Yesterday morning, I noticed a lightning deal on Amazon for a set of headrest-mounted displays I have had my eye on, which dropped the price dramatically and offered a delivery date of just a few hours. As I am on call this weekend, I figured a small project would be nice to stay busy.

Intro

While my 2017 BMW 750i XDrive has many of the packages that I wanted from the factory, the one that I am missing and interests me is the rear-seat entertainment package; this includes two monitors on the headrests, headsets, and a nifty tablet installed on the rear center armrest to allow full control of audio/video, heated seats, accent lighting, etc. I have already coded the car to play movies with the front display while driving, but it is hard to see from the rear seats. My car has the rear executive package, which includes items that would make the audio/video package really shine, including auto-retractable shades for all the rear windows and sunroof/moonroof); so, why not try to replicate it at a fraction of the price?

Before I begin, it is important to note that I went with the following model due to its low price due to the lightning deal ($102) and since there is a very good chance that my son will destroy these devices quickly; if this doesn’t become the case, I will purchase a nicer set.

Device Specifications:

Display: 10:5″, 1280p x 800p.

Disk Formats: DVD, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, CD, CD+R, CD-R, CD+RW, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD

Video Formats: VOB, AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, XVID

Image Formats: JPG, JPEG. Supports up to 32GB USB/SD/MMC card to play music and movies (maximum resolution cannot exceed 720p x 576p)

Audio: Audio Formats: MP3, WMA. Built-in two stereo speakers in each unit, AUX

Power: AC adapters, a 2-in-1 car charger (used for the car 12V), and high-capacity rechargeable batteries

My Review

The WONNIE 10.5″ Dual-Screen DVD Player is designed to cater to the needs of families and travelers, offering entertainment on the go. With its dual screens, 10.5-inch size, and versatile playback options, it aims to provide a seamless multimedia experience for passengers during car journeys. I enjoy how you can take the screens out of the car quickly, connect them to a larger TV or game system, or use the attached stand to use the monitor on its own. While I don’t put too much trust in these devices to last long, there is a warranty included, which is nice.

Design and Build Quality: The package comes with two identical 10.5-inch LCD screens, which are compact yet offer a satisfactory viewing experience. The screens are attached to adjustable mounting brackets (two versions), providing flexibility for installation in various car models. The overall build quality feels sturdy enough to withstand typical travel conditions, although prolonged rough handling might pose durability concerns. Honestly, I believe the materials should withstand at least a year of abuse, and for $100, that isn’t too bad. I have noticed little-to-no vibration noise with the headrest mounts, and the monitors can adjust their positions (while holding it effectively during speed bumps).

Playback Options: One of the standout features of this DVD player is its ability to play either the same movie on both screens or two different movies simultaneously; this dual-screen functionality is ideal for accommodating different preferences among passengers, making long trips more enjoyable. Additionally, the player supports various multimedia formats, including DVDs, CDs, USB drives, and SD cards, providing flexibility in media playback options. Eventually, I will sync both displays up (and potentially to the car itself) using AUX cables and load up a USB/SD card with an extensive movie library.

Battery Life and Power Supply: Equipped with a 5-hour rechargeable battery, the WONNIE Dual-Screen DVD Player ensures uninterrupted entertainment during shorter journeys; however, for extended trips, it may require access to a power outlet for continuous operation. The inclusion of a car adapter ensures convenient charging while on the move, extending the entertainment options for longer durations. I opted to use a car charging port to provide power, and both screens use the same outlet. The devices also include a standard wall outlet charger.

User Interface and Controls: Navigating through the player’s menu system is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive controls and responsive interface. Users can easily adjust settings, select media, and control playback using the provided remote or the buttons located on the device itself. The inclusion of a remote control enhances convenience, allowing passengers to manage playback without reaching for the main unit. I was worried the UI would be in Chinese or just hard to use, but it is actually pretty well-designed.

Audio and Video Quality: While the audio and video quality may not rival high-end car theater systems, the WONNIE Dual-Screen DVD Player delivers satisfactory performance for in-car entertainment. The screens produce vibrant colors and decent clarity, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience for passengers. However, external factors such as sunlight glare may affect visibility, especially in bright conditions. I still need to get darker window tints, but the rear shades help some. I haven’t played around with the settings at all, so it may look better once I get some more free time. While USB headphones will probably always be used, the audio quality of the displays was enough to hear movies over my loud exhaust, but the clarity left me wanting more.

NOTE: the photos in this review have the screen’s protective film still on, which probably will reduce the image quality.

Installation: I wanted to have my son help me with this project, so I was glad the installation was simple. There are different headrest mount options included, and different-sized screws to accommodate BMW’s thick headrest bars. Hiding the wires was straightforward on this car, and once I move the charger to the outlet in the front console, no wires will be seen anywhere.

Conclusion: The WONNIE 10.5″ Dual-Screen DVD Player (Model SMJ1011) offers a compelling solution for in-car entertainment, particularly for families and travelers; with its dual-screen functionality, versatile playback options, and convenient mounting brackets, it caters to diverse entertainment needs during road trips. While WONNIE may not compete with high-end multimedia systems in terms of audiovisual quality, its affordability and practical features make it a worthy investment for those seeking portable entertainment on the go.

To Do:

There are still a few things I want to do, such as moving the power cable to the cigarette lighter outlet in the front center console, which would literally eliminate the only little bit of wires you can see and allow me to close the cover in the rear console for a cleaner look (while protecting the ports from my son). I also want to connect both displays with the included AUX cable to sync them (just figuring out the best way to run the wire), purchase 2 USB wireless headphones, and see if I can connect the rear displays to the car itself (audio, play the same movie on all screens at once?), as well as load up an SD/USB card with a movie library. Finally, I want to mount both remote controls to the center console, similar to how they have it in the factory rear-seat entertainment package, and possibly a tablet connected to the car’s hotspot (I will wait until I upgrade to a better model as I don’t want to modify anything in the interior for a $100 piece of equipment).

Overall, this project took only around $100 to get close to what came from the factory (and saved multiple thousands of dollars). On a quick trip to get my son a Happy Meal, he was glued to the TV, reducing my stress for taking any future road trips. I am looking forward to upgrading these monitors if my son proves that he will take care of these cheaper versions. Only time will tell. Thanks for reading and as always, stay tinkering!

More photos (hard to take darker shots, so excuse the poor quality. Everything looks amazing in person)