Slim and easy to use MSRP:...
Slim and easy to use
MSRP: $1,195
The Movie Vision MV7000 overhead monitor comes loaded with some pretty great features and unique design concepts. For starters, the MV7000's very small footprint of 12.2" by 12.2" by 1.9" is great for installation. Its built-in wireless FM modulator also speeds things up (but since it will be susceptible to reception noise the optional hardwired FM mod is well worth getting). However, the coolest and most unique feature of the MV7000 has to be that the DVD player is built into the 10.2-inch screen.
The 10.2-inch TFT LCD is arranged in the widescreen, 16x9 format with a native resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. This definitely does not match the pixel count of more expensive fully active matrix TFTs we have tested, but the MV7000 does a really good job in just about all the areas of concern. Simple and easy to use, the MV7000's screen has large, clearly labeled and accessible buttons at the bottom. These are just about all the controls you need to operate the system. The MV7000's ergonomics have hit a home run with me.
The built-in DVD player plays a variety of DVDs and CDs, plus lets you enjoy JPEG pictures, MPEG4s and MP3s via a separate SD card slot. For the kids, the MV7000 comes with two pairs of wireless headphones. Very comfortable and of excellent sound quality, they can be folded up into a little storage satchel for protection against scuffs-a nice touch.
An A/V input lets you hook up a game console or other video source. You can also use the A/V output if you have a second video screen. The wireless remote control has way too many buttons and needs to be labeled more clearly. On the other hand, the owner's manual is comprehensive and well laid out. It has clear instructions and wiring diagrams. The standard one-year warranty covers manufacturer defects.
Installation, setting up and fine-tuning:
Designed to replace the central dome light in most vehicles, the MV7000 comes packaged with a heavy-duty mounting plate and all the hardware to do the job. Flushed into a flat headliner, the black or cream/tan product would look fantastic. However, those without flat headliners will have to buy the optional mounting shroud (and many of the target vehicles will require it for a clean-looking install). Movie Vision offers a number of shrouds from $49 (universal) to $69 (vehicle-specific). A bit of a sore spot with me, I think a shroud should be included with a flip-down that costs $1,195.
Once installed, picture quality was quite good with factory settings. However, taking the time to properly adjust the picture to its optimal settings will maximum performance and quality. On inserting my AVIA test disk, which uses a series of test patterns specific to various adjustments, the DVD player would not accept it until I pushed the eject button to cycle the transport. Then the MV7000 loaded the disc perfectly.
The Contrast (White Balance) setting needed to be decreased to 18, while the Brightness (Black Level adjustment) had to be pushed up to 39. The MV7000 does not feature a Sharpness control and the test pattern showed that the preset level was just about right, so no need for one anyway.
Color (Saturation) and Tint (Hue) are the most difficult adjustments to dial in. The test pattern is a color bar pattern and you view it through a blue-colored gel. I ended up setting the Color to 33 and the Tint at the factory setting of 25. The MV7000 was very nice and easy to dial in. All of the controls actually made a difference and worked, which cannot be said for a number of other screens.