There’s nothing quite like hitting the road for a long trip, but anyone with kids knows that happy travelers in the back are the key to a peaceful journey for everyone in the front. I remember dreading long drives, constantly fielding “Are we there yet?” or dealing with squabbles over who got to hold the tablet. That kind of constant distraction really takes a toll on the driver and makes the whole experience less enjoyable. Finding a way to keep everyone entertained quietly and independently in the backseat was a major priority, and I knew I needed something reliable and versatile.
Important Factors When Choosing a Car Entertainment System
If you’re frequently embarking on road trips with passengers in the back, especially children, a car entertainment system isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining sanity and focus on the road. The ideal customer is a family or individual who spends significant time driving and wants to provide engaging options for rear-seat passengers without relying solely on handheld devices that require constant charging and handling. Those who rarely travel or only take very short trips might find a full dual-screen system overkill, perhaps being better served by a single portable player or simply relying on tablets. Before buying a system, you need to think about screen size, ease of mounting, power source (battery or vehicle power), connectivity options (DVD, USB, SD, HDMI, AV), whether you need dual screens that can play independently or sync, and what accessories are included like headphones and mounting hardware. Durability and user-friendliness are also key, as these will likely be handled by kids.
Meet the GOnavidio Dual DVD Player System
When I started looking into solutions for our car travel woes, I discovered systems like the GOnavidio 10.1″ Dual Car DVD Players. This system promises to turn your backseat into a full-fledged entertainment hub, allowing passengers to watch movies, play media from various sources, and even hook up gaming consoles. It comes with two 10.1-inch LCD screens, each with its own DVD player. The package typically includes everything you need for installation: mounting brackets for headrests, connecting cables (including AV), two wired headphones, and two remote controls, plus a car charger. Compared to simpler, single-screen portable players, the dual-screen setup offers much more flexibility, and the inclusion of HDMI input sets it apart from many basic car DVD players on the market, which might only offer USB/SD card support.
Pros:
* Dual screens allow watching the same or different content simultaneously.
* Supports a wide range of media formats (DVD, USB, SD, various video/audio files).
* Includes HDMI input for connecting phones, gaming consoles, or streaming sticks.
* Comes with mounting brackets and essential accessories (headphones, remotes).
* Region-free DVD playback and last memory function are very convenient.
Cons:
* Requires constant connection to a power source (no internal battery).
* Screen viewing angle can slightly affect color accuracy.
* Installation of wiring can take some time to make tidy.
Deep Dive into What It Offers
Having used the GOnavidio dual car DVD players for a good while now, I can share a detailed perspective on how each aspect performs and the benefits they bring to long car journeys.
Dual Screen Functionality and Playback Modes:
This is perhaps the most significant feature for families. Having two separate 10.1-inch screens means no more arguing over what to watch. Each unit functions as a standalone DVD player. What’s brilliant is the flexibility: you can either insert the same DVD into both players and have them sync up to play simultaneously, or each passenger can put in their own DVD and watch completely different movies. The included AV cable allows you to link the two units so that if one player is the source (e.g., playing a DVD or from a USB), the video feed can be sent to the second screen, allowing both to watch the same thing from a single disc or file. This is incredibly useful when you only have one copy of a movie or one device connected via HDMI or USB. The screens are a good size, large enough to be comfortably viewed by back seat passengers, even from a slight distance.
HDMI Input – Expanding Entertainment Options:
The inclusion of an HDMI input port on each GOnavidio headrest DVD player is a game-changer. This feature significantly broadens the potential entertainment sources beyond physical discs and basic USB files. You can connect a smartphone (often requiring an adapter from USB-C or Lightning to HDMI), a portable gaming console like a Nintendo Switch, a Fire TV Stick (if you have a car Wi-Fi hotspot), or even a small laptop or tablet with HDMI output. This allows for streaming from apps (again, needing internet), playing modern video games, or displaying content directly from personal devices. The ability to easily hook up something like a PS4 or Xbox for the kids on a long drive (while the car is stationary, of course, or perhaps for older kids with careful setup) offers entertainment possibilities far beyond traditional DVD playback. The system supports 1080P video playback via HDMI, ensuring a clear and sharp image from compatible devices.
Multi-Region DVD Player and Last Memory:
One of the frustrations with many DVD players can be region restrictions. Thankfully, these car DVD players are region-free, meaning they can play DVDs from any region of the world. This is a small but important detail, especially if you own or purchase discs from different countries. The support for a wide variety of disc formats (CD, DVD, CD-R/RW, DVD -R/+R, DVD+RW/-RW, VCD, SVCD) is also comprehensive, covering most disc types you’re likely to encounter (though not Blu-ray). The ‘last memory’ function is another convenience I’ve come to appreciate. If you turn off the car or the system, it remembers where you stopped in a DVD or media file and will resume from that exact point when powered back on. No more searching for your place every time you start the car.
USB and SD Card Support:
For those who prefer digital files or want to save wear and tear on their DVDs, the integrated USB and TF (Micro SD) card slots are invaluable. You can load compatible video, audio, and image files onto a USB stick or SD card (up to 32GB, formatted to FAT32, with a video resolution limit of 720*576 pixels) and play them directly through the players. This is fantastic for homemade videos, downloaded movies or TV shows (within legal limits, of course), or just a large library of content that doesn’t require carrying physical discs. The support for various file formats like VOB, AVI, MPEG 1/2, MPG, 3GP, JPG, JPEG, MP3, and WMA covers most common media types, making it easy to prepare content beforehand.
Mounting and Included Accessories:
The provided headrest mounting brackets are designed to be highly compatible with 98% of cars, which I found reassuring. The brackets are adjustable and securely hold the players behind the front seats. Installation requires a bit of fiddling to route the cables neatly for power and linking the units, but the included instructions are clear enough. The package includes not one, but two remote controls, which is essential when you have a player on each headrest – no need to lean across to control the other screen. Two sets of wired headphones are also included, which are crucial for keeping the car quiet while the kids are engrossed in their entertainment. While wired headphones are basic, they do the job effectively for in-car use. The two-head car charger ensures both units can be powered simultaneously from a single cigarette lighter socket.
Power Source and A Note on Batteries:
It’s important to reiterate that these 10.1″ dual car DVD players do not have internal rechargeable batteries. They require a constant power source, either the included car charger plugged into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter or an optional AC adapter (which isn’t included in the standard car kit but could be purchased separately for home use). This means the players will turn off when the car engine is turned off (unless your car’s cigarette lighter stays powered). This isn’t a major drawback for car use, as they are designed for vehicle power, but it’s something to be aware of if you were hoping to unplug them and use them for a while outside the car without a power outlet.
Ease of Use and Interface:
The controls are straightforward, with physical buttons on the units and comprehensive functionality via the remote controls. Navigating menus and selecting files from USB/SD cards is intuitive. The flip-out stand on the back of each unit is a thoughtful addition, allowing them to be placed on a flat surface for standalone use outside the car, perhaps in a hotel room or even at home.
What Others Are Saying
I checked out reviews from other users who have purchased this system, and the feedback generally echoes my own positive experience. Many users highlight how essential these headrest DVD players have become for long trips with children, transforming potentially stressful journeys into much more peaceful ones. People appreciate the ability to play different movies on each screen or sync them up. The multiple input options, especially the HDMI port for connecting external devices, are frequently praised as a major advantage. Users also find the included accessories like headphones, remotes, and mounting brackets to be convenient additions that make the system ready to use right out of the box. The overall consensus seems to be that the versatility and ease of use provide excellent value for car entertainment.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
Dealing with restless passengers on long car rides is a problem that needs a reliable solution to ensure everyone’s comfort and the driver’s focus. The GOnavidio 10.1″ Dual Car DVD Players offer a fantastic way to solve this. Their dual-screen setup provides individual entertainment, the HDMI input opens up a world of content possibilities, and the wide media support and included accessories make it a highly versatile and complete package for in-car entertainment. If you’re looking for a robust, feature-rich system to keep backseat passengers happy on trips, this system is a great fit. To learn more or purchase these dual car DVD players, Click here to check them out .