TV/DVD Player?

[momofmikey]

I'm interested in buying a TV/DVD combo for our trip down in December. We're renting a minivan (we have a Honda Accord), and didn't want to spend too much on the product b/c we won't use it other than Disney trips. Walmart has a 9" Orion brand for $200, the cheapest I've seen so far. Anyone have this, or know if it's good or not? I'm not expecting ridiculously high quality, but just want to make sure it's not garbage, and won't last the trip. I'm also open to suggestions of other inexpensive models and where to purchase them.

Thanks!

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

You will not regret the purchase, but if you own a laptop computer, it may have a DVD player in it. You would not believe the number of people I have mentioned this to that did not know that.
Hope this helps.

 

[roserae]

Wow, that sounds like a great deal to me! Our Walmart only has a 7 inch and it's $278.00. Sam's club has a 10 inch for $690.00. So 200 bucks for a 9 inch screen? I say go for it and then send me one! ha!

Stacy

 

[alexedan]

We also do the laptop/DVD thing. Just plug the laptop into the lighter for power and then when we get where we're going we hook the DVD player up to the hotel TV (sometimes need a RF converter which you can get at radio shack). Then kids get a big screen.

 

[peanuttrip]

You may also look at renting. Most of the weekly rental stores have them to rent. We went on a week long trip and rented one for about 35 bucks.

 

[newtowdw1]

I have two suggestions:

Can you rent a van that already is equipped with a TV/DVD?

Go to epinions.com and look at their reviews of electronics. I've found great information there, and they have a price compare feature too.

Good luck

 

[sha_lyn]

I take it from your post that you are not looking at the TV/DVD players in a bag that are made to go in a car? If not please do so. It is almost impossible to temporarily fasten a TV inside a van. In the case of an accident or even slamming on the brakes the TV can become a deadly projectile. Sometimes (usually around Xmas) target carries a bag that a 9in TV/VCR will fit into and fastens to the car seats, but it is about $40 or $50. BJ's wholesale has the TV/DVD in a bag for around $300. Sure the screen is smaller, but safety should come first.

 

[momofmikey]

I've never heard of the combo in the bag. Can you explain?

 

[DisneyArk]

We have one of the larger TV/VCR combos. It's always been tricky for us to wedge it between the seats and I always worried that it wasn't safe. Last year we bought a van and had a DVD player installed - I feel much safer now. But I think these bags are a great idea.

Here is a link to one they sale at Target. There are straps on each side of the bag that strap onto the head rests of the front seats. I know that Best Buy sells these too, but I couldn't find a good picture on their site. Good luck!

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_6/601-5611198-8405700?asin=B00008PC3R

 

[myboysmom]

We too now have a truck with the DVD player and screen. Prior we had an inexpensive tv with a VCR we got at Circut City. It did have fastening holes, kinda like a picture frame might on the bottom. My husband built a special holder for our Explorer that kept the tv from sliding around and would not allow it to fly around the car if we had to stop fast. It never did move.

Now they make them in those bags that hang over seats. Find them at Target or other discounters.

 

[twotoohappy]

I got a Mintek 5.5" dvd/tv for our Dec. trip from Best Buy for 179.00 and it works great. It comes with battery pack/car adapter/cable to hook up to the tv,etc .
Excellent pic. too. We are ready for the plane ride.

 

[kfeuer]

I just bought a 9" combo TV/DVD player at Sams Club for $198 a few weeks ago (definitely the best price I've found). Sorry, can't remember the brand, but it was someone I'd heard of--I want to say Sylvania? We've been using it in the house for the past few weeks and it works great. We just went to Target this weekend and got a carrying bag for it, and that was $40 (but like someone else said, it's a very necessary safety item). We have a minivan and while the setup will work well for our upcoming trip, I wouldn't want to have it in the van all the time (it's bulky and makes it hard to adjust the seats). Of course, it doesn't help that we have two car seats in the back (including one that's rear-facing).

What I like about having a 9" TV vs. one of the mini DVD players is that we can actually use this TV in our home. It'll probably end up in one of the kids rooms someday, but right now we're using it while we're on the treadmill.

HTH a little!

 

[Clement5]

It works wonderfully, The picture is great and for the small confines of a van or truck the size is very good. It is by far the best/cheapest 7" around and i would recommend it to anyone. We'll be using ours on our trip on Sept. 20-27. Hope to see yall
there.

Later,
Clement5

 

[shakespear]

I can tell you from working in Sears repair and service NEVER purchase TV combos...

 

[sha_lyn]

Sorry this is so late. I thought I posted it earlier.

DVD player in a Bag

If you'd use the 9in combo at home go ahead and buy it and the bag at target (steel horse makes one, I've seen it online)

The TV VCR or DVD in a bag would work well in your Honda too, so give that consideration. It really depends on the age and activites of your kids. 1 main reason we bought a TV/VCR for the van was to keep DD occupied while DS was at ball practice.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Saw a 9inch TV/DVD AC/DC for $198 at BJ's wholesale.