Jensen CD/DVD Replacement?

[MikeJinCO]

Setting up our SA rig and looking to put a cd/dvd player system in. We currently have a Kenwood radio cd with looks like the standard ceiling mount Jensen speakers. I would like to go to something like the Jensen 12v cd/dvd with a flatscreen. I have seen, but not operated a Skyworth(?) 12v DVD player in a Lance, but have no idea of their quality or reliability. Has anyone put a system similar to this in a non budget busting manor? I will have sufficient 110v with a 2kw inverter to power anything. Or do I just call Crutchfield and yell help?

[Tamnative]

Sony makes a single DIN AM/FM/CD/DVD player model MEX-DV2200 you may want to look at.

[wintersun]

The Jensen name is put on junk for China as is the Polaroid and Skyworth names. Same is true for RCA branded electronics. The LCD TV's are junk and so are the combo units and the separate DVD players. Read any of the owners reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Our Polaroid TV lasted about 14 months. Our Skyworth lasted about 1 week, was repaired by the factory and then lasted less than a week.

Best to get a top tier brand combo unit like the one that Toshiba sells and use an inverter to power it off 12v when you are not hooked up to shore power. The LCD TV's in the 20-24 inch size range draw less than older laptops so you do not need much in the way of an inverter for them.

Good brands are Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung which are tier 1 manufacturers.

[MikeJinCO]

Thanks for the quick replies. This for the camper so all that safety stuff shouldn't count-except for any bypass wiring. I am looking to upgrade from just a single DIN to cd and DVD. On the opposite wall of the dinette(bathroom wall) I plan to put a 20"+- flat
screen, wire under the dinette back to the unit, probably some better speakers. That wall also will get a inverter remote control and Trimetric monitor.

Does anyone know about these Skyworth TV/DVD players? Do they have built in speakers? They are not very expensive. A replacement anywhere south of the border would be at least 3x as expensive as here so reliable equipment is an issue.

We are out in the boonies so I'm going to look at the Kenwood stuff and I'll call Crutchfield.

[monkey44]

That seems odd to me -- Mfgs install a DVD player to keep the kids occupied while driving long distance, then have a "no play while drive' lock-out?

Am I understanding you correctly? More electronic weirdness ...

[Boatycall]

In my last Farctic Ox, I swapped out the stereo for one with DVD. I went with a Kenwood DNX5140.



Now - worth noting
If you do go the route of changing the headunit, by law, all car-stereo head units have to have a "No DVD while driving" safety feature. All are bypassable of course, it's just how much of a PITA it is to bypass it.

Most involve connecting a wire to the E-Brake switch, which means you can just ground said safety wire and you're good to go. Others, like Alpine, are an ABSOLUTE PITA to get working in this situation.

Moral of the story - If you go this route, make sure you read the directions and make sure you understand how to bypass the DVD-safety so you can use it in your TC.

[mooring_product]

I went with a double din by Kenwood with DVD player. Works great..

Kenwood in RV by MooringProduct, on Flickr

[Bedlam]

If you're looking to add DVD functionality and do not have the TV yet, look into the integrated units that have the DVD built in.

Pioneer makes nice line automotive DVD players if you're looking to upgrade the deck and already have a TV.

[donn0128]

If you have a large car steteo dealet near by go visit them. If not call crutchfield. If your goung to replace the 100 dollar factory junk you might as well go big or stay with what you got.