Sun Visor Theater

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Feb 6th 2007 at 10:03AM

Technically, the driver of a moving vehicle isn't supposed to be watching anything but the road, but if you already have little LCD screens installed in your SUV, it's hard to resist the temptation when you're sitting in gridlocked traffic. With the Sun Visor Theater, a multimedia center that replaces the passenger's sun visor in the car, the driver can easily see movies from behind the wheel.

Ok, we're only kidding about watching movies when you're sitting in traffic, no matter how tempting it might be. But the idea of such a compact and well-concealed media station in the car is an interesting one -- especially since this one is packed with features. It can play DVDs, CDs and Mp3s and has a TV receiver build in to it. On top of that, there is a USB port for your laptop. The 7" inch LCD gives great picture quality and has touchscreen capability, although there is also a remote control for convenience. Price: $300.

[via gizmodo]

Tags: car, cars, dvd, gadget, media, sun visor, theather

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Mitchell Conery Feb 9th 2007 6:53AM

Personnally I don't think there should be one on the pasengers side sun visor, it's too much temptation for the driver, just think about some of the idiots that now drive. Talking on a cell phone, eating, putting lipstick on all at the same time that they are weaving in and out of traffic doing 80 on a busy interstate. They can control everything including somebody else's (or their own) death. I do think one should be on the drivers sun visor provided it is hooked up to a backup camera and can be activated only when the car is in reverse. It should not work for any other reason.

kieth Feb 9th 2007 7:10AM

tv does not belong in a car unless its in a van in the back for kids.

Duncan Haimerl Feb 9th 2007 8:04AM

I test-drove a 2007 Cadillac Escalade that allowed you to watch the DVD movie on the navigation screen while in Park and a Japanese version of the Toyota Prius could receive broadcast TV, I think, on the energy monitor screen.
But a passenger sun visor movie is not what a driver needs as an added distraction.

Rita Feb 9th 2007 7:44AM

TV only belongs in the back, and I agree that drivers already have too many distractions that can/will cause accidents!

BeckerAudio.com Feb 9th 2007 7:57AM

I install audio-video and accessories.
There are laws in almost every state that echo the sentiment that live video is illegal for a driver to view while driving. The grey area exixts in the law where GPS Navigation is concerned. Virtually every driver has been distracted by something going on, in or around their car while driving.
The fact is that the visor monitor has existed for more then a decade......we installed a 10.5 inch monitor in the steering wheel of a PT crusier.....the car is a show car....it has won more then 30 trophies.....but ..as I stated it is a show car...not a daily driver. Good judgment and fewer distraction for a driver is a good idea.
Just try to legislate common sense while driving(good luck).
www.beckeraudio.com

Stephen 101st Feb 9th 2007 8:19AM

I do not think a tv visor should be in the front on both sides, the driver will try to see it at the angle. We should have a car that will stop if you are talking on the phone, e-mailing someone while driving. Ask someone who lost a family to a distracted driver, its ok till it hits you.

Irene Feb 9th 2007 9:27AM

Its a money maker - it needs to be overruled. No TV in front. In the back seat for children is fine but not in front.

Debbie Feb 9th 2007 9:36AM

Dumbest thing I've ever heard of. If they're gonna put a tv in a visor, they might as well put in on the driver's side- if the driver is dumb enough to watch while driving, at least they'll be able to see what's going on in front of them, (on the road), with a better view as opposed to gawking at a screen to their right. Either way, it's still the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. To car companies: PLEASE MAKE RESTRICTIONS! (ex: only accessible in 'park' or 'neutral', etc.)

rob Feb 9th 2007 10:49AM

Those people that are in favor of laws to prevent this and so many other things really need to wake up.
If people are going to be stupid enough to lean over to watch TV while driving, then obviously they don't need much to distract them. If its not that it would be something else to distract, listening to the radio, eating a sandwich, doing their nails, whatever. People need to take responsibility not blame it on inanimate objects.

ismokeham Feb 9th 2007 9:52AM

theres already enough ways for bad drivers to kill me do we realy need this

willy henderson Feb 9th 2007 10:31AM

i'm not going to say whether or not i agree or disagree with the tv up front, but i will say this, if it's such a hazard and a safety issue dont allow these companies to make the stuff, it's not fair to the consumer to go out and spend all kinds of money on these things and then get ticked or fined for useing them.

Abdel Fahmy Feb 9th 2007 12:56PM

Great Idea!!!

Tasha Feb 9th 2007 10:44AM

I am a wife and mother of three kids. I had tvs installed in my Expedition in 2003. A 10" flip down for rear passangers and a 7" in front. The sun visor tv is not new. The person that installed my system had the sun visor tvs in his car back then along with a tv in his rearview mirror and more. The thing about it is he took his car to a lot of car shows and that's basically what it was used for. He did drive it during the week sometime to his shop so he could "SHOW" his customers his work. I don't think drivers should have more distractions but people have to use common since when driving and remember he/she is not the only one on the road!!

satrap Feb 9th 2007 10:48AM

Willy, you are right about not allowing companies to make stuff, but that is not the point. Like my mother used to tell me when we'd go shopping, "You don't have to buy EVRYTHING you see". If we refuse to buy this stupid stuff, we can send a message to the companies and our government.

Ed Feb 9th 2007 10:57AM

I think that if this technology is allowed to be installed in a sun visor then the law must state that the TV should be setup in such a way that if the car is in [D]rive or if the brake is not engaged then the TV will turn off.

John Feb 9th 2007 12:25PM

In most states, it is illegal to have any TV or similiar device forward of the back of the drivers seat.

Teresa Feb 9th 2007 3:49PM

I think this is stupid. Another distraction for the driver. Cellphones, laptops and changing CDs are enough distraction for drivers. I think DVD players are distraction in the back too.

mike Feb 9th 2007 1:01PM

IDIOTIC...PERIOD!

Mark Feb 9th 2007 4:57PM

That is correct the visor theater is not new. We designers always come up with fancy stuff that are not even street legal. Most of you are correct that it should not be in a production car. That is my opinion. And should not even be in visual area in the rear passenger area since I discovered a design problem. Drivers behind vehicles that have TVs in headspace area are even watching TVs! One night, my wife and I were going to a restaurant and we discovered a design problem. We were able to watch a van's TV that was on and somewhat distracted us for a moment but I kept my eyes on the road. TV should be set LOWER than the door lines or base so that no individuals from anywhere other than the vehicle itself can see it. That way drivers will not be distracted with TV on.

I agree with someone here to send a message by not buying visor theater.

By the way, thanks for the feedback. Always research what the public want!

John Feb 9th 2007 1:41PM

There should be strict enforcement of the distracted driving laws. To many drivers are more interested in their cell phone conversations, ipods, GPS and in car DVD players than on their driving. You are risking my life and my family's lives when you are not watching the road. Law enforcement needs to crack down on thes idiots. Grow up and play with your toys at home and not in the car.

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