The main advantage of a DVD player in the headrest compared to all other methods watching DVDs in the car is that they do not take up space. Integrated units are also extremely easy to install as they are built into interchangeable headrests and portable hangers are even easier to use. There is also room for a huge amount of customization with this type of system due to the fact that a headrest DVD player can often be used on its own or combined with a full featured car multimedia system.
Plug and Play vs. Cut and Patch vs. Hangers-On
Although there are literally hundreds of DVD players with headrests on the market, they can be divided into three important categories.
cut and patch
The first type is designed to be installed in an existing headrest. This includes cutting the headrest to make room for a DVD player, so installing one of these devices is not for the faint of heart. They usually come with frames that hide the cut material of the headrest, making a seamless installation possible.
Replaceable headrest
The DVD player comes pre-installed in a replacement headrest. These devices are usually available in a variety of colors, although it is not always possible to find the perfect match for the seat material. Most of these devices are also adjustable, allowing them to be installed on various vehicles. The main problem is that although they are adjustable, most of these devices do not provide 100 percent coverage. This means that there is a small chance that any DVD with a headrest will not work for you.
hangers-on
The latest and easiest to use is the External Portable DVD Player for Car Headrest. These devices are essentially just mini DVD players that run on 12V. Some of these players include the necessary hardware to temporarily attach them to the headrest, while others require a third-party holder or carrier. The main advantage of this type of car DVD player headrest is that it is extremely portable, while the main disadvantage is the aesthetic nature.
Standalone vs built-in DVD headrests
Whether the headrest DVD player is pluggable or not, some level of wiring is required. Because fully self-contained systems include an LCD screen, a DVD player, and a speaker or audio output, the only wiring required includes a power supply connection.
Built-in headrests DVD players can be connected to others video and audio sources so they require additional wiring. Some of these devices can be connected to a DVD head unit, allowing everyone in the car to watch the same movie or TV show . Since they also include their own DVD players, everyone can watch their own program as well.
Six car headrests DVD player
| Car DVD Headrest | Type of | Screens | Screen resolution | Screen size | approximate price |
| Pyle PL71PHB | replacement | 2 | 1440 x 234 | 7″ | $110 |
| Audiovox AVXMTGHR9HD | replacement | 2 | 800×480 | 9″ | $419 |
| RCA DRC69705 | external | 2 | 480 x 234 | 7″ | $87 |
| Sylvania SDVD9805 | external | 2 | 480×240 | 9″ | $115 |
| XTRONS | external | 2 | 1024×600 | 10.1″ | $220 |
| Accele DVD9800 | external | one | 800×400 | 9″ | $249 |
Headrest DVD Player Bonus Features
The most important feature of a headrest DVD player is headphone support. Some devices have an output jack that you can plug your headphones into, while others offer some sort of wireless functionality. The three main types of wireless headphones use Bluetooth, infrared, or RF to connect. Since these technologies are not compatible with each other, this is important. to buy the right type headphones in the car after selecting DVD headrest — player.
Some headrest mounted DVD players also include other bonus features such as:
- built-in video games
- control panels
- USB ports and card readers