Customer Reviews

Audiovox VOD806 Overhead 8" TV-DVD Player Combo

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have this DVD player installed in a 2001 Suburban. It fits and looks great with the optional Audiovox overhead console for the Suburban. I opted for that so I wouldn't lose the back seat air controls from the original overhead console.

The unit is easy to operate and works very well. Its screen doesn't close easily and I probably would have thought this to be a defect if the installer hadn't mentioned it when he was showing me how to operate it. A 16:9 screen would be cooler, but for the car the screen size is just fine.

The only problem I've noticed is that it seems to have problems handling imperfections (scratches/fingerprints/debris) on a DVD. It sometimes gets stuck (i.e. pauses) at certain points in a movie. So far this has only happened on DVDs that have visible scratches, fingerprints or debris on them. Skipping forward a little works to get past the problem. Since these same DVDs work flawlessly in our home DVD players and any flaws in the DVDs are very minor I've thought about taking this player back for a replacement. But, since it hardly ever happens I'm okay with it.

Our kids (4 and 2) really like having this in the car. We recently took a trip across the state and when the kids weren't sleeping or coloring, they were watching movies. It was the first long trip during which we didn't hear the "are we there yet" chant from the back seat. The kids were totally content.

I bought this and had it installed and within the week, it stopped working. I had it replaced and had to add an extended warranty because I'm not sure how long it will work. The 8 in screen is great. It is annoying to have to select the FM reception each time it is turned on to hear it. The screen doesn't close very easily into unit. I haven't had any problems with the Audiovox video in a bag so I thought I'd give their DVD system a try. It's only been a week, but it's still working.

This player was installed by the previous owner of my minivan. It's actually very good as a player, but it has some issues, which I'll list now;

1) In the US, where "terrestrial broadcast" television is now only in digital format, you lose the TV function of this player. ie' the TV doesn't work.

2) I'm not sure if it's related to the way it's installed, or the way the Honda Odyssey functions, but if you are playing a DVD for the kids with the engine off (say you stopped to pump some gas or have strapped them in before starting the car) and then you start the car, the power to the player will cut out and you have to start your DVD all over again, this means wading through the previews and then fast forwarding to where the power cut out. Extrememely annoying

3) Although the FM transmit station appears to be saved (or else it defaults to the channel I selected) you have to turn on the FM transmitter everytime you start the video. Since this video player will be installed in your car, it would seem reasonable that if you selected the FM transmitter once, you are likely to be always using it, why can't the player remember this?

4) Some functions are only available on the remote, so if it breaks or you lose it, you hobble the player. Our remote seems to have stopped working (even with new batteries). You can only turn on the FM transmitter with the remote, therefore, I can't turn on the FM transmitter and the kids (2 year olds) are too small/undisciplined to use the headphones therefore ... no more video for them, or at least video with sound.

5) Also highly annoying is that it only plays retail DVD's so if you copied a DVD for use in the car, you can't use it, it must be the original DVD. Annoying because it means the originals will get scratched up and rendered useless over time, or stolen.

6) It doesn't remember ANYTHING. If you power off or stop a video, it doesn't start at the place you left off like your home DVD player would, you have to watch the previews and fast forward back to the point you left off.

In its day (pre 2007) I'd say this was a good player because it does what it says, it plays DVD and stuff. But the operation is cumbersome when you start it up as it doesn't remember ANY settings. Now that the TV doesn't work, you are paying extra for nothing.

I'd look for a different player now. Oh and replacement remotes cost $50.

I have had one of these for a number of years and it has been fantastic. I had circuit city install it and its worked problem free for 4years. I recently experienced the same problem - the screen would not work. I just unmounted it and took it apart. I unpluged and repluged the ribbon cable tight'ned a ground wire that was loose -put it back together and it is fixed - good for another 5 years - I hope -

I didn't buy this exact model, but I bought a Jensen/Audiovox Overhead DVD player from Circuit City and had them install it. Installation was free and cost of the DVD player was over $500. 16 months after purchase, the screen stopped displaying image. Google search revealed that many... MANY of these Jensen/Audiovox DVD players have a faulty ribbon wire connecting the DVD player to the screen. I contacted Audiovox and they flat out told me tough luck. I mentioned to them that I came across numerous complaints identical to mine where the screen stopped working (actually, it goes white) 14 months or more after purchase (conveniently a few months after warrantee runs out), and the ONLY solution they gave me was to send it in to them with a check for $149 and they would repair it. I raised about as much fuss as I could asking to speak to supervisors and how can I file a complaint and how can they expect me to spend another $149 when I spent over $500 just 16 months ago... of course they couldn't care less. They wouldn't even sell me a replacement ribbon cable. The only option was to drop another $149 for them to replace a $5 ribbon cable.

I give it two stars because while it worked, it was acceptable.

So, BEWARE. From what I've read and from my own experience, a Jensen/Audiovox DVD is going to last you about a year before you need to spend a considerable amount to get it repaired. I should have just gone with a $100 disposable brand and planned on replacing it once a year. That's right Audiovox, I'm comparing you to the disposable brands. At least they price themselves appropriately. Audiovox could learn a thing or two from those companies whom I respect for pricing their product according to their actual value.