Mobile viewing systems are one of the more recent developments in ‘in-car’ technology. They can provide a wide range of functionality, from simply making your driving experience more pleasant by keeping the kids occupied watching DVD’s to providing the display for an integrated GPS navigation system. They can even improve your driving safety when used as the display for a backing up camera. Here’s a look at some of your mobile video system options.

Portable systems

The most basic mobile viewing systems consist of a self-contained player/monitor you hang or strap onto the back of a seat and plug into a power point or cigarette lighter. You get sound by plugging headphones into jacks on the unit. This option is inexpensive and functional, but the picture and audio quality of these units can be inconsistent, and because they are on the back of a seat the video isn’t viewable for some passengers.

Built-in systems

Headrest monitors
Systems using headrest monitors have a separate player and monitors. You mount the player in an out-of-the-way place, such as under the front seat or in a center console, and the monitors plug into the video output of the player. Wherever you locate the player, you need to access the front to insert and change DVD’s.

Headrest monitors can either be installed on brackets that attach to the posts securing the front seat headrests or built into new headrests that replace the original factory installed units. You need to install screens in both headrests to make the video visible to all backseat passengers.

Overhead monitors
Overhead monitors work best in larger vehicles such as minivans or SUV’s that have higher rooflines, since the monitors fold down from the ceiling. The monitors are safe from accidental damage when loading or unloading since they are up out of the way. All backseat passengers can see a single monitor.

In the past, overhead monitors used the same wiring as the vehicle dome light, so the existing dome light had to be removed. Newer designs commonly come with an integrated or replacement dome light so you can have both an overhead monitor and a working dome light.

Installing an overhead monitor can be complicated and is often a job for a professional, which adds to the cost.

In-dash/front seat systems
In-dash systems can provide functionality over and above simply watching DVD’s, such as being your viewing screen for an integrated GPS navigation system or a backing up camera. In addition, they can often multitask and connect to either headrest or overhead monitors to provide video viewing to backseat passengers while allowing those in the front seat to listen to music or navigate using the GPS system.

In-dash systems use either a fold-up LCD screen or built-in LCD monitor (approximately 6 ½”) and usually require professional installation.

Audio options
Self-contained systems generally use audio output jacks you simply plug headphones into. Wireless transmitter and headphone system options include:

• RF (radio frequency) -‘broadcasts’ the sound over a radio frequency and it’s picked up by headphones acting as antennae ‘tuned’ to that frequency. On the plus side, the transmitter can be mounted anywhere; however, the sound may be subject to radio interference in some situations.
• IR transmission (infrared) – technology similar to a remote control, the audio is ‘beamed’ to a set of compatible headphones. This system isn’t subject to radio interference; however, a direct line of sight is necessary between the transmitter and the headphones for the sound to be heard.

For additional help or how-to information, consult the mobile video system user’s manual or the portable DVD player user’s manual for the model you already own.