Mobile video has gone mainstream as an option for many vehicle owners. Some choose it for the "flash," while others are looking to it as an entertainment option for the back-seat passengers — a nice feature for busy families!

Manufacturers have been quick to catch on to the growing mass appeal of mobile video, and the line-up of products is constantly expanding. There's a mobile video set-up to meet your needs, no matter what your desires or motivations. Here are six products that can help you make the dream of mobile video a reality.

Vizualogic headrest monitors are a great way to get that "custom install" look!

1. Vizualogic headrests
This is, without a doubt, one of the coolest new mobile video products to hit the market. Previously, adding monitors to the back of your headrest required extensive cutting, which resulted in a nerve-wracking operation for the amateur or an expensive bill from a custom installer. Now, having headrests with built-in monitors is an easy and reasonably priced option.


Vizualogic makes it happen by custom building 7" monitors into headrests that match exactly to the vehicle they go into — a factory look, right down to the fabric and color! Each headrest comes with an audio/video control module that has two A/V inputs. This allows you the flexibility to hook up more than one video source, like a DVD player and a game console — use your imagination! There's also an included remote control for easy selection of the A/V source and video controls — contrast, brightness and the like. The real beauty of the Vizualogic headrests is the cool design that allows you to run the video cables through the supporting tubes of the headrest. Installation is super-clean and easy.

Farenheit (pictured) and Pioneer both manufacture combination monitor/brackets that can easily attach to the headrest tubes of many SUVs and station wagons.

2. Easy to install universal monitor mounts
If there isn't a custom headrest available for your car, or you'd like a solution that's not specific to just one vehicle, several manufacturers produce easy-to-install monitor brackets.

Pioneer and Farenheit each produce a monitor mount with included monitor that securely fastens onto the headrest tubes of the front seats, for easy rear passenger viewing. Both allow you to easily remove the monitors for anti-theft protection. A nice extra touch on the Farenheit T5612MR is a headphone jack built right into the monitor housing. If you want more hookup capabilities, the Pioneer AVD-W6200 features dual A/V inputs and an extra set of A/V outputs (for a second monitor).

If you have an SUV that doesn't have adjustable headrests, you're still in luck. Kenwood's SK-701RM mounting arm installs easily, using the screw holes of your vehicle's rear seat ceiling grip. The mounting arm has provisions for attaching any LCD monitor of up to 8", and the monitor can be angled for optimal viewing when installed.

The SK-701RM in action. The monitor can be easily swiveled out of the way when not in use.

3. Wireless headphones
If your video system is designed to entertain the passengers in the rear seat, you probably don't want to have the soundtrack running through all the speakers in your vehicle's sound system. Some monitors, but not most, have headphone jacks built in. This is ideal — pop in a movie or game, plug in the headphones, and the rear seat passengers can enjoy themselves without distracting the driver. If your monitor doesn't have a headphone jack, Clarion's WH100 and WH105 wireless headphones are a great solution.

Clarion's wireless headphones come in two styles — RF (left) and IR (right).

The WH100 model sends the audio signal to the headphones via an infrared beam, while the WH105 broadcasts a RF (high frequency radio) signal. While the transmitter in the WH100 must be mounted where it has a line of sight to the headphones, the WH105 allows you to put the transmitter in a hideaway location. Installation requires only a simple 12-volt power hookup and RCA patch cable connections from the A/V source. Your passengers can enjoy their soundtrack while you enjoy your tunes in the front.

Small and versatile, the new Sony MV-101 is a smart choice if you're installing a remote-mount DVD player.

4. Compact DVD player
If you're adding on a video system, there's often a question of where you'll put the DVD player. Sony's new MV-101 DVD player may be just what you're looking for if space is limited. This player is particularly versatile because it can be mounted horizontally or vertically — increasing the number of mounting options. Get creative — mount it under a seat, in your center console or even in a glovebox! The included infrared remote makes control easy, and it can play MP3 files, standard audio CDs, as well as CD-Rs and CD-RWs, in addition to DVDs, for a multitude of entertainment options.

5. Add-on DVD/CD changers If you've considered adding a CD changer to your factory system, go one step better and slap in a DVD/CD changer instead. You'll gain a CD changer and a DVD player in one package. Once you've installed the changer to the audio system, and the video output to a monitor, you can use it to play either CDs or DVDs. If your vehicle has dual-source audio controls, like many SUVs or minivans, you can let the backseat passengers enjoy a movie while mom and dad listen to a different source, like the radio or in-dash CD player. Several manufacturers have entered the market with comparable models, including Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine and Sony. Most models feature a wireless remote control, so selecting discs is hassle-free. Some feature two A/V outputs, which makes hooking up multiple monitors easier. All of them will do a fine job playing your regular music CDs, and some will also play discs with MP3 files. 6. Portable DVD players If you're looking for the ultimate in portability, get yourself a portable DVD player, complete with screen. Portable DVD players are more affordable than ever, and may be just the ticket if you'd like to have something that can be used somewhere other than the car, like on an airplane flight. You can choose between models with screen sizes that vary between 5" and 10", with some models offering playback of MP3 discs. Using them couldn't be easier — turn them on, plug in headphones and away you go. They're perfect if you're going on vacation — many models have A/V outputs that let you plug into a TV when you get there, just like a regular home DVD player. And one more for the road! Don't forget the power! While equipment designed for mobile use works on 12 volt DC, devices like game consoles use 110 volt AC. A power inverter, like the Statpower Portawattz 150, will give you a reliable supply of power for those devices. As an added bonus you'll be able to use the AC adapters on portable DVD players, camcorders, laptops, and digital cameras right in your car. Don't leave home without one!

The Kenwood KDV-C810 plays DVD discs as well as regular CDs and MP3 discs. You can use it with Kenwood receivers or as a universal add-on model. Portable DVD players, like the Panasonic DVD-LX9, are a great way to take your video with you wherever you go! The compact Portawattz 150 is an ideal way to get AC power where and when you need it.