what portable DVD player to buy?

[dznyacct]

I want to buy my son (16) a portable DVD player for Christmas this year. I don't need something with all the bells and whistles, but a quality product. Does anyone have any brands/models to suggest? I know that battery life is an issue. What options are there when it comes to that? Thanks for any ideas you can provide.

 

[wekhogan]

We bought two of these for our kids for long trips at Sam's Club this summer. They were $135 each and came with a carry bag, auto power adapter, headphones and charger. The battery lasts about 3 hours. We would definitely recommend these - they start immediately and the picture is great. The carry bag has straps that can allow it to hang from the car seat, but I haven't done that. My kids just hold them in their laps.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I want to buy my son (16) a portable DVD player for Christmas this year. I don't need something with all the bells and whistles, but a quality product. Does anyone have any brands/models to suggest? I know that battery life is an issue. What options are there when it comes to that? Thanks for any ideas you can provide.

Well first let me say men in kilts...mmmm.
I got my son a Kawisaki last year at target. It is made by the same company that makes the ones for wal mart and I am sure many of the other brands that are around. The best way find out is to try and find a site on the web that rates products and then compare the ad to the ratings. I am sorry I lost the link and cannot remember the site but if you do a search you will find one.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Consumer reports.org
this is their ratings chart. I pasted the best I could


Portable DVD players



In performance order. Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
Brand & model
Price
Overall score
Test results
Features





Sony DVP-FX701
$500 4.5 36 12/3
Panasonic DVD-LS50
400 2.5 28 12/3
Audiovox D1710
250 2.5 41 3/3
Mintek MDP-1720
250 3.5 34 12/3
Initial IDM-1731
200 3 35 12/3
Toshiba SD-P1400
300 3.5 38 12/3

 

[dznyacct]

Thanks for the info everyone ! I'll start my research now.

 

[smt218]

You might want to try Eopinions. People review all different products on there. Hope this helps.

 

[TENIA66]

Our Initial failed, the connection between the screen and the player shorted out, the cord on the blue small one from target caused a spark and fried that one, our best was a polaroid from walmart last year, 139.00

 

[Donalee]

My parents bought a poloroid portable dvd last Christmas for my kids. The kids are pretty tough on it and it still plays good. It also has games on it with a game controler. She got it at Walmarts, not sure of the price. We like it. donalee

 

[egoldber]

I want to buy my son (16) a portable DVD player for Christmas this year. I don't need something with all the bells and whistles, but a quality product. Does anyone have any brands/models to suggest? I know that battery life is an issue. What options are there when it comes to that? Thanks for any ideas you can provide.

We have a Panasonic that we paid about $350 about 18 months ago, so I'm sure it is now cheaper. It has held up very well and has been on MANY MANY plane trips. Battery life is about 2 hours (actual use, not sure what Panasonic claims) but we also bought an external battery (not Panasonic brand, it works with all portable DVD players) with a life of 6 hours. The extra battery is indispensible if you plan on taking it on long plane trips. We use the DVD player in the airport inbetween connections too, so that is something to consider as well.

 

[NCRedding]

Our Iniital DVD player failed also, after about 1 year. I bought a Polaroid which had the swivel screen--had it three weeks when it quit playing--found out when looking at the instruction manual that it had been owned by someone else--had handwriting in the manual--even though Walmart sold it as new. They replace it--so far, the Polaroid replacement--less fancy, still works

 

[siobhan1997]

I also bought the Polaroid, works great for us the swivel screen works for our second row buckets seats so two people can see easy and it plays burnt DVD movies no problem.

 

[Kaybee]

I also bought a Polaroid for my DS!! He loves it. It has a swivel screen and attaches to the back of the seat so he can watch movies on the long ride up north to our cottage. It comes with a car plug in adaptor so it can run off battery or car adaptor. He watches movies during our 4 hr drive up north and we have never had any problems. Good clear picture and sound. We got ours on sale at Best Buy for $159.

 

[dznyacct]

Sounds like a Polaroid is the way to go. Now if I can hunt down a bargain between now and Christmas ! My son and I are headed down to WDW in March , bringing along his friend who has only been once (gasp !!). I think the the 2 of them would enjoy bringing the DVD player on the flight (especially since I like to get to the airport early ). Thanks again

 

[egoldber]

I think the the 2 of them would enjoy bringing the DVD player on the flight (especially since I like to get to the airport early ).

Make sure you get an external battery. Almost all portable DVD players only have a battery life of 2-3 hours.

 

[dznyacct]

egoldber ~ Thanks for the battery tip. It would stink to have a battery croak at the good part of a movie !

 

[TENIA66]

Check out the wal mart sale flyer for the day after thanksgiving this year, it's posted on :http://www.bf2004.net/ I think they have a polaroid

 

[TENIA66]

Check out the wal mart sale flyer for the day after thanksgiving this year, it's posted on :http://www.bf2004.net/ I think they have a polaroid

oops sorry i lied the venturer and emerson are listed, but radio shack does have a polaroid on the same site

 

[PaulaSue]

Just bumping this to read later, I am looking for one too.

I got a 3.5 inch from Target on clearence but I am waiting to see if I can find a bigger one on sale for our trip in Jan. I just can't see 3 sharing a 3.5''.