A familiar scene Saturday. Up front, you’re following Maps to the trailhead. In back, the kids are deep into a movie—no arguments, no “are we there yet?”. You’re in control from the driver’s seat, and everyone’s happier. That’s the everyday magic CB7S was built for.

What CB7S is (and why families like it)

ATOTO CB7S is often called a wireless CarPlay Android AI Box or OEM CarPlay AI Box—in plain terms, it’s a wireless CarPlay/Android Auto adapter with Android OS that adds an Android desktop and rich I/O to a head unit that already supports wired CarPlay or Android Auto. The headline: HDMI Video Out and HDMI Video Input.
Some shoppers search “car TV box.” CB7S isn’t a TV box, but its HDMI features deliver the “watch on the car screen” experience most people want—with the driver in charge.

Model key (at a glance)

●T = HDMI OUT
●N = HDMI IN
●X = HDMI IN + OUT + HD camera input (DVR)
●TN = HDMI IN + OUT (no HD camera input)
Accessories are sold separately (Wired HD 1080P camera, WR2 wireless reverse kit, Bluetooth OBD, smart ambient/chassis lights, headrest/visor screens, TV boxes/sticks, disc players, and more). CB7/CB7S provides the ports and software; you choose the add-ons.

HDMI OUT — different content front vs. rear

What it does

Unlike basic mirroring, CB7S can show navigation up front while sending entertainment to a rear screen at the same time. Dual-view keeps the driver focused and passengers relaxed.

Why this beats a rear screen with its own Android

Playback is orchestrated on CB7S, so the driver/parent controls what plays, when it stops, and for how long—a big win for families.

Typical uses

●Family trips: Driver sees maps and alerts; back seats get cartoons or shows.
●Road-tripping camping: Rear screen becomes a “living-room TV” while the front stays on vehicle info.
●Demo cars showrooms: Push promos or walkthroughs to multiple screens.

Audio best practice

Send video to the rear screen over HDMI, but keep audio in the main car system to retain EQ, balance, and fader. If the rear screen has tiny speakers, keep them muted.

Practical tips

●Use short, shielded HDMI cables (1–3 m); route away from noisy power adapters; ferrite beads help.
●Target 1080p (preferred) or 720p on the external display for compatibility.
●Some streaming apps require HDCP. If the rear screen/splitter isn’t HDCP-capable, you may see a black screen or reduced resolution—this is content protection, not a device fault.
●Follow local laws: keep video to passengers or when parked.

HDMI IN — bring your favorite devices

Popular sources

●Disc players: DVD/Blu-ray with HDMI output (excellent players still exist from brands like Sony, Panasonic, LG).
●TV boxes sticks: Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Apple TV 4K, Roku.
●Game consoles: Nintendo Switch/Switch OLED, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series S/X (great for casual play; competitive titles are latency-sensitive).
●Cameras/laptops/specialty devices: HDMI-out cameras, presentation laptops, inspection/thermal imagers, etc.

How it behaves

External HDMI → CB7S HDMI In → rendered on your head-unit screen. Audio travels with HDMI and plays through your car audio path, so you keep EQ, balance, and fader.

What to expect

●There’s some processing latency (decode/render). Ideal for video and casual gaming, not twitch-competitive play.
●Set the source to 1080p or 720p; fix borders/stretching via aspect-ratio settings on the source or display.
●HDCP applies to protected content; ensure source/cable/splitter/display all support it.
●Avoid relying on HDMI-CEC in cars—interoperability varies. Operate the source directly.

Using HDMI In and Out together (X/TN models)

Ingest an external source via HDMI In and forward it to a rear screen via HDMI Out at the same time—e.g., console/TV stick in → headrest screen out—while the front screen stays on maps.
Tip: keep head unit in the main car system; if you like, bias the fader slightly to the rear.
Heavier workloads (HDMI In decode + HDMI Out + online tasks) benefit from 8GB+128GB CB7S trims (e.g., CB7SBX/SDX) and stable power (see below).

HDMI (IN/OUT) vs. DVR (HD camera) — choose by mode (X variants)

On CB7S models with HD camera input (the X variants), HDMI features and DVR are mutually exclusive by design. Use the simple settings toggle:
●HDMI Mode → HDMI Video Out / HDMI Video Input enabled, DVR disabled
●DVR Mode → HD camera + DVR enabled, HDMI In/Out disabled
When DVR is active, recording is Full HD 1080p at 30 fps.
(TN models don’t include HD, so no toggle is needed.)

How to decide

●Rear-seat entertainment priority → choose HDMI Mode (dual-view + parental control)
●Evidence/front-view assist priority → choose DVR Mode (HD 1080p/30 recording)

Real-world recipes

A. Family movie time (HDMI Mode)

Front = navigation; rear = movie on the headrest screen. The driver decides what plays—pause, switch, or stop anytime.

B. Disc-quality cinema (HDMI Mode)

Blu-ray/DVD player → HDMI In → CB7S → car screen. On; X/TN models, optionally HDMI Out → headrest for rear-seat viewing while the front stays on maps.

C. Camping TV (HDMI Mode)

Fire TV / Chromecast with Google TV / Apple TV 4K / Roku → HDMI In. Use CB7S data (cloud virtual SIM or physical SIM) or phone tethering; forward to the rear screen via HDMI Out if desired.

D. Evidence recording (DVR Mode)

HD camera → HD in → DVR app → 1080p/30. Switch modes later if you want entertainment back.

Power, cabling stability checklist

●Stable power first. If you see boot loops, drop-outs, or black screens, use the included Y-cable: data stays on the CP/AA USB while power comes from a separate 12V fast-charge outlet—essential when multiple accessories are attached.
●Use proper HDMI cables. Short, thick, shielded; ferrite cores help with interference.
●Resolution/refresh. Aim for 1080p (60/30) or 720p for universal compatibility.
●Thermals. HDMI In/Out and video workloads raise temps—mount with ventilation; don’t bury the box.
●Firmware. Keep OTA up to date for compatibility and new features.
●Legal/safety. Follow local laws; avoid front-seat video while driving.

Quick FAQ

●Rear screen goes black on certain apps? Likely HDCP. Use HDCP-capable displays/switches and quality cables.
●Can I game over HDMI In? Yes for casual play. There is processing latency; competitive titles aren’t ideal.
●Why can’t HDMI and DVR run together on X models? They share video pipelines; select HDMI Mode or DVR Mode in settings.
●Are cameras/WR2/TV sticks included? No—all accessories are sold separately. CB7S provides the ports and apps.

For searchers

You may see terms like wireless CarPlay Android AI box, OEM CarPlay AI Box, or wireless CarPlay/Android Auto adapter with Android OS. ATOTO CB7S covers those use cases while adding HDMI Video Out and HDMI Video Input for disc players (DVD/Blu-ray with HDMI output) and streaming devices (Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Apple TV 4K, Roku). Some people search “car TV box”—CB7S isn’t a TV box, but its HDMI features deliver the “watch on the car screen” experience most shoppers want.

Important purchase note (features may evolve)

ATOTO continuously improves CB7S via software updates. Some features and behaviors may change over time. Please refer to the final product description on your purchase platform at checkout for the most current, authoritative details.

Built for today, ready for tomorrow

CB7S brings choice, control, and calm to every drive—and grows with you through updates and add-ons.
Explore models, see compatible accessories, or learn more now.