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In recent years the field of mobile video, made possible by flat LCD screens, has really taken off. Enthusiasts range from the "soccer mom" with a mobile DVD/screen combo to the all out multimedia systems with surround sound, DVD, video games and five screens. There's truly something for everybody to enjoy. First you need to decide what your goals are for your system. Do you want to add DVD, VHS, TV, video games, GPS navigation, computer capabilities, etc.? This will determine what gear you're going to need to buy and you can make sure it all works together.
You can buy head units with built in DVD players that go in your dash. There are also separate DVD and VHS players that can connect to stand alone monitors. Video game systems (PlayStation, XBox, GameCube, etc.) are quite common and most good installers won't have a problem adapting the system to 12 volt use. More advanced systems can even include computing capabilities. Look to a company called Drivesoft (featured on an earlier season of MTV's Pimp My Ride) for one version of in-vehicle computing.
After you decide what you want, you can determine where you will install the equipment. Typical monitor locations are in-dash, on the headliner, in the sunvisors or in the headrests. The possibilities are endless but those are the most common. Obviously the headrest option will be for your rear seat passengers as will the headliner mounting. Be sure to work with a competent installer who knows the laws in your area for mounting video monitors. Most areas do NOT allow the video monitor(s) viewable by the driver to function unless the car is in park. Exceptions are often made for monitors that only show navigation, backup cameras or vehicle readouts but check all of these and don't assume anything.. And NEVER let an installer remove either of the airbag(s) in your vehicle to install a video monitor. Besides being a bad idea, it's also illegal in most states.

Video Monitors/Displays

Now that you know where you will mount your equipment you can go shopping. Monitors typically are 4", 5", 6-7", 10", 15" and even 17 " (and larger). Expect to pay from $100 each for the small monitors to $1,000+ for the larger models. Make sure the monitor you choose is large enough to be viewable but small enough to fit comfortably in the space you have. In the showroom you will want to view the monitor at different angles and with differing lighting conditions. Some monitors look washed out when viewed from the side or in direct sunlight. Bring a flashlight to help simulate this.

DVD/VCR

Video sources are a little more straight forward. If you plan on having multiple sources (VHS, DVD, TV tuner etc.) you'll want to get a video switching system that is compatible with your components. For this reason it's probably best to buy components from one manufacturer that are designed to work together. Expect to pay more for a "does-it-all" system.
For more modest budgets you could have a simpler system. For the typical sedan you might choose a dash mounted DVD/monitor head unit to watch movies and play CDs. This will set you back anywhere from $500-$1,000+. Or you can keep your existing head unit and add a stand alone DVD player for $150+ and connect it to an in dash mounted monitor ($200-$700), space permitting. If you want to let your back seat passengers in on the fun you can add a couple of headrest mounted screens for $300-$1,000. Integrating a video game system isn't too much more and you can expect to pay about $300-600 which includes the game unit. From there the sky is the limit.
Unless you are an experienced installer I would recommend leaving the installation of a video system to a professional.

DVD changer

A car DVD changer will give you much more than a single disc DVD player. You will be able to load up to ten DVDs all at once depending on the changer you choose. You can use your remote to select whatever you want and play random movies or music videos in an instant. And you do not even need a separate car CD player or car MP3 player. Your car DVD changer supports CDs and MP3s as well.
Choose one that comes with an anti-shock floating mechanism. The best DVD changers come with a floating suspension, so there's no need to worry about annoying disc skipping. You will be able to enjoy hours of uninterrupted music and movies.
Another feature I like is one where the DVD changer skips over empty slops. So instead of trying to access a non-existent disc, the DVD changer learns which slots are empty and automatically skips over them, accessing only the discs that are actually loaded. This is another time saving device. Forget about DVD changers that waste time and try to access DVDs that do not exist.
When choosing a car DVD changer you must have a clear idea of where and how it will be mounted. Changers like the Panasonic CX-DH801U are so compact that they fit in many glove compartments or even under a seat. Installation of this DVD changer is very simple. You can mount it upright, horizontally, or at three more selectable angles. Less-compact DVD changers would have to be installed in the trunk of your vehicle.
Now you can load up a variety of movies and music and hit the road with hours or even days of multimedia entertainment. You can take your in-car entertainment to a higher level by visiting our merchants and ordering a DVD changer of your choice.