The MN-700 from Taiwan's Maxwell has a 7in 16:9 touchscreen and supports rear view cameras. It has a built-in AM/FM radio and SD/MMC slot.

Options abound in this mature line, from standard entertainment to information, navigation and security functionality.

The convergence trend has expanded the capabilities of car DVD players but it has not completely altered the baseline composition of the product line. Car DVD player manufacturers in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan continue to offer traditional standalone players with no screens, along with more up-to-date models that provide all-around setups for infotainment, navigation and security.

Regardless of make and type, most available car DVD players have greater interfacing capability via USB ports and memory card readers. They also support more multimedia formats. Depending on product positioning, radio, analog TV or DVB-T tuner, GPS, navigation and Bluetooth functions are integrated in various combinations. There are also units that incorporate car security and safety systems via digital video recorders (DVRs), automated vehicle location (AVL) and rear view camera support.

Available are 1-DIN and 2-DIN units. Screen sizes range from 2.5in to 17in, depending on the available form factors such as in-dash, sun visor, flip down and headrest. The popular size is still 7in but the panel supply for this size continues to fall short of demand, pushing makers to produce smaller- or larger-screen models. The typical aspect ratio is 16:9.

Being developed for release this year are models with iPod docks for adapter-free interfacing, as well as Wi-Fi models. Further improvements in touchscreen, OSD and other control features will also be implemented to promote greater user-friendliness and safer use while driving. GPS software will also be another point for refinement to enable faster and more accurate reading.

To remain competitive, makers across Greater China are maintaining product prices at current levels. This, despite rising production costs brought about by panel cost and supply, fluctuating currency exchange rates and an expected DVD royalty fee increase. To offset costs, some makers streamline operations to increase productivity. Other manufacturers strengthen their product lines against the competition by way of value-adding features.

	Shenzhen Kovan's AV-930T from mainland China is a 2-DIN car DVD player with a 6.5in touchscreen, OSD and remote control.

Heading the pack are in-dash units, especially those with 6.5in LCD panels. There is also a marked demand for smaller models, which will push more suppliers to release more 1-DIN models with 4.3in LCDs this year. Combined, these trends will further expand the in-dash car DVD player's dominance over manufacturers' production priorities. Nevertheless, sun visor, flip down and headrest models will continue to round up the selection of car DVD players on the mainland.

Thanks to the development strides in DSP technology, features such as Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, TV tuner and navigation functions were widely integrated in car DVD players that came out in 2007. Most available players also boast USB ports and SD memory card slots, as well as support for multimedia formats such as CD, VCD, DivX, MP3 and MPEG-4. Most panels have 16:9 aspect ratio.

Aside from smaller-screened units, mainland makers will also introduce new models that integrate iPod docks this year. This is to upgrade current versions that are compatible with iPod devices but require adapters to interface. Wi-Fi will also be a new highlighted feature but will have to wait until later this year.

For enhanced user-friendliness, makers will focus on software design that covers touchscreen, OSD menu and steering wheel control functions. With this in mind, GPS software is also being further improved so users can locate positions faster and more accurately.

External designs will also be refreshed to match car panels and simplify cable connections. These will include specific designs for other car brands as last year's car DVD player releases were for Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen cars.

Foryou General Electronics Co. Ltd offers the DN-6320, a 2-DIN car DVD player with a 6.5in motorized widescreen and touch-panel controls. The unit has a built-in navigation function and a dual SD card reader for map and media storage. It also has a USB 2.0 port and rear camera input. Playback support covers DVD, VCD, CD, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW. Other features include 5.1ch Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II surround sound, dynamic music spectrum display, MP3 ID3 display and PIP display. The built-in Bluetooth feature supports phonebook transfer and music streaming.

The DN-6320 also has a PLL tuner with 12 AM and 18 FM preset channels. It has a built-in TV, is DVB-T-ready and supports PAL, NTSC and SECAM systems. It has 4x50W +1x45W maximum power output and a seven-band equalizer. Foryou mainly produces car DVD players and exports its products worldwide.

Shenzhen Kovan Sound Electronic Co. Ltd has model AV-930T, which has a touchscreen, OSD menu and 3D display effect. The company also offers a 2-DIN model with a 6.5in panel, which was released late last year for Toyota Corolla cars. Earlythis year, Shenzhen Kovan scheduled the release of a 1-DIN model with a 4.3in LCD and built-in Bluetooth, GPS, TV and radio functions.

A specialist in car A/V products, Shenzhen Kovan also produces car GPS and car mobile TVs. It can release one or two models a month. For car DVD players, the company can develop a new model based on an ODM order in 15 days, excluding mold design. To shorten its development lead time, Shenzhen Kovan cooperates with software design houses.

Shenzhen Roadrover Technology Co. Ltd focuses on 1-DIN models with special panels for specific car models and has more than 10 such models. These 1-DIN in-dash units usually have 4in or 4.3in panels and 480x272 pixel resolution. Models with 7in panels are also offered. For the company's high-end products, Bluetooth, DVB-T and radio functions are standard. To further expand its product selection, Shenzhen Roadrover will develop a new model with an iPod dock.

With a technical background in the navigation field, the company has also developed all-in-one multimedia GPS systems, portable navigation series and multifunction navigator boxes. It also produces digital TVs. It can release two or three new models a month.

Shenzhen Sion Technology Co. Ltd has lined up the release of a 1-DIN model with a 4.3in panel for H1 2008. It will also introduce models integrated with iPod docks and detachable monitors. Shenzhen Sion's existing models have Bluetooth and GPS as key features, as well as touchscreen navigation. Bluetooth 2.0 is adopted, making the products compatible with handsets.

Shenzhen Sion has been developing car electronic products integrated with GPS and video playback capabilities since its establishment in 2002. Its main products are 1-DIN and 2-DIN DVD players with 6.5in and 7in LCD panels. It can release one or two new models a month.

Shenzhen Timeless-Long Industrial Co. Ltd's major products are in-dash models with 7in panels. Last year's releases have swivel panels, which the company developed in cooperation with a South Korea company.

Aside from car DVD players, Shenzhen Timeless-Long also supplies in-car and home TFT-LCD monitors and GPS navigation systems. It has the capability to release two or three new models a month. Development lead time is 25 days for an ODM order.

Orders for car DVD players with screens are also on the rise for Superior Sound Car Audio Fty Ltd, but models without screens are still the company's bestsellers. Last year, 70 percent of Superior Sound's total car DVD player shipments were models without screens. This year, the share is projected to drop to 50 percent. "Many customers do not want to get stuck with whatever screen is built into their player. And there is still a big price difference between models with screens and those without,"said Patrick Kapoor, marketing manager at Superior Sound.

Buyers who want a screen can choose from many sizes: 7in, 6.5in, 4.3in, 3.5in, 3in, and as small as 2.6in and 2.5in. Top of the line are 7in models such as Anson High Technology Ltd's AN-9000 series, comprising four 1-DIN car DVD player models with motorized touchscreen TFT monitors. Anson also offers two models of 2-DIN car DVD players with 6.5in touchscreen TFT monitors, as well as 4.3in, 3in and 2.5in series models.

Car DVD players from Anson support DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-MP3, JPEG, Picture CD, SVCD, VCD, MPEG-4, MP3, CD-R/RW and CD playback. Each features mechanical antishock, an AM/FM MPX two-band radio, a USB port, an SD memory card slot, 24-station memory, OSD, dual zones, 4x40W power output and an infrared (IR) remote control. A/V connections include two video outputs, two video inputs, one video input for the rear view camera, two auxiliary-in, Dolby Digital coaxial outputs and a subwoofer.

Included in the long list of optional features for Anson's car DVD players are RDS/EON, LW, ISO connector, analog TV tuner, iPod control buttons, DivX playback, Bluetooth, OIRT and Sirius/XM/HD radio.

Anson has a collection of 50 models of car A/V devices with 10 more to be released during 2008. It insists on using digital displays for its car DVD players instead of lower-cost analog screens for better viewing enjoyment. It will release GPS-enabled models for the mainland China market during H1 2008 and a version for Europe by the next half. A 2-DIN model for special car brands will also be released during the year. Anson is mulling whether to release a car DVD player with an integrated digital TV tuner this year.

Freeway offers a wide selection of 7in and 6.5in car DVD players. Its DT-05311, DT-05312, DT-0536 and DT-0537 1-DIN units feature 7in 16:9 touchscreen displays, rear camera video inputs, 4ch RCA outputs, remote controls, SD and USB slots, and auxiliary-in jacks. All models are iPod-ready and come with optional TV tuner, GPS, RDS and Bluetooth functions as well as a CD changer control.

Freeway offers 2-DIN car DVD players with 7in and 6.5 touchscreens in the DT-068 and the DT-069, respectively. Both models have fully detachable panels and motorized slide-down control panels.

Currently leading car DVD player shipments from Freeway are models with 3in displays, such as the DVD-2686. This model has a fold down detachable panel, front A/V input, rear camera video input, high power audio output and USB slot. RDS, CD changer control interface, TV tuner, Bluetooth and GPS are optional.

Freeway is developing a car DVD player with integrated GPS capability. Its current GPS-enabled models require separate GPS boxes. The supplier is also considering developing a 4.3in model. It is looking to release at least new 3in, 3.5in and 7in models each of car DVD players in 2008.

Superior Sound's 7in and 6.5in car DVD players come in 2-DIN versions only. The company purposely refrained from releasing a 1-DIN version because the panel mechanisms available from component vendors are allegedly prone to breakdowns. Until a stable mechanism becomes available, the company is limiting its 6.5in and 7in car DVD players to the 2-DIN form factor.

The SXDD-501LGP-1 from Superior Sound is a 2-DIN car DVD player with a fully motorized 6.5in TFT-LCD monitor. It is built in with mechanical and electronic antishock system, 4x50W power output, 5.1ch RCA line-out, AM/FM stereo receiver, TV tuner and GPS. It has Dolby, DTS 5.1 Digital and Pro Logic II decoders, an OSD menu and video input for a rear camera.

Superior Sound's hottest model has a 4.3in touchscreen. The unit features a digital panel for vivid images, a fully motorized mechanism and an adjustable screen angle to suit the driver's viewing perspective. Add-on options include GPS navigation, Bluetooth and dual zone function.

Most car DVD players with GPS navigation from Hong Kong require separate GPS boxes. Under development are models that integrate the GPS components within the player unit. By H2 2008, these car DVD players are expected to be ready for mass production.

	The LR-804J02 from Taiwan's TVS is an 8in LCD monitor with a slot-in DVD player, 4-channel video input, USB 2.0 port, memory card reader and CD writer.

The car DVD player line in Taiwan consists of standalone players and car monitors with built-in DVD loaders.

The design trend for standalone units is toward multimedia servers, which are all-in-one products that support various data formats, including MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and DVD. In addition to this multimedia capability, AVL, card reader and DVB-T receiver functions are now becoming typical features.

The car monitor segment—consisting of in-dash, headrest and flip down models—is moving toward larger touchscreens, 16:9 aspect ratio, and integrated FM radio, DVB-T receiver and GPS navigation. Due to the increasing demand for car security products, some Taiwan suppliers are also introducing new models that support rear view cameras and units that double as mobile DVRs.

Maxwell Co. Ltd has released a car DVD player with optional support for rear view cameras. The MN-700 has a 7in 16:9 touchscreen and is built in with a 24-channel AM/FM radio and an MMC/SD card reader. It plays back DVD, VCD, CD, MP3, MPEG-4, JPEG and WMA files. The company also offers GPS boxes and DVB-T receivers.

Sysgration Ltd has opted to ride on the multimedia trend, offering built-in card readers, IR transmitters for wireless headphones and DVB-T receivers in dual TV tuner configurations as latest product enhancements in its car DVD players. While increasing product functionality, it also places equal importance on reducing power consumption and enhancing safety features.

Headrest and flip down models comprise Sysgration's car DVD player lineup. The flip down units are available in 10.2in, 10.4in, 15in and 17in screen sizes. A new release is the RMD-1028, a 10.2in monitor with a slot-in DVD player. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, IR transmitter for wireless headphones, external FM receiver and OSD.

Formats supported include DVD, DVD±R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP3 and JPEG.

Sysgration also develops car PCs, mobile DVRs, and LCD monitors for yachts and homes. The company plans to expand its reach beyond the original equipment industry and aim for the aftermarket.

Taiwan Video System Co. Ltd (TVS) has combined car entertainment and security in its latest release. The LR-804J02 has an 8in LCD monitor and integrates a mobile DVR, a digital photo frame and DVD playback. It has four-channel video inputs, a USB 2.0 port, a memory card reader and a CD writer. It can be connected to two more monitors.

In future, product development at TVS will further explore security applications, focusing on H.264 video compression, enhanced USB 2.0, and other integrated functions such as support for realtime remote monitoring via personal devices like 3G mobile phones and PDAs.

Mainland China makers cite the supply shortage of midsize TFT-LCD panels as a major pricing challenge. To cope with this problem, some have turned to developing smaller-screen models. Other suppliers are introducing new functions or using special panels to maintain their profit margins.

Panel size dictates prices but in units with same-size panels, quotes vary with the hardware configurations and integrated functions, especially in midrange and high-end models. For example, a player embedded with a Bluetooth module will cost $28 more than a model without; a unit with GPS will cost $118 more than one without.

Entry-level products from mainland China suppliers are 1-DIN DVD players without LCD monitors and Bluetooth but may have built-in radios, USB ports, SD memory card readers and amplifiers. The price range in this segment is from $30 to $60.

Units in 1-DIN configuration with 3.6in, 4.3in or 5in panels are priced from $90 to $300. These usually have digital panels for better display performance. Midrange models are typically built in with TV tuners and support CD, VCD, DVD, DVDx, MP3 and MPEG-4 playback. Some have detachable panels and integrated DVB-T tuner and digital radio functions. In the high end are 1-DIN and 2-DIN models with 6.5in or 7in panels, and Bluetooth, GPS, radio and TV or DVB-T receiver functions. New models in this segment will soon have iPod docks. Prices of high-end models start at $300.

In Hong Kong, production costs are expected to further increase this year, but suppliers look to retain or even lower prices to increase their competitiveness. Interviewed suppliers have mostly held on to their prices, even though production cost is estimated to have increased by at least 5 percent in the past 12 months. Average quotes have actually fallen by as much as $10 for entry-level car DVD players and by $20 to $50 for midrange and high-end models.

In-dash car DVD players without monitors are priced from $39 to $50, depending on the features. Models with 3in and 3.5in screens are about $90 to $110, while 6.5in and 7in models are from $140 to more than $200. The touchscreen feature adds $7 to $10 to the unit price. Bluetooth raises the quoted price by $15 to $16 per unit.

Anson assures competitive prices due to its vertically integrated production that covers loading mechanisms. It uses IC solutions from South Korea and Taiwan. The required minimum number of orders is 1,000 units.

Freeway expects its heavy investment in its new factory to yield higher production efficiency and lower production costs. Freeway requires a minimum order of 500 units.

Superior Sound is also seeking to increase automation in its production processes to improve productivity and counter rising labor costs. It has recently purchased three new SMT machines to add to its six production lines. It uses only digital LCD panels. The 7in panels are from AUO of Taiwan, while the smaller panels are from Japan and Taiwan. The loading mechanisms are exclusively from Japan suppliers, and the MCUs are from South Korea.

Likewise in Taiwan, most companies are keeping their prices, even in the face of rising costs. LCD panels represent a large chunk of total manufacturing cost, even exceeding more than 60 percent in large-screen models. In the popular 7in segment, product price can be about $220 due to this panel size's supply situation. The DVD royalty fee is also a cost challenge, especially as it is expected to go higher than $10 per unit. To manage costs without compromising their competitive edge, most contacted suppliers are integrating add-on features and producing tailor-made designs.