Whether it's taking the kids to see Grandma or driving a bunch of friends to Key West for Spring Break, Sony Mobile's new in-car DVD/CD changer will turn a road trip into a film-festival by providing hours of entertainment. When added to a car A/V component such as an installed LCD monitor, the new changer offers playback and storage in the car for 10 DVDs and/or CDs, including CD-R/RW discs. With its RF modulator, the changer can be added to any car audio system that has an FM tuner. The unit also has pre-amplifier outputs for auxiliary input use.

``As the market leader in home DVD-video, it's only natural for us to extend our technology to the automotive industry,'' said Phil Lubell, senior marketing manager for mobile electronics at Sony Electronics. ``The new DVD/CD changer meets the needs of consumers who want the benefit of in-car entertainment without having to replace their existing stereo.''

The DVD changer offers a wealth of features aimed to please restless passengers without disturbing the driver. The option of using a wired or wireless remote allows users easy control of the unit to shuffle between discs or quickly move from a DVD to an audio CD. For safety purposes, the unit has two video outputs. The front output automatically disengages when the car is in motion to ensure the driver won't be distracted. Available next month, the DVX-DVD 100 is expected to sell for about $1,000.