No DVD, Blu-Ray Capability For GM’s New Rear-Seat Media System
32
Sponsored Links
General Motors recently pulled the sheets on its next-generation full-size SUV lineup, including the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, 2021 GMC Yukon, and 2021 Cadillac Escalade. In addition to new designs, new dimensions, and new engine options, each SUV also offers the latest in-vehicle technology, such as an advanced Rear-Seat Media system. However, buyers that opt for the system will need to bring their own media, as it does not come with the capability to play DVDs or Blu-Ray discs.
Instead, users will be required to plug in an external device using the onboard USB-C and HDMI ports, or use the Miracast screen mirroring feature on Android devices. Users can plug in things like a Playstation, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Sling TV. Critically, there is no factory-installed DVD or Blu-Ray player, which may make it difficult for those owners that rely on hard copies of all their favorite media.
As a reminder, the new GM Rear-Seat Media system adds dual 12.6-inch touchscreens to the headrests of the first-row seats, which allow passengers on both the second and third row to view the screen content. The screens will also tilt for better positioning, while users can either share content, or view different content between the two screens.
What’s more, the Rear-Seat Media system will connect to the navigation system and allow rear-seated passengers to send points of interest to the central infotainment screen in front. For example, if a passenger would like to eat at a specific restaurant, they can then send the address to the driver.
Making the most of the Rear-Seat Media system are features like an available 4G LTE data plan and built-in Wi-Fi hot spot.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Tahoe news, Chevrolet Suburban news, GMC Yukon news, Cadillac Escalade news, Chevrolet news, GMC news, Cadillac news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
Sponsored Links
10 years ago this would be a problem.
This is a non issue… either use digital options or bring a portable player…
What’s a blu-ray?
Is there any truth to the rumor I’m trying to start that the new system WILL play Cartri-Vision and BetaMAX?
With the proper scaler and converters it could play anything through that HDMI port.
I haven’t used a DVD in ages. Why is this a problem? Everyone streams now or downloads the video to their phone/iPad.
It’s kinda useless if you already have it downloaded to your phone/tablet. Unless you want to plug your phone into the display with an adaptor, but you already have a display on that device.
I picked up my Denali last week, just in time for a short road trip.
The rear media is not user friendly.
Of course they did. GM is in cost cutting mode galore. And no not everybody streams and watches movies on a tiny little cell phone screen thus slowly ruining their eyesight! Some do still want to actually watch movies on a normal sized screen. In case you haven’t noticed most stores still carry a large supply of DVD’s and Blu Ray movies and even my friend’s in their 20’s and 30’s still have a load of them! They paid good money for this stuff why not use it once in a while.
It makes sense to cut the cost. They allow you to plug in whatever device you want via HDMI or stream to it. They could have built in a DVD or Blu-ray player that would have become outdated.
Yes we get it! But GM did not do this because a few people out there say it’s outdated. It was done purely to cut more costs on vehicles that are grossly overpriced to start with!
Why not both?
Are you upset that there isn’t a cassette deck in the new vehicle lineup as well?
Not me, but, I DO have those left over Highway HiFi discs we got for our 1956 DeSoto…
:-{)}}}
Hardly. Just upset that the prices keep going up up and up and you keep getting things deleted along the way with no price adjustment! It’s the principal. And no I don’t still want 70’s or 80’s tech in my new vehicle. I have players at home for that!
Worse, they use the nonsense excuse of weight saving.
It is a lot easier for my kids to pop in a blu-ray. On a long (week long) road trip, downloading that many movies takes up a lot of time, data, and memory and many times no data signal to even download…especially in National Parks. Just have to adapt 🙁
Or, yor kids could set the media aside, put the devices away, straighten up their backs and necks, and take a look around them. Trees, streams. Ponds. Lakes. Deer. Small critters. Maybe even a bear or two. You know… the scenery in that national park that most folks come to see in the first place! Later on, in lieu of the latest Sponge-Bob, they can, you know… engage in conversation with their parents and siblings. Or, (I’m being radical here…) read a book.
I’m personally very disappointed to hear this news. We take several long road trips a year – and the DVD is a parents life saver. Plus, it allows the kids to get excited about planning out movies as we cover endless flat terrain without much scenery. Really going to have to re-evaluate this option now.
You can bring your own DVD player that’s why the HDMI Option is there. You plug it in put the DVD in and your are done.
Most people these days use Streaming services though or have their movies downloaded on a tablet you can plug into the USB and stream from there.
Streaming is a great second option to DVD/Bluray, but it is not an alternative… What happens when you decide to take a road trip in your new $80k SUV and you are driving through a dead spot? Just have to tell the kids, “Don’t worry kids, GM says that DVD’s are out dated besides you should be able to stream again in an hour or two once we get better service. For now just look out the window at those tumble weeds”… Or you buy a DVD player like you recommend and store it where? On the floor board for your kids to step on as they enter/exit the car?
Most streaming services let you download the titles to watch later. (so prepare before you leave)
Also yes, you can get a long HDMI cable and put the DVD player anywhere.
There are portable DVD players made for traveling that are small with HDMI ports. (just rout it to the front passenger seat so they are in control of it.)
Is this a limo or a Utility vehicle?
Those screens would be easily broken with all the crap I haul in the back. I don’t want the screens.
Then don’t opt for the Infotainment option they come with.
Yep, just like Nebula mentions. Don’t buy it then.
So what’s the point of springing for the Bose speakers? CDs have more audio fidelity than the MP3s “kids” have on their cell phones. And, can you have your phone hooked up blue tooth and still play a video from another phone? What’s the average age of the average Silverado owner? Does the upper management at GM think we ALL only listen to the poor audio quality of music on a cell phone? What is so wrong to have the “option” of adding a CD/DVD/Blue Ray player if you want one?
The quality of music on your phone is up to you. You can have quality as good as CD quality or better depending on the source of the music. Given you’re in a car with wind noise, road noise and engine noise, noise cancellation – the difference between CD quality, bluetooth or compressed MP3 is the least of your problems.
I really wish Cadillac was offering a built in CD player for the 2021 Escalade. I have dozens of CD’s which I listen to in my 2011 DTS and would like to play them in my new Sport Platinum Escalade I have ordered. I don’t have the option of not having rear seat screens in the Platinum Escalade, they are standard features. I am an old guy that isn’t really is terribly tech comfortable. I rarely use my Apple phone and don’t want to have use my phone to be able to listen to music in my $115,000 SUV. I would have gladly paid a little more for a built in CD player. As for a Blu Ray player for the back seat, I don’t really plan on having anyone back there very often and don’t transport kids. I guess I will just have to become comfortable only listening to Sirius XM radio.
You people are so opinionated. Let people choose what they want. And stop saying “most people” this or that. You don’t know that!
Oh my god people are still complaining about No CD, Cassette and 8 tracks yet too. Next thing Apple will not offer chargers with their phones….. Errr well.
Just wait till they replace the radio with a port to plug in your phone and it runs everything video, audio and radio. I have seen plans where they would like to eliminate the radio and just offer the speakers and amps.
Change is hard