If you’re looking to buy a new in-dash car DVD player then this is the article you need to read. This article will take a look at the main features you need in an in-dash car DVD player, and then take a look at some additional features that you may want to look for. We will then finish by looking at the main brands available and their product ranges.
Main Features of In-Dash Car DVD Players
- Screen: obviously if you’re watching a DVD you need to be able to see it, so a good size screen is essential.
- Touch Screen Controls: you don’t want to be wasting time fiddling around with complicated menus and buttons, so easy-to-use touch screen controls are extremely useful.
- Multi Format Support: not all your films and music are necessarily going to be on DVD, so it’s very useful to be able to use other formats such as MP3, WMA, CD, Ipod.
- Radio: If you’re taking up valuable dashboard space with this new device, it’s essential that it can also function as your radio as well.
Additional Features of In-Dash Car DVD Players
- Rear View Camera: keep an eye on what’s going on behind you with a rear-view camera.
- GPS Navigation Abilities: why have two devices in the car, when one devices can do everything for you?
- USB Input: connect other devices to your multimedia receiver, such as a digital camera, MP3 player, etc.
- SD Card Slot: view your favourite photos and other content easily using an SD card slot.
- Hands-free Calls: integrate your in-car entertainment system with your mobile phone and talk hands-free while you’re on the move.
- Wireless Remote Control: no need to keep touching the screen to turn your music up or down or change track.
- Low-Pass Filter for Subwoofer: if you’re into extremely bass-heavy music then make sure your multimedia receiver comes with a special low-pass filter designed specifically for feeding your subwoofer.
Main In-Dash Car DVD Player Brands
- Boss: $90- $300. A wide range of many different products available.
- Pyle: $107-$515. A less-well-known brand perhaps, but a very wide range of many products.
- Soundstorm: $103-$731. A good range of products, spread across a varied price range.
- Lanzar: $99-$437. A pretty good range of products, spread across a varied price range.
- Koolertron: $159-$635. A number of different products available.
- Power Acoustik: $99-$319. A number of different products available.
- Clarion: $239-$739. A number of products across a reasonably wide price range, but they tend to be a bit more expensive.
- Pioneer: not a particular wide range, but there are some very good products here.
- Kenwood: not a big range, but there are some good DVD players here.