Portable DVD tips

[Epcot Mom]

We are heading down in May and are considering buying one of those portable DVD players everyone seems to be talking about. We have DS almost 2 and DD almost 6 so we're thinking it might help on the airplane.

For those of you that have them, what features are important? What accessories are necessary? Any feedback you have on specific models would be helpful. We're looking at the price point difference between the 7 and 9 inch models and thinking smaller is good enough.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[spr0m]

The 7 will be fine if you are sitting in a seat with it on your lap . We got the Panasonic and I also recommend getting a splitter for the headphone jack so both kids can listen. We have a built in one in the truck and still bring the portable in case they don't agree on a movie or Mommy wants to watch something else . Just make sure it's fully charged for the plane there's no place to plug in.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Remember that bigger is heavier. I find anything bigger than 7 inches to be too cumbersome for travel. For me, one of the benefits of these things is that they're smaller than laptop computers. Plus, as the other poster stated, seven inches is plenty big when it's so close to your eyes, as in an airplane.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We bought the Disney Portable DVD player about 3 months ago! We love it! It is light weight, comes with a carrying case, 2 head sets, rechargeable battery and AC/DC cord! It is only sold at Sears though!

 

[cgcw]

DS9 received one for Christmas. We just brought it with on our WDW trip. DS3 loved the idea of watching a movie while we waited to board the plane. DS9 loved the idea of watching a movie on the flight. Worked well.

So well, in fact, I think we're going to buy another one before our May trip. That way, both boys will be able to have their own on the plane as well as in the airport. I'm sure they'll get lots of use out of it and it will save a lot if they don't fight.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

we have a 9" TV/DVD player that we use on our trips and it has worked very well for us. We have a three way splitter to allow the girls to both listen at once if they like. I also have a laptop with a dvd player that we will be bringing on this trip so they can both watch their own thing this time if they like.

DW and I put the TV in our room when we're home...another mini--bennie.

 

[Granny]

Ours comes in very handy since we drive the 1,000 miles to WDW each year. And of course, it is great for other things like sleepovers, etc.

We also found that it was very helpful to purchase a decent carrying case. In that case we can store the player, the battery and charger, headphones and DVD's.

Oh, and we purchased an Audiovox that has two headphone jacks so we didn't have to worry about a splitter. Either way is fine, but if you have more than one kid, two headphones is highly recommended!

 

[klcason]

We bought the audiovox DVD/VCR combo in a bag. We have 2 screens and 2 sets of headphones. It is about the size of medium diaper bag and runs off an adaptor for the car or plane. The great thing about this one is you can watch a dvd on one screen and send the other signal and audio to the other with a video playing. So no prob if the kiddos don't agree, one can watch a dvd while the other watches a vcr tape. It is a little bigger than a single portable but way worth it for me. They have these at target although I bought mine off ebay.

Kayla

 

[carone0318]

I would suggest buying an extra battery. When I bought my 7" DVD, it cam with a battery that has about 2 hr life. I decided to pay about $70 for the extra battery that has about another 2 hr life. I didn't want to get caught on the plane without an extra battery and it goes dead. That being said, I also want to add that the salesperson told me that the life of the battery listed on the pkg when you by does not take into consideration if you have the volume all the way up or stuff like that.

I love ours, I was following the sale flyers and back in Feb, I found the 7" on sale at CompUSA for $219. Thought it was a great price, bought it, with a carrying case and the extra battery.

We use it all the time, my ds (3) watches it twice a week while he sits and waits for dd (7) at gymnastics. It's a big hit there, all the kids watch it. Am considering buying the 4.5" or 5" whatever it is so that they each have their own, because I can get that for like $150. Watching the sale flyers again!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We bought an Initial one from Circuit City and it was horrible!! The whole movie would freeze midway through and we'd have to unplug it and start it all over. The kids were never able to watch a whole movie.

We returned that one and got an Audiovox one at Costco, it's been GREAT! DD watches movies in the car while we drive to pick up her brother, we haven't had any problems with it at all and it's still running perfectly. I bought one of the bags that hangs it between the front seats so they both have a clear view.

That thing is truly a life saver, I don't know what we'd do without it!

 

[peanutzmom]

We bought the least expensive one they had in the store about a year ago (7" screen, no extras) and it still works great for the kids! It's in the jeep right now, but I'm almost positive it's an Audiovox. Be sure to check out the battery life if you'll be using it a lot on planes. Ours has a 5 hour battery (but has gone as much as 7 hours before dying on us). Also, I agree you'll want headphones & a splitter on the plane -- not only to keep from bothering other guests, but also because planes are LOUD! This thing is a lifesaver -- it's been all over the US and through six European countries in since we've owned it, and it's the best $350 I ever spent!!

 

[pamluvsdisney]

I just bought a 7" Audiovox DVD player today.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me where to buy the bag to hang it between 2 seats. If it is in one of those bags, do you have to take it out of the bag to change thte DVD?

Target didn't have the bag it hangs in, just the carrying case.
Thanks for your help.
Pam

 

[Rapunsel]

Best Buy has the hanging bags.. About $25 .They work out really well. When we go on plane trips, I just use the bag as my purse. So I don't have to worry about putting it in the carryon over head.

Also.. The car charger will work on the airplane. Nowa days there is at least one charger per row of seats. Usually the middle seat. If not in your row maybe the one in front or behind you. I have never had trouble on the plane..

One thing you need to remember about the battery.. When you are not charging it make sure it is not in contact with the player. Also if you use the power cord disconnect the battery as it will drain the battery faster. So you use one or the other... Also you want to play the battery untill it dies...

 

[Mish]

I have 2 of the Initial ones from Circuit City and they work great. Cant wait to use them on the plane for our September trip. Michelle

 

[javaj]

Ours only has a 5" screen, and has always worked great for DS (2). The hanging bags/cases (to hang in the car) are also available at Wal-Mart, got ours last November for about $12.

 

[Doodlebug939]

We bought our Audiovox from Best Buy about three years ago and it still works like a champ. When we bought it we spend the extra money on an extended warranty that Best Buy offers that should it get broke they would replace it for 3 years I believe. Well a long time into it my husban took it on a trip and the flip screen started to crack from being used so much. So when we took it to Best Buy I really expected to hear some line and come home with the same broken one that we had. But in fact, they didnt repair it but gave us a brand new one. We had no problem and shocked. Something for you to think about.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i think you should buy one we are for this trip and we going to buy one, make sure you get extra battery