9" TV/VCR for car

[dreamer]

Looking to buy a 9" TV/VCR for our Chevy Venture. Which brand is best and who sells it the cheapest price? Can I buy one online? Any discounts or tips appreciated.

[Kaa]

I bought ours at Sam's Club back in 1997 for around $250. Now when we go to Sam's, we groan because the same TVs are less than $200. I have seen a variety of brands and I don't know if one is better than another. I haven't looked online, so I can't help you with that part of your question.

[Robinrs]

Target.com has one. VCR in a Bag (http://www.target.com/common/catalog/product.jhtml?navAction=push&navCount=4&prodid=78496&catnav=8771)

[mar3990]

We took a driving trip this past summer and bought a 9" tv/vcr at Target. I believe it was on sale for $169.99 and it is a Memorex. We have only had it since July but have had no trouble with it and it worked great in the car. We bought a power invertor also so the kids could play Nintendo too and I got extra connectors so all four kids could use the headphones. This way people in the front seat didn't have to listen to the movies, ect. It gets kind of loud if you are by the speaker. My husband made a stand so the kids in the back could see the tv also and I don't know if it is the safest way to go but we used tie down straps rather than bungee cords to secure it.

[Kaa]

I forgot to mention the headphones! Those are a great idea. We bought some from Radio Shack with a switch that would let our son listen in stero.

[taylorf]

I spent a few more bucks and ordered a 13" combo. That way we can use it in the car and it makes a great TV for our bedroom. I ordered it from Amazon.com. I am going to bunge cord it down to a milk carton when in the car.

Forrest

[robinb]

Taylorf:

Welcome to DIS!

Conventional wisdom is that tie-down straps are better than bungee cords since they are rated to hold more weight. A 13" TV/VCR combo packs quite a punch traveling at 60 MPH and you have to stop suddenly.

[madkatsmom]

We just purchased a 9"' TV/VCR combo from BJ's Wholesale Club for $189.00 (Sylvania brand). Add 2 sets of headphones from Target for $4.99 each and the $2.00 adapter from Radio Shack that allows you to plug in both sets of headphones and the total comes to
@ $200.00. Not a bad price for a peaceful roadtrip!

[ebhurleys]

We bought the 13 inch and wish we had gone with the 9 inch. The 13 is just to big for the minivan. I find it very awkward and bulkey.

[red65]

We will be traveling by car to florida from maine (24 hrs each way, but we all like to ride - we've done this several times) and for this trip we will be buying a 9" tv/vcr - We took the dimensions from a 13" (we have one already in the kitchen) , and it was just too big and bulky to fit. I think we are going with the the regular tv/vcr and will buy the dual conversion cord (with 2 outlets, about $50) for the tv and the nintendo. Pricewise it's about the same as buying the tv with the adapter and then buying an additional one with only 1 outlet - We didn't want to tie up 2 cigarette outlets in the car, and have cords all over the place.

We have a van, and when our 2 boys want to play nintendo, we can fold the 1st bench down and put the tv on that, strapped down. Otherwise it can fit between the 2 front seats - we have thought of putting a 4" binder under the tv to tilt it up, too.

The prices seem to range from $169 and up, and we're hoping for some good sale prices around Christmas.

RED65
118 to go!

[Scotch]

Those with the VCR in a Bag and the 9" TV/VCR combos, can the VCRs be used later on in the hotels for hookup to the regular TVs?

[dreamer]

Thank you all for your wonderful information. Our Venture only has 1 cig outlet...will that be a problem? What type of external pieces do I have to buy to work a Nintendo system? Thanks again

[Tiger Fan]

I just have to share my incredible find yesterday. A friend works at SAMs and called to tell me they had just put a dvd console unit for a mini-van on clearance. It was the display model, but had everything included and had never been used. The retail price is $599, but it was on discount for $250. When I got there the manager just happened by and I casually asked if there were any other markdown possibilities. He lowered it to $200 just for the asking. It's a KEC brand DVD player and it's grey like our interior. I feel like I hit the jackpot.

Lisa

[Strawman]

Lisa, congrats on your team's big win today. But don't get too happy, cuz Papa Bowden is coming soon!

[ripleysmom]

That's great Lisa!!

[Tigger1]

I would go for the vcr in a bag. It would be easier to take into the hotel room. We had a 13 inch which took up room, bulky and heavy to carry in. Last trip we did not take it. At Hard Rocck Hotel our van and 10 others was broken into. They were looking mainly for tvs. I am not sure that a portable type was what they wanted but they riped several out of the ceilings of some SUVs and Vans. Glad we did not bring ours we might have left it in the van.

Tigger

[SandraC]

These things sound great ~ any one know where I can get one in Canada?

[baileybrad]

I have a question about the VCR in a Bag. Does it also act as a regular television or is it just a monitor for the tapes?

Also, I have a question about the security at the Universal HRC hotel....is there any?

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Most bag models are Monitors and VCPs (players not recorders). Unless you want to use the device in your house as well, don't bother with getting a TV. Reception on the road is very poor if not non-existent. Unless of course you want to opt for the satellite dish that bolts on your roof.:smooth:

[baileybrad]

Forgot to mention that our van salesman threw in a mobile roof-mounted satellite dish in our vehicle purchase....boy, he was some salesman.

[Minnie's Mate]

We bought the 9" combo for our Expedition. We place an Atlanta Business phone book on top of the console and the TV combo on top of that. This rases the TV about 2 inches so our 4 year old can see the screen from the third row seat. I strap it down as tight as possible with a 3" wide luggage strap.

Be sure and check out the location of the speaker. Ours was on the left side of the TV. This put it right next to the Driver's right shoulder. It was too loud and distracted the driver so on our second trip we bought an inexpensive pair of Sony computer speakers so we could move the "sound" further away from the driver's seat. Works great.

[Minnie's Mate]

baileybrad,
Tell me how the roof top satelight dish works? We have a dish at home and I love it. It would be great to have the Disney Channel for our kids on our next trip in December if you don't have to pay for the service 12 mos each year. BTW, can you just take the card from your home unit and plug it into the mobile unit? This would be great since there won't be anyone home to watch anyway.

Of course, we already don't travel lightly. When we go for a week, we have a roof top luggage carrier on top as it is. I don't know if I could fit another piece of equipment on top of our Expedition.

[DisneyKidds]

Steelhorse Video makes a variety of tv/vcp combos for use in cars, including the one in a bag that others have mentioned, as well as console units like the one we bought for our Olds Silhouette. The quality seems to be very good (at least so far).

The console units are very nice. Ours fits between the front seats. The 9" tv faces the rear seats. The vcp is inside, along with storage for tapes or whatever. The unit has a good speaker that faces the rear, inputs for video games, and headphone jacks. The unit attaches to the floor so it is very safe (no bungee cords or tv's that can fly around in an accident). The console goes very well with the interior and looks like it is part of the car. Our daughter loves it. While it is not portable like those in a bag, the tv is much larger (9" vs about 4") and we don't have to worry about rigging it up as it is already there and very easy to use.

The console we got sells for about $450. We were luck enough to get an "open box" item from Best Buy for about a third of that. Big electronics stores sell the consoles and the units in a bag. If you do an online search for Steelhorse Video you can find places that might sell them cheaper. I have also seen both types of units on ebay.

Good luck.

[Brenda in IN]

Originally posted by red65
I think we are going with the the regular tv/vcr and will buy the dual conversion cord (with 2 outlets, about $50) for the tv and the nintendo. Pricewise it's about the same as buying the tv with the adapter and then buying an additional one with only 1 outlet - We didn't want to tie up 2 cigarette outlets in the car, and have cords all over the place.
RED65
118 to go!

Can we get the dual conversion cord from Radio Shack and then use the tv/vcr we already have in the house? It doesn't have to be especially for the car, does it? TIA!

[red65]

The "conversion" cord, as I call it, has 2 regular outlets on one end and the other end plugs into the cigarette lighter. Walmart has the version with 1 outlet for $24.99, Ames did advertise this as well a few months ago. The 2 outlet version was available through the AAA magazine and was $49.99. I tried our local (but small!) radio shack and they did not have them. If you have 2 cigarette lighters, you could always plug the tv/vcr into 1 cord and a nintendo into the other cord.

Red65
113 days!!:bounce: :pinkbounc :bounce:

[kalamazoo]

Dh said he saw the TV/VCR in a bag at Canadian Tire. I just looked online but they don't have it online. If you have a big one nearby, give them a call

[clm3]

We're looking into the tv/vcr in a bag. Does anyone have one that can give
me a review. My DH thinks 4'' screen is too small. We have a 4 Ford 150
SuperCrew, so no floor room to install. It will have to hang from the front
seats.

I appreciate any comments !!!!

Cheryl

[nanns]

SWe just got back from WDW and we bought a 9" tv/vcr combo from SAMS for $184.99.
We already had the earphones and the dual connector, so we didn't buy those, but they are super helpful in the noise level.

We also found a tv'vcr holder at Target for 9.99 to keep it in place, instead of the bungee cord or the luggage strap. It is securely down and can't be moved to easily. and looks nice too.

[Spoisal]

You bought a TV/VCR holder at Target? What is this?

[Minnie's Mate]

nanns,

I would like to know about the tv'vcr holder also.

[Robinrs]

:bounce:I convinced my sister that her nephew just HAD to have on for Christmas/birthday present! Boy, will that give me some peace on our 7 hour drive to Orlando on New Year's Eve!! :bounce:

[tlduckie]

I just had circuit city install 4 TV 5.5" monitors in the headrests of my ford windstar. It is installed so when I turn the key on or off it goes on or off. It also can be played through the speakers or with a flip of the switch and the magic of earphones be played that way. The vcp is installed under the passengers seat and I had the option of installing a dvd or even one of each and two TVs could watch one thing and the other two watch something else. LOVE IT. If you would like to see I can email anyone a PIC of it.

[sha_lyn]

tlduckie ... would you mind posting how much that cost you? I love the idea but think it is way more than what I can afford. What I have looked at is the steel horse monitors that can strap to a head rest and the VCP can go under the seat or between 2 bucket seat.

[tlduckie]

Two monitors for $550.00 to install $75.00 for each headrest. The vcp was $200.00. I would like to know about the ones you are looking at. I would like to have one that I can take down and put away for the front seat. I wanted one for my visor but it was way to much $$$$$$. I bought the ones for my headrest cause my mother just moved to SC and we live in ohio so i figure we will be making alot of weekend trips to SC to visit her. With for children saying (he hit
me)(Don't touch it me) It is well worth the investment! LOL:D

[sha_lyn]

the systme I'm looking at runs about 550. I just found this online, it is 799. It sounds great for your needs. They also haveo en without the tuner. This site seems to have a lot of stuff. I think they have monitors you could ply into the system you already have also.I just found it trying to find the site I had been looking at.

http://www.rearseatvideo.com/newpage14.htm

[momofmikey]

Has anyone used these tv/vcrs in a car, not a minivan? We have a Honda Accord, and I would like to get one, but it seems all the posters own minivans or trucks.

[sha_lyn]

There are several that could be used in a car. TV in a bag or the steel horse mobile cinema are2 that could be. Here is a likn for another one I saw at best buys. It is made to fasten down with a seat belt. I have seen them in the stores and would get it if it would work in a van but htere isn't a way to position it between 2 captains chairs. http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11080087&m=1&cat=24&scat=1471

I believe it is cheaper in the sotres.

[Robinrs]

:bounce: I got my son's VCR in a bag today!! I watched tapes in my office! This thing is great! I carried it like a purse up to my office and now I've got the entire department ordering one!

I hope my son gets to use it.... :tongue: