Niche Innovations In Mobile Video

By Amy Gilroy On Apr 4 2005 - 6:00am

NAV-TV, Myron and Davis, VizuaLogic and other mobile video suppliers are offering new products including integration kits for OEM screens and custom overhead monitors.

NAV-TV, a four-year-old company purchased in December by AAMP of America, is offering a black box that converts any double-DIN OEM dashboard screen to a DVD monitor, said Emanuel Melman, owner of NAV-TV.

NAV-TV lets the user integrate the screen with a DVD, navigation or backup camera system. It includes a safety interlock so that users may view the DVD source only when the car is parked and the emergency brake is engaged. NAV-TV's integration kit is available at a suggested retail price of $600.

Myron and Davis is offering an overhead monitor designed for the Johnson Controls (JCI) Overhead Rail system, now standard on the 2005 Ford F-150, Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country and other models. The 7-inch flip-down monitor has a built-in DVD player and is available in gray and parchment at a suggested $999. Also new are customized overhead monitors that replace part of the existing console in certain car models, requiring little or no modification. These include a 7.8-inch flip-down monitor for the Toyota Sienna at a suggested list of $679 and similar models for the 2004 and 2005 Nissan Armada, Quest, Titan, Infiniti QX56 and other vehicles.

Following on the heels of Audiovox, VizuaLogic is shipping two custom headrest solutions, including the first 9-inch monitor/DVD in a headrest, called the A2000. It has a side-loading DVD mechanism and comes with a “slave” headrest monitor to complete the pair. The A2000 also offers a 400 NIT screen, and is available in custom solutions for full-size General Motors SUVs and light trucks, and for vehicles by Toyota, Lexus, Lincoln and others.

The A1000 is a 7-inch version with a top-loading DVD mechanism. Suggested retail prices are $2,399 for the A2000 and $1,699 for the A1000.

VizuaLogic is also supplying a new Gamepak of 50 video games which are preloaded into a game controller. The controller may be transported from the car to the home. It is now bundled with every VizuaLogic system sold, said the company, and will be available for individual purchase in the future.

Also new in mobile video, Massive Audio is introducing its first car video products including a flagship in dash AM/FM/DVD with a fully motorized flip-up, high-resolution 7-inch monitor. Called the MID-70, the unit is MP3 compatible and will ship in April at a suggested retail $1,499.95. Massive Audio is offering other mid- to high-end products, including 17-inch and 20-inch overhead monitors at $1,499 and $1,899, respectively, and two overhead monitors with built in DVD players in 7-inch and 10.2-inch sizes at $849 and $1,199, respectively.

Bravo View is also introducing a new series of overhead monitors with a small footprint console or “top-hinge” mechanisms, said the company.