Make the commute easier for everyone – car video DVD players are everywhere and come in a dizzying array of choices. Here are a few short descriptions of the different products available now, including the pros and cons of each.

Headrest Monitors

The screens for these players range from 5 to 8 inches. They can be mounted in almost any vehicle and can also be replaced if you want to upgrade. You can even have them customized to match your upholstery. Prices start around $140 and go up to $250. You can also buy them in pairs, so both front seats can show video to people in the back seat.

Overhead Flip Down Monitors

If you crave a larger screen, overhead flip down monitors are the way to go. These come as large as 20 inches (!), but there are tiny models with just 5-6 inch screens. Prices for large screens (13 inches) are around $200. The jumbo 20 inch screens (with the players) cost $400. The tiniest 5.6 inch screen models cost about $150, so a good compromise would be to go with a 13 inch screen — it is only $50 more, and you will get more than double the screen width, which makes for a serious difference in viewing quality.

In Dash Monitors

Choose from double din and single din in dash monitors. What you choose depends on your car — double dins allows you to install a screen that is flush to the dash. Single dins will require a monitor that flips up.

Many in dash monitors also have GPS navigation, AM/FM tuners and the ability to play compact discs. As cool as that may seem, you may need to save up for a while — these models cost from $600 to $1500, and that is before the installation.

Overhead Consoles

Overhead consoles are only for vehicles that had one built-in on the assembly line floor. You have a buy a console that matches the make of the car you bought. Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler/Dodge, Ford, Lincoln, Nissan and Toyota overhead consoles are all fairly easy to find. They cost between $400 and $750.

Universal Monitors

These are the most flexible of any car video DVD players. Sizes range from a tiny 2.5 inches to the seriously huge 42 inch (which probably only fits in stretch limousines).

Raw LCD Monitors

These are similar to universal monitors because they can be installed pretty much anywhere, but they need special installation expertise. The image quality for raw LCD monitors can also be better due to the TFT technology. TFT, FYI, stands for “thin film transistor liquid crystal display”.

Rear View Mirror Monitors

While these may not be designed with safety in mind (though I suppose it is better to have you looking at the rear view mirror to watch a movie than to be glancing down at the dashboard), “they” do make monitors that also serve as rear view mirrors. Half the rear view is a mirror, and the other half is the screen. Sizes range from 6 inches to 10 inches wide. Please get good collision insurance and wear your seat belt.

Sun Visor Monitors

These can be 5.8, 7 or 9 inches wide. There are models made specifically for Hummers and GM vehicles.

Cecilia Montrose loves little tvs. Her favorite size is a 15″ television. Now she is shopping for a 15 inch hdtv for her crafts room.