Looking for a portable DVD player - suggestions?

[bigAWL]

I want to buy a portable DVD player for long plane rides (I currently live in Africa and travel to the US a couple times a year). I have a laptop, but the battery only lasts for about 1 movie.

Here's the criteria I'm looking for:

1. long-lasting battery (2-3 movies would be good).
2. not too expensive ($100-200 range, hopefully)
3. not too heavy (less than my 6-lb laptop computer)

Anyone have a suggestion for a model that meets those specs? Of course, good picture quality, and build-quality are always nice. Speakers are not important to me, as I would always use headphones.

I know one of my problems is that I want long battery-life and light-weight. Maybe a model that uses standard size, replaceable batteries (such as AA) so I could replace them, even if it means several sets of rechargeables. But hopefully not a proprietary size that costs $100 or more for a spare.

 

[fla4fun]

I bought my sister a portable Toshiba DVD player last year for her birthday, so I did a lot of shopping around. I didn't see anything that took standard batteries - they were all proprietary. I would have bought anything that would have taken standard batteries, because you would never have to charge it. She really enjoys hers though, so I guess it's not a problem.

 

[Manda]

For DS, we switched to using an iPod for playing movies on all of our trips. Better battery life and much easier to carry. It's worked out perfectly.

 

[Lewisc]

Some ideas:

1) Some planes offer a power outlet in the seats. Check with your airline
2) You can buy an external battery. Best Buy has 3 options
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...p=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960
if the link doesn't work just do a search for portable dvd player battery
3) Spend a few extra $$$. The real cheap units have poor battery life. Best Buy lets you search, and battery life is one of the criteria you can use. Remember the mfg are optimistic. A unit that claims 2 or 2.5 hours probably won't last for an entire movie.

Remember a lot of buyers are planning to use the unit in a car and won't be relying on batter life.

 

[JoAnn319]

I have a panasonic DVD-LS83. 2 lbs - 6 hours playback time. I love it and take it everywhere. Also in your price range.

 

[MRS AR]

I have a sony that I've had for several years but I agree with the poster that said to get an I-pod. I've had an I-pod for 2 years and haven't taken my sony dvd player on a trip since. The movies have to be bought from Itunes (unless you are much more computer savy than I am) but the convenience of size can't be beat. There is also an adapter you can buy that will recharge your I-pod with batteries if you need it.

I have the whole season of old Alfred Hitchcock TV loaded on mine along with movies. There are great options of seasons of cartoons for your son too.

Have a great trip!