The flip-into-discs design, with the drive positioned on the back of the device, doesn't take away any precious space and doesn't increase the size of the device. The speakers, placed at the bottom of the player, do not distract the driver.
The earphones aren't that comfortable.
The XTRONS HD106P is as much of a car DVD player as it is a portable TV. With this device, you get to enjoy a detailed picture and a great number of connectivity options. Thanks to the HDMI port, you can connect your handheld console to it and enjoy high-quality HD gaming on the road.
Front seat headrest mounting/portable
10.1"
1024 x 600
Built-in speakers, two pairs of earphones
1 x HDMI, 1 x AV out, 1 x AV input, 1 x Earphone jack, 1 х SD card slot, 1 х USB, 1 x DC 12V
DVD/CD/USB/SD
MP3, WMA, AAC, AVI, DIVX, 3GP, VOB, RMVB, DAT, RM, FLV, MP4, XVID, JPG
30 days
Aside from the TVs itself, you get two remote controls, so you can have your kids sitting in the back, each enjoying their own content, with full control over their own TV without distracting the driver. You also get two pairs of quality earphones.
Some may find the maximum volume level a tad underwhelming.
The LOGIK L9DUALM13 doesn't leave a lot of room for complaints. For a twin screen setup, the image quality here is fairly impressive. The package includes just about every necessary accessory. Plus, the players don't have any region restrictions.
Front seat headrest mounting/portable
9"
800 x 480
Built-in speakers, two pairs of earphones
1 x AV out, 1 x AV input, 1 x Earphone jack, 1 х SD card slot, 1 х USB
DVD/CD/USB/SD
CD, DVD, DVD+R(-R), DVD+RW(-RW), MP3, JPG
6 months
The anti-skip mechanism lets you enjoy a movie without any interruptions even on the bumpiest roads. Each panel also has a really wide viewing angle, so you don't have to be glued to the screen and can always kick back and relax on the back seat. Aside from discs, the players can read movies from a USB drive or an SD card.
The model's native resolution is pretty low.
The Nextbase NB49AM / SDV49AM is the definition of a versatile budget product. It has its flaws but considering the price tag that this dual-screen setup comes with, what we have here is nothing short of a steal. Entertaining your passengers has never been cheaper or easier.
Front seat headrest mounting/portable
9"
640 x 234
Built-in speakers
1 x AV in/out, 1 x Earphone jack, 1 x DC out, 1 x DC in, 1 х SD card slot, 1 х USB
DVD/CD/USB/SD
DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, CD Audio, XviD, MPEG4, MP3, DivX, JPEG, JPG
1 year
With the infrared/FM transmitter, you will be able to connect wireless headphones and enjoy a clutterless, wire-free entertainment without any restrictions. Plus, you can use the FM transmitter to transfer the player's audio to your car's stereo system. This way, you'll get a much more immersive and engaging movie experience.
The plastic buckle is a little flimsy.
The WZMIRAI wz-DVD2 has a lot going for it. Aside from its attractive and functional design, this car DVD player works with an array of different interfaces, so you get the ability to enjoy your favourite content in a variety of different ways. Add to that the picture quality and you have yourself a winner.
Front seat headrest mounting/portable
10.1"
1024 x 600
Built-in IR/FM/speaker, a pair of earphones
1 x HDMI, 1 x AV out, 1 x AV input, 1 x Earphone jack, 1 х SD/MMC card slot, 1 х USB, 1 x DC 12V
DVD/CD/USB/SD/MMC
DVD, VCD, MP4, MP5, RMVB, CD-R, CD-RW, SVCD, DIVX
30 days
1024 x 600
1 year
A Detailed Picture
Car DVD players can't compete with mid-range TVs, that's just the way it is. Due to their limitations in size and connectivities, you cannot expect much from a device like that. Don't get us wrong though. We aren't saying that you should settle for mediocrity, which is exactly why we've put the XTRONS HD106P player so high up our list.
Of course, with TVs, players, and anything in-between, it all starts with the image quality. Generally speaking, you don't get a particularly crisp picture from these players but the XTRONS HD106P is a bit of an exception to that rule. With its native 1024 x 600p resolution, you get a detailed and lifelike image. An HD resolution like that is just the right fit for a 10.1-inch screen. Anything below that wouldn't have given you enough details and anything above that wouldn't make much of a difference as there's only so much space in a small screen like that, not enough to fit all of those pixels.
As far as headrest DVD players go, the XTRONS HD106P is a king of versatility. It comes equipped with a built-in HDMI port, so you can use it as a temporary monitor or as a TV at home. It makes for a pretty great kitchen display too. Aside from the HDMI, the model features the usual array of interfaces, including a USB port and a slot for an SD card. The latter two are particularly important considering there's no shortage of formats that this device supports.
It is capable of reading just about every audio format aside from lossless, including MP3, WMA, and AAC. It works with every movie format like AVI, DIVX, 3GP, VOB, RMVB, DAT, RM, FLV, MP4, XVID, and every other format except for MKV. And, of course, it also reads images, though only in the JPG format.
Smart Design Through and Through
Of course, at the end of the day, the device is as much of a portable TV as it is a headrest DVD player, emphasis on the "player". So, naturally, it comes equipped with a DVD drive. But what's great about this particular player is its design approach to the drive.
More specifically, its sort of a flip-into-discs design, with the drive positioned on the back of the device. This way, the manufacturers have been able to expand the screen and the number of interfaces without increasing the size of the player.
Overall, the model looks sleek and modern, with a great screen-to-body ratio and a touch panel that is as practical as it is appealing. But if there's one part of the player's design that we really like it is definitely the design of the speakers.
As a rule of thumb, the speakers are usually placed on the sides of the screen. Here, however, they have been put at the bottom. It may not seem like a huge change but the difference here is that, with speakers at the bottom of the player, you do not distract the driver, which is never a bad thing.
Long story short, the XTRONS HD106P is as much of a car DVD player as it is a portable TV. With this device, you get a great number of connectivity options. Thanks to the HDMI port, you can connect your handheld console to it and enjoy high-quality HD gaming on the road.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B01MFGXD2P |
Twice the Quality
One thing that is slightly different about the LOGIK L9DUALM13 player is that you get a dual-screen setup, with two different players instead of one. Truth be told, it isn't the only product on this particular market with an approach like that. But most of these setups tend to be really underwhelming, especially as far as the video quality is concerned. Fortunately, that isn't the case here.
Both monitors incorporate a native 800 x 480p resolution. It isn't quite HD but it does get pretty close. Plus, 480 pixels is the standard height of a DVD format, so you'll be experiencing movies the way the filmmakers have envisioned them.
Of course, there are things about these players that we don't like. Most of these flaws are negligible but we would be remiss not to mention the underwhelming maximum volume level. For the most part, the audio here gets the job done, but what you really want on the road is to completely distract yourself from the outside noise and that isn't always possible. Then again, it will seldom prove to be a noticeable issue.
Every Necessary Accessory
As far as interfaces are concerned, the players, aside from the usual deal, incorporate an SD card slot and a USB port. Unfortunately, both the card slot and the port can only be used for MP3 music playback or for viewing images in a JPEG format. At the end of the day, this is a player, so you will have to rely on the drive and your collection of CD and DVD discs to entertain you.
Other than that, both players come equipped with built-in rechargeable batteries, so the devices are as much headrest DVD player as they are portable TVs. The batteries last for about 3 hours, which isn't too bad all things considered.
One thing that's great about this product is the package. Aside from the TVs itself, you get two remote controls, so you can have your kids sitting in the back, each enjoying their own content, with full control over their own TV without distracting the driver.
You also get two pairs of earphones. Considering the price for the whole package, the headphones are surprisingly good. Plus, again, they will allow your kids to fully immerse in their favourite series without bombarding the car with a cacophony of different noises.
As per usual, the package includes a car mounting kit and all the cables necessary to connect the TVs.
All in all, the LOGIK L9DUALM13 doesn't leave a lot of room for complaints. For a twin screen setup, the image quality here is fairly impressive. The package includes just about every necessary accessory. Plus, the players don't have any region restrictions.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B00PFXEUV2 |
Not a Bad Deal
Car DVD players aren't cheap. One could cost you a pretty penny and two can easily do some serious damage to your bank account. That was exactly our train of thought when we've decided to include the Nextbase NB49AM / SDV49AM players to our review. On paper, the product might seem like nothing out of the ordinary. Furthermore, certain aspects of it may even seem underwhelming, like its native resolution of 640 x 234 pixels. But if you take the price tag into account, what we have here is nothing short of spectacular.
Sure, the limited number of pixels won't be able to provide you with a particularly detailed picture. And that's something you will have to live with. But it won't be that difficult to live with it knowing that you've paid around 70 quid for 2 portable TV sets that double as headrest DVD players. Furthermore, with these devices, you get a car mounting kit and a remote control. Now, that's a pretty sweet deal for that price.
Having said that, the Nextbase NB49AM / SDV49AM aren't just about the quantity either. Sure, the native resolution is a little low. But it's not like the picture quality here is disappointing. On the contrary, both players are equipped with fairly solid panels, implemented with true RGB colours that are capable of reproducing a vibrant and rich picture with a realistic tone.
Entertain Your Passengers
Car DVD players and portable TVs differ from regular television sets that you put at home. Mostly because the road isn't quite as forgiving of an environment as your average household. Which is why we really like the addition of an inbuilt anti-skip mechanism since it lets you enjoy a movie without any interruptions, even on the bumpiest roads. Each panel also has a really wide viewing angle, so you don't have to be glued to the screen and can always kick back and relax on the back seat.
Though the previous entry on our list is almost twice as expensive, the model in question doesn't just come equipped with a USB port and an SD card slot for music playback and image viewing purposes. No, it is fully capable of reading all kinds of content from these interfaces. Aside from MP3 and JPEG, the players will allow you to enjoy your favourite movies in an XviD, MPEG4, and DivX video formats. Sure, the list is a little limited compared to high-end and even some mid-range portable TVs but those cost at least 4 times more than a single player from this package of dual screens.
Finally, we feel confident saying that versatility might very well be the calling card of this product. You can playback content from a USB drive, an SD card, or any CD/DVD disc. You can mount it to the headrest of the front seat or position it on a flat surface thanks to the picture frame style stand. You can connect it via the cigarette lighter socket or use the built-in rechargeable batteries for 2 and a half hours of portable entertainment.
To sum it all up, the Nextbase NB49AM / SDV49AM is the definition of a versatile budget product. It has its flaws but considering the price tag that this twin screen setup comes with, what we have here is nothing short of a steal. It's a great option for children and not even that bad of a setup for toddlers.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B0053VPX30 |
Immersive Audio Experience
Dissimilar to the previous models in this review, the WZMIRAI wz-DVD2 gives you just 1 headrest DVD player. But the quality of those players is a far cry from what we're dealing with here. That quality is evident in every part of the model. For one, it incorporates a 1024 x 600p native resolution, so you get to enjoy a detailed, vivid, and clear picture and not the blurry disaster that you often get from inferior resolutions. Plus, a resolution like that is the perfect fit for a 10.1-inch screen.
Of course, it isn't just about the resolution nor is it all about the LCD TFT screen, with its trademark colour reproduction and precise image expression. Part of what makes the product so attractive to so many customers is the number of connectivity options.
One thing that you seldom get from these headrest DVD players and portable TVs is the infrared/FM transmitter. With its help, you will be able to connect wireless headphones and enjoy a clutterless, wire-free entertainment without any restrictions.
Furthermore, you can use the said radio transmitter to transfer the player's audio to your car's stereo system. This way, you'll get to appreciate a much more immersive and engaging movie experience.
Stay Connected
The WZMIRAI wz-DVD2 isn't a cheap player, so there are some things that you might as well take for granted. You could say that about the device's ability to playback various video formats, including MP4, MP5, RMVB, and DivX from a USB drive, an SD or an MMC card. But there are some things that you seldom get even from high-end headrest DVD players.
For one, there aren't a whole lot of these players that include an HDMI port. And that's a real shame since you can use the port and a proprietary HDMI cable to transfer video from your computer, smartphone, Kindle Fire, or any other similar device to the player. You can also use it to connect your PSP or a variety of similar handheld game consoles to the device and enjoy gameplay on a much larger screen.
We haven't been focusing much on the model's design and appearance as you can probably infer most of it from the image above or below you. But, suffice it to say, the device looks pretty damn good. The minimalistic profile with sharp angles and a silver framing with a black chassis create a slight but noticeable contrast that really elevates the model's overall appearance.
Of course, that's mostly subjective. What's a bit more of an objective advantage is the breakpoint memory function. Simply put, you can use this function to continue watching the video that you turned off in the car, doesn't matter whether you did it intentionally or not.
In short, the WZMIRAI wz-DVD2 has a lot going for it. Aside from its attractive and functional design, this car DVD player works with an array of different interfaces, so you get the ability to enjoy your favourite content in a variety of different ways. Add to that the picture quality and you have yourself a winner.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B071Y3RZNQ |
360-Degree Rotation
Hardly there is a person who would shy away from an opportunity to have yet another device with a display in the vehicle not to speak of a portable device capable of running on a built-in battery as well as using the vehicle battery power. Luckily, these are the features that the DBPOWER portable DVD player offers. The autonomous power supply unlocks literally infinite possibilities as for the place of the player use, including the in-car and outdoor applications. You can use a wide range of portable media as the source of video content for this car DVD player. The media includes CDs, DVDs as well as more up-to-date and capacious storage devices as USB thumbs and miniature SD memory cards. The advanced support of source media allows having a whole collection of interesting movies, TV shows and music files, which can be easily played with the DBPOWER player. This portable car DVD player by DBPOWER is equipped with a 9.5-inch display capable of rendering vibrant and rich colours and enables pivoting through 360 degrees even when you watch videos. Owing to its built-in battery this DBPOWER DVD player can be used on the go in practically any environment that is why we suggest using one of these compact laptop bags for its transportation and storage.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B009VX5HT6 |
What Is a Car DVD Player?
A DVD player proves itself indispensable on a trip or journey. If you're stuck in a traffic jam, or simply need to wait for your travel companion, a portable car DVD player can make the waiting time a bit easier for you.
A car DVD player, like you can infer from the name, is a player designed to be used in a car. It has a compact size and can be easily installed in a headrest, which distinguishes it from many other similar options. Most car DVD players are designed as full-fledged systems, meaning you can use them to connect your smartphone, iPod or even gaming consoles to play games and watch your favourite movies. All of that makes them popular with travellers and those people who spend a lot of time at the wheel.
A car DVD player doesn't differ much from a regular DVD player: they have the same ports and are used for the same purpose. What differs them, obviously, is the size and the power source. For this review, we've picked players from different brands so you can compare most popular options and choose one that fits you best.
Some of the models reviewed here have built-in speakers or bundled headphones. However, if you are a fan of surrounding sound, these built-in acoustics may not satisfy you, that is why we recommend you to look through our Bluetooth speakers review, which offers the info on the speakers that may be a better fit for your needs.
What Features to Compare
To make sure you and your passengers can watch movies or pictures comfortably, you need to determine the Mounting and Positioning of the car DVD player. It is up to you to decide whether to install a DVD player in the rear of your car or in front of you on a panel. It all depends on who you'd like to entertain - your family or friends travelling on the rear seat or yourself while being stuck in nasty traffic jams.
The next criteria worth considering are the Diagonal size and Display resolution of the player. Watching movies on a bigger screen is much more comfortable. There are different models of DVD players with the display diagonal size ranging from 2.2 to 15 inches. The most widespread diagonal size of DVD players today is considered to be 7-8 inches. You should pay attention to the screen resolution. The best option is 800x480 pixels resolution (which allows to playback all the NTSC DVD-content up to the maximum 720 × 480 resolution with no downscaling). At such a resolution the player's display even when exposed to direct sunlight will retain the original image's colours and maximum details.
In addition to the image quality, the Sound is the feature of much importance in terms of DVD players usage. Some portable car DVD players can output the sound to the main speakers of your car via a radio transmitter providing the same audio experience for all passengers. Other models have their own built-in speakers, as well as an interface for connecting the headphones via IR transmitter for allowing the fellow travellers to enjoy the watching without distracting a driving person.
Various Connectivity options determine the functionality of your automotive DVD player. Ability to connect additional displays, rear and front view cameras, infrared transmitters for wireless headphones, and even gaming consoles, smartphones, mp-3 players transform your DVD player into a multimedia station. Owing to HDMI input ports, USB stick ports, SD card readers you can watch and listen to the majority of modern multimedia formats without limiting yourself to the content of your DVD discs.
Sources:
1. Jason Hidalgo Before You Buy a Portable DVD Player, Lifewire. February 23, 2016.
2. The Complete Guide to Buying in-Car DVD Players, eBay. January 22, 2016.
3. The Complete Guide to Buying an In-Dash DVD Player for Your Vehicle, eBay. March 3, 2016.
4. Portable DVD Players Buying Guide, Harvey Norman.
5. Will Dron Products: In-car headrest DVD player head-to-head review, Sunday Time Driving Limited. August 18, 2015.