• The color LCD display brings images to life, showing off your treasured photos, favorite movies and music with the same 'real life' rich detail and vibrant colors as high quality prints.
• It comes with convenient in-car accessories to enhance your movie enjoyment on the road. A car adaptor allows you to power your portable DVD player using the cigarette charger
• Dual screens allow you to display same videos or images from the portable DVD players. Simply plug in and mount the screens on the headrests in your car.
• The Philips Portable DVD player is compatible with most DVD and CD discs available in the market. DVD, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, (S)VCD, and CD - all of them can play on the DVD player
• The DVD-Video player remembers where you have finish viewing a DVD and continue playing from the exact scene where you stopped watching even after a power failure.

• One-touch phone book dialing
• Compatible-Direct track access-Last position memory
• Easy-to-use touch screen graphic interface
• ESP buffer-Play-pause-Chapter skip search-Direct time-title-chapter access-36 Station presets
• Control and command most iPods via touch screen

• CD-R CD-RW compatible
• Plays ID3v1 tags
• One touch memory
• Tuner has 30 station presets and auto scan
• Adjustable illumination dimmer with 3 levels

• DVDs, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RW, MP3, And WMA Discs
• 50W X 4 Maximum Power Output (14W X 4 RMS)
• Wireless Remote Control Included
• Built In Bluetooth Compatibility

Aug 03, 2006 by Marina H | Posted in Other - Electronics

wal-mart sells the durabrand dual screen dvd player and the polaroid dvd player. i am trying to find out if durabrand is a good brand name or should i stick with polaroid. the durabrand has a lcd-tft screen which is better than the polaroid lcd screen, but is that enough reason to choose it?

No, I'm pretty sure Durabrand is Wal-mart's store brand or something. I've never bought a Durabrand product, but they are all very cheap, so I doubt they are a high quality brand. Polaroid is a brand you can trust.

Oct 02, 2007 by DallasDad | Posted in Other - Electronics

I am especially interested in 1) sound quality 2) screen quality and 3) ease with which dvds can be changed/loaded while driving. This is for two kids in backseat so it would need a headrest harness.

There are lots of models out there, and usually very cheap.

Might I suggest getting a model that allows for input and output and not strictly for the Car. You'll need a coupler but will be able to use these elsewhere and have the ability to have games systems or two different movies on them, but this will be a question as far as age ( since these will not have a headrest harness per say). You will need to look at good headphones or a RF modulator or mini cable or tape adapter (depending on the car).

If you gave just a little more detail i would feel better about a recommendation.

Sep 13, 2007 by Ismael J | Posted in Car Audio

What does that feature mean?

it means that the the front speakers can play something different from the back speakers all at the same time.nice if you have kids.the front speakers can be playing the radio while the back speakers are playing a cd or dvd.my radio has this feature and me and the kids love it.

Nov 08, 2006 by kp c | Posted in Car Audio

Im thinking about buying a dual dvd player that straps to the headrest. But I am wondering is it better to buy the dvd player with the cd connection connected to the screen or should I buy one with a separate cd insert that the two monitors will connect to????

if you are just getting the headrest strap monitors than it probably means you dont want all the trouble of installation and wiring and stuff.

getting a seperate dvd player you will have to either buy an adaptor to connect the dvd player to the car, and you would still have to run video/audio cables to "both" monitors.
or if you get a indash dvd player and try to connect it to the headrests than you would have even more troubles.

my sister got the one with a built in dvd player strap monitors to calm down her hyper kids on car rides. no trouble she just pluged them in the lighter slot and put in the dvd.

my advice is go with the built in dvd monitor. its easier, quicker, simpler.

Jan 18, 2009 by pip... | Posted in DVRs

I have a sansui san7030 in car dvd dual screen system.
the dvd player screen will turn on, and it will attempt to load the discs, but everytime i out a disc in, it says no disc, or disc error....

does anyone know what could be wrong, and if yes, do you have any idea's on how to fix it?

ps: its brand new, used it once, got it for chirstmas.

Feb 21, 2008 by lily B | Posted in Car Audio

I want to buy a new Car DVD Player, and my eyes are on Polaroid PDM2727.
It is 7 inch Dual-Screen…
Has anyone bought it? How is it?
I find a deal for it .. $125…
http://dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=20663&ru=283
Is this a good car dvd player and a good price?
I need you advice…

eonon is better.. Its economical and has many functions..
good quality too wont hurt if you just press the following link
www.eonon.com

Nov 24, 2007 by momofdoubletrouble | Posted in Other - Electronics

Would prefer a portable DVD system with dual screens, and would like to have it with a battery. I saw a perfect one by Venturer, an 8.4" dual screen system, but can't find it at any store online or otherwise. I tried to email Venturer, and message failed. I am at a loss for what other system might work. We want to take on a long road trip and let the kids hook up their game system for the hours on the road.

I only found the 9 inch. It does all the same as the 8, but the reviews on it were lousy.
Everyone had problems with the latch on the door cover of the DVD.

Here is another dual player. I don't know what your budget is but this will do the same. Reviews are 83% positive
Good Luck!

Sep 13, 2007 by Laura C | Posted in Other - Electronics

Does anyone know where I can find a dual screen portable DVD player with battery? Our current one stopped working and I cannot find one with a battery for the main screen anywhere. We like to bring the main screen on airplanes with us which is why we need the battery.

Here is a link to an example of a dual screen portable DVD player:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Element-7-Dual-Screen-Portable-DVD-Player-E750-DPD/sem/rpsm/oid/180352/catOid/-12874/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

This one does not have a battery on the main unit. It needs to be plugged in at all times (wall outlet or in the car). 95% of the time that would be okay, but on occasion we would like to be able to just take the main unit on an airplane and use it.

Thanks!

I saw your previous question a few days ago and I have not seen anything like what you want.

You may be in one of those fall off places where the device doesn't have enough market demand for what you want. But I think I have a solution.

I do think that you could find two portable DVDs that include a video out on one and a video in on the other and with a little creative wiring get what you want.

You will need two of the following players to do this and a RCA coupler set. Connect the included mini jack to RCA cable on the player with the DVD to its av out. hook the other mini to the other players input and use the coupler to hook them together.

Make sure to use headphones for best sound.

Sep 26, 2007 by HoneySpag | Posted in PlayStation

The main screen has a separate digital out and av in hole in addition to these three to connect to the second screen-DC out, IR link, AV out. The second screen has only av in ir link, dc in-all which connect to the first screen. The player came with an av cable, one side connects to the main screen digital out. The other end has 3-red,yellow,white-but they can't connect to PS2-is this where I need a separate adapter? If so, what? I'll bet Radio Shack will have what I need, they always do! Thanks so much in advance. I am travelling with two little boys this weekend and this will save my sanity on the long car-ride if one can watch a movie and the other can play a game!!!! Then they won't fight (or maybe not as much:)...).

the red, yellow, and white should be able to connect to the ps2 using the ordinary av cable
if you have some sort of strange ps2 cable, get something like this
http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/73/VG-PS-CAAV/?PHPSESSID=da44a1adbc233a6c410e03273137a50c

you might also need this, which allows the ps2 to draw power from the car
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4183750

Jan 26, 2007 by bones977 | Posted in Car Audio

I'm looking into getting an inexpensive indash dvd player. I can't decide between these two brands. I know each has it's faults and what not. What's you opinion?
Dual DVD indash or Jensen

jensen is better. i had a dual cuz it was cheaper and the screen burned out on me after less than a month. I've had the jensen ever since....about 8 months now....

Nice Car DVD Come From LightInTheBox.com

26.12.09

The Movie Itself was Directed by Chris Columbus who also directed the first of the film franchise, “ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone “, and of course other well-known films (“ Home Alone “, and “ Mrs. Doubtfire “). The film’s screenplay was written by Steve Kloves who has also written the screenplays of all of the other “ Harry Potter ” films, excluding “ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix “; all of which are based on the novels written by J.K. Rowling .

The second year begins as the summer is drawing to an end, and we are shown Harry ( Daniel Radcliffe ) living through these dull days at the residence of his muggle Aunt and Uncle, Vernon ( Richard Griffiths ) and Petunia ( Fiona Shaw ). On this particular evening, Harry ’s Aunt and Uncle are having guests over, and are making every threat possible to their unwanted nephew in hopes of keeping him upstairs and quiet. Harry is very familiar with these situations at their home, and though he is very capable of simply lying upstairs making not a peep, a surprise visitor in his bedroom will prevent the silence from enduring. The magical creature, Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones ), is a house elf who has come to diligently warn Harry Potter not to return to Hogwarts this year as danger is sure to find him there. However, as Harry does not understand thoroughly “why?”, the house elf keeps interrupting his own explanation by compulsively beating himself in the head, having been conditioned that his actions are “wrong”. All of the racket created by Dobby of course stirs the evening get-together downstairs, leading to a pudding-cake disaster atop one of the important guests.

Though even Harry himself is still confused about the house elf’s visit and warning, Uncle Vernon of course has no toleration for the events and the family takes further measures to isolate their nephew in his room, believing his “freaky friends” had something to do with the flying pudding-cake. The increased security is however merely laughable to the Weasley boys, who later arrive outside of Harry ’s window in their father’s enchanted flying car. Taking him away to their much more pleasant home, Harry spends the brief remainder of the summer here with his best friend Ron ( Rupert Grint ) until it is time to crossover onto platform nine and three-quarters to board the Hogwarts Express. As the other Weasley family members run through the wall at the train station to appear within the Hogwarts Express boarding area out of the eyes of muggles, each one breezes through, including Ginny ( Bonnie Wright ), the youngest of the siblings heading towards her first year at the school. However, when Harry and Ron attempt to crossover, it seems that the entrance has been magically sealed, leaving the boys trapped on the muggle-side, and separated from Ron ’s parents who could help. Beginning to panic, they think of one crazy last resource; they hop inside the flying car and plan to follow the Hogwarts Express to the school.

After the endured treachery of following the train through flying, and surviving the brutal branches of the Whomping Willow they mistakenly land in, the boys have arrived at Hogwarts. Despite the eventful beginning to the school year, classes proceed, and Harry finds that he is the beloved idol of first year student Colin Creevey ( Hugh Mitchell ), and is oddly the interest of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, egotistical Gilderoy Lockhart ( Kenneth Branagh ). However, having kept in mind the warning given by Dobby , Harry ’s typical routines are interrupted by an ominous voice that it seems only he can hear. These events lead to students being found petrified in the halls, and threatening messages written in blood upon the walls intended to frighten those who are not pure-bloods. Now that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, no one is exactly sure what or who is lurking within, and of course the strong friendship between Harry , Ron , and Hermione will act as what may be the only defense.

Overall, the second year of the characters’ ordeals at Hogwarts in the form of a movie from the book is mostly a bit campy when compared to the other film adaptions from the series. Possibly, the studio really pushed and impressed upon the production team these particular elements as they were putting perhaps too much focus on their young audience, though all age groups are self declared fans of the franchise, simply using their best marketing opinions to create a higher financial turn over. As the opinion always passes through when a film is based on such a popular book, “Was the movie as good as the book?”; the second “ Harry Potter ” film does convey its original written medium rather well, at least not leaving those who have not read the series lost in the dust, like perhaps the fourth film and on.

Something that must have been enjoyable from the filmmaker’s perspective when it came to making this second film is that the first “ Harry Potter ” movie had already established the basics of this other world, and Harry ’s general situation of having survived an attack from Voldemort . Being that the franchise was intending to shadow the published works of J.K. Rowling , this left room to not only convey the plots of each year at Hogwarts, but to bring a deeper development of the characters from the books to the big-screen. This also seems to be a highlighted theme within the accompanying supplements, as many reflect the cast’s opinions of the characters they portray, and a general analysis of both returning characters and new characters, and the roles they play in not only the second year, but the 7-year story as a whole. The actors’ dedication, as well as their manner of portraying the essence of these fictional characters as directed (in this film) by Christopher Columbus , certainly is a large part of what has created such a solid fan-base.

Regarding the story of the second year itself, looking at it as both the written format and on-screen adaptation, this was merely the beginning of the twists author J.K. Rowling would be presenting to “ Harry Potter ” fans. These are not just twists that merely effect the plot’s main idea for that respective year, but brilliant twists that you can look either backward or forward within the 7 years and see a ripple effect of each seemingly strategically placed detail, event, or bit of dialogue. Overall, when looking at “ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ” along side the other films of the series that exist so far (all but year seven), this piece of the story earns a “ 3.5 Star Rating “, being of course an important vessel of the story, but baring a slightly less appealing on-screen story than that of the other “ Harry Potter ” movies.

Video Quality on this release is in full 1080p using the VC-1 codec on a BD-50 (50 gigabyte, dual-layered Blu-ray Disc ) in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The general look of the picture on this release consists of a great amount of clarity and definition, being just seven years of age, what the video quality has to offer here is definitely impressive. The color palette often reflects the applied filters, with an appropriate saturation and moderate vibrancy displayed in many subjects, such as the scenes at the train station, and the scenes of the Quidditch match, displaying the bold shades of each house’s respective colors. The majority of interior shots within Hogwarts are a bit more on the warm side, reflecting the intended golden glow of the candles. Looking back, it seems this use of a warm filter was seen more in the earlier “ Harry Potter ” films, specifically those directed by Christopher Columbus , almost like as the content got darker, so did the filters that were applied. Regardless, fleshtones of the actors are accurate, and the black level is very inky, as mostly seen in the black robes often adorn by the characters.

One primary reason this film feels so “campy” compared to the others is the CG and animatronics within the film. Obviously, the magical world of “ Harry Potter was brought to life based on the descriptions loaned by J.K. Rowling ’s written works, and much additional creativity was applied to materialize these fictional characters and creatures. The green-screen work of the flying car, the Quidditch match, and the spastic movements of Dobby still look smooth and realistic in High Definition; notably the details put forth in the texture of the house elf’s skin and ragged attire have really paid off with its Hi-Def transfer. On the other hand, High Definition does show-off less smoothly blended work, such as the screaming Mandrakes when they are plucked from their soil by the students. Also something unique within this film is the black and white transition presented as Harry is sucked into the past and witnesses the events lived by Tom Riddle ; definition

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25.12.09

Patterned after the F3R concept, the new Sienna apes the Honda Odyssey's square shoulders but grafts on a Venza-like nose and tail. There's something for everyone with five different trim levels, two different engines, front- or all-wheel drive, and even a sport-tuned SE edition. Yep, Toyota thinks the world is ready for a sporty minivan. They recently invited us down to sample their new range of people movers, and we spent a day driving them up and down the coast, along freeways and around neighborhoods, and even down one of Southern California's famed canyon roads, all in an effort to prove that the minivan is ready to be thrust back to the top.

When first approaching the 2011 Sienna, you're immediately taken with its width. The Toyota family face is spread wide across the low snout, the body is more muscular with high shoulders and hidden slider rails, and the tail is cleaned up with its large roof spoiler covering the relocated rear wiper. It's a clean, contemporary look that boasts an un-box-like drag coefficient of just .306. The van was designed at Calty, and all of the engineering and development work was done in Ann Arbor. Production will continue at the Princeton, Indiana plant that builds the current Sienna, making this an All-American effort. Toyota thinks it can sell 100,000 of them per year. On looks alone, ToMoCo probably has a good shot.

There will be five different trim levels when the Sienna goes on sale next February: Sienna (base), LE, XLE, Limited and SE. There are several detail differences to tell them apart. The grilles on the Sienna, LE and XLE have black bars with a lower chrome surround, while the Limited grille is all chrome. XLE and Limited get extra chrome bits and XLE, Limited and SE come standard with foglamps. The SE really stands out (below, middle) with a blacked out mesh grille, a front airdam, recontoured rear apron, rocker sill extensions, darkened chrome all around and clear taillight lenses. Although it's only been lowered a bit due to its stiffened coils and dampers, the SE's aero tweaks really emphasize its low, wide stance.

The other major trim-level tell will be the wheels. They're all alloys, ranging in size from 17 to 19 inches, and even the smallest fill those rounded wheel wells nicely. The base Sienna and LE get budget-looking five-spokes, XLE models wear shiny seven-spoke designs, Limited and AWD models sport sharp-looking polished ten-spokers and the SE gets a darkened six-spoke pattern. The AWD models really caught our attention because they were wearing the latest Bridgestone Turanza run-flats. During our driving, those run-flats were a bit of a revelation, riding and handling just like conventional tires . They promise much better performance when air levels drop, thanks in large part to their scalloped sidewalls that keep them cool.

As big as the exterior changes are, the interior is this van's main attraction. Although the third-generation Sienna has the same wheelbase and sits on the same platform as the outgoing model, it's actually a bit shorter overall, yet still manages to cram an extra two inches of interior length into the cabin. Cargo volume has gone up, with space behind the third, second and first rows measuring in at 39.1/87.1/150 cubic-feet respectively. It feels even bigger than that inside thanks to a new tri-tone color scheme that keeps everything above the beltline light and airy.

Despite the addition of a four-cylinder option for the first time, Toyota says it's reduced total Sienna vehicle combinations by a whopping 80 percent. Options lists will shrink as Toyota is going the Honda route of making the customer move up a trim level to get extra equipment. Despite that, there are even more combinations of trim levels, drivetrains and seating configurations than before.

Lowering the third row is now a one-motion affair, with a single handle pull bringing either portion of the 60/40 split bench up and over into the floor. A power option makes it even easier to make the seats disappear and reappear. We positioned ourselves back there for a spell and have to say, this is where minivans shine. Compared to a third row in an SUV, we wouldn't have nearly as many reservations about riding back there on long trips. Heck, the seats even recline now and getting to that comfy bench is a whole lot easier thanks to the new second row Tip-Up and Long-Slide feature.

However, the second row seats in this newest Sienna are probably going to get the lion's share of oohs and aahs. Whether in seven- or eight-seat variety, they have a long slide range of nearly 26 inches for great third row access or to allow parents room to stand in front of the seats as they buckle their kids in. The optional eighth seat is a foldable unit that easily pops out and fits into a clever storage cove on the driver's side of the rear cargo area. That brings up the one issue some people might have with the second row seats: They don't fold flat into the floor like the Chrysler Stow 'n Go system. When asked abut this seeming oversight, the Toyota reps were quick to explain their choice.

Anyone who has sat in the Chrysler's second row seats can tell you that they aren't the most comfortable place to be on long trips. The sacrifice in padding needed to get them to fold flat into the floor is noticeable even on short jaunts. Toyota thought long and hard about it and decided that people are in those seats more often than large objects occupying the cargo area. In short, Toyota's engineers say they chose passenger comfort over cargo loading ease. As if to put an exclamation point on that decision, Toyota now offers a Lounge Seating package on Limited models that features two ottoman equipped recliners -- similar to the rear thrones in the $408,000 Maybach 62 .

Second- and third-row passengers can also enjoy an optional 16.4-inch dual-view LCD screen that unfolds from the headliner while dropping jaws. It can display two separate signals side-by-side or one single standard or widescreen program. Despite its large size, it doesn't block the driver's view out the back -- we checked. That screen also adds A/V jacks to the back of the center console, a DVD player in the lower portion of the center stack and a remote control. There are optional wireless headsets too, that, with the addition of the Lounge Seating, turns the Sienna into a private theater on wheels.

The front seats are enlarged, multi-adjustable, supportive and comfortable. The Limited model adds a two-position memory function for the first time and between the seats you'll find a handy floor (purse) tray at the base of the center stack. Not all models include a center console, but those that do get a huge central compartment, cupholders and an optional rearward slider feature. All trim levels get a tri-zone AC system that's been painstakingly engineered to reduce sound from the fan and through the vents. The reps went on about a sophisticated system of phase-shifting noise cancellation, "Air Cap" ducts, and additional sound deadening material. We tried it out and have to admit it wasn't any louder (or quieter) than any other system we've used. The system is manual except on XLE and Limited, which get automatic climate control, and the HVAC controls are right where you'd expect them to be – well laid out along that signature dash swoop and easy to use.

Stylish as it might be, the swoop is there to give front seat occupants a "60/60" split of the space. By bisecting the area, it makes it feel like you are getting 60 percent of the space, whether you're in the driver or passenger seat. It actually works well in practice, especially on models with the floor console. The swoop is solid colored on most models, carbon fiber-esque on the SE and wood on the XLE and Limited, with the Limited variant getting a smart-looking leather and wood steering wheel as well. And to keep everyone safe, there are seven airbags and active headrests as part of the Sienna's pre-collision system, ABS , traction control, stability control, brake assist and electronic brake distribution.

Stereo systems are all AM/FM/MP3/CD and with XM-readiness, Bluetooth, auxilary audio jacks and USB ports standard on most models. The Limited gets an upgraded ten-speaker JBL system to itself, while XLE and Limited buyers can also add a voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system that takes the spot normally occupied by the stereo. That sat-nav system is a sixth-generation Denso unit that's incredibly intuitive and capable of understanding English, Spanish and French voice commands. You can even search by company or chain name, making it almost too easy to find the closest In-N-Out Burger. And that's not even the best part of the system.

The unit also displays Toyota's new Panorama backup camera feed, which offers an industry-first 180-degree view of what's behind the vehicle. It makes backing up and parking both easier and safer, with handy guidelines and steering-based projections projected on the screen to help you slot in perfectly. We did, however, find one parking lot with weathered lines and the system decided to basically create its own space for us diagonally across three spaces. It's not infallible, but the wide-view feed of what's behind you is terrific in most all conditions.

On vehicles with backup cams but no navigation, the image is displayed on the 3.5-inch multi-information display at the top center of the dash. That unit also displays clock, outside temp, HVAC info, open door indicators, cruise info and Eco Driving mode graphs. That Eco graph shows fuel consumption in a simple black and white bar graph that struck us as somewhat counterintuitive, with the white bar getting longer the harder you pressed on the accelerator. A minor quibble, but kind of odd given the high quality displays elsewhere. A front radar parking assist system is standard on Limited and optional on XLE, and the Limited also offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control that keeps a safe distance between you and traffic ahead.

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18.12.09

Say ahoy to BMW's fifth-generation 750Li, a 17.1-foot-long technological battleship that fits the moniker of flagship.

Introduced this spring with a less controversial shape than before and new V-8, this luxury sedan offers technology, plus size-shrinking performance and handling for the cost of premium unleaded. Moreover, I enjoyed its commodious back seat with video playing almost as much as driving it.

Home, James!

When then-BMW designer Chris Bangle introduced the last major restyle of the 7 in 2002, its confusing design lines at the aft end had people calling it a "Bangle Butt." BMW smoothed that tail out in 2006, and sales went well.

Now BMW has smoothed out the basic shape, starting with a more prominent grill and glaring headlights with corona rings as daytime running lights. A wide lower intake carries chrome accent and fogs.

A sloped rear window and design lines nicely join a flattened vertical tail with subtle spoiler. The result -- a sleek, ground-hugging large car that caught lots of attention.

The interior is clothed in stitched leather and dark wood, with real alloy. The dash has a cleaner shape, a single optional ($1,200) stitched leather cowl over silver-ringed instruments with digital displays for the engine/suspension/shift settings in the tach and trip computer in the speedometer; readouts for cruise control, blind spot and lane drifting systems top center; odometer/trip meter/navigation bottom center.

The heated power tilt/ telescope steering wheel has easy controls for stereo, Bluetooth and cruise control. The dash center gets a high-resolution, wide-screen display of almost every function controlled by a much-improved fourth- generation iDrive.

Its black chrome turn/push/tilt knob offers more intuitive operation, with an all-important "back" button and direct- select keys (CD, Radio, Telephone, Navigation and main menu) next to it It accesses the great AM-FMHD-CD/DVD/Sirius Satellite audio system (with iPod/USB inputs) with 13-gigabyte hard drive to record music.

Traffic reports and car functions are accessible via iDrive, or eight programmable "Favorites" keys. The dual-zone climate control system offers heated/cooled front seats, the driver getting two memory presets, massage and ability to move the front passenger seat remotely. The 14-way seats were supportive and comfortable.

Almost all functions can be controlled via voice command too, while the E-Shift shifter moved from dash to center console is a joystick that engages gears electronically. The remote key fob allows door lock/unlocked with a touch (LEDs light the handles), and "Start" in addition to remote window and sunroof opening.

With 5.5 inches more rear leg room than the base 7 Series, folks in back get more head and leg room, foot rests, heated seats, rear air conditioning and a superb DVD player with dual monitors and wireless headphones, a luxury ride complete with window shades for privacy. The trunk is huge.

Active Cruise Control maintains speed and distance with the car ahead, stops when it stops, then resumes cruising when the car ahead moves on. Night Vision shows light-enhanced images of dark roads, pedestrians glowing white.

Cameras on the front fenders show what's coming left and right at a blind intersection. The back-up camera (with sonar sensors front and rear) helps park the yacht.

Glowing triangles in the side mirrors let you know a car is in your blind spot, but are dim in daytime. That system vibrates the steering wheel if you change lanes without signals or drift over a line.

There's more, but you can check out the "online" owners manual, displayed on-screen -- cooler.

Our 9,400-mile-old 4,640-pound uberluxury sedan was a quiet cruiser bar some wind noise around the windshield pillars, yet it was nicest big sports sedan I've driven in a while.

The twin-turbo V-8 has 400 horsepower, up 40 from 2009, and a subtle snarl. You can tailor shocks, throttle response, steering feel and stability control from Comfort (too floaty ride) up to Sport Plus (firm but well-buffered).

Instant throttle response meant 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, faster than a Camaro SS, but mileage is a dismal 14 mpg city.

Bumps never unsettled the chassis, the ride comfortably controlled, stitching turn to turn with only a slight feeling of size, a touch of power oversteer available to neutralize understeer and make turns fun. Speed-sensitive front- and rear-wheel steering resulted in superb control.

If you have to ask, you can't afford it. ($84,200 base; $108,870 with options such as cameras, power trunk, lane and blind spot detection, heated steering wheel, power sunshades, cooled front seats, rear DVD, NightVision and a $1,000 gas guzzler fee.)

Reach Morris News Service automotive writer Dan Scanlan at dan.scanlan@jacksonville.com .

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