Buying a portable DVD player...need advice/opinions

[GRAYWIFE]

My husband and I have decided to get a Portable DVD player to help pass the time on our Airplane travels with our 5 year old DD. I like to shop online and have seen that there are so many brands, sizes and price ranges and it is making what I thought would be an easy decision, quite difficult.

What brands do you guys own?

Are you happy/unhappy with their quality? Why?

The one I am considering the most is the 5 inch "Disney" model sold only at Sears...any feedback on this one?

Thanks to all for your input!!

 

[Kitty 34]

Hi Donna. Wish I could help but I have no clue on portable DVD players. But just bumping this back to the top. Hopefully someone can help you out!

 

[Nagle]

GRAYWIFE check out the Canadian board. The question came up a couple of weeks ago and there was some good info.

John

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I too was wondering about this. I ready the boards that were referenced. I am not a techie. DS 15 asked for one. I got him the one at target that was on sale the day after thanksgiving. I didnt ask any questions, as I had lots of shopping to do. It was in the price range we could afford and I figured if it got broke damaged etc. I would not be too upset. It was the kawasaki one with 6.5 inch screen. Its hiding in the garage so I dont want him to see me go out there. But I did notice it had a picture cd capability listed but not the Kodak capability that other dvds have listed. Anyone know about this. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Micca]

They come in a wide price range. I'd be careful about getting one of the cheapest ones. I guess it depends on how you are going to use it(kids? trips? every day use?).

 

[Chuck-PA]

We purchased the Kawasaki DVD player at Target also.
I tried it as soon as we got it home with several DVD's.
I put Nemo in and the picture was too dark. I took it back to Target and they charged me a restocking fee for returning it, said it was their new policy. I only had it for 1/2 hour.

We then purchased the AMW 7 inch at Best Buy. Beautiful picture and of course we had to try it in the car to check the skip factor and it was just perfect.

The AMW was the same price as the Disney one but the Disney screen is only 5 inches.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Originally posted by Chuck-PA
We purchased the Kawasaki DVD player at Target also.
I tried it as soon as we got it home with several DVD's.
I put Nemo in and the picture was too dark. I took it back to Target and they charged me a restocking fee for returning it, said it was their new policy. I only had it for 1/2 hour.

We then purchased the AMW 7 inch at Best Buy. Beautiful picture and of course we had to try it in the car to check the skip factor and it was just perfect.

The AMW was the same price as the Disney one but the Disney screen is only 5 inches.

What was the restocking fee? I noticed it has a restocking fee may apply printed on my receipt and how much was the other dvd player you bought?

 

[FINFAN]

THE RESTOCKING FEE AT TARGET IS A NASTY 15%!!!!!!!!!! WE BOUGHT THE EDDIE BAUER 7" PORTABLE DVD AND THANKFULLY HAVE NOT OPENED THE BOX/PLASTIC CASING. THE FEE WILL BE ABOUT $40 IF WE DO. IT REALLY STINKS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DISPLAY ONES PLUGGED IN FOR YOU TO SEE THE ACTUAL PICTURE, HEAR SOUND, EVEN LOOK ON THE BACK TO SEE CONNECTIONS (LIKE YOU CAN AT BEST BUY) AS THE UNITS ARE BOLTED DOWN FOR SECURITY. I EVEN CALLED AUDIOVOX WHO MAKES THE EDDIE BAUER UNITS TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID THATS THE WAY THINGS ARE. PROBLEM IS LOCATING A DIFFERENT STORE THAT CARRIES THE MODELS WE NEED....TARGET SEEMS TO HAVE THE MARKET FOR AUDIOVOX NON BAG SYSTEMS. FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD, IF THE UNIT S DEFECTIVE, OR THE PACKAGE HAS NOT BEEN OPENED THE FEE IS WAIVED.
THIS AND THE NO PRICE MATCH POLICY AT TARGET HAS SENT ME ELSEWHERE THIS CHRISTMAS.

PAM

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Originally posted by Chuck-PA
We purchased the Kawasaki DVD player at Target also.
I tried it as soon as we got it home with several DVD's.
I put Nemo in and the picture was too dark. I took it back to Target and they charged me a restocking fee for returning it, said it was their new policy. I only had it for 1/2 hour.

We then purchased the AMW 7 inch at Best Buy. Beautiful picture and of course we had to try it in the car to check the skip factor and it was just perfect.

The AMW was the same price as the Disney one but the Disney screen is only 5 inches.

Chuck, can you tell me if the dvd is acceptable for what we want it for, just ds to occasionaly view movies, is the picture really that lousy. I don't want to spend alot of money for fear of having it broken etc. I think ds may want to watch it on the bus to and from school too.

 

[Chuck-PA]

The Kawasaki DVD we had purchased is also to be used mainly by my 15 yr old son.
The picture quality was pretty bad. We had Matrix in it and it was tinted green. Nemo, you couldnt tell that the fish was orange, he looked black.

The AMW DVD we purchased from Best Buy was 249.00 with a 50.00 mail in rebate, so it was 199.00. You can automatically see that the picture quality is vastly improved, Nemo is actually orange and white.

At my Target, we couldnt turn the DVD on to see the quality while in the store, if they had it on, I would have seen it and not purchased it. I have taken a electronic item back before and was never charged a restocking fee at Target. The clerk told me the rule was always there but they are enforcing it now. I wanted to see a manager and she wouldnt get her. She pointed the policy out on the bottom of my receipt. I am glad I didn't buy it as a present for someone other than my son because it would be really nice if they had to return it and be charged a restocking fee.

I was charged 27.00 to have it returned.

 

[Grumpylittlesis]

Hi. Two years ago I bought the Mintek portable dvd player from Best Buy, and I love it. It has the 7 inch screen, and the picture quality is good. I bought it mainly for the same reasons you want to buy one, and I haven't been disappointed. It's been on 2 Disney trips with us, and it's been a big help with the kids. Battery lasts about 3.5 hrs, and it comes with an adapter so you can recharge it. It also has an earphone jack, so the whole plane didn't have to listen to Spongebob for the whole flight down. Hope this helps.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Graywife, I did go ahead and purchased the Disney DVD Player from Sears. Honestly, I was very disappointed with the screen size, but I bought it anyway! The salesman said they are selling way faster than the other brands that they sell, and that so far none have been returned. I'll be testing the DVD player out tonight. It is sooo CUTE!

 

[GRAYWIFE]

Thanks to everyone who responded!!! We are heading to the stores over the weekend to try to pick one!!!