Imagine this: it's summer vacation time. You've got the family packed into the minivan and you've been on the road for hours. It's hot, even with the air conditioning on. But not once have the kids in the back complained, asking if you're there yet. In fact, you've been enjoying the radio, and haven't heard a peep out of them, except maybe the occasional fit of the giggles. How is this possible? You have the power of mobile video on your side.

Mobile video has really taken off as a fun, viable, and even necessary addition to in-car entertainment. Several new SUV and minivan models feature mobile video components as factory options, and a growing number of people have decided to retro-fit their vehicles with video entertainment systems.

Why mobile video?

There are plenty of reasons for stepping up to mobile video, including:

• Entertainment. There's no denying that every trip, from jaunts to the local supermarket to cross-country vacation hauls, are much easier and more enjoyable when the kids have access to engaging entertainment options. Backseat video systems, for which there are plenty of options we'll explore a little later, allow your kids to watch their favorite movies and cartoons, or, in some cases, even play their video game system. As a bonus to you, most incorporate headphones into the system, so they'll be able to hear the movies privately, while you still enjoy the radio up front.


• Safety. Some video systems give you the option of connecting a navigation system, which provides turn-by-turn visual and voice directions, which help you get where you're going efficiently and accurately. Not having to fiddle with conventional maps is a huge advantage, especially if you're driving through unfamiliar territory for the first time. Some systems also allow you to connect a backup camera, which can be a tremendous safety enhancement to larger vehicles, such as RVs.


• The Wow! Factor. Few mobile electronics components cause the stir that mobile video does. Take in-dash receivers with monitors for example — if you've got one installed in your dash, the first time your passengers see the retractable monitor motoring out of the dash and into position, they won't be able to help oohing and ahhing. Some systems offer touch-screen controls, which never fails to impress. Just the on-screen graphics alone are enough to produce delight in most people.


• The car is a fun environment in which to watch movies. It's great to be able to watch your favorite movies in the backseat when the vehicle's in motion. And it's just as enjoyable to pop a DVD in an in-dash receiver, park the car, and start the show. If you go with a comprehensive setup, you can even get true 5.1 home-theater-style sound, which sounds spectacular in the cozy environment of the car.


• The Wild Cards. Mobile video systems drastically expand the number of entertainment options you can have in your vehicle. Movies, video games, local television, even satellite television (we're not kidding) are all available for use in your car, truck, van, or SUV. And mobile video technology just keeps getting better all the time.

Backseat video systems, like the headrest monitor shown here, can help keep your passengers (especially kids) entertained on trips of any length.

What do I need?

We'll discuss individual mobile video components in the pages that follow. Basically, a mobile video setup requires three things:

• A video monitor for displaying the images
• A media player, such as a DVD player or VCR
• An audio component, such as wireless headphones

Some systems contain all the components you need in one package; others require you to assemble and connect a series of components. Which you need depends largely on where you're installing your system, and what you intend to do with it.

Practically speaking, mobile video can be divided between front-seat and backseat systems (although, there's plenty of crossover applications, as we'll see later).

Most often, front-seat systems consist primarily of in-dash receivers with monitors. These receivers fit in both standard-sized and double-sized dash openings, and usually have a monitor that's motorized. Receivers for single-sized dash openings are capable of retracting into the chassis for storage.

Backseat systems usually involve monitors that can be installed in various locations, such as in the headrests or on the ceiling, separate DVD or videocassette players, and audio components (such as wireless headphones). Complete packages that include everything you need for a basic system are also readily available.

Each type of system has its inherent advantages, as we'll learn in the following pages. Which type is the right one for you depends entirely on what you'd like to get out of your system.