Vehicle DVD/Video Players

[Sliver]

Hey Guys. I'm doing a deal on a minivan right now that doesn't have a DVD player. I want to get some sort of video system for my kids, and I'm wondering if anybody has any aftermarket suggestions.

I don't want an in-dash unit. It'll have to be a ceiling mount or headrest player(s). I'd also like it to have RCA ins (or HDMI or something) so I'm not totally reliant on DVDs. I want it to be hard wired so I'm not screwing around with cords and cables everywhere. Any recommendations?

[Ashartus]

My wife and I looked into this and concluded it wasn't worth the cost - the quotes we had were well over $1000. You can buy a couple of portable DVD players really cheap and not have to worry about them breaking down or being obsolete, or even a couple of cheap tablets.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Hey Guys. I'm doing a deal on a minivan right now that doesn't have a DVD player. I want to get some sort of video system for my kids, and I'm wondering if anybody has any aftermarket suggestions.

I don't want an in-dash unit. It'll have to be a ceiling mount or headrest player(s). I'd also like it to have RCA ins (or HDMI or something) so I'm not totally reliant on DVDs. I want it to be hard wired so I'm not screwing around with cords and cables everywhere. Any recommendations?

Do your kids have iPads?

If so I am not sure of the needs for a system.

[Sliver]

Yeah, maybe it isn't worth the cost. I think you're right that it's about $1K. I just prefer a nice clean look versus having cables running everywhere (one to charge, one to the Aux In, etc.).

We have one iPad...maybe we'll just use that for now. There are definitely a lot of head rest adapters that are cheap and look pretty good out there.

[Galakanokis]

I looked into this as well and found it just as cheap (cheaper actually) to go with tablets and/or cheap laptops. Also way more flexibility. I was also able to rig up two small monitors if the kids got tired of holding the tablets, just RCA fed but the cables were external. Pulls out and installs in a few minutes.

[billybob123]

We have an extendable headrest mount for tablets. Seems to keep kids entertained, though they generally fight over what to watch.

Similar to this one.

[ozzy]

My kids are getting older now, they care more about playing games on line with their tables/laptops.
We are looking to buy a new car (maybe chevy) with built in wifi service, I don't how much it costs but I don't think is cheap.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by ozzy

My kids are getting older now, they care more about playing games on line with their tables/laptops.
We are looking to buy a new car (maybe chevy) with built in wifi service, I don't how much it costs but I don't think is cheap.

Built in Wifi? Don't do that. Get a Mifi unit (Pretty much same thing but an external unit you can toss in a bag/pocket and continue using outside of a car).

http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Products...eless-MiFi6630

You also need to get a qualifying sim with data contract to use it. But this would be the same in a car.

[Galakanokis]

If you have a good data plan just use your phone as a hotspot? I've done it places to keep the kids entertained.

[ozzy]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Built in Wifi? Don't do that. Get a Mifi unit (Pretty much same thing but an external unit you can toss in a bag/pocket and continue using outside of a car).

http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Products...eless-MiFi6630

You also need to get a qualifying sim with data contract to use it. But this would be the same in a car.

Thanks, I will look into the details. Do know off hand if it works in the U.S.?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by ozzy

Thanks, I will look into the details. Do know off hand if it works in the U.S.?

Works as long as data is working as far as I know. So if you get a US sim, it should work. Or if using a Canadian SIM, roaming and extra fees apply is my guess? I don't think Mifi units are locked to carriers, but giving Bell a call to clarify would clarify it pretty quickly I'd imagine.


http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=148053

This thread talks about a travel sim, but I don't know how well that would work in a Mifi in terms of speed and access. Sorry.

As Galakanokis mentioned, it's pretty much a unit that just does hot spot duties.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by billybob123

We have an extendable headrest mount for tablets. Seems to keep kids entertained, though they generally fight over what to watch.

Similar to this one.

Bought this one off Amazon and just put it in my car. I don't have an iPad at work so I can't really test it, but it seems like it will be good. Pretty tough to justify the ~$1500 it would cost to put in a ceiling mount unit if this works well. Thanks guys.