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Video Components - so many brands -- which ones??


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parody 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: January 16, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: January 16, 2003 at 8:08 AM / IP Logged  

Our old van had a center console video entertainment system, which worked out pretty good.  I'm looking to replicate something like that in our new van (Toy sienna), but without breaking the bank.  I've purchased a portable DVD player from Target, for under $100, which i plan to keep inside the Sienna's center console. 

I've been looking at LCD's on ebay and etronics.com, and wow -- there are so many choices.  Some are really cheap - some 5" to 5.6" screens for under $100, with some 6" screens going for $120, and some widescreen 7" screens going for under $200.  But all of these are what I consider "no-name" brands, like Pyle, Legend, Pyramid, Farenheit, Superview, etc -- the names just go on and on.  They all seem to be fairly cheaply made (China??), with minimal documentation, warranty, support, etc.  But if they work as good as some name brand screens (Clarion, Sony) at less than half the cost.....

Does anyone have experience with these lower-tier LCD brands?  Are they ok for DVD use, or should I really spring for a name brand?

The other question I have is regarding sound.  Our old console had a built in speaker, which was adequate.  I see that I could add a FM Modulator to the system, or I was considering some powered multimedia speakers from a PC.  What do you think?

Velocity Motors 
Moderator - Posts: 12,488
Moderator spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Fabrication. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Security and Convenience. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: March 08, 2002
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posted: January 16, 2003 at 9:02 AM / IP Logged  

All those cheap monitors, LCD & screens are made by Sharp and they distribute them to these companies thatplace their badge on them. The quality is good and you will always get some units with dead pixels in them ( even the higher end companies have a failure pixel rate ) so you will never get a perfect screen all the time. My suggestions would be to get them from a reputable company that will honor it's warranty ( even if you install yourself ) and make sure you ask them about warranty on self installed units. If they refuse warranty on this then, go to another comany that will.

Use the FM modulator so you can use the van's speakers for the DVD player. It only makes sense.

Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
F4Pilot 
Copper - Posts: 113
Copper spacespace
Joined: August 28, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: January 16, 2003 at 10:55 PM / IP Logged  

Ditto on Velocity.

Take a look at the Audiovox stuff.  I thought all the offbrand stuff was the same but apparently not.  I tried a pair of offbrand RF 3channel headphones because the Audiovox ones were backordered through my distributor.  Terrible.  Maybe theyre not all the same.  Im satisfied with my Audiovox flipdown too.  Its about as generic as they come.    My trusted installer has done more than a few Audiovox flipdowns and has the least amount of problems with them.  Just one more opinion. 

I also have an Optiview dvd/cd/mp3 player for $220 internet.  Not pretty or brand name but it works great and awesome features for a chinese.  Only complaint and a major one - the lazer resets every time the unit loses power.  Get what you pay for...

02 Odyssey / 99 F4
Chris1368 
Member - Posts: 2
Member spacespace
Joined: January 21, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: January 21, 2003 at 9:04 PM / IP Logged  
I have a 1998 Expedition and just put a Power Acoustik 7" flipdown monitor in it.  The Farenheit name is also made by Power Acoustik and both brands are real good monitors.  Just make sure you get a TFT LCD monitor when you buy one.  High pixel count will provide a better picture.  Ebay is a good source.  ($250 on Ebay for my monitor.)

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