How to Buy a Mobile Entertainment System
For better or worse, it seems that nowadays kids want to do more than count cows or play license-plate bingo on road trips. Fantastic mobile entertainment systems have high-quality video and Surround sound. Forget drive-ins--now movies are on the go.
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Instructions
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Look at what you can afford. Mobile entertainment gear ranges from simple, portable units that sit between the seats and plug into the cigarette lighter, to full-blown in-car theater systems (from $100 to $3,000 and more).
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Decide between videocassette or DVD units. Most people will want to future-proof their purchase by choosing DVD players.
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Buy an all-in-one unit or individual components if your budget is small (under $250) and your needs are simple. An all-in-one unit includes a videocassette player (VCP) or a DVD player, speaker and screen. Many electronics retailers carry them.
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Choose a component system ($400 and up) where a single video source can run several screens, usually liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). The screens can pop out of the dashboard, drop down from the car's ceiling or mount in headrests. Component systems tap into your vehicle's stereo and pipe sound directly to headphones for quiet viewing. Most high-end car stereo retailers carry these systems.
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Make sure any component system is expandable, so you can add more or different screens and input devices in the future.
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Get a double-antenna system, known as a diversity antenna, for better TV reception when the car is moving.
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Make sure your vehicle's electrical system can handle the demands of a mobile entertainment system. You may need a professional installer to determine this.
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Large SUVs, vans and recreational vehicles can incorporate a backup camera into the mobile video setup.
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Tips & Warnings
A laptop computer with a DVD drive can serve as an entertainment system for smaller cars with one viewer.
Mobile entertainment systems are theft targets. Invest in a good car alarm. (See How to Buy a Theft-Prevention Device.)
In most areas, front-seat viewing is illegal, not to mention idiotic, while a car is in motion.
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Comments
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Dec 28, 2005
There are a vast amount of options available for playing DVDs in your vehicle. As previously noted, it is important to review your personal lifestyle. If you will only be viewing movies/GPS DVDs from the front of the vehicle it is wise to purchase a Head Unit (The component of your radio that you control with, usually in the dash) that has a flip out screen. I would recommend a system that can play CDs and the radio with the monitor closed, as many states have laws about monitors visible from the drivers seat. If you will be using the player mostly for passengers in the back, a roof mounted unit is usually the best way to go, most of these units come with a DVD player built in, and are usually inexpensive. -
Nov 22, 2005
When investing in a mobile entertainment system, these are some things to consider. If you have more than 1 car which you take trips in, look into portable LCDs with FM modulators so you can listen to your movies through you car stereo. Get the ones which come with carry and mounting cases. If you have one primary car, definitely go with an all-in-one system. Not only are most of these compact, they are also out of the way, so they are less likely to be broken. It's a good investment for the car. If there are two of the same cars being sold, chances are the one with the overhead is going to be the one sold first. Some machines (like Sony's Dream Systems) work great. One thing I love about Sony's Dream System 2 is the built-in speakers on the system itself. Instead of having a screen on the roof, the RF modulator under your radio, and your DVD player under your seat, invest a bit more for an all-in-one product, where all the components are centralized. Always look for video inputs and outputs. Look for inputs for things like Xbox or PS2 and outputs to add a second screen. Another option is infrared headphones. With them, you can listen to your music and your passangers can listen to their movie. I bought the extended warranty. LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are great in the warm summers, but cold winters can cause a potential problem. Professional installation is always recommened. Nothing is worse than putting a hole in your car's roof. I hope this helps, and may you have great (and hopefuly quieter) road trips.
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Nov 22, 2005
Before you mess up your audio system (and possibly your car), read car audio forums for a good 2 months, without posting anything idiotic.
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Nov 22, 2005
When investing in a mobile entertainment system, these are some things to consider. If you have more than 1 car which you take trips in, look into portable LCDs with FM modulators so you can listen to your movies through you car stereo. Get the ones which come with carry and mounting cases. If you have one primary car, definitely go with an all-in-one system. Not only are most of these compact, they are also out of the way, so they are less likely to be broken. It's a good investment for the car. If there are two of the same cars being sold, chances are the one with the overhead is going to be the one sold first. Some machines (like Sony's Dream Systems) work great. One thing I love about Sony's Dream System 2 is the built-in speakers on the system itself. Instead of having a screen on the roof, the RF modulator under your radio, and your DVD player under your seat, invest a bit more for an all-in-one product, where all the components are centralized. Always look for video inputs and outputs. Look for inputs for things like Xbox or PS2 and outputs to add a second screen. Another option is infrared headphones. With them, you can listen to your music and your passangers can listen to their movie. I bought the extended warranty. LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are great in the warm summers, but cold winters can cause a potential problem. Professional installation is always recommened. Nothing is worse than putting a hole in your car's roof. I hope this helps, and may you have great (and hopefuly quieter) road trips.
