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Mercedes' SplitView, two screens in one for driver and passenger. Is it two much?

December 11, 8:43 PMAuto Review ExaminerJohn Matras
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Mercedes-Benz SplitView

Two, two, two screens in one. It’s a nav system screen. No, it’s a video system screen. No, it’s two screens in one. And Mercedes-Benz will be the first automaker in the world to use it.
 
The system, which Mercedes calls SplitView, allows the driver to seen one projection from the LCD screen, checking the navigation system, for example, while the front seat passenger can watch a movie on the same screen.
 
Mercedes explains that the backlighted active matrix color display screen, called TFT-LCD, works by…
 
",,, placing pixels adjacent to each other. A filter masking the display divides this mixed image in such a way that depending on the seating position, only the pixels making up one or the other image can be seen."
 
The effect is similar to the flip-flop "wiggle picture" prizes in a Cracker Jack box.
 
The driver’s view of the large 8-inch screen is controlled by the Mercedes’ COMAND system, while the front seat passenger controls the video view via a remote control device to watch DVDs, music videos or television. To avoid distraction of the driver, headphones are available for the passenger. The driver can use all the normal functions of the COMAND system while the passenger-side entertainment featues are in use.
 
Mercedes will make SplitView available in the S-Class sedans in Europe beginning in Summer, 2009. Asked about the legality and arrival of SplitView in the United States, Mercedes-Benz spokesman Robert Moran says, "Timing for US is still TBD [to be determined] pending approval from some states, however, we're quite confident it will be approved and offered on future S models."
 
Is this a good idea, or just another way for people to isolate and distance tthemselves from others? We don't like the mesmerizaton of  children by "back seat entertainment systems" and SplitView could be seen as way of separating those up front.  What do you think? Vote in the poll and leave a comment.
 

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