Car Stereos: car entertainment, myron and davis, chevy venture

Question
I have an original xbox that i want to use in my 2001 chevy venture to entertain my kids. Where can i find inexpensive 8-10 monitors. What would I need to bring everything together.

Answer
Hi Damion,

There are quite a few options for using your Xbox in your van.

The least expensive option would probably be a portable DVD system with two screens.  These typically include mounting straps to allow you to attach the screens to the back of the headrests or front seats, and they almost always have an auxiliary input option so that you can use them for a device other than the DVD (such as your game system).  One advantage of a system like this would be that you can remove them easily from the vehicle. Also, a dual-screen DVD system lets one child watch a movie while another plays a game.  Typically they'd be powered by plugging into a cigarette lighter outlet.

Another option would be an overhead video screen system. These are typically available in larger sizes than the portable screens.  You can buy them as stand-alone monitors, or with built-in DVD players.  Note that an overhead system is a permanent installation--it often requires cutting of the headliner, so if you remove it again you'll have a hole in the headliner.  

You can purchase integrated headrest monitors.  This would allow for a more finished appearance than a strap-on, portable system.  There are relatively inexpensive, "universal" monitors available that fit most vehicles with removable headrests; or more expensive options from companies like Myron and Davis that sell replacement headrests that are matched to the vehicle's interior.  Also, you can go to a custom audio shop and have monitor screens installed into your existing headrests; again, this is a permanent installation.  Like the portable screens, the size of a headrest monitor is usually limited, compared to an overhead monitor option.

Hope this helps!

Brian