Best DVD & Video Car Stereos in 2023
- By: Kameron Scott
- First Published: January 29, 2016
- Updated: December 8, 2023
In this article: We'll review our best pick in-dash DVD video players on the market with photos, quick reviews, opinions, features and more. We've broken down our choices by categories such as budge/cost, connectivity, CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and more.
The Best In-Dash Car Video and DVD Head Units come with a variety of features that many OEM and even single din CD receivers do not. The quickest and easiest way to gain multimedia playback, including DVD and video inputs for adding devices such as game consoles and tablets, is to add a DVD and Multimedia compatible head unit to your car. You can read more about how to add video to your car for more details and recommended ways to watch video content or play games in your car.
No matter what your reason is, you can count on one of the top DVD head units on our list to provide a great, user friendly multimedia experience while enhancing your audio quality. But before you choose a multimedia receiver, you need to be certain that it is going to fit!
There are two (main) sizes of head units on the market today: single-DIN and double-DIN. If your car's dash has a double-DIN opening, you can fit both a single-DIN and double-DIN. But if your car has a single-DIN, you'll only be able to fit a single-DIN receiver, unless you customize the opening. You'll need to find out which size your car can fit in order to choose the right one. Take a look at the image below to see which opening you have:
The image above shows the same Toyota Tacoma dash, but with different sizes. It's worth noting that your dash might appear to have a single din, but upon closer inspection can actually fit a double din. To make sure, check out the vehicle fit guide at http://metraonline.com/ and see if there is a double din sized dash kit for your car.
It's also worth noting that cars under 10 years of age often include multiple screens now that display different information. One screen might be dedicated to the radio and climate control while the other is dedicated to GPS. In these cases, we would not recommend replacing your head unit with a standard aftermarket unit because you could lose key functionality to your vehicle. In these scenarios you'll want a vehicle specific aftermarket replacement.
For those of you who have vehicles older than about 10 years, or vehicles that don't have multiple screens with different systems powering them-your installation and upgrade is pretty straight forward!
Here Are Our Best In-Dash Car DVD & Video Head Units of 2023
Best Overall DVD Player Car Stereo
Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Double din DVD/CD receiver
- 6.94″ motorized touchscreen
- 13-band graphic equalizer with EQ presets
- Built-in iPod, iPhone, and iPad control
- iDataLink Maestro-ready
- 50 watts x 4 channels RMS with built-in MOSFET amplifier
- Bluetooth, USB, HDMI connections
- 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, subwoofer)
- Plays CD and DVD
Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX Quick Review
Pioneer recently introduced the NEX line to take advantage of the newest connectivity options currently available. The 4500NEX features a massive 6.9” touchscreen that is easily installed in many vehicles to add modern functionality. The capacitive touch screen is clear and easy to see, even in bright, direct light. It can even be adjusted to compensate for bizarre dash designs and to make viewing angles easier. It packs all the best features into an easy to use device, making it our top pick.
Display Details
The clear resistive touchscreen is nice looking and has a modern, framed finish that will blend in with most dash panels. The screen measures a diagonal of 6.94-inches and it has an aspect ratio of 16:9. The resolution is 800×480, which seems low compared to your big screen TV, but works very well for the confines of a screen this size.
The display is motorized and opens to reveal a CD/DVD insert. The motorized screen also provides you with a slick way to adjust the angle for optimal viewing comfort and to reduce shadows and glare. The head unit includes 13 backgrounds that you can choose from to suit your ride in style.
Advanced Streaming Options
The 4500NEX is out-of-the-box equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making it a great upgrade option to take advantage of today’s most popular forms of streaming content, whether it is a navigation app, music, or even pictures of your dog! Connectivity includes apps for Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM radio among others. The 4500NEX is equipped with Miracast for Android and allows wireless screen mirroring.
Wireless screen mirroring is a method of displaying content from your smartphone on the screen of the DVD player. You can use this feature to stream a movie or TV show from your phone onto the head unit, but you must be parked to use this feature. A wired connection is available for devices that aren’t compatible with the head unit formats.
Hands-free and Distraction-free Features
Voice control is recognized as a leading technology to reduce distracted driving, and the Pioneer 4500NEX is already fully equipped. In addition to all the great connectivity options, Pioneer really made a solid product that is safe to use while driving, something that many manufacturers struggle to do.
Built-in Bluetooth connections make hands-free calling simple, and the stereo even includes the microphone to make it work in any car. Bluetooth is also a great way to stream audio content when you are driving.
The user interface features a simplified design with oversized icons. The layout is easily customizable so you can put your favorite features up front without cluttering up your screen. Pioneer provides built-in apps for weather, music streaming, and other features to make operation as simple as possible for customers.
iDataLink Maestro Compatibility
One of the more complex aspects of modern car audio head unit upgrades is re-integrating the various systems and controlling the factory features through the head unit. Sometimes these are simple things like volume controls on the steering wheel, while other times, you will lose functionality of driver assist features, climate controls, and other important features.
The solution is an iDataLink Maestro. This device integrates the aftermarket stereo into your specific vehicle. Only head units that are iDataLink Maestro compatible can use the connector. This head unit is iDatalink Maestro-ready, making complex installation significantly more simple. Check out our list of Best iDatalink Maestro-ready head units for more options.
Types of Media
This CD/DVD head unit plays numerous formats so that you aren’t stuck with a DVD you can’t watch. The DVD formats are DVD, DVD-R/RW/Video Playback. Supported CD formats include CD, CD-R/RW. The head unit will also play MP3 files, FLAC files, MPEGs, and AVI/DivX files.
Audio Features
The Pioneer AVH-4500 has numerous tools to improve your audio experience. A built-in MOSFET amplifier produces 50 watts to each of four channels. Three RCA preouts rated at 4 volts give you lots of options for subwoofer and amplifier additions. A 13-band digital equalizer and EQ presets makes tuning the 4500 simple.
Expandability
Dual rear USB ports let you connect to MP3 players, smartphones, and tablets without using Bluetooth and serve as a 1.5a charging option. The head unit has a dedicated port to connect a backup camera and another of the assignable ports can be used for a second camera.
Conclusion
This is our overall top pick because it offers power, control, and an easy-to-use interface to provide a seamless audio and video experience. The screen looks very nice in all types of light and the customizable layout made it simple to access the best features quickly.
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Sound quality of a higher-priced unit
- Tons of connectivity options
Cons
- Some users report connectivity with Apple CarPlay
- Some buttons can be difficult to use while driving
Runner Up
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Motorized 6.8” LCD touchscreen, Double-DIN chassis
- 22Wx4 RMS, 50Wx4 Peak
- Built-in Bluetooth 5.0
- Works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless mirroring for Android users
- Dual rear USB ports
- Three pairs of 5V pre-outs
- Plays DVD/CD
- Four camera inputs
- iDatalink Maestro-ready for easy retention of factory steering wheel controls
Kenwood eXelon DDX-9907XR Quick Review
The eXcelon-series of receivers is among the very best you can buy. The DDX-9907XR is Kenwood’s flagship model full of awesome features that plays DVDs. It features a motorized 6.8” touchscreen that is vibrant and easy to see, even in bright light. The motorized screen can angle to provide the best viewing angle and slides down to access the CD/DVD port.
The 9907XR works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto out of the box. Bluetooth 5.0 provides seamless connectivity to a wide range of smartphones. Dual rear USB ports give you lots of playback options and the ability to charge two phones simultaneously. You can connect up to five phones through Bluetooth for streaming music wirelessly.
Sound quality is outstanding as you would expect from a receiver of this quality. Six 5V preamp outputs mean you have tons of opportunity to expand and power a serious car audio system. Four camera inputs means you can display multiple cameras for the ultimate in safety. You can even connect rear-passenger monitors and display video from the DVD in-dash.
The 9907XR checks all the boxes for a top-quality DVD car stereo- from connectivity options, to built-in apps like Waze and Pandora, you will love the Kenwood eXcelon DDX-9907XR. This receiver makes using navigation, wireless calls, and even watching movies simple and easy.
Pros
- Powerful sound with excellent upgradability
- Motorized adjustable screen is ideal for viewability
- Every imaginable feature
Cons
- Some features in the user interface can be confusing
- High-end price tag
Best Multimedia Head Unit With HDMI Input
Sony XAV-AX8100
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 8.95” floating resistive touch screen media player
- Adjustable mount provides up, out, and tilt adjustment
- Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
- WebLink-equipped
- Rear USB, Front HDMI
- Single-camera input
- 55wx4 Peak, 20w4 RMS
- Three 5v pre outs (Front, Rear, Sub)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
- Ready for SiriusXM radio
Sony XAV-AX8100 Quick Review
Sony continues to offer innovative solutions to challenged dash installations to make it easy for you to get big, bold touch screen connectivity into your car. The XAV-AX8100 is the latest flagship in the proud line of digital media receivers, and it offers a massive list of useful features so you can play your music your way while staying focused on the road ahead. This Sony XAV-AX8100 in-depth review will examine the features and functions of Sony’s newest offering in the XAV-series.
Installation Features
The XAV-AX8100 crams all the high-powered components into a single-din chassis to make it easy for you to fit this receiver in any dash. You can use an adapter to fit the 8100 into a 1.5-din or double-din opening provided you have the depth. Sony states the AX8100 measures 5.35-inches from the front of the screen to the back of the chassis. The AX8100 screen measures 1.57-inches deep according to factory literature.
Display Features
The display on this receiver is just cool. Measuring at 8.95-inches on the diagonal, it’s a big piece of real estate. Like the previous AX8000 model, the display screen is three-direction adjustable to accommodate a variety of dash designs. The display can move up by 2.36-inches from center, out to a total depth of 2.36-inches including the thickness of the screen. You can also tilt the screen by up to 10 degrees to get the perfect viewing angle. Sony has not introduced the ability to pan the screen to make viewing by the driver easier in straight-on installations yet.
A feature that we have liked on all the XAV-series is the physical buttons. They are well-sized, laid out in a logical fashion, and are easy to use. This head unit keeps the physical buttons in the same location as other XAV receivers.
Touchscreen Features
Sony takes a minimalist approach when designing their user interface. We like it because it’s simple. When you want to find something, simply swipe on the resistive touch screen to bring up the page you're looking for and to gain access to your apps. The home page is customizable allowing you to put your most-used apps front and center. The display is clutter free, easy to read, and doesn’t require a tech lesson from a 12-year-old to help you figure out.
The one thing we would like to see from Sony is the removal of the white-only physical buttons. They simply don't compliment all car interiors. We would like to see Sony upgrade these buttons to RGB so that you can match them to the color of your interior lighting.
Audio Features
The XAV-AX8100 packs a punch with a built-in Dynamic Reality Amplifier II that provides a manufacturer-rated 20 watts RMS to each of the four channels. One of the best innovations with this head unit is the dynamic stage organizer. This bit of tech digitally alters your music to compensate for speakers mounted low in the door or under the dash and makes it seem like your tunes “jump off your dash.” The AX8100 has a built-in 10-band equalizer that helps you adjust the frequencies of your favorite music until the sound is just right.
Expandability
On the back of the unit, you’ll find a full complement of RCA ports to make adding amplifiers or powered subwoofers simple and easy. Using the front, rear, and subwoofer RCA inputs, you can add amplification for any system you’ve got in mind easily and conveniently.
Wired Connections
A single rear-mount USB allows streaming of digital content and phone charging capabilities. The real star of the show is the front-mounted HDMI port that will enable easy streaming of many lossless formats with minimal data loss. This is a much better type of connection and something that was sorely lacking on the AX8000 model, particularly when streaming video content.
Wireless Connections
WiFi and Bluetooth allow you to connect your smartphone wirelessly to stream your favorite content from apps like Spotify, Pandora, and other music platforms. Voice control makes using Apple CarPlay 2 with Siri and Google Assistant, the best ways to get directions, make and answer phone calls, and select audio sources while staying focused on driving. The XAV-AX8100 is out-of-the-box ready with CarPlay Navigation and Google Maps for Android users.
A new addition to the AX8100 is the ability to use WebLink to cast the screen of your smart device directly to the massive touchscreen. This is the easiest way to play movies, music, or even display a slideshow on-screen.
Conclusion
We’ve been fans of this series of receivers for a while now. They are simple and intuitive to use, look great, and are easy to install. Our problems are minute. For example, it would be wonderful to angle the screen toward the driver a few degrees. Certainly not a deal-breaker by any stretch of the imagination.
Read more about this head unit in our full writeup and demo of the XAV-AX8100's features.
Pros
- Excellent screen size, resolution, and ease of use
- Easy access to the most important features
- Bluetooth works extremely well
- Front HDMI port is great for streaming video content
Cons
- No pan adjustability
- Lacks aptX or aptX HD encoding for streaming hi-res audio files
Best Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Car Stereo
JVC KW-960BW
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 6.8” LCD touchscreen, Double-DIN chassis
- 22Wx4 RMS, 50Wx4 Max
- Built-in Bluetooth for wireless streaming
- Connects up to five phones simultaneously
- Three pairs of 5V preamp outputs
- Four camera inputs
- Dual USB ports
- Dual zone technology to allow rear monitor video and in-car audio
- Wireless mirroring for select Android and iPhone models
- iDataLink Maestro compatible to retain factory steering wheel controls
JVC KW-960BW Quick Review
The KW-960BW is the newest CD/DVD player from JVC, and it’s got plenty of tricks up its sleeves. JVC went above and beyond to find ways to get creative and integrate as many ways for you to enjoy music, movies, and other media. The 960BW is our Best Wireless Experience pick.
Wireless Connectivity Features
These days, there are plenty of head units that take advantage of the powerful technology of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These AI voice-assistant programs are incredibly useful and can even make you a safer driver. Unfortunately, many of the systems out there do a poor job of integrating these programs.
JVC made sure that integration was built in, giving you the most seamless and simple way to use your favorite assistant programs to change music, ask for directions, or make phone calls. You can do it all wirelessly using newer iPhone or Android phones. The receiver has a built-in 5 gHz WiFi and a 2.4 gHz Bluetooth connection that are used together to link your phone with the receiver. Older devices can connect via USB to the connector on the rear of the head unit.
Screen Mirroring
The JVC 960BW lets you wirelessly mirror the screen on your compatible iPhone or Android device. iPhone and Android users can mirror through the Mirroring for JVC app. ANdroid users can also use MiraCast to wirelessly stream content from apps like YouTube and Netflix.
Screen mirroring only works when the parking brake is set in your car. Audio will still play, but the screen will not show on the head unit display. Some apps will work including Wave and Maps programs.
Multiple Phone Connections
One of our favorite features is the ability to connect up to five Bluetooth-enabled devices simultaneously to the 960BW using DJ Mode. The feature lets your friends get in on changing up music that’s particularly great on long road trips.
You can also connect two phones simultaneously to the head unit so that you can answer calls hands-free from either phone. This is a great feature that helps make driving safer and easier. The receiver is designed to make hands-free calls easier and supports voice dialing
DVD Playback
The JVC AVH-690BW has a front-loading slot so there is no motorized screen to get damaged. The head unit will play DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW formats and play CD/CD-R/CD-RW formats as well.
Dual zone technology lets you play a DVD on the display and send it to the rear headrest monitors for an easy way to control back seat entertainment.
Audio Technology
The head unit provides 22 watts of RMS power to four channels using a built-in Mosfet amplifier, so you’ll get a decent amount of sound. Front, rear, and subwoofer five-volt outputs make it a snap to hook up an amplifier for even better sound. Front and rear outputs are balance and fade adjustable while the sub has independent level control but not fade or balance.
The 690BW has a built-in crossover network that is switchable between a two-way and a three-way network. Use the crossovers to send the correct audio frequency to the speakers that use them for better sound.
Conclusion
This is our wireless pick because it offers numerous opportunities to connect without strings. There is nothing we dislike more than cables running every which-way, so the decision JVC made to focus on wireless connectivity gives this head unit the ability to effortlessly entertain.
Pros
- One of the few wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto units on the market
- Excellent audio and video performance
- Great connectivity options
- Wired and wireless connections are very stable
Cons
- 6.8″ screen instead of 7″ screen
- No HD radio, requires an app for HD radio streaming
- Confusing user interface due to multiple “home” pages
Runner Up
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 6.5” LCD touchscreen, Double-DIN chassis
- 14Wx4 RMS, 45Wx4 Peak
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Navigation for US, Canada, Puerto Rico
- Three pairs of preamp outputs, 4V
- Dual camera inputs
- Dual USB ports
- DVD/CD player
Alpine INE-W970HD Quick Review
Not only does this flagship Alpine model play DVDs and CDs, stream music wirelessly, and offer you HD radio, it has built-in navigation, too. The 6.5” touchscreen gives you high-resolution video at your fingers. As with all in-dash DVD players, the parking brake must be set for video playback.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay voice commands both function flawlessly from this receiver out of the box. Access to Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM makes finding the best music source fast and easy. Control your favorite streaming apps from the screen, or even using voice commands to prevent distracted driving.
Alpine put a lot of thought into getting the most sound out of this head unit. Alpine exclusive 24-bit digital-to-analog processing produces clean, clear audio at any volume while advanced features like time adjustment and customizability for the location of your speakers tailors the sound environment to your needs. HD radio gives you CD-quality radio stations.
Built-in navigation maps for the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico means you don’t have to rely on phone reception to get directions. The INE-W970HD works with Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze in addition to preloaded maps.
Pros
- Navigation is a nice feature for users with data-cap plans or poor reception
- Sound quality is very good
- HD radio is a plus
Cons
- No wireless screen mirroring
- The physical buttons are funky and may look out of place in modern interiors
Best Budget Video Car Stereo
Pioneer DMH-241EX
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 6.2” Touchscreen, Double-DIN chassis
- 14Wx4 RMS, 50Wx4 peak
- Bluetooth for hands-free calling
- USB direct control for iPhone
- Digital media receiver (does not play CDs or DVDs)
- 5-channel preamp outputs, 2V
- 3.5mm minijack A/V input
Pioneer DMH-241EX Quick Review
The Pioneer DMH-241EX replaces the DMH-220X, one of our favorite budget-beater double din options that brought the convenience of a touchscreen along with the option to connect a DVD player to the masses. The DMH-241EX offers all the same great functionality of the 220X while adding some options on our list of “wants” when we reviewed the older model.
Display Features
The 6.2” resistive touchscreen is an ideal size for most cars and light trucks. It provides enough real estate to give you the ability to access different sources quickly, adjust settings, and even watch videos when the car is in park and the emergency brake is set. The 800×480 VGA image quality is standard for this level of touchscreen head unit but provides enough resolution to play video without issue.
The display is bright, and the icons are responsive, making it a snap to switch songs. The unit also comes with three preset background images, but you can always upload your own custom background if you wanted to. Backlighted buttons are blue with no options to change to other colors.
Audio and Video Playback
Audio playback is excellent with the built-in 50-watt MOSFET amplifier that provides 22 watts of power to each of the four channels. A 13-band equalizer gives you in-depth control over specific frequencies to tailor your music to your preferences too, which is what we like to see in all of our recommended mid to upper range head units.
The DMH-241EX plays a wide range of audio files that include compressed formats and high-resolution options. And a built-in digital signal processor with a 24-bit digital-to-analog converter ensures that your music will sound crisp, while built-in high-pass and low-pass crossovers allow you to properly set the signal boundaries for your system’s speakers.
The USB is located on the rear of the DMH-241EX, but with the included extension you can wire it up to any location you’d like. With it, you can connect a thumb drive to play music files or use the USB for a wired Apple or Android connection to access your favorite streaming apps. Although it does not feature Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility, the DMH-241EX is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems for seamless interaction and music playback.
In terms of video, you can use either a USB thumb drive to play video files (AVI, MPEG4, MKV, MOV, FLV, WMV) or use a the 3.5mm minijack AV input to connect virtually any external audio/video device. You’ll likely need a few adapters to adapt an HDMI to a 3.5mm minijack. We’ve done this several times using a combination of an RCA to Minijack Converter and HDMI to RCA Converter.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Like most units, Bluetooth is built for wireless connections, hands-free calling and streaming from compatible sources. The DMH-241 features Bluetooth version 4.2.
Backup Camera Options
The DMH-241EX has a video input port that you’ll use to connect a backup camera, sold separately. Adding a backup camera to a car that didn’t come with one is a relatively simple process for the DIYer and provides a serious improvement in safety.
App Control
One of the simple additions that we really like is the inclusion of access to the Pioneer app, called Vozsis. The app gives you unique ways to control your music input and lets you access Amazon Alexa for hands-free directions, weather, sports updates, and more.
And although the head unit doesn’t feature CarPlay or Android Auto, you can use WebLink to connect apps like YouTube to view videos on screen or also screen mirroring functionality.
Pros
- A higher-quality option at a great price that has most of the key features and functions
- Simple user interface doesn’t require a big learning curve to get the most from the unit
- Interface has great customizable features
Cons
- Limited background options
- No built-in app access makes streaming music apps a little more clunky than other units
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay functionality
Runner Up
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Double din DVD/CD receiver
- 6.2″ touchscreen
- 13-band graphic equalizer
- Built-in iPod, iPhone, and iPad control
- 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, subwoofer)
Kenwood DDX376BT Quick Review
Building a proper stereo experience on a budget often means cutting corners and accepting that some components are not great. The Kenwood 376BT is a low-cost touchscreen DVD/CD/AM/FM/Wireless unit that packs tons of power and features typically reserved for high end head units. There is no reason to use an inferior head unit when this slick setup can be had for around the same amount as a decent quality non-touchscreen unit.
Kenwood recently redesigned the 376 from the inside out. With a faster processor and an array of connectivity, this head unit is intended to be easy to use. Kenwood has relocated the menu button to a separate location on the 376, leaving the volume knob to do it’s one, important job. In fact, each button has been reworked for a better feel in an effort to create the safest infotainment systems available.
Distraction free driving is an important element of design these days. All of Kenwoods touchscreen head units use a variety of software and hardware to provide a simple interface that also looks great. The 6.2” touch screen is resistive touch-enabled and looks good from any viewing angle, while Kenwood’s engineers went above the call of duty to design easy to see, intuitive digital buttons for accessing the multitude of features available.
These days, everyone is streaming music, and any self-respecting head unit should be compatible. The Kenwood 376 allows for bluetooth connectivity of up to five devices at once and has built-in compatibility with Android Music Play and Wireless Music Browsing using a bluetooth-connected device. The head unit is factory-ready for SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora, and supports all the common file formats, including FLAC.
The 376 is backup camera ready also and features an input for a dash cam. Adjustable parking guidelines simplify reversing when using a connected backup camera. Adjustable LED lighting allows users to custom-tailor the appearance of the screen to suit their mood.
Pros
- Low cost
- Excellent quality and clarity screen
- USB port for charging and playing music
Cons
- Lacks connectivity to the latest systems for Android and Apple
- Screen brightness is not great, particularly in bright light
Best Single Din DVD/Video Head Unit
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Single din DVD/CD receiver
- 7″ motorized touchscreen
- 13-band graphic equalizer
- Built-in iPod, iPhone, and iPad control
- 6-channel preamp outputs (4-volt front, rear, subwoofer)
Pioneer AVH-3500NEX Quick Review
Very few head units are cooler than a single-DIN unit with a flip out screen. It is just too awesome of a feature to ignore, but many of the units out there are not very good. The 3500NEX is Pioneer’s latest stab at the elusive single_DIN flip out market, and this thing hits the high marks across the board.
The nearly 7” screen is motorized and opens and retracts quickly and flawlessly. The screen is truly beautifully designed with simple to understand icons and an anti-glare coating. Pioneer built-in apps for navigation, weather, and many others. The biggest tech upgrade for this head unit is it now supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and wirelessly connects to Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM radio.
The previous Pioneer flip out had a well-known issue with detachable faceplate security that would fail to retain the removable portion. The 3500NEX fixed the issue and added a more robust retaining feature that securely locks the faceplate in place.
The touchscreen tends to take all the attention, but the manual controls on the unit itself should also be lauded. Big, bright knobs have a fantastic feel, making on the fly adjustments to sound or song easy.
Distracted driving has become a big issue in the last several years, particularly as infotainment-type stereos have become more standard in newer vehicles. Pioneer has addressed distracted driving here by incorporating hands-free technology using an included microphone. this allows voice-control of many features.
Factory and aftermarket backup cameras can be connected using ports on the rear of the unit. Want to play DVDs, CDs, or stream off an MP3 player? Go for it because Pioneer made sure to include all these features.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Fits in single-din openings
- Great hideaway touchscreen
Cons
- Some users report poor image quality on the screen
Looking for a different type of head unit? Check out these lists!
How We Tested
We take a lot of time to research our products. And we're constantly updating them. The list that you see on this page might be an aggregation of the past two or three years of products. We intentionally keep older products on our list if we feel that they are indeed still dominant to others on the market. In order to find the top rated DVD and multimedia receivers, we combine our research across the web with first hand tests and opinions. Among the many things we look at, here's a few general things we consider:
- Style (Looks, Design) – Who wants an ugly head unit in their dash?
- Display Type (LCD, Dotted, LCD Text, etc.) – A poor screen can ruin any great movie or feature.
- Features (Bluetooth, Smartphone Compatibility, Equalizer, etc) – Making sure that you're getting a DVD/Multimedia receiver with the latest and greatest features that the industry has to offer.
- Power Ratings (Peak, RMS) – Quality of sound is a key component.
- Price – The most amount of features without breaking the bank.
- Expandability (# of RCAs, XM/Sirius Read, Steering Wheel Control Ready, etc) – You may need the unit to hook up to external features.
- Quality – Materials used, manufacturer reputation, etc.
- Online Reviews – From multiple vendors like Crutchfield, Amazon and more.
The result of our time and effort is a list of our recommended top rated and reviewed car DVD head units. No these are not ads and we don't get paid to feature them (although if you do purchase one please use our buy links to support our cause). We provide multiple comparisons of prices from vendors across the web too in an attempt get you the best price on all of your products. They're normally updated every 24 hours. But in the end, the best video & DVD receiver is one that meets your specific needs and is compatible with your car.
And, be sure to take a look through our Easy Guide to Installing a Car Stereo if you do decide to purchase a DVD Head Unit and install yourself!
Best Car Stereos & Head Units: What to Look For
Every car requires a unique combination of car stereo components to sound great. A car stereo may sound excellent in one car, but sound terrible in another. Additionally, the limitations in size and wiring configuration make selecting the best car DVD Player even more difficult for you.
The best car stereo will give you the features you love while conforming to the environment of your car and create an excellent reproduction of the music that you love. With the right car stereo, you'll be able to custom tailor frequencies to your car, integrate your favorite music/media device, connect to your smartphone via bluetooth and much more.
At CarAudioNow, we use multiple key criteria when rating products in our top lists. Below is a list of criteria that we take into consideration while choosing head units for your vehicle.
Power Ratings
Power ratings are extremely important feature to consider while choosing a car stereo. Without an external amplifier, the power output of the car stereo is what dictates the power of your speakers and ultimately the power of sound. There are typically two power output ratings that are given with car stereos:
Max Power Output: Max power rating is the maximum amount of power that the car stereo can emit for short periods of time. It is the maximum amount of power that will be sent to your speakers (without an external amplifier)
RMS (Continuous) Power Output: RMS power rating is the amount of power that the car stereo can emit at a constant or continuous rate. This is the most important power output rating.
Along with power handling and output, the level of control of the output sound's shape is also very important. This control is typically made through a built-in equalizer (EQ). It will allow you to tailor the shape of sound, raising or lowering the level of certain frequencies in order to best optimize the output sound for the environment of your car. The higher the number of bands that the car stereo's equalizer has, the more you will be able to customize the frequencies and shape of your music and sound.
Display
Display features play a huge role in how stylish and user-friendly car stereos are. High end car stereos will have a high LED pixel count, and give customizable features like color and brightness in order to match the color of your interior.
Playback
Playback can be defined as the methods that your car stereo is capable of playing back audio. CD, DVD, MP3, HD Radio, Pandora, Auxiliary (Aux) Ports, Bluetooth; these are all examples of playback types that the quality units will typically have.
You will want to make sure that the playback methods that you intend on using is consistent with the playback features of the car stereo, otherwise you may be stuck with a head unit that doesn't play your music in the format that you have it. Here is a breakdown of the most popular playback features in the best car DVD and Multimedia Players:
- HD Radio: HD Radio is the same radio stations that you listen to, but with a higher audio quality and more metadata than tradition radio. Metadata includes titles, artists, albums and more.
- CD Player: CD players will play your favorite CDs in multiple formats, including CD,CD-R/RW, MP3, AAC, WAV and WMA.
- Auxiliary (Aux) Port: Auxiliary ports allow you to connect any music device that you may have using a headphone connector. Typically, in our opinion, the best head units will have an easily accessible auxiliary port on the front of the unit.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth music allows you to connect to your music on a smartphone or other bluetooth enabled device, playing all of your music wirelessly from your device via a Bluetooth connection.
- USB Port: A USB port will allow you to connect your music devices via a USB connection. It will allow you to listen to your favorite music from your device, while charging it for endless listen time.
- XM Radio: XM radio is satellite radio such as SiriusXM, that allows you to connect and listen to thousands of channels of radio via a satellite connection. This increases the coverage of radio that you have, however requires a paid subscription.
Smartphone Integration
All of the latest car stereos allow you to fully integrate with your smartphone, enabling the best features such as Pandora and Spotify while allowing you to answer phone calls without touching your smartphone. With recent legislation prohibiting you from using your phones while driving, it is becoming increasingly important for the best car stereos to fully integrate with your smartphone. Additionally, they will come with microphones with noise-canceling technology that will hone in on your voice and eliminate road noise.
Expandability
Expandability is what allows you to connect external components to your car stereo. The best car stereos will have at least three 4volt RCA outputs (Front, Rear, Subwoofer), Audio/Video (AV) input/outputs, rear view camera inputs (with compatible displays) and a microphone input.
Who Is This List For?
There are a number of reasons why you might be looking to upgrade or install an aftermarket DVD head unit in your vehicle. The most common being:
- You want to add Bluetooth connectivity for wireless phone calls and streaming music.
- You'd like to watch multimedia, like YouTube, Movies or other video content while driving.
- You need to replace your existing head unit because it's broken.
- You just want the latest and greatest audio and video tech in your car.
- Your dash is in need of a style update.
- You're looking to improve the quality of sound while listening to music or other audio in your vehicle.
You may have noticed that “adding GPS navigation to your car” isn't in the bullets above. If you're looking for both multimedia and GPS, you should check out our article on best gps navigation receivers!
FAQs
A DVD and video playing car stereo includes a built-in DVD player and a video display screen, most of which are touchscreen. These types of car stereos offer a range of benefits, including the ability to watch movies or TV shows while on long drives or during road trips, as well as improved sound quality and additional functionality compared to many factory-installed car stereo systems.
The market is constantly changing and new head units are frequently released. We compiled a list of our latest recommended best DVD and video head units on the market, which includes brands such as Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC and Alpine (among others).
When choosing a multimedia car stereo, it's important to consider factors such as display quality, display size and resolution, ease of use, compatibility with your car's audio system, and additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity, built-in navigation, and voice control. Also, we recommend looking into video source compatibility such as USB, HDMI inputs, and A/V inputs.
The legality of watching a video on a head unit while driving can vary depending on local laws and regulations. In many places, it is illegal to use a video display screen in a way that distracts the driver or obstructs their view of the road. Be sure to check local laws and regulations before using a video-compatible head unit while driving.
Absolutely! Many video and DVD compatible car stereos include additional features that allow you to play video games or connect to gaming consoles such as an HDMI input. However, this functionality may not be available on all models, and it may require additional adapters or software to be installed. You'll also need an A/C plug available to power your game console in your vehicle
Installing a DVD and video compatible head unit can be more complex than installing a standard car stereo because they traditionally come with more features (like GPS) and therefore more wiring.
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