Portable DVD player for minivan

[mjkaferle5]

I am interested in getting a portable DVD player for our drive down to Disney in June.

I have seen the models that come with two seperate viewing screens that you attach to the back of the van seats.

Since we have 4 children I was wondering if the wiring is long enough to get one screen in the middle row of seats and one screen in the back row?

Has anyone here ever dealt with this situation?

 

[dismom9761]

Yes the wiring is plenty long enough.I have an Astro van and it is easily done.And one of the best purchases I have made.

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

I'd say to do your research on the units and choose one that meets any other requirements that you have. If it doesn't have sufficient length, you can probably get an appropriate extension cord. I'd recommend a unit with headsets. You can listen to what you want on the radio while the kids listen to their programming.

My business partner just got a unit for his minivan. The one he got had a single big screen. He can configure it to display two different inputs in a split screen mode. The unit also had dual band headsets. End result was that his youngest could watch a movie on half the screen while his older DSs played a video game on the other half. That's a little overboard for me, but the technology intrigued me...

 

[rgribik]

Are you talking about one of the bag systems? If so we had one for our expedition and it played both vhs and dvd. It is long enough to reach both middle and back seats. Just be careful, it is a pain to deal with. The cords are in the way and it was hard to hook in a stable place. I ended up rigging it with extra rope. When we got our new van we made sure it had a system in it. We ended up just giving our $700 system with 2 screens away. In one van we had we had an after factory system and screen installed for around $1200, that was a much better way to do it, but we thought we would save some money and buy the bag. I wouldn't do it again. Personal dvd players are also a good option(some of them are available for $89 or so). Just my experiences. I do love having the videos for the kids(I have 5 kids), just think it through as to what you need to get(or you may never hear the end of the $700 bag mistake )

 

[barkley]

we bought one with 2 screens at walmart for less than $150. since our van has an outlet in the back (like a cigarette lighter) it worked just fine. i like that ours is portable (vs. built in) because we can use it in the hotel, take it grandma's, use in a rental car.

 

[pdmeroc]

If your kids like the same movie, a cheap laptop is a good option.
All the benefits of a computer and the internet while you are away and a bigger screen than a portable DVD. Extra $$ though.

 

[Tiffann4k]

We are also using our laptop for the drive down. I have plenty of stuff for them to do when its day light but at night time they will have to watch movies

 

[_pretty_pixie]

I too have a the same DVD player and I love it but then again I'm gaget freak! Yes as you have heard by now the cords are plenty long enough, I like to place the cords under the floor mats and/or toy bag. Big thing to watch out for is eating food near screens and/or player. Be sure to get new DVDs or old favorits or the player will get old real fast and make sure you have working headphones for each kid.

 

[siestakeys04]

I too got the kids the 2 screen dvd player from walmart for christmas. For our trip in july we tried it out when we went to get gas and worked just fine. I am excited.

 

[skent10]

If your kids like the same movie, a cheap laptop is a good option.
All the benefits of a computer and the internet while you are away and a bigger screen than a portable DVD. Extra $$ though.

We like to use DH's laptop as well, especially with the bigger screen. We've used headphones and also portable speakers to help with the sound. One question, though, is how to secure it in the car. We've sat it on a milkcrate and bungied it to the front seats, etc. but I've never been thrilled with it being very secure, and I hate how the milkcrate takes up so much floorspace. Do you have a better method? I've never been able to find a hanging bag big enough for the laptop.

 

[isla bonita]

We just got one for Xmas and can not wait to use it. It was the bomb from there Auntie Dan and Uncle Neal. Our plane leaves in 41 days and we can not wait!