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DVD/Entertainment Systems

409 messages,  Last post on Jan 04, 2013 at 9:05 AM

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What is this discussion about? Entertainment System

Messages Page 40 of 42

#388 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [versican09] by dtownfb

Jul 09, 2009 (10:13 am)

Replying to: versican09 (Jul 08, 2009 12:24 pm)
I would go with the overhead unit for a minivan (yes I have 3 kids). You only need one screen and you can get the wireless head phones or play over the radio. It can be viewed from any seat in the 2 back rows. We did this when we bought our 2004 Nissan Quest. We added it after the purchase. Very clean installation. No problem with monitor or DVD unit. i wouldn't get hung up on the manufacturer unless it has to do with the ease of operation. DVD players have been around for quite a while now and there isn't much difference from brand to brand. Also try a local audio/visual shop, they may be able to beat Best Buy. here's a llink to best Buy website: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0303002&type=category. these prices look better than what you had in your post.
 
The headrests, IMHO, are a last resort and best used in cars because you don't have any other option. also I don't like the monitors that close to the kid's face and the viewing angle.
 
Yes the overhead unit is a bit more expensive but I think you will be much happier. If money is truly a factor, just get the portable unit with two screens. This will be your cheapest option.

#389 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [versican09] by ateixeira

Jul 29, 2009 (9:01 am)

Replying to: versican09 (Jul 08, 2009 12:24 pm)
I got a 12" screen ceiling mounted for $900 installed from Circuit City. It came with only 2 wireless headsets but there is a headphone jack so there's your 3rd right there, built-in.
 
Go for it. Try Best Buy or a competitor since CC is out of business.

#390 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [versican09] by masterpaul1

Aug 06, 2009 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: versican09 (Jul 08, 2009 12:24 pm)
We had this same problem. When we purchased our 01 DGC EX, I wanted the entertainment package. But it was well over $1000.00 from the dealer. A few years went by, and I thought to re-visit this problem. I looked into the over head unit, but wasn't impressed with them and didn't like the fact that they had to cut into the ceiling. Not to mention, that we have triple zone air/heat and the rear controls are where the DVD player would have to go and we would lose our rear overhead light. (If the unit didn't have one.) Plus they were just under a thousand or so. So, I thought to do some research about a portable DVD player. So what we did was buy a: 1) Sony "9" wide screen high resolution PDVD player from Best Buy for about $189. 2) Universal Car Mount PDVD player that mounts in between the front two seats without any tools for $29 at Best Buy. 3) We bought 4 sets of IR wireless head phones for all four of our kids. (They have volume control.) It comes with one transmitter and you can add up to as many head phones as you like. We paid a total of $90 and it came with a car 12V adaptor and other attachments so you can use it pretty much anywhere. We attached the transmitter to the plastic part of the rear air controls on the ceiling, using the velcro tape supplied. It only cost use around $309 for our complete entertainment package. Also, Everything stays in our van locked up and out of site, except the PDVD. We bought back seat organizers for the second and third row that keeps the head phones stored along with other personal items for our kids. (I think we paid around $15 for each. I hope this helps. I've included the links below. It's worked out beautifully.
 
1) http://www.compuplus.com/i-Bebe-Sounds-TV-777-TV-Listener-With-Two-Headsets-1056- 226~.html?sid=0cn28deccswq3ao
 
2) http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7439275&type=product&id=1124431815- 079

#391 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [versican09] by masterpaul1

Aug 06, 2009 (10:49 pm)

Replying to: versican09 (Jul 08, 2009 12:24 pm)
Also, you asked if kids fight over what to watch. Ours doesn't. (Even though their ages are 6, 11, 13 and 15) We have a big DVD collection at home, thanks to DVDR's. So the kids pick the movies that are appropriate, with our approval of course, and they can chose to watch and listen if they like. Using a 140-Watt DC 12V inverter to plug our video game in, we can hook it up to the PDVD. (This keeps the kids really entertained.) Since we have two vechicles, having the ability to transport the equipment from one vechicle to the other is a big plus. You can see the screen very well in both the second and third row. Make sure to by a PDVD that comes with the car accessories and a remote control. If you burn your own DVD's, make sure the PDVD player plays them. (Not all PDVD players play all formats). One last thing, you can play the movies through the car stereo by using a two ended male audio cord. (The cord used with ipod and MP3 players.) or if you have a tape deck like us, they have the thing you insert into the tap deck. (Not sure of the name.)
 
1) http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9223011&type=product&id=1218062116- - 598

#392 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [masterpaul1] by ateixeira

Aug 07, 2009 (7:49 am)

Replying to: masterpaul1 (Aug 06, 2009 8:18 pm)
Neat solution, and very inexpensive for good quality stuff.
 
The only catch is it blocks the pass-through to the rear seats. That probably doesn't matter once the kids are past toddler age, though.
 
Is that mount easy to remove?

#393 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [ateixeira] by masterpaul1

Aug 07, 2009 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 07, 2009 7:49 am)
Yes, it does block the pass through. We have a center console that blocks the pass through as well. (We just move it when we have to go to the back.) So even if we did have the overhead DVD player, we would still have to move the center console. The mount is secure and is easy to mount and remove. only takes a few second and there are no parts to keep up with. Ours mount is stored under the drivers seat out of view when not in use. The only draw back with our set up is that it takes a few more minutes longer to take the mount, PDVD player, and wireless transmitter for the head phones down to store it. (Compared to just flipping the screen up, on the over head DVD player, and turning off the ignition switch.)

#394 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [masterpaul1] by ateixeira

Aug 09, 2009 (5:28 am)

Replying to: masterpaul1 (Aug 07, 2009 5:16 pm)
2 more questions...
 
Do you leave it in the car, or remove it each time?
 
And do the front seats have to be lined up with each other? Shouldn't matter too much as vans have plenty of legroom for everyone.

#395 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [ateixeira] by masterpaul1

Aug 17, 2009 (9:12 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 09, 2009 5:28 am)
We leave everything else in the van except the PDVD. (It goes in the house, since we really don't use it that much.) One can leave it in the vechicle out of sight, if they choose. The front seats don't need to be at the same position. (Of course, you can't have one all the way reclined and expect the screen to be leveled.)

#396 of 409 Re: What's a Good DVD Player for a Minivan w/ 3 kids [masterpaul1] by ateixeira

Aug 18, 2009 (7:13 am)

Replying to: masterpaul1 (Aug 17, 2009 9:12 pm)
Sounds cool, thanks for sharing the details.
 
I just got one of those visor mounted DVD holders to remind us to use ours more often. Before they were in the door, and we had to fish for them.

#397 of 409 Town & Country Factory DVD Player by cowbell9

Sep 04, 2009 (12:50 pm)

I recently purchased a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Touring edition (no sunroof). I am trying to figure out which factory DVD system I should purchase. There are 4 types mopar sells. 2 have the DVD player in the overhead unit and the other 2 have the player in the dash. I would like to have the player in the dash. the car also came with rear seat climate controls that are placed right where the overhead unit goes. Anyone out there know what one to buy?

Messages Page 40 of 42

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