Portable DVD Player Tips

[Rai's Mommy]

Anyone traveled with a portable DVD player that can offer some tips - what models work best, what accessories are must haves, what stores usually have the best deals. Any tips are greatly appreciated - I hate investing in technology that I know nothing about

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

We picked up one at our local Best buy. It is BB's own store brand Insignia and has a huge 10.2 inch screen. I compared it to several of the major name brand units and thought it had a better picture than most of them, specially considering the price. It usually goes for $279, but if you monitor BB's web site, it pretty regularly goes on sale for $199.

Keep in mind though that it does not come with any accessories, so you should pick up a couple sets of headphones if you dont already have them. We also got a carry bag to protect it.

Total investment ran about $250, but since we go to WDW a couple of times per year, it was worth it.

It made the flight from PVD to MCO go by super fast and more importantly kept my DD entertained, so I didn't have to...

 

[Rai's Mommy]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[magicaldisney]

You will need a special battery for it to run on. The one thing we realized....have a second battery. The batteries are typically good for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you have any long layovers or you are stranded at an airport for a while you will need a second battery. Charge them back up at the resort and they will be ready for your flight back.

Headphones work best on the planes. All of the engine noise can make it difficult to hear without them. Plus, you don't bother anyone around you.

For car accessories...... We love having two screens for our kids. We also bought something that looks like a cassette tape. You plug it into the DVD player, put the tape into your cassette player of your vehicle and everyone can hear the movie in stereo. If you don't want to hear the movie as you're driving, then headphones are the way to go. Again, noice from traffic makes it hard to hear.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

You will need a special battery for it to run on. The one thing we realized....have a second battery. The batteries are typically good for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you have any long layovers or you are stranded at an airport for a while you will need a second battery. Charge them back up at the resort and they will be ready for your flight back.

Good point, I didnt think of that since our flight from PVD to MCO is only about 3 hours. We usually only have time for 1 movie each way so battery life usually isn't an issue.

If you do have a layover in an airport, look around in the waiting area. If you are lucky, sometimes you can find a wall outlet that you can plug into to recharge your battery. Just make sure someone stays with the DVD player as it will most likely wealk if you leave it alone...

On our last trip, the DVD player really came in helpful. Our outbound flight was delayed by about 2 hours so we pulled out the player and put in a movie for DD to watch. Suddenly she was the most popular kid in the waiting area. All of the other bored kids came over to watch the movie with her. Cant tell you how many parents came over to say thanks...

 

[3boyzmom]

I agree with the second battery. We fly from Hawaii, so it is a must. If you have access to Costco, they have good deals which usually include a case and headsets!

 

[abeyst]

I got ours the day after Thanksgiving for $80 (gotta love those sales!!) It's an off brand name, but it works great. It's got a 7" screen and is a good size for DS and DD. Could be a little bigger, but for the price I couldn't pass it up.

I did have to buy a case and headphones separately.

Battery life isn't an issue for our family-the kids don't ever watch a full movie. They usually only last an hour or so before wanting to do something else. We do watch it a little at the airport while waiting to board, and we sit by a wall plug so we don't use the battery.

the other item I needed was a headphone splitter so both DS and DD could listen with headphones. You can get one at Radio Shack if you need one.

 

[Rai's Mommy]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to get one of those headphone splitters.

 

[amylovesdisney]

I was the biggest holdout on a DVD player for trips. We recently did a camping/driving trip west (Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Painted Desert, etc) and considered a player for our kids.

Best thing we ever did!! They are 7" Panasonics from Sam's Club for $119 each. Come with a case (with straps for the backs of seats), car charger, battery, headphones, splitter. Great value.

DS is 11 and DD is 8. We NEVER heard "Are we there yet?". Besides some family games we played (highway bingo, travel board games, e.g.) and books to read, the DVD players were very handy.

I'm ready for another family car trip!

 

[Nebsky]

You can also buy an adapter that will hook into the power ports on the plane. Bestbuy, Circuit City and all the other stores have them. Make sure you get the one that supports your player though.

I have had one since 2004 and I will never again travel without one. It makes the flight go by much faster.

Get yourself a good pair of headphones and a splitter for sure. Noise canceling ones are coming down in price.

 

[Brian Noble]

It's only one person's experience, but I had an absolute lemon of an Insignia player: it lasted four months, and has a warranty of 3. I also have a Polaroid that had a lid problem; the lid warps, and eventually doesn't make contact with the "lid is closed" button. I've had it fixed twice, and the problem has come back each time.

I almost always avoid buying extended protection plans for electronics, but I've decided that for portable DVD players, it's worth it.

 

[Nebsky]

It's only one person's experience, but I had an absolute lemon of an Insignia player: it lasted four months, and has a warranty of 3. I also have a Polaroid that had a lid problem; the lid warps, and eventually doesn't make contact with the "lid is closed" button. I've had it fixed twice, and the problem has come back each time.

I almost always avoid buying extended protection plans for electronics, but I've decided that for portable DVD players, it's worth it.

I know what you mean. Luckily I havent had any problems and I purchased the extended warranty on mine (Panasonic LA-95). I got it at circuit city and they said no questions asked if it breaks, they will fix or replace it.
I still have 2 years on mine and I plan on dropping it out off a 5 foot wall to get a new one in a year and a 1/2. Either that or some water that is "leaked" into the right place.

I prob wont do it, but its nice to know its there should I need a new one..