Children have tortured their parents with the question:  "Are we there yet?" for decades. A release from the torture may have finally arrived with  in-car entertainment systems.  An increasing number of these systems have a minimum of a videocassette player and a small television screen.

Once you've installed the system, you will save on the numerous contraptions needed to keep the kids busy.  Now, the only added expense is from the video games and movies you would probably buy anyway. 

DaimlerChrysler now offers a system in its Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth minivans, which includes a display screen that folds from the ceiling behind the front seats. A video player housed inside a floor console can be mounted between the front seats or a second row of captain's chairs. Headsets enable the rear passengers to listen to a soundtrack or following shrieking video games without disturbing anyone else.  An auxiliary outlet accommodates a video camera, a CD player, and video game players such as Nintendo 64 or Sony PS2 PlayStation. Up front, driver and passenger can listen to free or pay satellite radio, or plug in a CD or MP3 player or Ipod to the sound system.

General Motors has also included a similar entertainment system in its minivans.  Its video player is housed in a floor console between the front seats. On the ceiling are rear audio controls and four headphone jacks. Rear passengers can independently choose music compact disc, cassettes or the radio with their remote control.  The system has plugs for camcorders or video games including Nintendo, Sega Genesis and Sony PlayStation.

Luckily for adults, the front and rear seat passengers of both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors' minivans can choose different sources of entertainment. 

Other minivans offering similar systems include the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey, Pontiac Montana, and Nissan Quest.  Parents should visit each company's website to get an overview of the systems and decide which features will make their own family roadtrip more fun the next time.