DVD Player Tip for Big Families

[SuzieQMomof3]

Here's my tip:

We have 4 children who's ages are 9,7,3, & 8 months. We got a portable DVD player for Christmas and just joined DVC so we'll be driving to Florida a lot.

The problem with the player was the sound. Without headphones, the sound was too low. When we used the headphones, my 3 year old couldn't keep them on and the mess of tangled wires was making me nuts. I knew my 8 month old was going to get into it soon, too, so I found a solution.

I went to Radio Shack and bought a casette-CD converter. It's a small wire with a cassette tape attached to it which is meant to play CDs from a Discman on the car's sound system. I tried it with the DVD player and it works great. The only downside is that my husband and I have to listen to the movie, too, but to be honest I really didn't like the way the kids were totally disconnected when the headphones were on.

This solution worked great for us. I hope this helps someone else, too.

Susan

 

[Rapunsel]

what also works is placing the tv on an ice chest in between the passenger and driver. So everyone can watch..

Some times if we don't want to hear the movie we will just put the sound on the rear speakers..

 

[4greatboys]

I wonder if they have some type of speakers you could also hook up to. Little ones like the ones you could get for a walkman, so you could also hear it on the plane. We have a very hard time hearing ours on the plane, and its especially bad close to the engines.

 

[BrianMonk]

thank for the tip.

I use the TV at the following link. It's a little pricey, but is large, securely attaches between the two front seats and has wireless headphones.

You can't use the speakers while traveling (the case covers the plug-ins) due to the case needing to be in place to secure the TV to the seats.

You can then bring the DVD/TV inside and play videos in the room.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...=product&cmp=KAC-071603INCEPTOR&ref=02&loc=01

 

[StephMK]

Thanks! We have one of those converter players but I never would have thought about using it on the DVD player. Smart thinking!

 

[Schmeck]

SuzieQMomof3, that's a great tip! We have one of those gadgets around someplace - hubby bought one for our last road trip, because our old conversion van had a tape player, and we had so many CDs we wanted to listen to. It worked really well. Never thought to try it with a DVD player.

I like listening in on the movies - it's fun to try to imagine what the scenes are like. Almost like trying to guess the plot of a movie on a plane ride, when you're too poor/cheap to rent the headphones, LOL!

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

4greatboys,

I tried those walkman desktop speakers, they aren't loud enough. They are actually quieter than just using the DVD player. I also looked into wireless headphones, but they are about $50 a piece (times 4-yikes!), so that wasn't practical.

Rapunsel, Good idea about putting the sound just in the rear speakers-Hubby and I could actually have a conversation!

 

[Lisa3]

BrianMonk-

I have been looking at this model to replace the 9" TV/VCR we usually take (we have mostly DVDs now). I have not seen any reviews and assumed the Audiovox D1210 was very new. Any info you have on how you like this system would be appreciated. I know it comes with two headphones, can you add a 3rd?

Right now it is a little more than I want to spend (although I did find it for $699). Hoping is comes down to about $500 by the end of the summer.

 

[BrianMonk]

Lisa,

I've had it for five months and so far so good. The picture quality is fantastic. Side viewing is also good.

We've used it in the van and in the hotel room. We love it. I hope it is dependable, so far it has been.

With the wireless headphones, I don't hear anything from the movie while driving. I only hear the peanut gallery laughing from time to time In the hotel room, we can attach the speakers and everyone can hear. It also comes with a compact travel bag.

I have 3 kids as well. In order for 2 of our kids to see it in the back seat, we have to have 1 midrow seat folded down. Although I think you would have to do that with any non-roof mounted unit.

Funny you ask about a 3 set of headphones. I was on the computer looking just for that when I stumbled on this thread and decided to post. Audiovox website was down last night, but since then I contacted audiovox and here is what I found.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=599533/mode=inktomi_2/ut=cc4c71feed402f29

I hope you find it for $500 by when you need it. I waited for a while too and nothing happened to the price. Hope you have better luck.