| There was a time when a static-filled sound box and a | | | | in the house is at the rear of a vehicle. Rear-seat |
| bag of greasy drive-in popcorn had to suffice for | | | | entertainment allows passengers to enjoy movies, |
| vehicle theater entertainment. Today's vehicle | | | | music and video games via an LCD color monitor, |
| manufacturers have taken the theater experience of | | | | which offers a crisp and clear picture, even at |
| yesteryear and brought it into the 21st century with a | | | | extreme viewing angles. Factory-installed systems |
| virtual in-car entertainment system. Portable device | | | | include a DVD player, which forms the core of the |
| interfaces, media players and satellite television are just | | | | system and can also read music, data files and photos. |
| a few emerging technologies for an automotive | | | | Illuminated keys let the viewer keep control of the |
| engineer to consider integrating as an attractive | | | | DVD player, even in the dark. |
| magnet for potential car buyers. | | | | After short journey breaks or after the engine has |
| Portable Entertainment | | | | been switched off, a special module enables the |
| Functionality and integration of portable entertainment | | | | system to know exactly which content was played |
| has become more than just a feature for luxury | | | | last - so users do not have to go searching through |
| vehicles. Portable device interfaces allow drivers to | | | | the last film or music program. |
| access their home music library or a video game via | | | | Soon, consumers may also begin to see video |
| their automotive system using a USB port. MP3 | | | | wireless systems that deliver separate options for the |
| players connect directly to a vehicle radio and allow | | | | driver, front-seat passengers and the rear-seat |
| control of music selection while song title, artist, album | | | | positions. Drivers might listen to satellite radio, while |
| and elapsed time are conveniently displayed on the | | | | passengers separately employ headphones to listen to |
| radio. SD Card Playback, a navigation database | | | | MP3 players or watch DVDs. |
| interface, can also be used to bring music into the | | | | TV on the Open Road |
| vehicle. | | | | Satellite television allows passengers to leave DVDs at |
| That's Infotainment | | | | home and instead enjoy digital-quality entertainment |
| With the advent of media players, today's driver can | | | | channels on the open road. Various systems can |
| integrate a variety of entertainment and information | | | | provide access to more than 100 programming |
| content to his or her preference. Music from multiple | | | | channels and more than 50 channels of satellite music. |
| sources can be searched and played using a single | | | | In addition, families can catch the big game, traffic |
| interface. And those interfaces are controlled via voice, | | | | reports or local news stories from the comfort of their |
| soft keys, a central control knob or steering wheel | | | | vehicle via local networks. Satellite TV also integrates |
| controls. Want to hear only reggae or pop while driving | | | | with various in-vehicle backseat video systems. |
| home from work? A "Similar Songs" button looks into | | | | Popcorn Optional |
| the database and selects similar songs for play. Other | | | | Today's on board car entertainment system provides |
| media player features include Bluetooth® audio | | | | seamless experiences in music, movies, television and |
| streaming, DVD-V/ROM, MP3 and full-featured | | | | more. Greater freedom from home to the open road |
| navigation capabilities. | | | | means access to entertainment, navigation and safety |
| Best Seat Isn't Even in the House | | | | features from behind the wheel. With all of these |
| "Are we almost there?" is likely to turn into "We're | | | | options, drivers may discover the best seat in the |
| here already?" for those who discover the best seat | | | | house is actually parked out in the garage. |