Mobile Video Buying Guide

Car video buying tips

A mobile video system has three basic components: Car DVD player, monitor and speakers. Unlike a home theater system, automobile DVD players are not usually plug-n-play because they have to be plugged into the car audio and electrical systems.

When choosing a car DVD player, be aware that all driving distractions are dangerous. Many places have made driving with a car DVD viewable from the front seat illegal. Some in-dash mobile DVD players are built to lock out the video player unless the car is parked and the emergency brake engaged, though the car audio, GPS and other systems will operate while the car is running. Choose a mobile video system that will make your drive more fun and, when you travel, check on local law s-- a traffic ticket is a real buzz kill.

Car video components

DVD player

Car DVD players can be mounted in-dash, overhead, in a visor or headrest or it can sit between the front seats. DVD players can be player only (monitor sold separately), or as player-monitor combo units. Buying a DVD player and monitor separately does give the buyer more flexibility in the portable DVD system they purchase. However, you must ask yourself: will the player and monitor together be less expensive and easier to install than a player-monitor unit?

Few car electronics are DVD players alone, most are multi-media centers; they include radio tuner, CD player, TV tuner, iPod or MP3 player and video game player. Many car DVDs have a remote control and are Bluetooth compatible, meaning you can hook your cell phone right into your car stereo speakers. More options mean more money, but it also means more ways to entertain yourself and your family.

Monitor

Screen sizes range from very small (2.5-inch screens) to desktop monitor size (20-inch screens). Monitors can also be mounted in-dash, overhead, visor, headrest or sit between the front seats. Like all consumer electronics, no class of monitors is typically less expensive than another; monitor prices depend on size and features, which vary as widely as the manufacturers' imagination.

Most new monitor displays are the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, though some retain the standard 4:3 ratio. The good monitors are liquid crystal displays (LCDs) using thin film transistor (TFT) technology, which is the best technology presently available. Not all LCDs use TFT, but LCD and TFT LCDs are used synonymously by many marketers.

Speakers

Rarely do people add speakers to their existing car audio system when they add a mobile DVD player; a great sound system is already standard equipment on so many vehicles, and people who upgrade their car audio usually do it for music, not movies. Of course, if you really want home theater-quality for your car DVD player, you will need to take a close look at your car audio; it might need help to do what you want it to do.

Headphones are a big option here; wireless headphones are a great way to occupy the backseat passengers without disturbing the driver in front. Wireless headphones come in two types, Infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF). Infrared signals need line of sight, meaning the IR transmitter on the player needs to "see" the IR receivers on the headphones. Radio frequency headphones use low-power FM; they don't need line of sight, but can be affected by anything that affects your radio. Be sure to check your player so you'll know which headphones to use, or buy both at the same time.

Car video categories

In-dash mount

Will it fit? Car audio systems come in two basic sizes: Single-DIN and Double-DIN. DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung, the organization that set standards for German-made car audio. These were adopted internationally in 1984. DIN refers to the size of the in-dash unit, also called the head unit.

• Single-DIN: 178mm wide x 53mm high; approx. 7 inches wide x 2 inches high
• Double-DIN: 178mm wide x 106mm high; approx. 7 inches wide x 4 inches high

The depth is not standardized, so measure the dashboard cavity to see how far you can go. These consumer electronics have the most variety in price because they have the most options available. For those who more often drive alone, they may be the best option, since they can also entertain with radio, CDs and MP3s.

Visor mount

For front seat only viewing, these small TV screens come in two types:

• Strap-on monitors that attach to the sun visor; these models rarely have an integrated DVD player.
• Monitor-visor combos that replace factory installed visors. These can be bought as a single--generally a left-side mount, which means the passenger won't have a good view. Many feature two visor models, meaning the passenger may not be able to watch when the car is moving due to any mobile video lock-out.

Overhead mount

An overhead is the option for those who want the biggest screens available. This can also be the most difficult option to set up, so consider professional installation. Again, this can be a player-monitor or monitor alone. Flush-mounted, these mobile DVD players almost disappear when closed. This works well on larger vehicles because they can hold larger screens.

Headrest mount

Headrest mounts are another great option for backseat viewing. Headrest video monitors install inside of the front seat headrests or come pre-installed in a headrest that replaces the factory model. The replacement models are easy enough for do-it-yourself installation, while cut-in models may need professional mounting. When two video units are mounted, you can hook them to two different car DVD players, an investment which could bring big stress-reduction returns in families with two children who don't like the same shows. Primarily, these are video monitor-only units, but, as they grow in popularity, options will expand. Some feature swivel-heads, which give the audience a better view.

No mount mobile-video-in-a-bag

If you need a DVD player in multiple locations, the car, the house, the motel, etc., then a mobile-video-in-a-bag may be the option you want. You could buy a laptop computer; a little software will turn it into a mobile video player, but a portable DVD player is a much less expensive option, unless you already have the laptop. Consider a DVD portable player specially designed for auto use; it has a carrying case with straps to hang it over the headrest. Features to look for in a traveling DVD player include a clamshell design (lightweight but sturdy), dual headphone jacks (so you don't need to buy an additional splitter), batteries, plus cigarette lighter adapters.

Car video terminology

Aspect ratio: Two numbers describing how screen width relates to screen height. Standard screen is 4:3; widescreen is 16:9. More movies and TV are being shot in widescreen, so that's the aspect ratio for people who want to see the whole picture.

Contrast ratio: The difference between the brightest and dimmest colors the screen can show; the higher the ratio, the better the image.

Resolution: The pixel count is always listed as two numbers, horizontal pixels by vertical pixels. The more the merrier.

Car video care

Your new car DVD system requires no more care than any other audio or video component for your motorcar. Clean it off just the way you do the others; a can of air to the openings now and then keeps down the dust. Many cleaners are available for screens, CDs/ DVDs and for the laser eye. Use them regularly, based on how often you use the components.