• Get to Know Car Video System Essentials

• Choose Car Video Features

• Rig Your Vehicle for Car Audio

• Find Car Video Electronics on eBay

• Buy Car Video Electronics With Confidence

Get to Know Car Video System Essentials

Get to Know Car Video System Essentials

Manufacturers such as Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Kenwood, Pyle, and Sony offer a variety of car video systems with an array of options. Car video systems typically come with:

• one or more car monitors for watching movies, TV, and more.

• a media player such as a car DVD player or car VCR.

• a car audio source for your theater on wheels.

To select a product that meets your needs, acquaint yourself with the two basic types of car video systems: in-dash systems and backseat systems.

In-dash car video systems

In-dash car video units feature a 7-inch (or smaller) flip-up LCD monitor and integrated media player, often called a deck. Look for a unit with a receiver that supports the media formats you want to watch and listen to most often. The car receiver units might play any combination of DVD, cassette, TV, and MP3 media. Many also allow you to connect additional car audio, car video, and car navigation components.

In-dash car video systems feature high-end audio performance and controls. They can display:

• vehicle system information.

• information about an audio source.

• video feeds from rear-view cameras.

• maps and other information from a navigation system.

Designed with drivers and front-seat passengers in mind, in-dash units usually won't play video unless you park your car and apply the emergency brake. However, you may use your video monitor with your GPS (or other) navigation system while you drive.

Backseat car video systems

Backseat car video systems designed for entertainment-hungry backseat passengers feature overhead monitors or monitors built into the back of front seat headrests.

• Overhead car monitors: Attach an overhead monitor or monitors to the ceiling of your SUV, minivan, or other large vehicle with space for overhead installation. These flip-down monitors often fit over your vehicle's overhead light and ceiling-mounted controls. Look for an overhead unit that includes lights and controls compatible with your vehicle when you evaluate item listings. Know that installing overhead monitors takes some time, but the pros can always come out and install everything for you.

• Headrest monitors: Mount headrest monitors onto the back of your car's headrests with mounting brackets or a mounting kit.

Install a car video DVD player or VHS VCR in your center console or under a seat. Make sure you can connect it to your headrest monitors or overhead monitors and easily insert discs.

Removable all-in-one car video

If you want a less permanent car video solution, look for a self-contained all-in-one car video system with an integrated media player and monitor. Strap it to the back of your seat and tap into your cigarette lighter for power.

Choose Car Video Features

Choose Car Video Features

Besides the basics, car video systems can include bells and whistles that add luxury, convenience, and safety.

• Touch-screen controls: Buy an in-dash car receiver with a touch screen so that you don't have to push a lot of buttons while using your navigation system.

• iPod compatibility: Some in-dash players connect directly to your iPod and will display your song library on the touch screen.

• Multi-zone audio: Turn your vehicle into a mobile entertainment center with a car video receiver that supports dual or multi-zone audio. These receivers come with extra audio/video inputs and outputs so that you can play more than one video or audio source at a time. Hook up a game console or any type of media source.

• Remote control: Use a remote control to control your video system while remaining safely seated.

• TV tuner: DVD players can often play a wide range of media formats, including DVD, VCD, SVCD, CD-R/RW, WMA, and MP3. Some even come with a broadcast and/or satellite TV tuner.

• Navigation system: Add a navigation system to your car video system and take advantage of GPS technology, available everywhere. GPS navigation systems can map your location, give driving directions, and some even provide information about points of interest along your route.

• Rear-view camera: Purchase a car video system that supports a "back-up" camera for your large vehicle. It displays troublesome blind spots on your monitor, allowing you to see hazards.

Rig Your Vehicle for Car Audio

Rig Your Vehicle for Car Audio

Decide how much sound you need and determine which installation best suits your car and family.

• Keep the car quiet: Many car video monitors, especially those that come with backseat systems, include inputs to receive an audio signal from a player and headphone jacks for listening. Plug in regular headphones, or, if you prefer to go wireless, buy a receiver with a wireless transmitter and wireless headphones.

• Use your sound system:Fully integrated overhead monitor systems that combine a car monitor and player will often include a wireless FM modulator to transmit audio through your factory-installed stereo system. These units also use infrared transmitters to wirelessly send audio to wireless headphones. You can also purchase an FM modulator for other types of car video systems or use your receiver's auxiliary inputs to play audio from your media player through your car stereo system.

• Play surround sound audio and video: Get a car video system that supports Dolby Digital or DTS. Then supplement your car's front and rear speakers with a center-channel speaker and subwoofer to take advantage of 5.1 surround sound.

Find Car Video Electronics on eBay

Find Car Video Electronics on eBay

Once you know what type of car video equipment you want, go to the Consumer Electronics portal, click the Car Video & Navigation link under Car Electronics, and start searching for items on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Car DVD/Video Units, In-Dash, Car In-Dash DVD Players Only, Car TV Tuners, Car VHS VCRs & Players, Car Video Monitors Only, GPS & Navigation Software, and Other Car Video.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find an in-dash DVD player and monitor system or package, type "in-dash DVD monitor" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Car Video Electronics With Confidence

Buy Car Video Electronics With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.