DVD player in cars

[amarone]

I was looking at a DVD player, screen etc. to put in our minivan. One type has a slot for the DVD in the console that attaches to the roof. This seems very neat (i.e. tidy) compared with other systems where you have to find a place to install a separate DVD player e.g. under a seat.

A salesman told me that some people complain about the noise from the DVD player in the console and that it is better to have a separate, more remote player. His store sold both types and the cost was similar, so I don’t think that he had anything to gain by pushing me one way.

Anyway, I wondered if any dopers have installed the “DVD in the console” type and whether you do get any distracting noises from it.

[Boyo_Jim]

No specific experience, but I have a hard time imagining an in-dash DVD player should make any more noise than a CD player, unless it’s very badly designed.

My CD player is mechanically silent. If the DVD player is not, likely it’s a piece of crap.

[amarone]

*Originally posted by yojimboguy *
**No specific experience, but I have a hard time imagining an in-dash DVD player should make any more noise than a CD player, unless it’s very badly designed.

My CD player is mechanically silent. If the DVD player is not, likely it’s a piece of crap. **

Just to be clear - I’m not talking about an in-dash DVD player. The player would be within the console attached to the roof from which the screen flips down. It would thus be rather nearer to the passengers than an in-dash DVD.

This may not make any difference to your view, but I wanted to make sure that the positioning of the player is clear.

[Chris_Luongo]

I’ve installed a handful of systems where the DVD player is mounted on the floor, and a couple dozen of the overhead ones. I work at a car stereo/video/alarm/sunroof/leather shop, but mainly doing alarms and remote starts. Still, I can tell you what I know of the video systems.

-I’ve never heard of a customer comeback from a noisy DVD transport with either system. And I’ve never heard noise myself. (For the overhead consoles, we’re using the 7" Audiovox VOD705DL and the 8" VOD805DL.)

-The all-in-one overhead unit costs more for us to buy than separate pieces, but requires less labor. As you see, customer cost turns out around the same.

-You may, now or in the future, consider hooking up your Playstation or other video game console into the car on long trips. If you have an all-in-one, this will mean audio/video cables hanging from the roof down to the game console. An under-seat DVD player, with front-panel inputs, would be a little neater.

-In either case, most of the DVD player’s functions can be accessed by remote, with a nice on-screen display. Still, wading through luggage and food wrappers to push buttons and swap discs on a floor-mounted player isn’t much fun.

-The all-in-ones are thicker, even when folded up. It may block the view from your rear-view mirror---- maybe the shop will let you sit in the driver’s seat of another customer’s car to see if it’ll be a problem.
----With either system, a sort of mounting ring may be used, which makes the device thicker yet. Whether or not the ring is needed, depends on how much clearance there is inside your car’s ceiling, the installer’s skill level, and how much you’re willing to pay for the extra labor needed to flush-mount it without the ring.

-If you buy the system with separate pieces, and one of them should break after warranty, you’ll only have to pay to replace that one piece-----if any part of the all-in-one breaks, you’ll be replacing everything.

-If the DVD player is mounted under one of the rear seats of a van or SUV, you’ll have trouble using the vehicle to haul lumber or other large objects—see if the installer can get it under the front passenger seat instead. Or they can attach it to the floor with Velrco instead of screws—you could remove and unplug it when necessary.

So I guess I can’t make your decision for you, but at least there are some more points for you to consider.

[amarone]

*Originally posted by Chris Luongo *
**I’ve installed a handful of systems where the DVD player is mounted on the floor, and a couple dozen of the overhead ones. I work at a car stereo/video/alarm/sunroof/leather shop, but mainly doing alarms and remote starts. Still, I can tell you what I know of the video systems.

-I’ve never heard of a customer comeback from a noisy DVD transport with either system. And I’ve never heard noise myself. (For the overhead consoles, we’re using the 7" Audiovox VOD705DL and the 8" VOD805DL.)

-The all-in-one overhead unit costs more for us to buy than separate pieces, but requires less labor. As you see, customer cost turns out around the same.

-You may, now or in the future, consider hooking up your Playstation or other video game console into the car on long trips. If you have an all-in-one, this will mean audio/video cables hanging from the roof down to the game console. An under-seat DVD player, with front-panel inputs, would be a little neater.

-In either case, most of the DVD player’s functions can be accessed by remote, with a nice on-screen display. Still, wading through luggage and food wrappers to push buttons and swap discs on a floor-mounted player isn’t much fun.

-The all-in-ones are thicker, even when folded up. It may block the view from your rear-view mirror---- maybe the shop will let you sit in the driver’s seat of another customer’s car to see if it’ll be a problem.
----With either system, a sort of mounting ring may be used, which makes the device thicker yet. Whether or not the ring is needed, depends on how much clearance there is inside your car’s ceiling, the installer’s skill level, and how much you’re willing to pay for the extra labor needed to flush-mount it without the ring.

-If you buy the system with separate pieces, and one of them should break after warranty, you’ll only have to pay to replace that one piece-----if any part of the all-in-one breaks, you’ll be replacing everything.

-If the DVD player is mounted under one of the rear seats of a van or SUV, you’ll have trouble using the vehicle to haul lumber or other large objects—see if the installer can get it under the front passenger seat instead. Or they can attach it to the floor with Velrco instead of screws—you could remove and unplug it when necessary.

So I guess I can’t make your decision for you, but at least there are some more points for you to consider. **

Thanks, Chris - that’s helpful. The all-in-one I’m looking at is the 8" VOD806DL, which I guess is the latest version of the 8" VOD805DL. The car is a Toyota Sienna. I wouldn’t want the DVD player under the rear seats for the reasons you give. I’m not sure if it will fit under the driver’s seat - there is some room, but there is also an AC vent under there. There’s not enough room under the front passenger seat.

I wonder if a hole could be cut into the center console and position the DVD player there. That would be easy to get to.