Car owners guide to: Car Audio > DVD Players & LCD TV's
 It
wasn't so long ago that the idea of having video screens in your
car seemed like something only the rich and famous could afford,
but the latest products are now providing a way for the average
family to live in harmony during a long journey. And anyone with
children knows how priceless that is!
Once restricted to travel scrabble or card games, rear seat entertainment
has changed; it now involves video games players or DVD movies shown
on headrest TVs or drop down roof-mounted screens.
The complexity of these installations required MMSA members to
acquire new skills in leatherwork and coach-trimming, but as demand
increased, ready-made replacement headrests and door panels became
available. So while our members are skilled enough to build an LCD
screen into your car's factory headrest, an off-the-shelf solution
of replacement headrests pre-fitted with screens can be both quicker
and more cost-effective.
 In-Car
Cinema - when it looks too good to be true
When selecting products, the usual cautionary message applies -
beware of cheap imports.
Because of the rise in the popularity of in-car cinema and the
low cost of manufacturing in the Far East, the market is being flooded
by what at first sight look like amazingly good value products.
Some of these will provide reasonable results; others will offer
poor quality screens and unreliable DVD playback.
If you've not experienced the better quality products, you'll not
know what you are missing and how a little more money can buy you
a great deal more in terms of performance and reliability. It's
at least worth making the comparison before spending money and regretting
it later.
Good quality doesn't always mean it has to be expensive. There
are some good entry level in-car cinema packages, and some don't
even require much fitting. The DVD or Video traveller bags that
contain screen, in-car movie player and a pair of headphones, for
example, all of which simply plug into the cigarette lighter socket
and hangs on the back of the seat. These can be a nice easy introduction
to in-car cinema or video game play and the perfect solution if
all you want is an occasional holiday peacekeeper!
However, nothing beats a bespoke, professionally installed multi-media
car cinema system. It looks the part - no trailing cables or temporary
add-ons - and will make you the envy of your friends. So take a
demonstration at one of our members. But beware, once you taste
it, you'll want one.
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