Getting stuck in traffic today doesn’t mean you have to go without entertainment. With so many cars having built-in DVD players, you can watch snippets of all kinds of movies simply by pulling up behind another car.
If you’re considering becoming one of the masses who want their entertainment to be as portable as possible, you’ll find the following tips on choosing car DVD players especially helpful.
have a budget
Before you start shopping in earnest, learn the most you can afford to spend minus installation. Most units will require some form of installation in addition to the price of the unit, so keep that in mind when pricing car DVD players. Look to spend at least $200 with another $100 or more for installation.
Consider requesting installation quotes once you’ve decided on a model you’re interested in so you can get a better idea of what you’ll be spending. Be sure to pay for professional installation so you don’t have to stress or worry about problems with your car DVD players.
know what you want
There are a number of options when looking for car DVD players. For example, you could invest in a portable DVD player (the ones that look like small laptops) and a mounting kit so your kids can watch their favorite movies in the back seat. Other people want to have a monitor installed on the roof of the car, along with car DVD players.
Another option, especially for children, is to have the screens and players mounted on the back of the headrests. If you choose a dual monitor system, your children will be able to watch different programs at the same time. That’s always a plus for peace and quiet on long car rides.
Pay attention to what you get
When you are shopping for car DVD players, you should carefully read what you are getting. A big mistake consumers make is that they buy a big screen (these work best in SUVs and other large vehicles) assuming it also comes with the car’s DVD players.
That is not always the case. To get the best value for your money, consider an integrated dash system. Unlike other types of car DVD players, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck, including CD playback, GPS navigation, and even iPod connectivity with many of the units. The downside is that the models can be distracting to drivers, since the display is also in the dash.
Security
One thing you need to worry about is safety with your car DVD players. These things are often hard to hide and are a huge draw for thieves.
Depending on the installation method you used, they may not be covered by your auto insurance (if not, they will be covered by your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance). When installing these car DVD players, consider adding an alarm system to your car as well.