others that are similar. Or you can find the same kind of stuff at other stores for a little higher price.

The main drawback of an "uninstalled" portable DVD player is that the highest volume might be a little low if your car is noisy at highway speeds. But you can use an FM transmitter or cassette adapter to work around that issue.

[lumlum1013]

I'd forgotten about that site. Yep, looks excellent. A cheapo MP3 DVD player with TV tuner, headrest mounts and 2 7" LCDs looks to be $359. :-0

Wow.

I'm currenly have it in my car,
screen is good, dvdplayer was replaced underwarranty recently w/
no charge (except shippin')

i chose the screen that doesn't indicate (7" tft screen, dvd player,etc..)
so that it doesn't look like a screen when it's closed...so it's stealth!

as for the dvd-deck since it's removeable face plate, it's not bad...
but again, you get wat you pay for....built and quality wise....
it's not as solid as my 5 year old Sony Xplod CD deck..... but
hey, it plays dvd!

j/ to clarify, in HTA it says you cannot play MOVIES and TV while
drivin' within driver's eye sight.....but you can have the screen out
and navigate your MP3s and radio station.....

plz correct me if i'm wrong....

ps: you can get this install for no more than $120 parts/labour....in GTA
personally i can get it install by some garage for less than $50,
but this time, i prefered to go to one that concentrate on car audio/visual...

[ichpen]

Apologies for waking up this thread but I'm about to opt for the RJ-Tech RJ-900PDVX 7" Portable DIVX DVD player from CC for $169+tax.

I know there are cheaper options (Mustek Mp72 for $99) but that player seems to support all DIVX/Qpel titles without issues from what I read unlike the Mustek which seems to have all manner of WS issues.

I'll likely get an FM transmitter for the car (if volume is too low).

So, question is, where do I get the headrest mounts/straps that secure a portable DVD player to the back of the headrest??? Anyone know of any places?

Thanks.