Chrysler's Flo TV
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Chrysler's Flo TV
Aaron's Cars Blog
By Aaron Gold, About.com Guide to Cars
My BioMy BlogMy ForumAdd to: iGoogleMy Yahoo!RSS.Chrysler offers TV on the go
Wednesday January 27, 2010
To me, the idea of watching a DVD in a moving car is still a novelty -- but it's old hat to the folks at Chrysler, who are introducing live television as an option in several of their vehicles. I got a chance to sample Chrysler's FLO TV service, and it works pretty well.
Picture quality (photo here) reminds me of a YouTube video -- not as sharp as regular television or an in-car DVD system, but thoroughly watchable. Audio quality is excellent. FLO TV offers programming on over two dozen channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and the Disney Channel. The service is available in 100 major metropolitan areas as well as along several interstate corridors, and it is broadcast via radio transmitters, rather than satellites, so the service shouldn't drop out in tunnels or under the cover of trees or clouds.
The system works with existing factory-installed in-car entertainment systems. On multi-screen systems -- such as those found in Chrysler's minivans -- passengers can watch FLO TV on one screen while the other screen displays another input (such as a DVD). The driver can even watch FLO TV on the dashboard navigation screen -- provided the transmission is in Park, that is.
The cost for the dealer-installed systen is $629. That price includes the receiver, two remotes (one wired, one wireless), and one year's service (after that, the subscription costs $119 per year). It does not include installation (one hour's labor; figure around a hundred bucks) or the TV screens; the vehicle must have an existing in-car entertainment system. The mobile boob tube comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on new cars, 1 year/12,000 miles on used cars. That's right, I said used cars -- the system can be installed on several 2008-2010 model year vehicles, including the Chrysler Town & Country; Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander; and Dodge Grand Caravan, Journey, Nitro and RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500.
Analysis: To tell you the truth, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of TV on the move. I remember when entertainment on long drives meant... um, what's it called, the thing with the paper... oh yeah, a book. So what do you think -- is TV in the car something that you'd want? Is $629 a fair price? Would the prospect of in-car TV get you to buy a Chrysler product? Click the "comments" link and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
By Aaron Gold, About.com Guide to Cars
My BioMy BlogMy ForumAdd to: iGoogleMy Yahoo!RSS.Chrysler offers TV on the go
Wednesday January 27, 2010
To me, the idea of watching a DVD in a moving car is still a novelty -- but it's old hat to the folks at Chrysler, who are introducing live television as an option in several of their vehicles. I got a chance to sample Chrysler's FLO TV service, and it works pretty well.
Picture quality (photo here) reminds me of a YouTube video -- not as sharp as regular television or an in-car DVD system, but thoroughly watchable. Audio quality is excellent. FLO TV offers programming on over two dozen channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and the Disney Channel. The service is available in 100 major metropolitan areas as well as along several interstate corridors, and it is broadcast via radio transmitters, rather than satellites, so the service shouldn't drop out in tunnels or under the cover of trees or clouds.
The system works with existing factory-installed in-car entertainment systems. On multi-screen systems -- such as those found in Chrysler's minivans -- passengers can watch FLO TV on one screen while the other screen displays another input (such as a DVD). The driver can even watch FLO TV on the dashboard navigation screen -- provided the transmission is in Park, that is.
The cost for the dealer-installed systen is $629. That price includes the receiver, two remotes (one wired, one wireless), and one year's service (after that, the subscription costs $119 per year). It does not include installation (one hour's labor; figure around a hundred bucks) or the TV screens; the vehicle must have an existing in-car entertainment system. The mobile boob tube comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on new cars, 1 year/12,000 miles on used cars. That's right, I said used cars -- the system can be installed on several 2008-2010 model year vehicles, including the Chrysler Town & Country; Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander; and Dodge Grand Caravan, Journey, Nitro and RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500.
Analysis: To tell you the truth, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of TV on the move. I remember when entertainment on long drives meant... um, what's it called, the thing with the paper... oh yeah, a book. So what do you think -- is TV in the car something that you'd want? Is $629 a fair price? Would the prospect of in-car TV get you to buy a Chrysler product? Click the "comments" link and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold