Headquartered in Oxnard, California, Boss Audio Systems is one of the leading manufacturers of audio and mobile electronics in the world. Everything from amplifiers and loudspeakers to signal processors and mobile video units are produced by this manufacturer. Included in this formidable lineup of technological developments is a very impressive flip down DVD player, with outstanding screen specifications and a large array of extra device features. The device is very easy to use and it is backed by an upgradeable warranty and all of the customer service avenues a consumer could ask for.
The Boss Audio systems flip down DVD player has a screen that is near the size of the average model with respectable resolution, but the real power in this device is in the extra features. Everything we looked for, from a USB interface and audio/video input to an FM transmitter and CD compatibility, was included with the base model of this product. This flip down DVD player also has added strength in the Support & Warranty category, offering telephone and email support as well as an upgradeable warranty, a helpful user manual and a FAQs section with applicable information. We were very impressed with this DVD player.
What set Boss Audio Systems’ device ahead of competitors Zicom and PYLE was its extensive feature set and exceptional customer support. It offered every additional feature and customer support option we looked for; it even offered a warranty (which by itself is hard to find for these products) with an upgrade option that allows you to extend the coverage up to three years. This flip down DVD player is convenient, compact, easy to use and filled with useful features. It is miles ahead of the competition, earning it the TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award.
At 12.1”, the screen on the Boss Audio Systems flip down DVD player is large enough to see clearly, but not so large as to obliterate your rear field of view. The resolution is slightly lower than some of our other models, but it is still sufficient for its purposes at 1152 x 234 DPI. The contrast ratio for these devices seems to be a fairly consistent 500:1, with this model being no exception.
The screen is a type of display called TFT-LCD, which is a variation of the standard LCD, or liquid crystal display. To improve the quality of the displayed image using this technology, a thin-film transistor (TFT) is used. This technology uses a thin layer of amorphous silicon on a panel of glass to allow the transistors to take up much less space on each individual pixel. This process increases the contrast of the display and drastically reduces production costs, delivering a higher-quality display for less money.
This category is where Boss Audio Systems’ flip down DVD player really thrives. Several additional options were included with the standard DVD player, ranging from additional audio/video inputs to an FM transmitter. In fact, so many features were offered by this model, that we used its feature set as the basis by which we rated all of the players on our lineup.
DVDs, CDs, VCDs, MP3 and MP4 discs are all compatible with the player in this device. This extensive flexibility allows you to choose between several entertainment options while on the road, including photos if you have an SD or MMC card compatible with this device’s card port.
Headphone transmitters come standard with this device, as well as an FM transmitter. These transmitters allow you to broadcast the audio directly from the flip down DVD player into compatible headsets or onto an FM frequency that you can tune your car’s radio to. With these two devices, you can either choose to leave the cabin in silence and funnel the audio into headsets for those in the back seat, or you can broadcast the sound to everyone in the car through the vehicle’s own stereo.
A remote control that allows you to control all of the many features included in this device comes standard with the purchase. The remote is thin and rather small; be careful you do not displace it, as it would be easily lost in a car.
A flip down monitor is a complex device to install on your own. It is best to allow a professional electronics vendor or a mobile video/audio provider to install it for you. If you elect to install it on your own, this model will be one of the easiest to install. Boss Audio Systems made sure that this device was laid out in an easily intelligible manner.
Instructions for installation are included in the user manual that you can download from Boss Audio Systems’ website. The instructions are intuitive and thorough, making it easy to install the device yourself should you choose to do so. Keep in mind, however, that Boss Audio Systems will extend your warranty from one year to three years if you have the flip down DVD player installed professionally.
As mentioned above, the standard one-year limited warranty applies to this device, but Boss Audio Systems will lengthen this to a full three years if you have the player installed professionally. The warranty is a normal guarantee, insuring your device against faulty materials and defects in manufacturing. Your warranty will become void if damage is incurred on the player by neglect or abuse.
If you have questions regarding the flip down monitor, you can solve quite a few of them by a quick look at Boss Audio Systems’ online knowledgebase. It looks significantly different from the rest of the website, but it is clean and easy to navigate. Under the tab labeled “Support,” you can access this database and browse through the FAQs section, submit help request tickets and download user manuals. Most of our questions were answered by the documentation found in this manual and in the FAQs section.
For questions that are not answerable through any of the above means, a telephone line and email address are available. If you prefer, a fax number is available as well as a traditional mailing address. With this much documentation and so many ways to get in contact with them, Boss Audio Systems sets the standard for support in flip down DVD players.
With an exceptional set of features, impressive customer support and great usability, the flip down DVD player by Boss Audio Systems rises to the top of the competition. If you’re looking for a high-quality device with all of the important features and then some, look no further than this exceptional player.
