TV in the car - more comfort than luxury

As a car driver, you naturally have few opportunities to use the TV in the car. But what about the passengers? Parents planning long-distance vacation trips are always worried about what to do with their children on the road. Here, the TV in the car, with its many options, is the perfect distraction. Because where there is a TV, a game console can also be connected. And hardly anything else can entertain children for hours, except for unlimited play in front of the monitor.

Three paths - one goal

Bring the TV into the car in three ways:

1. Quick Option: Headrest Monitors

2. Extended Option: Dashboard Monitor

3. Professional option: monitor in the ceiling

Plug, Play + Lucky Headrest Monitor Upgrade

What for 40 can still remember the days when the thought of ' television in the car ”was somewhere between unattainable luxury and fun science fiction.

Well , those times have changed radically: in-car TV solutions available on the market today start at incredibly low prices. Approximately for 90 pounds you can get entry level kits, consisting of:

– 2 monitors
– 1 DVD player (usually built into one of the monitors)
– Brackets and cables
- headphones

The best in these inexpensive and quickly installed solutions is that absolutely no tools required for installation .

All you have to do is remove the headrest and install the monitor mount onto it. .

Then everything just needs to be connected according to the installation instructions - you're done!
Power is supplied through 12V outlet . Most modern cars have an additional outlet on center console . Thus, the driver is not bothered by a cable dangling over his shoulder. Anyone interested in a set of headrest monitors should pay attention to the following functions:

– USB connection
– HDMI connection
– Infrared headphone interface

• Built-in DVD player not really needed. And you have to be honest with yourself: at 90 pounds for a complete set, you can't expect too much from mechanical parts.
• DVD/Blu-ray player won't be very reliable in this price range. But if it is available, you should choose a kit without a player.
• USB or HDMI interface can be connected to a prepared flash drive. Thus, passengers in the back seat can enjoy the movie without interference, even if the road is bumpy.
• Infrared headphones very practical and safe. Instead of annoying cables that can even injure a child in the worst case, they can enjoy movies with wireless sound. This means that even the driver is not bothered by film noise.

TV in the car: High-End for DIYers - a monitor in the dashboard

Installing a large monitor in the dashboard today makes sense for many reasons. . The driver will only be able to watch TV on rare occasions. On the one hand , rear view camera, video recorder, navigator and additional indicators  can be displayed on the same screen.

On the other hand, installing a monitor on the dashboard somewhat more complex than the previously described headrest monitors for rear passengers.

However don't be too scared: in fact, this is just a somewhat advanced installation of a car radio .

In addition to the familiar antenna, audio and power connectors added connectors for decentralized media inputs. Suitable for TV DVBT antenna.

It is true that most car radios with TVs also have a built-in USB port. But who wants an ugly flash drive sticking out of their dashboard? For this purpose, sockets for car radios are also provided, which lead to sockets in the center console.
Price drops can also be seen with these devices: good brand name car radios with retractable monitor are available for as little as £180.

What's less attractive about dashboard TV retrofit solutions is installation accuracy. . Usually you can see the difference between the standard model and the attachment.

However, in terms of price modernized solutions are unmatched: while a factory fitted Hi-Fi system can nearly double the price of a new car, upgraded equipment is usually available for as little as a few hundred pounds. .

It's important follow the installation instructions exactly. This is especially true for the power supply. With the help systems that are in use today , it is very important that the power supply is never broken. An improperly installed car radio will inevitably drain the battery.

In old cars it was annoying - in new cars an error appears in the fault memory, which, in turn, can cause other effects. With proper installation, you can save yourself the trouble.

Top of the range: in-ceiling monitor

Headrest monitors are quite practical, but they have one drawback: they are quite small.

To get the movie theater experience in your car, you need much larger screen .

For this purpose There are monitors on the market that are attached to the headlining of the car and fold when necessary.
The devices themselves are also not too expensive . Prices start from 180 euro , but for decent quality it is recommended to choose devices in class 900 euros .

However, installation is not entirely straightforward:

Unlike monitors in the headrests and on the dashboard, installation of a folding monitor on the ceiling is irreversible . The headliner needs to be cut and cleaned.

Not everyone likes to deliberately remove this element of the interior. But if you are looking for such a solution, you can not do without a cutter knife. A small consolation is that, if done correctly and professionally, damage to the ceiling lining is almost imperceptible. Nevertheless , this measure will not increase the value of the car .

Moreover , when installing a ceiling monitor, you must also lay a cable for a decentralized media connection socket. This connector is usually attached to the B-pillar, so its cover must also be cut.

Overall , installing a ceiling monitor gives a very convenient function.

But one should strictly adhere to the golden rule of the master: Seven times measure cut once ". Otherwise, there is a risk of severe irritation if the placed hole is not exactly suitable for the device or connection sockets.