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| Mr. Mobile - Info Center - Car Video |
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Aren’t you tired of hearing “are we there yet?” over and over every time you take a trip in your car? If you want your children [or any passenger for that matter] to enjoy the trip a lot more, install a mobile video system. I have heard customers call their mobile video system their “back seat baby sitter”.
Since you are thinking about purchasing a new mobile video system, here is what you need to know to help you make your decision:
What is a Mobile Video System?
A mobile video system consist of monitor[s], a source unit, [DVD player or video game] and audio, either thru headphone[s] or your car stereo. You can choose to buy everything separately or buy a pre-packaged system. The pre-packaged systems usually come with everything you need, the monitor[s], DVD player [s] and one or more wireless headphones, so the people in the back seat can watch and listen to the movie while the people in the front seat can listen to the car stereo. Some systems have a built in wireless FM modulators that allow you play the DVD thru the car stereo so everyone can listen to the movie. Some systems also have an auxiliary input that allows you to hook up another video source, like a video game console [a 12 v converter/adapter will be required]
There are several ways to add video to the vehicle. Here are the most popular ones:
- Overhead systems – Overhead mobile video systems mount on the roof of your vehicle and have a monitor that will fold down when you want to use it. Most of today’s overhead systems have a built in DVD player, so you are installing one main unit. Overhead systems have screens that range from 7” up to about 15”. If your vehicle does not have a flat interior roof where you want to install the overhead monitor, you may need a separate vehicle specific bezel or some modifications to be able to install this kind of system in your car. Most vehicles with sunroofs make it very hard to install this type of system due to the space need for the sunroof to retract.
- Headrest Systems – Headrest systems are becoming more popular as the availability of headrest systems that match more vehicles is growing. Head rest systems allow your passengers in the back seat to watch video via monitors mounted in the back of the headrest[s]. There are a few different configurations for headrest systems:
- One or two monitors with no video source included. These could be added if you had an in dash DVD player and wanted to be able to play the DVD in the rear seat.
- Two monitors with one DVD player
- Two monitors with a DVD player and aux input for another video source such as a video game [a 12 v converter/adapter need] or a video iPod [will require an adapter]
- Two monitors with DVD players built in to each headrest so each one can play it’s own movie, plus an aux in for adding a video game console [a 12 v converter/adapter need] or a video iPod [will require an adapter]
- The systems above can accomplish three ways.
- Purchase separate monitors and install them in your existing headrests and add the source unit[s] and other accessories. This is not an appealing option to most people since they lack the expertise to slice open their headrest[s] to be able to mount the monitors.
- Purchase a generic Replacement Headrest System that comes with the monitor’s pre loaded in generic replacement headrests. These systems are fairly easy to install. Just take your headrest[s] out, replace them with the generic headrest then add the source unit and wire them up. Some come complete with everything you need prepackaged. The draw back to these systems is the headrest is generic meaning the same style will be used for all vehicles, so they will not look like your “factory” headrest. You can order them in colors such as beige and grey, but since they are generic, not your specific factory color, they will be similar, but not an exact match to your vehicles interior.
- Vehicle Specific, Matched Replacement headrest Systems – These headrest systems can be ordered for most of today’s popular vehicles that have removable headrests. You can order them for your make, model, year of car and interior color. These systems will match very close to your existing interiors color and will keep your “factory” look. You can get these types of headrest systems without a DVD player, with one DVD player built into one headrest or with a DVD player built into each headrest.
Headrest systems are great for leased vehicles. Once you are ready to sell your vehicle, just take out the video headrests and pop your original factory ones back in.
- In dash DVD Players – In dash DVD players can have either a motorized flip up monitor or have what is called a “double din” screen that is viewable at all times. The double din screens are for the vehicles that have a radio opening that is twice as high as a regular radio opening. Most in dash DVD players either come with or can have a GPS system added to them so you can view the GPS system without adding another monitor. Most of our in dash DVD players have touch screens that allow you to control all of your audio and video functions right on the screen. For those in dash DVD players that have iPod, HD or satellite radio interfaces available, your screen will show all of the programming info and allow you to control most, if not all, of the functions. Most in dash DVD players also allow you to add on headrest or overhead monitors so your rear seat passengers can see a movie. In dash DVD players that have a back up camera input or an extra video input will allow you to add a back up camera so you can see what is behind you as you are backing up or parallel parking.
NOTE: It is illegal to view a video source [DVD or game] on an in dash screen while the vehicle is in motion, so if you want to watch a movie or play a game on your in dash monitor, just be sure you are parked somewhere before you start watching or playing.
Surround Sound in the car? - Yes you can. The car is actually a great environment for a surround system. There are just a few 5.1 surround sound processors available that will let you get the full home theater experience in your car. You will need to add not only the surround sound processor, but amplifiers, speakers, including a center channel speaker and a subwoofer to get the full surround sound effect.
Satellite TV for the car? Yes, you can add satellite TV to your vehicle. With the TracVision system, you can add Direct TV to your car. The system comes with a fairly slim satellite unit that mounts to the roof of your vehicle, usually to your roof racks. There is also a Direct TV receiver that you install in the vehicle and hook it up to your video monitor. If you are a Direct TV customer, this unit is considered an additional receiver, so the monthly fee can be as low as $4.99 per month if you add this as an additional receiver to your current Direct TV account. [call Direct TV for details]. If you are currently not a Direct TV customer, you can still subscribe to Direct TV’s Mobile service that starts at about $40 per month.
Well, there you have it. If you want video in your car, it can be done several ways. If you are not sure which way is best for you, or have any questions, just call or email one of our Mobile Electronics Specialists, they will be happy to help you.
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