Portable DVD player

[Shelly D.]

We are leaving in a few days and suddenly DH has suggested we get a portable DVD player for the kids to use on the plane. We always thought we could manage fine without one, but now we're thinking that it would be a lot easier to keep the 2 year old contained because he suddenly started getting interested in a couple of movies over the holidays.

Any recommendations on affordable, but decent quality portable DVDs? I've read the reviews on several sites and most seem to have a lot of negatives.

 

[lady9]

Most portable DVD player are junk. They don't last. We bought one from Best Buy. It was originally $129 but on sale for $79. We bought the insurance for $15. It broke after 2 months. We had to send it back to be "fixed". They sent it back saying they fixed it but they did not return our original one because I accidentally slid it through wet paint. There were still marks on the bottom. The "new" one was perfect. I suspect they sent a reconditioned one although it did look new. Anyway, this one has lasted an amazing 2 years and still working. It is an Audiovox.

 

[isla bonita]

I am also interested in one this time we are going to take the plunge and try the drive. The cost of flying and rental car is killing me!

I will look into buying the insurance I do not think they are a decent product we have had one and it was fried after 3 years.

Maybe that is a longer lastin one. Who knows.

How about battery life is there a difference?

 

[PrincessMama605]

We had an Audiovox, it lasted almost two years and then quit. I think that most portable dvd players are a little fragile for younger kids. We got my dd one of the Fisher-Price kid tough ones for Xmas. I can't give too much of a review on it because the first one we bought did not work right and we had to take it back. The new one seems to be working fine, but the batteries will only last about 2 hrs or so. It does get fairly warm if it is on for that long. I do like how easy it is for dd to use and carry, though.

 

[mom of 3G's]

I have a Venturer from Walmart that was bought over 4 years ago and it has been dropped several times and still works! I just bought another Venturer from Walmart on Black Friday and I know it won't hold up to the wear like the old one did. But what the heck, it was only 50 bucks and if it keeps the boys quiet on the plane down and back again it will have served its purpose.

 

[daze]

lady9 has it right, i used to work at sears and about 50% of the ones we sold got returned inside of a month, they're pretty much junk. If you buy one from sears or where ever buy the replacement agreement/insurance on it, sears' replacement agreement is a pretty good deal they'll replace it (as long as it isn't obviously damaged) for 2 years. Buy a cheap one. the more expensive ones just have useless features on them.
daze

 

[DisneyKT]

I bought my DH a Polaroid on years ago. It is still going strong. I don't know if it is luck or what. But it sure helps on the plane ride.

 

[squirrel]

I got a free one at my bank so I haven't used it too much.

It's an RCA one and has been used a few times and seems good so far. Came with carrying case and everything you need for car or home.

 

[mamaminnie]

We had 2 from Costco that lasted about 3-4 years. They finally broke and we just replaced them on black friday with $49 ones from Target. They have a built in battery (which is nice because it's one less thing to remember) and seem to be fine.

 

[jodifla]

We had one from Target that lasted about 3 years...a Cyber home. But the battery NEVER worked, just the car charger and AC charger.

We bought a Disney one from Target in Oct....stopped working within three months, so I got my money back.


So we just got another one from Costco, and AUdiovox. Seems much sturdier than the others. Costco does a pretty thorough job vetting its products, so we are more hopeful about this product lasting.

 

[Leader of the Club]

I bought my two kiddies each a APEX portable DVD player. They were not gentle with them and they were used nearly everyday. they lasted two years and I was so pleased, I bought two more. The second set has lasted 2+ years with no problems. I couldn't be happier.

These things have been on car trips, camping, sleepovers, field trips, plane rides, the beach--you name it. Oh, and one of the orginal players, the player still works, but not the screen, so I just hooked it up to the TV and it is still going strong after 4+ years.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I went thru several of these when my daughter was in the hospital alot in 2007-08. After a couple broke I even bought a Sony, paid more $$, and IT broke. Right now we have a Toshiba, and it is doing well.

Despite what you sometimes read, I WOULD buy additional warranty on a portable DVD player, or buy it from Costco, where you can return it years later with the receipt (no additional warranty cost).

 

[HLDisney]

Hmmm, guess we've been lucky then since we've had ours, a Polaroid, for 3-4 years and it's still going strong. I was actually hoping to find recommendations on this thread because my mom wants one for her bedroom. Maybe I'll just stick with Polaroid....

Helen

 

[santa's surpriz]

Most portable DVD player are junk. They don't last. We bought one from Best Buy. It was originally $129 but on sale for $79. We bought the insurance for $15. It broke after 2 months. We had to send it back to be "fixed". They sent it back saying they fixed it but they did not return our original one because I accidentally slid it through wet paint. There were still marks on the bottom. The "new" one was perfect. I suspect they sent a reconditioned one although it did look new. Anyway, this one has lasted an amazing 2 years and still working. It is an Audiovox.

I agree. I went thru three of them. Not sure if it is bc we played them so much or what. I have one that has sound & no picture, the other two just died. All different reputable brands, a Polaroid, Magnavox, and a Panasonic. My daughter (age 6) got an Ipod for christmas, I downloaded some shows, videos, 1 movie, and songs. What an incredible investment! So far it is working out better than any of the DVD players I spent around $140 on each.