DVD players and minivans/SUV's

busybea

Do you own the manufacturer's DVD player or an aftermarket one? 

DH and I are intending to purchase a 2011 Honda Odyssey, I want the manufacturer DVD player, while he is insisting that 2K is too much (he's right) to spend and wants a portable dual DVD player ($100) that we can switch between the minivan and his car.  The problem is, is that I want to be able to control the movies/sounds/play from the dashboard and not have to stop the vehicle, get out, slide the door and do this manually on the side of the road.

What were your reasons for getting/not getting a DVD player in your vehicles and do the kids truly watch movies all the time? 

I intend on keeping this minivan until it dies, so is there an age group that no longer watches movies?  Just trying to figure out if it's worth it or not.

TIA!  )

OrangeSmoke

We didn't get it in ours - partially because of the cost and partially because I feel like when we are ready for one, something better will be available.

My friend has older kids and she says that she really likes the factory installed DVD player because it doesn't skip when you go over bumps.  Not sure how true that is.

 

MamaCrystal

Would the manufacturer one be the type that also allows you to connect gaming systems?  If so, that would extend the life of it.

We've used both types of players, and I much prefer the built-in ones.  You don't have to worry about positioning, battery charging, etc.  Plus, it IS super easy to control everything from the front seats.  (Although we bought a used van, so we weren't directly shelling out the extra $ for it.)

Our boys watch movies on all our "long" trips (45 mins. or longer), and it makes the ride much easier because it prevents them from bugging each other ; )

leslie13510

Don't most portable DVD players come with remotes now anyway? 

We only use the DVD player on long trips (like when we drive 15 hours back home) so I want something I can take out of the car for normal driving.  I don't want them watching movies for normal, every day trips.  I don't think they need to, and I don't want them getting into the habit of crying for a movie every single time we get in the car.  I also want them to learn other ways to cure their boredom when they have to sit somewhere.  They're more than welcome to bring books, dolls, and small toys in the car, I have the radio going so they can listen to music, we talk and point out the things that we see outside, and they're very rarely not able to entertain themselves somehow.  I refuse to have the 10 year old who has to bring their DVD player or PSP to a restaurant so they don't have a meltdown while waiting for food.   

jesidz

I went with the portable dual dvd player, not the factory one. I wasn't going to FINANCE several thousand bucks for a dvd player...I also only use it for long trips (2+ hours) so I didn't want the constant whining if we had one in all the time. They are also expensive and a PITA to fix if they break.

Temp6313048411121614

I have a 2007 Chrysler T&C with the manufacturers DVD player.  I LOVE it.  It's a 6 disc changer (so I just load a bunch of movies and if they get tired of one I have 5 others I can play).  They watch it constantly.  I planned to only have it on during longer drives (30+ minutes), but it's on even if we just run to the gas station (but it starts on it's own).  I like it, it keeps everyone happy.  One thing with getting the manufacturers, if there's an issue it'll be under warranty for a longer period of time (but at the same time, you won't have your van to drive while they're fixing it), but I haven't had any problems yet.

ETA:  We NEVER take DH's car, we don't even have car seats for his car, so this was never a consideration, and it was the van I liked, we didn't choose it for the player.

pea-kay

We have one that hangs on the back of the passenger seat, and honestly, it's *fine*. Just put on DVDs that are long enough for the car ride you're taking. If we're going to my mom's (2 hours away), I put on a movie. If we're going somewhere shorter (but long enough to warrant a DVD) I put in something like a TV show.

That said, if our van had come with a built-in DVD player, that would have been awesome. But $2k? that's ridonkulous!

kelfeen

Do you get anything else for that $2k?   I havent looked at minivans yet (very close to next on list!) but i thought my friend told me that on the Honda it also included the navigation system and rear view camera?   maybe i am wrong about that though...

Rangergal9

I wanted the factory installed DVD player for our minivan but we went with the Sienna and to get the DVD player we had to get the higher model van and that was a difference of about 6k and I did not want the leather seats, etc that came with it also.  So we decided if we want one later we'll get one installed and you can still control it from the front (although its attached so its not right in the dashboard).

jcath

Good question.  I have a Chrysler Pacifica and the one I wanted came with the built in DVD player but not the screen WTF??? The screen was $1000 to add.  We decided not to.  I'll probably buy a portable DVD player for longer trips.  I never had one with my older children and sort of don't believe in it - we didn't watch much TV anyway but I'm trying not to rule things out as I think twins is a whole new deal

hunt2005

We got it installed, but thats because we got the fully loaded van that came with EVERYthing. We have a rule that it has to be an hour or longer car ride for him to watch, and he's been pretty good understanding that (after a few minor melt downs the first few times!). It actually can't be controlled from the dash, but came with a remote. We used to use an over the headrest one, but our issue was that he was able to play with it and so he'd push buttons and get upset that it wasn't working anymore. This works much better for us.

busybea

kelfeen:

Do you get anything else for that $2k?   I havent looked at minivans yet (very close to next on list!) but i thought my friend told me that on the Honda it also included the navigation system and rear view camera?   maybe i am wrong about that though...

I believe on the "Touring" model everything is included. I'm getting the EX-L version, which includes the leather, Bluetooth and rear view camera, but the navigation and DVD player are optional.....

busybea

hunt2005:

. We used to use an over the headrest one, but our issue was that he was able to play with it and so he'd push buttons and get upset that it wasn't working anymore..

this is exactly our issue now with my oldest in my car.... But of course he is closer to the front head rest so he can kick it and push the buttons. I'm wondering if there will be more distance in a minivan between seats?

busybea

Thank you ladies for all your responses. It gives me something to think about... :0)

orange682

kelfeen:

Do you get anything else for that $2k?   I havent looked at minivans yet (very close to next on list!) but i thought my friend told me that on the Honda it also included the navigation system and rear view camera?   maybe i am wrong about that though...

We just bought a Honda Odyssey and it's more like $5000 to upgrade to the EX-L and then you have to pay extra to purchase the navigation system, entertainment package and satelite radio.  We opted to get the EX and will spend less then $1000 buying a brand new GPS, satelite radio, and dvd player.  Yes it is convenient to have everything in the dashboard already installed, but not worth the money in my opinion.  Oh and for about $900 you can add these sensors in your car whcih beep when you are close to something and backing up.