We have the opportunity to get two 7" Myron and Davis built-in headrest DVD players for $1650-1700, OR one fold down DVD (10" or 13") for $600-1,000. Prices include installation. We have two kids, ages 21 months and 12 years. We already have a portable DVD player that can be strapped onto a seat as a "supplement" to either of these two options. So...which DVD setup would you go with? Headrest or single fold-down DVD player???
2007-03-16 05:17:58 · 8 answers · asked by julesl68 5 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
JScorpio, I have a 21 month old who has the attention span of a flea and doesn't know how to read yet.
Let me clarify for everyone...the DVD players would be used mainly for long drives; i.e. road trips in the summer, or any drive that will take at least an hour. This is not a feature to make them behave while I'm driving, as I don't have problems with that.
2007-03-16 05:33:15 · update #1
Again, this is "supplemental" to all other things that will be available to them in the car. Thanks for your concern and recommendations, but my question has nothing to do with that.
2007-03-16 06:12:09 · update #2
Only you can make the final decision, but some things to consider if you haven't:
An add-on overhead screen unit will almost always block your rear-view mirror while driving. Have the store show you how it will be placed in the vehicle while you sit in the driver's seat; make sure you can stand to drive with a restricted view.
Consider whether it will be possible to change disks in the overhead unit without stopping or without someone unbuckling his/her seat belt. Most overheads have the DVD player built-in, but it might be more practical to pick a system with a separate DVD player that you can control.
The headrest systems can be removed when you're ready to sell the vehicle, and it can be put back into stock condition. Installing an overhead unit almost always involves cutting the headliner.
It's true that headrest screens can have problems with seeing the image when the sun is shining on them. The fact that most minivans have some tinting in the rear and side windows helps with this.
You can get headrest covers to protect the screens and make them less obvious to potential thieves when you're not using them.
It sounds like I'm pushing the headrest screens, and I do think they're your best option; but only you can decide whether the advantages are worth the extra cost. Either way I hope it turns out well.
2007-03-17 06:35:13 · answer #1 · answered by KaeZoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd go with the flip-down model ... it's less costly and you already have another portable DVD player ... just in case one child refuses to watch what the other one wants to watch.
Update: I can totally understand ... you're talking about long distance trips. It's not a crime to want to entertain your children while you ride for hours in a vehicle.
Since your youngest is still tiny, I'd still go with the drop down ... they'll watch the same thing for years ... and when they're old enough to protest, you can whip out that portable player and be ready to go. :) Happy traveling!
2007-03-16 12:21:54 · answer #2 · answered by Bonny K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Headrest screens would be more likely to be hit with direct sunlight, which makes the image hard to see. Also, they're more accessible to little fingers, so probably more prone to smudges etc. To me, that makes the fold-down better, particularly if you plan to do the long drives during the day.
2007-03-16 15:14:42 · answer #3 · answered by CinderBlock 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd go for the fold down.
When you're away from the car it's less obvious that it's there and you get a larger screen size.
2007-03-16 12:21:08 · answer #4 · answered by mark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the head-rest is the better of the two because of it convenient to you and the children
2007-03-16 12:34:27 · answer #5 · answered by sonia r 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest learning some fun tunes to sing together, getting coloring books, travel board games, those educational quiz cards and so on and so forth. Why would you want to zap all the creativity out of your little angels? Watching TV means you don't have the capacity to create anymore, the image is given to you. Start giving the younger one tbooks to look at so he/she won't grow up thinking they can get car sick from reading. Reading in the car is much better than pluggin in the boob tube.
2007-03-16 12:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Neither, dvd players can be distracting to drivers and should not be used in vehicles. Teach your kids to behave themselves in your vehicle and teach them to read instead of watching dvd's when you are on the road.
2007-03-16 12:24:40 · answer #7 · answered by jscorpio 1 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Whichever you choose, make sure that it can not be set-up to be viewed from the front seat.
2007-03-16 12:27:27 · answer #8 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋