In-Dash Car DVD Players - What to Look for When Getting a Multimedia Receiver

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 on the market and their product ranges.

Main Features of In-Dash Vehicle DVD Players

Screen: it goes without saying that if you're watching a video you need to be able to actually see it, so make sure you get one with a good screen size.
Touchscreen Control: 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 Ipod, MP3, WMA, CD.
Radio Receiver: If you’re taking up valuable dashboard space with this new device, it’s vital that it also has radio.

Extra Features of Dashboard Car Video Players

Rear View Camera: keep an eye on what’s going on behind you with a rear-view camera.
GPS Navigation Abilities: no need for an additional GPS device if your multimedia receiver can do all that for you as well
USB Input: connect other devices to your multimedia receiver, for example a digital camera, MP3 player, et cetera.
SD Card Input: easily view your photos and other content.
Handless Calling: integrate your in-car entertainment system with your mobile phone and talk hands-free while you’re on the move.
Remote Control: so that you don't have to keep touching the screen or buttons if you want to alter the volume or change the track.
Bass Filter for Bass Speaker: great for people who are into extremely bass-heavy music, such as drum & bass.

Most Important In-Dash Vehicle Video Player Brands

Boss: $90- $300. A broad choice of a lot of different products available.
Pyle: $107-$515. A less-well-known brand perhaps, but a very large range of many products.
Soundstorm: $103-$731. A good range of products, spread across a varied range of prices.
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. Quite a lot of different products available.
Clarion: $239-$739. Quite a lot of products across a moderately large price range, but they are a bit more on the expensive side.
Pioneer: not a particular large range, but there are some very decent products in this line.
Kenwood: not a big range, but there are some good DVD players in this line.