How to find a car video system with monitors in the headrests

Replacing a factory stereo or entertainment system with an aftermarket one is one of the most common car modifications today. Simple systems only play audio, while more advanced systems can play video as well. Video playback systems use one or more screens to display video.

In order to entertain passengers in the back seat, or entertain children on long journeys, it is often advisable to mount a system using video monitors on the back of the front seat headrest. These systems can be quite complex and often require professional installation. Finding the right system and then finding the right store to install such a system can be a challenge if you are unfamiliar with car audio and video equipment.

With just a few simple steps, you can go from your car's stock entertainment system to an aftermarket unit with front-seat headrest-mounted video monitors in virtually no time.

Part 1 of 2: Finding the Right System

Step 1: Decide on a budget. Like most in-car entertainment systems, video players come in a wide range of formats and are available with varying levels of installation sophistication.

Knowing your budget before you go into it is critical to getting what you want without spending more than you can afford.

If you have kids and want to keep them entertained in the back seat on long trips, consider getting a tablet and a tablet mount that can be attached to the back of the front seat headrest. It costs a lot less than even inexpensive car entertainment systems, and the tablet can be used both in the car and outside to watch movies, read books and play games.

Tablets can be very affordable, and the hardware needed to attach them to headrests is simple and inexpensive.

Plan to spend hundreds of dollars on an in-car entertainment system, even if you're using the simplest option possible - installing stand-alone headrest monitors. These systems cannot be controlled from the front of the car and can only occasionally be synchronized to work together, but they can be controlled from the rear seats and offer the same level of entertainment as a fully integrated system.

Having an entertainment system in the car that plays videos of various formats, which can also display video on monitors installed in the headrests, is optimal, but quite difficult. These systems usually require custom installation, and the receiver alone, the "brain" of the system that goes into the dashboard, will cost as much as one of the basic systems described above.

Step 2: Make a List of Features That Matter to You. When planning to purchase headrest monitors, it is important to consider how you will be using the monitors.

For example, if this video entertainment system is going to be for kids in the back seat, consider how easy it would be to reach the controls and set them up for a small child. If you're trying to keep teens entertained on long drives, having headphone and headset audio jacks will help keep everyone occupied peacefully, without arguing over volume.

If you'll be bringing multiple family members or an elderly person with you, you'll want to make sure the screens are large and the sound quality is as high as possible for optimal listening and viewing.

Some monitors are compatible with video game systems, so make sure the systems you're looking at offer this feature if you need video game compatibility.

Based on these considerations, make a list of the features you want in your car video system, including the following:

• monitor size,
• HD+ display options,
• Specifications and sound options,
• Ease of use and ease of management, as well as
• Other options such as formats and compatibility options that may be important to you.

You can use this list to compare against potential options in the next steps.

Part 2 of 2: Choosing from Your Options as a Consumer

Step 1: Research Retailers and Buying Options. While many systems are available online, there are many benefits to purchasing components from a store that can also install.

If you need a professional installation of the system you're looking at, talking to a local shop can result in a better deal considering component cost and labor.

Local stores may also have ingredients they recommend instead of what you would otherwise order online. While this is not a reliable way to select components, talking to someone with experience can be a huge help.

• Tip: Be careful if you plan to buy used components for this installation task or any other similar job. Because the electronics will be physically built into the interior of the vehicle, reliability is an important factor. If something breaks, it will take a significant amount of labor to repair or replace it.

Step 2: Make a Final Decision. You've done your research and running around. Now it's time to make a decision: which car video system with headrest monitors will you choose?

Remember, each car has its own technical requirements and each person has his own preferences in entertainment. Therefore, the entertainment system that works best in your car may not be for everyone.

In the end, it's all about finding what fits your needs and budget without skimping on quality. Fortunately, if you follow the steps above, you should be educated and armed with useful consumer information to help you get the most out of your headrest monitors and in-car video system.