If you’ve ever embarked on a long road trip with passengers, especially kids, you know the familiar refrain: “Are we there yet?” Boredom can quickly turn a peaceful journey into a stressful ordeal. I recall dreading extended drives, knowing that within an hour, the complaints and restless energy would begin. Finding a way to keep everyone entertained in the back seat became less of a luxury and more of a necessity for maintaining sanity on the road. Ignoring this problem wasn’t an option; it meant enduring hours of whining and distractions, making the trip unpleasant for everyone involved. A proper in-car entertainment solution felt like the only answer.
What to Think About When Choosing a Car Video System
Seeking a way to combat road trip boredom and keep rear passengers happy is the primary reason someone looks into car video systems. These devices transform the back of your vehicle into a mobile theater or gaming hub, making long drives much more bearable, particularly for families with children or frequent carpoolers. The ideal buyer is someone who regularly transports passengers over moderate to long distances and wants a integrated, screen-based solution rather than relying solely on individual tablets or phones. If you rarely have anyone in the back seat, or if your vehicle is too small to comfortably accommodate a large overhead unit without obstructing the driver’s rear view, this category might not be for you; portable headrest players or simple tablet mounts might be a better fit. Before deciding on a specific car overhead monitor, you should consider several factors: the screen size that fits your vehicle and needs, the display resolution for picture clarity, available input options (HDMI, USB, SD, DVD), audio output methods (built-in speaker, FM transmitter, IR for headphones, or wired integration), ease of installation (is it DIY-friendly or requires professional help?), and any extra features like screen rotation or built-in lighting. Thinking through these points will help ensure you pick a system that truly solves your passenger entertainment challenges.
Introducing the XTRONS 17.3 Inch Overhead Monitor
Enter the XTRONS® 17.3 Inch 16:9 Ultra-Thin FHD Digital TFT Screen 1080P Video Car Overhead Player Roof Mounted Monitor HDMI Port 1920 * 1080 Full High Definition (Built in Speaker). This product aims to bring a cinematic experience to your vehicle’s rear cabin. It promises high-definition video playback on a large, vivid screen mounted conveniently on your car’s roof. When you purchase it, you get the main monitor unit, necessary wiring harnesses, and mounting hardware designed for overhead installation. This particular model stands out with its substantial 17.3-inch screen size and true 1080P resolution, offering a sharper picture compared to many older or smaller overhead models often found on the market or even installed by some dealerships. It’s designed for those who want a large, central display and primarily use digital media or external sources, as it notably *doesn’t* include a built-in DVD player, which is a departure from many traditional car entertainment systems. It’s perfect for families ready to stream content or connect devices via HDMI, but not for someone who relies heavily on a physical DVD collection without using a separate player.
Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons based on my experience and what others have shared:
Pros:
* Generous 17.3-inch screen provides an excellent viewing area.
* Crisp 1920×1080 Full HD resolution delivers clear and detailed picture quality.
* Ultra-thin design is less obtrusive when folded up.
* Versatile input options including HDMI, USB, and SD card.
* Screen rotates 130 degrees for optimal viewing angles from different seats.
* Includes a cool blue atmospheric LED light bar.
* Supports positive and negative door control for integrated power.
* Sleek and easy-to-use touch panel controls.
Cons:
* No built-in DVD player, requiring external sources.
* Media playback from USB/SD has format and size limitations (often restricted to FAT32 and under 32GB).
* Installation requires comfort with car wiring or professional help.
* Built-in speakers, while present, may not be loud enough for highway speeds.
* FM transmitter for car audio integration might only be mono and not the clearest.
* Reports of minor physical issues like the screen holding clip or screen/frame alignment in some units.
Deep Dive into Features and the Road Experience
Having used the XTRONS car overhead monitor for a significant period, I can really speak to how its features translate into real-world benefits on the road.
Expansive 17.3″ FHD Digital TFT Screen
The size of this screen is truly the first thing you notice and appreciate. At 17.3 inches diagonally, it dominates the rear cabin view in a good way. For multiple passengers, especially kids spread across a bench seat or captain’s chairs, this large display means everyone gets a good view without craning their necks or needing individual screens. The Digital TFT technology ensures decent brightness and color reproduction, making movies and shows look vibrant even in the variable lighting conditions inside a moving vehicle. The benefit here is simple: better visibility for all, leading to fewer arguments over who can see the screen and a more shared viewing experience. It feels less like looking at a tablet and more like watching a proper screen.
Sharp 1920×1080 Full High Definition Resolution
This is perhaps the most crucial feature for picture quality. Many older or cheaper car screens are lower resolution, often 800×480 or 1024×600. The XTRONS 17.3 inch monitor’s 1920×1080 resolution is true Full HD. What does this mean in practice? It means a significantly sharper, more detailed image. Text is crisper, fine details in movies are clearer, and the overall picture is simply more pleasant to watch. Watching HD content from a connected device looks just as good as it would on a home monitor. This higher fidelity enhances the viewing experience, making long movies or gaming sessions much more immersive and less tiring on the eyes. It truly steps up the quality of your in-car entertainment.
Ultra-Thin Design and 130 Degree Rotation
The physical design is also well thought out. When folded up against the roof, the ultra-thin profile of the XTRONS overhead monitor is much less bulky than older models. This is important for maintaining headroom and not making the cabin feel cramped. When deployed, the screen can be tilted up to 130 degrees. This flexibility is fantastic. It allows passengers in different rows or even seats within the same row to adjust the screen angle for their optimal view, reducing glare and ensuring everyone has a comfortable perspective. This adjustability is a small detail that makes a big difference in usability.
Built-in HDMI Port: A Game Changer for Connectivity
The inclusion of an HDMI port is a major advantage of this car video player. In today’s world of streaming and digital devices, an HDMI input opens up a world of possibilities. You can connect streaming sticks like a Firestick or Chromecast (though you’ll need a power source for them), laptops, tablets, or even portable gaming consoles like a Nintendo Switch. This transforms the monitor from just a media player into a versatile display for almost any digital content you want to bring into the car. I’ve connected everything from a laptop for playing downloaded movies to a console for keeping teens occupied, and the HDMI connection provides a reliable, high-quality digital signal.
USB and SD Card Media Playback
Beyond HDMI, the unit also includes ports for USB drives and SD cards. This is super convenient for playing media files directly from storage devices. Loading up a USB stick with movies or TV show episodes is often simpler than managing multiple DVDs or relying on a consistent internet connection for streaming. However, based on my experience and user feedback, it’s critical to note the limitations here: the system typically only supports the FAT32 file system, and there seems to be a practical size limit, often around 32GB for storage devices. This means you can’t just plug in any large external hard drive or even high-capacity USB sticks without reformatting them and being mindful of the storage capacity. Also, file format compatibility can vary, though it handles common video formats reasonably well. Despite these limitations, it’s still a valuable option for bringing your own media library on the go.
Integrated Built-in Speaker
The XTRONS monitor has a built-in speaker. This is useful for basic audio playback when you don’t want to route sound through the car’s main system, perhaps for a quick video clip or if the front passengers are listening to something else. However, as some users have pointed out, these speakers are generally not very powerful. On highways with road noise, they might struggle to provide sufficient volume for everyone to hear clearly. While convenient for quiet environments, for the best audio experience with movies or music, you’ll definitely want to use one of the other audio output methods.
Blue Atmospheric LED Light Bar
This is a small but neat feature. The monitor frame includes a blue LED light bar. It’s not just for show; it provides a subtle ambient light in the rear cabin, which can be nice during nighttime viewing. It adds a touch of modern style and can make the viewing area feel a bit more comfortable in the dark. The unit also has a separate white LED dome light function, which can be wired to your car’s dome light circuit so it turns on when the doors open, just like the factory lights. This integrated lighting is a practical bonus.
Sleek Touch Panel Controls
The control interface is a sleek touch panel on the front of the unit. This gives it a modern look and feel compared to older models with physical buttons. The touch controls are generally responsive and intuitive, allowing you to navigate menus, adjust settings, and control playback directly from the unit itself. This keeps the design clean and easily accessible for anyone in the back seat.
Positive and Negative Door Control Support
Wiring this monitor to support positive or negative door triggers means you can have the unit automatically power on or off when you open or close the car doors. This seamless integration with your vehicle’s electrical system is a great convenience feature, similar to how factory dome lights behave. It’s one less thing to remember to turn on or off manually.
Potential Installation Considerations
While not a feature of the monitor itself, installation is a major part of using an overhead player like this. The unit requires wiring for power (accessory/ignition, ground, constant power), connecting inputs (HDMI, USB, AV), and potentially wiring for door triggers, FM transmission, or infrared headphone emitters. The physical mounting involves cutting into the headliner to secure a mounting plate to the vehicle’s roof support structure. This isn’t a simple plug-and-play process like a headrest strap-on tablet. While the wiring is straightforward for someone familiar with car audio or electronics, it can be daunting for a novice. Some users have found creative ways to route cables even after initial concerns, but professional installation is something many buyers opt for, adding to the overall cost. One user mentioned needing to reroute the built-in HDMI and USB ports through the headliner for a cleaner look, indicating the standard location might not suit everyone. Another review noted a potential issue with the physical clip mechanism that holds the screen folded up, suggesting it might be a point of wear over time, although another user of the larger 17.3-inch model felt this clip was improved compared to a smaller version. These are minor points, but worth considering if you’re planning a DIY install or are concerned about long-term physical durability of the folding mechanism.
Audio Output Options
Besides the built-in speaker, the XTRONS car monitor offers other audio solutions. It typically has an FM transmitter, allowing you to broadcast audio to your car’s FM radio. This is convenient as it uses existing car speakers, but the quality can be spotty and sometimes mono, as one user noted. It also usually supports IR headphones, which are fantastic for letting rear passengers listen privately without disturbing the front. This is often the best solution for movies or gaming sound quality. While one user reported issues getting sound via FM or IR, this seems to be an isolated or troubleshooting-dependent problem rather than a universal defect.
What Users Are Saying
After looking through feedback from other buyers, it’s clear many are happy with the XTRONS 17.3-inch monitor. People frequently praise the picture quality, calling it fantastic and perfect for watching movies or streaming. Many users found the installation process manageable, particularly if they had some wiring knowledge or sought professional help. The large screen size and high resolution are consistently highlighted as major positives. The ability to connect streaming devices like a Firestick via HDMI is a popular use case. Some appreciated the modern features like the touch panel and LED lights. However, like any product, it’s not without its minor drawbacks according to users. The lack of a DVD player is a noted omission, though expected for a screen focused on digital inputs. The limitation to FAT32 format for USB/SD media tripped up a few buyers. There were also mentions of needing specific wiring knowledge, potential quality control issues with physical parts like the screen clip, or less-than-perfect audio quality from the FM transmitter or built-in speaker. Despite these points, the overall sentiment is positive, with many feeling it’s a solid upgrade for in-car entertainment, especially when compared to older systems or basic alternatives.
Final Thoughts on This Car Entertainment Solution
Dealing with restless passengers on long drives can truly detract from the enjoyment of any trip. The constant need for entertainment, whether it’s keeping kids occupied or simply making the journey more comfortable for adults, is a problem that definitely needs a reliable solution to avoid irritating complications and make travel something to look forward to rather than dread. The XTRONS® 17.3 Inch Overhead Monitor stands out as a great fit to solve this. Firstly, its large, high-definition screen provides a genuinely superior viewing experience for everyone in the back. Secondly, the inclusion of modern inputs, especially HDMI, offers incredible versatility for connecting various digital sources. Finally, its relatively sleek design and features like the rotating screen and integrated lighting make it a functional and appealing addition to your vehicle. If you’re looking for a high-quality, large-screen entertainment system for your car, this XTRONS monitor is definitely worth considering. To find out more and check it out for yourself, Click here to visit the product page!