In Box:Our cars are being turned into gadget palaces, with GPS, iPod docks, CD and DVD players and even TV screens. But some of them, such as the DVD players, are useful, especially when it comes to keeping the kids quiet on a long journey. Here are some of the options.

Maplin's new compact in-car DVD player was launched this week. It features a silver design and plays MP3s or DVDs on a seven-inch TFT screen, which neatly retracts into the dashboard. The remote control comes in handy for the back-seat passenger to control their viewing. It also has an FM/AM radio.

Pioneer's AVX P7300DVD DVD player with LCD monitor has a smooth operation for closing and opening, and can be set to open at the same time as the car door. It comes with a remote control, as well as a TV tuner. It has a touchscreen, plays MP3 music files and has a radio tuner. It takes SD memory cards, so digital media files from other players can be slotted in.

If you want extras, check out the Panasonic CN-NVD9050U in-car GPS system. It's the company's first all in one system, coupling a seven-inch touchscreen LCD with a 30GB hard drive and built-in DVD drive.

The JVC KV-DV50 in-car divx/DVD player pulls another trick: it will play DVDs filled with divx videos, MP3s and WMAs. Divx is the common format file associated with movies downloaded from filesharing sites, but it's not illegal to own kit that can play those files. It can be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.

For iPod owners, there's Kenwood's VDR-55 in-car DVD player, which has a cable to connect an iPod directly to the unit. It plays standard DVDs and DVD-Rs, plus CDs loaded with MP3 and WMA files.

One last thing: check if your car insurance premiums are affected by having an entertainment centre installed.