Need recommendations for portable DVD player!

[ptrbryant]

I realized we could save over $700 if we drive to WDW from Kentucky, rather than fly (unless SWA comes out with one of their $39 each way fares between now and October). DH says he'll consider it only if we buy a portable DVD player to entertain DS8 on the trip. I do want a low price, but not bad quality. I know amazon had one for like $49, but the reviews basically said it was a piece of junk.

Also, any comments on how best to avoid the Atlanta traffic? Figured we'd be in I-75 all the way.

Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[asaj]

We went through the same thing a few years back. We were going to drop $1300 on an overhead unit for our minivan, but ended up getting a 9" TV/DVD combo unit, from Toshiba. It was like $250 back then, probably cheaper now.

I had looked at the more portable players, with the flip up screens, but found them to be pricey for a decent brand. We are very happy with the one we ended up getting. Granted, it is not the most portable unit, but it fits perfectly between the front seats in our Honda minivan and has an excellent picture. It also comes with the power adapter for the car. Finally, we added an FM modulator from Radio Shack, which allows for the sound to go through the van speakers, so we can direct it to the rear. Also had headphone inputs.

For an 8 year old, a more portable unit muight be better, just make sure you get a good one, or you'll probably be sorry. I have heard that they can be difficult to see in any sort of direct light as well, whereas a tube picture will not have that issue.

Good luck.

Andy

 

[ptrbryant]

my quest continues!

Karla B.

 

[daisylove]

We got a Mintek 7 inch from Costco last year for about $125. I think they have come down since. It is great. never a problem with it.

 

[KirstenJB]

My parents got my sister an Audiovox 9" Eddie Bauer dvd-player. I think they got it onsale for $249...and then the next week it was $200 so my dad got some money back....and it was at Target last spring.

Kirsten

 

[Lindamary123]

I bought a Panasonic, 7" from Best Buy. I think I paid $172. It works great and we all love it.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We have the dual screen DVD player from Walmart. The unit can stay up front with, and the screens back with the kids. This was a must. Our last one didn't last long after my 9 Y.O. let it slide off the seat. Thank godness Walmart, has a liberal return policy. The girls can still control the movie, with the remote.

It ran about $278.00.

We ordered a longer connection cable from the manufacturer, which allows 1 screen to be put to the back seat of the van.

We can also hook up the playstation, to one screen, which allows the kids, to do separate things, or watch different movies.

Only 2 drawbacks:
It is not a free-standing unit, so taking it out of the car doesn't work great. The kids, usually prop it up, and watch anyway. You just have to be sure that they don't bend the connection cables to do it.

It does not have an internal battery, so depending on your vehicle, they might have to restart, and find their place agian, when you stop, for breaks. With our car, the lighter still charges the unit, when car is off, but our van doesn't.

 

[ptrbryant]

Off to find what kind of online prices I can find on the models mentioned!

Karla B.

 

[JABEAR]

We went through the same thing a few years back. We were going to drop $1300 on an overhead unit for our minivan, but ended up getting a 9" TV/DVD combo unit, from Toshiba. It was like $250 back then, probably cheaper now.


That is exactly the type of tv that we got for our trip. And funny enough, we will be leaving from near Louisville. We got the tv for christmas and I think it cost $150 or so. It was a gift from kids grandparents. The nice thing about this kind of tv is that you can hook it up to cable unlike the smaller slimline style. If you are flying the smaller ones are better. But if you are driving the larger the better. Ours even came with car adapter. I searched online and found a bag for it to let it hang between the front seats of our van. I found the bag for $20 (shipping and tax included) on e-bay, got it from Buydotsell.com.

It is a 9" tv/dvd by Orion model# TVDVD092.

If you are interested in this kind of setup, PM me and I will help as much as I can.

Here is some info on the product from walmart.com

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2642670

Here is a similar tv by memorex that comes with a carrying bag

http://ememorex.com/product.asp?dept_id=39&pf_id=MVD2009CB

 

[JABEAR]

Try to plan going through Atlanta in the middle of the night. After 10:00 on or so. That is the only time I have ever driven through there and not been stresssssed oooouuut.

Sometimes you can't avoid it.

 

[SylviaL]

We have a 5"(around that) Panasonic portable DVD player that we have had for 3 years and I have dropped it many times. It's great! I really think Panasonic makes the most durable ones b/c I have relatives that have bought Toshiba and Mintek and both of them have broke within 6 months! We bought it on Ebay for around $300.

Recently, in a magazine, I saw an article about one called Teen ?(something I can't remember). It was a portable dvd player that you can also hook up video games to so if you have a Playstation, etc., you could hook it up. Sorry I can't be more specific.

 

[zumbergc]

I also recommend getting the fm modulator so you can hook into the cars stereo, in addition to the car adaptor for your power. You don't want to only get 2-3 hours worth of viewing for the whole trip.

One thing we have a problem with the sound when we are in the plane. Since the volume only goes up so far, and well and airplane makes lots of noise, so during some of the quite talking parts, its difficult to hear. So compare the volumes of different units.

We have a walmart, I think its durabrand 5" in model with the 2 screens, and has the car power package so you can plug it into the cigarette lighter.
One draw back of the 2 screens. When you are flying, and using the battery, you only get power to 1 screen. Its just me and my husband but we were disapointed about that part.

Connie

 

[plutospup]

We bought a 7" Polaroid DVD player at Sam's Club last Decemer for about $170. DD7 loves it!...and so do we.

 

[ptrbryant]

Wow, thanks for all the great detail! It's DS's 9th birthday today so I won't have too much time to be on the computer, but as soon as I can, I check out the recommended models!
Thanks again,
Karla B.

p.s. JABEAR: Where do you stop on the way down? I was thinking of at least Macon, GA, but maybe Tifton? How many hours does it actually take you? According to AAA, it should be about 13 hours. BTW, we're just south of you!

 

[shirleyb]

I wouldn't buy one with smaller than a 7" screen, they're just two darn small. We purchased two of the 8" Kawasaki's on Black Friday at Target, knowing we'd be driving to FL in May. We paid $169, which was a great price for an 8" screen. We've been extremely pleased with them.

 

[ZebraStripes]

Karla-I've also been looking for a portable dvd player. I haven't decided on one yet though. Conumer Reports had a short article in December on them. I don't know how many they looked at but the tops ones were Sony DVP-FX701 (realy expensive), Pansonic DVD-LS50 (still expensive), Audiovox D1710, Mintek MDP-1720, Initial IDM-1731 and Toshiba SD-P1400. All were 7". I've also looked at reviews on epinions.com and amazon.com. I was all set on a Liquid Video 8" at Circuit City till I found out their newspaper ad info about a rebate was incorrect. Happy hunting. Let us know what you decide on.

Kris

 

[poohj80]

There were several portable DVD players in this past Sunday's sale papers. If I remember correctly (didn't pay too much attention since we have one and hate seeing how cheap they are now ) they were 7" screens for $150 or less and one came with a carrying case as well.

As for Atlanta, if traffic looks bad, use the I-285 bypass to get around the downtown traffic.

 

[hambirg]

I also bought the Kawasaki one they had on sale at Target on Black Friday. I was a little leary because I didn't know much about that one. But the price was right and it was the only thing DD9 wanted for Christmas. We've been very happy with it.

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

We have been using our laptop computer. The sound volume is not that great, but someone suggested using a cassette adaptor (used with portable CD players). It's plugged into the headphone jack of a portable DVD player or laptop & works WONDERFULLY!! Be careful, though, that it doesn't startle the driver, possibly causing an accident. If the sound is difficult to hear on a plane, as someone mentioned, I'd suggest using the subtitles feature in the movie, so that you could read along.

I'd also suggest Dramamine for anyone viewing the movie while driving, just in case.

Have fun!

Deb

 

[poohj80]

I also bought the Kawasaki one they had on sale at Target on Black Friday. I was a little leary because I didn't know much about that one. But the price was right and it was the only thing DD9 wanted for Christmas. We've been very happy with it.

We bought the same one on Black Friday in 2003 for my nephew for Christmas and he has been very happy with. If it still works after a year with the way he takes care of things then it's a pretty sturdy unit!