Overhead DVD Player Installation Cost [Labor & Parts]
Road trips are a lot of fun, but they can get boring if you don’t have some kind of entertainment during the long drive. An overhead DVD player is the perfect entertainment solution for those long hours on the road.
Many cars come pre-equipped with a DVD player, but if you don’t have one, don’t fret. You can install an overhead DVD player so your car has an entertainment system.
Overall, you can expect to pay around $1,500 to have a DVD player installed by the manufacturer. You can expect to pay around $500 to buy and install an aftermarket DVD player.
Lastly, a portable DVD player with mounts will cost approximately $200.If you choose to go with professional installation, it should cost you about $200.
There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to overhead DVD player installation costs. So we put together this comprehensive guide on the costs to install an overhead DVD player.
We will cover basic installation costs and other entertainment options for your car.
How Much Does it Cost to Install an Overhead DVD Player?
A car DVD player is an excellent way to get some entertainment on long road trips. One option for a DVD player is to buy a car that has one pre-installed by the manufacturer.
If you plan to only use the DVD player in the car, then soft car sales might be a good option. You can negotiate with the dealer to have them install an overhead player in your car.
If you go this route you can expect to pay about $1,500 to install a DVD player. The typical cost is between $400 to $2,000, depending on the make and model of your car.
If, however, you do not wish to purchase a new car, you can buy an installation from a third party. Keep in mind that a DVD player can improve the resale value of your car, so make sure you do your research and buy a good model.
Third-party installation should cost you about $500 for an aftermarket installation job. The typical price range is between $200 on the low end and $800 on the high end.
Keep in mind that you need to consider both the costs of the player and installation costs.
Installation Costs
While you can install an aftermarket player on your own, we would recommend getting a professional to do the job. Most electronics departments, such as Best Buy or Wal-Mart, offer installation services for overhead DVD players.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $100 to $300 for professional installation. Depending on your location, you may have to pay over $500 for installation costs.
This cost differs depending on the kind of DVD player and the car you have. For example, installing a screen and player in your front console will likely cost more than installing a player on the roof of your car because there are more wiring and components to work around.
Portable DVD Players Cost
A much cheaper option than getting a pre-installed DVD player or an aftermarket installation. Most of the time, portable players with mounts are battery-powered, so you do not have to wire them into the electrical system of your car.
However, that means you will have to remember to recharge it. Prices for portable mounted DVD players vary greatly depending on the quality of the hardware and the number of screens.
You can expect to pay about $200 on average for a mounted player. The typical price range is between $80 on the low end and $400 on the high end. High-quality models with 4K resolution may cost over $600, depending on the model.
Below is a table showing the average cost for portable DVD players. Keep in mind these prices are averages and are subject to change.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Fangor 10” Dual Car DVD Player/CD Player | $175 |
| DBPOWER 12” Portable DVD Player w/ Swivel Display Screen | $80 |
| Wonnie 10.5” Dual Portable DVD Player | $170 |
| HDJUNTUNKOR Portable DVD Player w/ 10.1 HD Swivel Display Screen | $80 |
| SUNPIN 2021 New PD969 11” Portable DVD Player | $63 |
| NAVISKAUTO 10.1” Dual Car DVD Players w/ HDMI Input | $270 |
| Jekero 16.9” Portable DVD Player w/ 14.1 HD Swivel Screen | $90 |
| MYDASH 10.1” Dual Screen Portable DVD Player for Car | $140 |
| NAVISKAUTO 10.5” Portable DVD Player Dual Screen w/ HDMI Input | $170 |
| EONON 2021 Headrest DVD Player for Car w/ 2 Headphones & USB.HDMI Support | $270 |
| A AINAVI 13.3” 4K Android Universal Cat TV Headrest Monitor w/ WiFi/Bluetooth/USB/SD/HDMI | $600 |
| SUNPIN Portable DVD Player 17.9” w/ Large HD Swivel Screen | $120 |
| WONNIE 17.9” Large Portable DVD/CD Player w/ LCD Screen USB/SD/Sync TV | $120 |
As you can see, costs for a portable DVD player vary widely depending on the hardware. The cheapest models start under $100 and feature a small screen and basic DVD-playing options.
Most of these options come with a mount that attaches to the ceiling or to the headrests. Some models are meant to be installed in the car’s dashboard.
On average, these kinds of models are more expensive as your mechanic will have to work around already existing electrical systems.
Which Cars Have Built-in DVD Players?
If you are in the market for a new car, one of your options is to buy a car with a built-in DVD player. These cars have either an overhead DVD player or a headrest DVD player.
Here is a list of popular cars with built-in DVD players and their average price. These prices are current averages and are subject to change depending on your location.
| Make/Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Chevy Blazer | $29,995 |
| Nissan Armada | $50,000 |
| Mercedes Benz S-Class | $110,000 |
| Chevy Equinox | $26,995 |
| Mercedes Benz GLE | $55,800 |
| Dodge Durango | $35,400 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | $87,000 |
| BMW X7 | $75,895 |
Generally speaking, most cars with built-in DVD players are SUVs or minivans. There are some mid-size sedans with a DVD player, but these are relatively rare.
Most of the time, you can knock off a few hundred dollars by negotiating with the dealership.
Where Can I Get a DVD Player Installed in My Car?
There are several places you can get a DVD player installed in your car. The first and most obvious is from the dealership when you buy your car.
If the car you want does not already come with a player installed, you can request to have one put in. You can often negotiate to get a deal on the player when you buy the car.
The next most obvious place is an electronics store or electronics department. For example, Best Buy’s Geek Squad offers free installation for most of their multi-media products for cars.
Many other electronics and automotive stores can install your DVD player for around $100 to $200.
The last option is to install the DVD player yourself. The exact installation process will differ depending on what kind of player you have.
If you have an in-dash model, you will have to remove the radio from the console and wire the DVD player into the car’s battery system.
If you have an overhead model, you will have to remove a portion of the car’s interior on the roof with a box cutter or Exacto knife.
Tips for Buying a Car DVD Player
Negotiate for Installation
If you buy a car with a DVD player installed, you can often negotiate with the dealer to get a reduced installation price. You could potentially cut off as much as $200 through negotiating.
Install vs Portable
If you are strapped for cash, you can opt for a portable model with in-car mounts. Typically, these mounts attach to the headrest of your car seat and the screen attaches to them.
Portable models with mounts are generally cheaper and easier to install but they also tend to be lower quality and have less advanced technical specs.
Battery vs Hardwire
You can get a DVD player that is battery-powered or one that is hardwired into your car. Hardwired models are usually less expensive because they have fewer hardwired components.
However, you may have to pay more to have a DVD player hardwired into your car.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Installing an Overhead DVD Player
DVD player type
There are several types of car DVD players including in-dash, headrest, flip down, and portable models. In our opinion, the best models are flip-down and headrest models.
Resolution
Most built-in car DVD players operate at least at 800 x 600 resolution, but higher resolution models exist.
If you want to get a player with a 1280 x 720p or 1920 x 1080p(Full HD) player, you will need to pay more. You can also buy a 4K resolution player for a premium.
Connectivity options
Unfortunately, physical DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete and are much less common than in the past. As such, many modern DVD players have different connectivity options such as HDMI, USB, or SD.
If you don’t want to deal with physical DVDs, consider getting a player with alternate connectivity options.
Install or portable
You can either purchase a built-in DVD player and install it into your car, or you can buy a portable one with a removable mount.
The latter option is cheaper, but it may be hard to mount it to your car. Several cars also come with a portable DVD player installed by the manufacturer.
Number of screens
You have the option to buy a DVD player with one or more screens. As you might expect, DVD players with more than one screen will cost more on average.
Required accessories
Most models come with all the accessories and connectors you need for installation. If they don’t you’ll need to buy them on your own.
Commonly required accessories include an ISO wiring harness, RCA cable, and a GPS antenna for players with navigation features.
Make/model of car
The make and model of your car will also affect installation costs. Depending on your model (SUV, trucks, minivans, etc), you may end up paying more for installation.
Frequently Asked Question
How much does it cost to install an overhead DVD player?
Depending on the kind of model you get, it can cost anywhere between $100 to $2,000 to get a DVD player in your car.
Your options are to have one installed by the manufacturer, buy an aftermarket installation kit, or buy a portable player with mounting brackets.
Which type of DVD player is the cheapest?
Generally speaking, a portable DVD player is the cheapest type, while in-dash models tend to be the most expensive. You also need to factor in installation costs when buying a DVD player for your car.
What is the best resolution for an overhead DVD player?
Most DVD players have at least 800 x 600 resolution. We would recommend getting a player with 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 resolution. These two resolutions will display most modern movies with a high degree of fidelity.
Some overhead DVD players are capable of 4K resolutions, but these models are expensive to buy and install.
What if I don’t have any DVDs?
DVDs are becoming less common and fewer people actually own physical DVDs anymore. If you don’t want to deal with physical media, you can buy a player with other connectivity options.
Can I install a DVD player in any car?
You can buy a portable DVD player for any car. However, some cars may not be suited for an installed DVD player. For example, soft-top convertibles are generally not a good option for an overhead DVD player as they cannot be installed on the roof.
However, you may be able to fit a dashboard console DVD player in a convertible.
Do overhead DVD players use batteries?
It depends on the model. Some players are wired directly into your car’s electronic system so they don’t need a separate power source. Other DVD players are battery-powered so you will need to remember to recharge them every so often.
Final Words
DVD players are a great way to add some entertainment on long road trips and keep your kids occupied. Fortunately, you have a lot of options when it comes to car DVD players.
Whether you go with a portable or installed model, make sure that you get one that is compatible with the format of your DVD or digital files. Many modern DVD players allow HDMI connection and SD cards. As always, make sure that you get quotes from several auto body shops so you can get the best possible price.
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