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ELECTRONICS FORUMS  Get real-world advice from others about choosing a new TV, digital camera, computer or cell phone. |
December 2007
Portable DVD players make it easy to take the show on the road
LG DP781
A portable DVD player lets you watch a movie anytime, anywhere, a godsend on long trips or layovers between flights, as anyone
with restless children can attest.
Many portable players resemble a small laptop computer, minus the keyboard, with flip-up screens. Others use a tablet style (similar to a Palm Pilot). Convertible models feature displays that fold back so the player can be used in either laptop or tablet mode. Units designed primarily for use in the car also use tabletlike displays, featuring open screens with no clamshell cover. Those often include head-restraint mounting straps, a car power adapter, and a small remote control. Most portable DVD players have built-in speakers and outputs for connecting headphones.
You can connect a portable player to a TV or other display to watch a movie on a bigger screen. It won't provide the same high-quality picture you'd get from a regular player, though, so we don't recommend it as a substitute for a conventional DVD player. As with any DVD player, you can use a portable to play music CDs as well.
Models with 8- to 9-inch screens (measured diagonally) typically range from about $70 to $300. The higher-priced models generally include more features.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Don't skimp on the screen. It might be tempting to save money by choosing a DVD player with a small screen. We caution against buying a player with a screen smaller than 7 or 8 inches. Most models now have wide-screen displays that mirror the 16:9 format of movies.
Go for a good display. Picture quality is obviously an important attribute of a video player, so check it out before making a purchase if you can. Most of the players we've tested have only middling picture quality, which is generally adequate on a small screen that's watched only occasionally. Screens that can be tilted or swiveled can help you find the best viewing angle, particularly in brightly lit environments where glare can be a problem. If you won't be able to test out the model before buying, strongly consider a retailer with a no-questions-asked 30-day return or exchange policy.
Listen to the sound quality. If possible, listen to the player in the store through the built-in speakers and through headphones. Bring your own; many players don't come with any. The players we've tested are capable of outputting high-quality sound to headphones, but what you'll hear depends on the quality of the headphones themselves. Sound through the player's built-in speakers is usually just okay, judging by the players we've tested, so stick with headphones if you want better audio.
Get adequate battery life and accessories. Many movies run about two hours, so choose a player that won't run out of juice before that. Most models claim more than three hours of battery life from their built-in rechargeable batteries; those we've tested recently ran for 2.25 to 6 hours. All of the tested models include an AC adapter and a car adapter.
If you plan to use a portable DVD player in a car, be sure to buy a mount ($20 to $40) to secure the player. (Some come with mounting straps.) That will keep the DVD player from flying around the vehicle if you stop short or are involved in even a minor accident.
Look for useful features. In addition to playing DVDs and CDs, some players have an input for connecting portable flash memory devices or a slot for a memory card. That enables you to play the music and videos stored on those devices. Other extras you might find include a dock for an MP3 player, or a clock with calendar and alarm functions.
Consider construction and warranty. Beware of flimsy construction, which can be problematic with a device you tote around. Check out the player's warranty. Warranties are usually 12 months on parts and 3 months on labor, but less-expensive models might offer only 3-month coverage for parts.
Many portable players resemble a small laptop computer, minus the keyboard, with flip-up screens. Others use a tablet style (similar to a Palm Pilot). Convertible models feature displays that fold back so the player can be used in either laptop or tablet mode. Units designed primarily for use in the car also use tabletlike displays, featuring open screens with no clamshell cover. Those often include head-restraint mounting straps, a car power adapter, and a small remote control. Most portable DVD players have built-in speakers and outputs for connecting headphones.
You can connect a portable player to a TV or other display to watch a movie on a bigger screen. It won't provide the same high-quality picture you'd get from a regular player, though, so we don't recommend it as a substitute for a conventional DVD player. As with any DVD player, you can use a portable to play music CDs as well.
Models with 8- to 9-inch screens (measured diagonally) typically range from about $70 to $300. The higher-priced models generally include more features.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Don't skimp on the screen. It might be tempting to save money by choosing a DVD player with a small screen. We caution against buying a player with a screen smaller than 7 or 8 inches. Most models now have wide-screen displays that mirror the 16:9 format of movies.
Go for a good display. Picture quality is obviously an important attribute of a video player, so check it out before making a purchase if you can. Most of the players we've tested have only middling picture quality, which is generally adequate on a small screen that's watched only occasionally. Screens that can be tilted or swiveled can help you find the best viewing angle, particularly in brightly lit environments where glare can be a problem. If you won't be able to test out the model before buying, strongly consider a retailer with a no-questions-asked 30-day return or exchange policy.
Listen to the sound quality. If possible, listen to the player in the store through the built-in speakers and through headphones. Bring your own; many players don't come with any. The players we've tested are capable of outputting high-quality sound to headphones, but what you'll hear depends on the quality of the headphones themselves. Sound through the player's built-in speakers is usually just okay, judging by the players we've tested, so stick with headphones if you want better audio.
Get adequate battery life and accessories. Many movies run about two hours, so choose a player that won't run out of juice before that. Most models claim more than three hours of battery life from their built-in rechargeable batteries; those we've tested recently ran for 2.25 to 6 hours. All of the tested models include an AC adapter and a car adapter.
If you plan to use a portable DVD player in a car, be sure to buy a mount ($20 to $40) to secure the player. (Some come with mounting straps.) That will keep the DVD player from flying around the vehicle if you stop short or are involved in even a minor accident.
Look for useful features. In addition to playing DVDs and CDs, some players have an input for connecting portable flash memory devices or a slot for a memory card. That enables you to play the music and videos stored on those devices. Other extras you might find include a dock for an MP3 player, or a clock with calendar and alarm functions.
Consider construction and warranty. Beware of flimsy construction, which can be problematic with a device you tote around. Check out the player's warranty. Warranties are usually 12 months on parts and 3 months on labor, but less-expensive models might offer only 3-month coverage for parts.
