Portable DVD Players

[FINFAN]

Hi, we are under the same dilemma, only need a unit that we can hook game systems too also. We are down to 3 choices:
Polaroid 7" BEST BUY $250
Initial 7" 1371 Walmart $218
Audiovox/Eddie Bauer ed. 7" Target $265

Audiovox is easiest to hook game systems to, Initial has ok sound/volume skip control, polaroid has nicce picture.
Have not tested any on the road yet.
I am going to get a DVD -R and test that as FatCow suggests.

Any other helpers out there on the 7" models?
I know the Kawasaki is only available on Ebay around here now (Chicago) and I need to purchase at a store as we leave on our Xmas road trip soon!

Pam

 

[lookingforfun@disney]

Fatcow what are you using for burning the DVD's let me know please.

 

[FatCow]

You've got PM!

 

[lookingforfun@disney]

Thanks FC apprecite it.

 

[striker3636]

We have been looking at the ones at Costco and have discovered a 2 screen version at Walmart for $400. I like this one since each of my 2 kids have a screen directly in front of them this way (better viewing?). It is a cheapie brand (Durabrand maybe?) and the only reason why we are considering it beyond the 2 screens, is the awesome return policy Walmart has for electronics for the first year in case we have a problem with it. Has anyone tried this one?

Annette

 

[KLondon]

OK.... I'm late to the discussion, but what the heck.

We purchased the Polaroid (7" screen) at Costco and used it for a 2 week driving trip through Quebec, the Maritimes, and New England States. My 2 kids - 8 and 11 - loved it and so did we. This player got a LOT of use and was the best $300 I've spent in a loooong time. Some highlights:

- the picture is very clear and bright (sat it on a box between the kids' seats)
- comes with both a rechargable battery, AC adaptor, AND a car (12V DC) adaptor
- comes with 2 stereo headphones and a splitter so that both kids can watch and listen at the same time
- external speakers are kinda crappy in the van, but passable in other places
- remote control!!
- can also be hooked up to a TV as a regular DVD player
- can also be hooked up to a videogame console for playing games in the van, the cottage, etc.
- supports widescreen (16:9) and TV screen (4:3) formats
- includes great carrying case and a surpisingly good DVD folder (to avoid carrying DVDs in their hardshell cases)

I'd recommend this player based on value for $$$ spent.

 

[jtdl]

I've just started looking around at the portables. I thought they were still about $600 - 700. When I saw the price of them now it convinced me that I need one for our 20 hour drive in Feb. Now I've learned something else on here - they will hook up to videogame consoles!!! Are they compatible with all of them? My kids have Nintendo 64. I've put it on MY Christmas list, even thought it's actually for the kids, but it'll save my sanity! So if Santa doesn't bring it, maybe they'll be even cheaper after Christmas.

 

[KLondon]

Hi jtdl....

The DVD player should have no compatibility issues with a Nintendo64. That said, your player (like my Polaroid) will likely only support RCA-style jacks. These are the standard red/yellow/white type of plugs (altho sometimes there are only 2 plugs if the device does not support stereo sound). One thing to keep in mind is whether you need male or female plugs.

The Nintendo64 (I believe) has female RCA jacks on the back. My Polaroid (for example) also has female RCA jacks. To hook these guys together I'd need RCA cables with male jacks on both ends. If you already have standard RCA cables with male on one end and female on the other, you can get little plug-end adaptors to turn the female cable end into a male cable end. I had this problem and got adaptors at Radio Shack.

Also... If you end up with the Polaroid DVD player (or one like it), make sure you remember to set the RCA jacks to "output" or "input" as appropriate. There is a little switch on the player for this purpose. Explanation: there is only one set of RCA jacks that server double-duty. When using the player as a regular DVD player hooked up to a TV, set the jacks to "output" mode. When hooking up a Nintendo or camcorder or whatever to play over the player's screen, set the RCA jacks to "input".

Clear as mud I'm sure. Let me know if I don't make sense.

P.S. While your player would be hooked into your car's cigarette lighter plug, you also need power for the Nintendo. For this, use a "power converter" device (e.g. from Canadian Tire) to allow you to run AC devices on your DC power system. These converters come in various sizes and wattages and cost about $30-$50 for your purposes. Only downside, they need their own cirgarette lighter style plug in your car.

 

[pkitty]

I can't say enough about it. It helped us out alot on our trip down to Florida last year. Kept my DD occupied for hours and hours. IT's always good for our camping trip to Kill Bear Provincial Park every August and for other things as well. Cosco has a 7 inch and works great. All I can say is GET ONE.

 

[DutchsMommy]

You don't wanna sell that other one do you?


Has anyone had experience buying these on ebay?

 

[DVCcollector]

We have a dual screen system and we never use it. We took it with us for our drive to WDW with our kids and they never watched one single movie. They are more content to colour and play word games and just look at everything out the window of the car. I think ours has been used 2 times and it was by myself and my FIL both times LOL.

 

[FatCow]

Originally posted by DutchsMommy
You don't wanna sell that other one do you?


Has anyone had experience buying these on ebay?

Selling which one? I don't have a portable DVD player since last year.