VideoNow???

[ptslp]

I was just curious what other people thought of this video system. I found a great deal on the VideoNow at Target, so I bought it. The movies were regular price, but the system was $12.50. I am trying to decide if it will be good for my ds (3 yrs) for the car and plane, etc. Is it worth it? I know there is a Jr. version, but it was not on sale, so I am not paying $50+ for it. Does it skip a lot? Do your kids like it? Is the screen big enough? How are the movies? How long is each one? It looks like there is only one-3 episodes on each disk. Are they long enough? How many disks do I need?
Also, anyone know anywhere to get the disks cheaper if I decide to keep it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Iluvthemouse]

DD loves her video now. She is 6.5yo. She has all the Sponge Bob videos. It doesnt skip. We have the case and the headphones for it as well.

 

[ZanneMarie]

We have 3 video nows. The original black and white, the new color and the Jr version. My kids (2,8 & 9) really like them. They have been very useful/enjoyed on long car rides and flights. We have probably 8 discs for each. They watch the same few over and over again so less would probably be ok. The episodes are average length (minus commercials for non PBS ones)- so I would say about 20-25 minutes. They will skip occasionally if bumped hard but it seems to pick right back up after the bump and operate fine. I think that Walmarts discs are the best priced in my area vs. Target or Toys R Us. I hear they are introducing a new version again (guess what we may have to get this Christmas to replace the B/W one!) so I would expect sales on the discs when that is introduced. From what I understand the discs will not change. And FYI the black and white discs will play on the color version (still in b/w but supposedly crisper pic). I occasionally see them on major clearance. All the kids really enjoy the Americas Funniest Videos discs (yeah, I watched it one too when I was really bored at the airport!)

 

[bettyann29]

My 13 yr old wanted one for christmas last year, so I got her one, paying full price, a travel case and about 6 or 7 different disc sets.. some of the sets have 2 or 3 shows on them.. after about a week it got put in the closet.. but it was brought out in March when we had to drive to New Orleans when we went on our cruise.. I plan on taking it out in a few weeks when me and my 7 yr old head to WDW.. I figure she can watch the movies on the airplane.. so Im gonna pack it in her back pack and let her take it right on.. I'll probably buy a few more disc sets..

 

[raysnkaysmom]

My 9 yr old got one for Xmas last yr...and we took it in our car ride from Atlanta to Orlando in February... it was great! No issues at all...well worth it!! She even shared the screen with her little sister. I was surprised she watched her Amanda video over and over again...LOL

 

[laughinplace199]

Does anyone know if you can use the Video Now Jr. discs in the regular Video Now player? I won a Video Now color player, but my kids are 6 & 4 and would prefer Dora, Clifford, etc. rather than some of the shows geared toward older kids. I haven't bought any discs yet, but I want to get some soon for our December trip to WDW.

Thanks!

 

[kitty2kidz]

Yes, you can use the jr discs in the regular player!! Last christmas we got 2 for my DDs ( both regular players) but my younger DD4 has mostly the jr. discs---the jr. player was more expensive and we haven't had any trouble with the durability of the regular player!!!

 

[ptslp]

It is my understanding that you can use any of the discs in either machine. That is why I bought the VideoNow- I have a 3 year old, so we are going to be getting the Dora, Sesame Street, etc discs. Hopefully I am correct. I would love to hear from someone else who has actually done it!

 

[ZanneMarie]

Yes, the Video Now Jr discs can be used in the regular Video Now Color and vice versa Jr discs in regular version. We have done both.

 

[laughinplace199]

Thank you! I will be out shopping for Jr. discs now.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Do these use regular type batteries, or special rechargeable ones? We have a portable dvd player, but the battery will only last about 1 1/2 hours, and our flight is 5 hours. Our autistic ds will be happier if he has something to watch. And I don't want to fork out almost $100 for an additional portable dvd battery. If these video nows run on regular batteries, I just might get it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the videoNow website. It says they run off of batteries.
I looked at these last fall for Christmas for youngest DD, but there were not that many videos available then (and none I thought she'd like).

 

[poohfan]

Our DD has one and she likes it a lot. She doesn't seem to mind watching the same discs over and over. The screen is small but sometimes she shares it with her best friend when they're in the back seat together. They've never complained that the screen is too small.

 

[ZanneMarie]

Do these use regular type batteries, or special rechargeable ones? We have a portable dvd player, but the battery will only last about 1 1/2 hours, and our flight is 5 hours. Our autistic ds will be happier if he has something to watch. And I don't want to fork out almost $100 for an additional portable dvd battery. If these video nows run on regular batteries, I just might get it.

They use AA batteries... I think 4 but I don't have one near to check (they are all in the car). I think that they last quite a long time before needing replacing. We used DD's Jr one for the 1st time in April and although it does not get heavy use (every few weeks or so) we have not replaced the batteries yet.

 

[iheartdisney]

I guess I'll be the first negative here! Such a piece of junk!
We have the JR, and I wish someone had posted a negative review!

We found the first one at Goodwill, and snatched it up for my DD2 for Christmas last year. It got its first use on the 13 hour drive to Maine. It didn't make it back. The disc would spin, then stop and the no disc light would come on. I emailed the company, and no one ever replied to me. I figured, hey, its second hand, and by this time I'd dropped over $50 in discs, so I went to Walmart and bought #2 in February, and put it away until our househunting trip in May. Again, it didn't last the 2 week trip. Same problem. No disc light would come on and not play the movies. So, since I still had the package, I fibbed to Walmart and said I just got it, and traded it in for another one. So either it is bad workmanship, or they build a child's product which does not hold up to wear and tear. This one hasn't died yet, but to be fair, I haven't used it all that much. If I hadn't spent that much on discs, I probably would have said forget it.
We have since gotten a portable DVD player for the car.

 

[pyrxtc]

I wouldn't buy them unless you have the money to buy all your movies now. Stores are going to stop selling the videonow color movies just like they stopped the B&W ones. They have a new Videnow set-up. It doesn't play any of the old discs and is more expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...1/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-8007393-6947335

This is the new thing. Features:

Large 3-inch, backlit screen; 180-degree rotating hinge
Video and volume controls; directional pad; high-quality speaker
Plays only VideoNow personal video discs
Runs on three AA batteries (not included
Portable PVD player for watching shows and interactive gaming

 

[kangaroodle]

Both my kids (DD8 and DS6) have VideoNow players and both love them. There have never been any problems and they've had them almost a year with fairly regular use. I saw the new ones at Target today. They look like big GameBoy Advance players. I believe they will stilluse the same discs as the olsd ones. Just make sure the one for $12.95 is not the old black and white one and you should be fine. That's a steal if it's the Color VideoNow. I paid $65 last fall! Good luck! Kathy

 

[ptslp]

I am just curious because I can't find that info anywhere and it will definately impact my decision on whether I keep the one I have or go for a new one or DVD player. I looked at Hasbro's website and can't find it there yet. Thanks in advance!

 

[LynnTH]

I saw the new one at Target a few weeks ago and I am almost positive that it will use all the old disks. They are coming out with a bunch of new disks and the new machine will be interactive and will be able to play games also. I am planning on getting my kids these for Christmas (they currently have the B&W ones). They are great for the plane and car rides.

 

[FARMGIRL]

We got videonow color for DD 8 last yr for Xmas, skipped all the time, took it back to Sams Club where we got it, it had come with case, headset and 1 or 2 discs, 2nd one worked for about a week, started skipping and just shut off, this time I went right to the company told them the situation and they had me send it back to them, when they received it, they sent out new one and I even picked the color I wanted. This one has worked great ever since and she loves it, takes it with her almost every time we go in the car. We hardly ever change the batteries, so after all the hassle, it was worth it and she only has maybe 4 or 5 discs. Watches Sponge Bob most of the time.