Portable DVD Players - Budget Friendly High End Features
Toshiba SD-P1750
Portable DVD players are so versatile when it comes to entertainment value on the go. A little backpack of fun could be an appropriate description when you consider that they are video game consoles, movie players, music players, photo albums, and some even charge your iPod as well as adding greater function to other electronic devices.
The portable DVD market is far from being new. I know some kids that never knew there was any other way to have fun and be entertained during a car ride. The amazing thing to me is that even the older models still work great after years of not-so-tender loving care. Whether hanging on the backset of the car, sitting on the fold down tray on the plane, in the kid's bedroom or at grandma's house the portable DVD player has earned its place in the hall of fame of electronic gadgets.
Variety is the other amazing trait of portable DVD players. Screen sizes vary greatly - some 7 inches or under and others 10 inches and larger. Widescreen LCD screens have moved to the head of the class making movie watching even more enjoyable especially with the 16:9 viewing ratio.
Battery life is another improvement made over the years. The lithium ion battery can be recharged whether they have been drained or not. Built in or removable these rechargeable batteries last longer and are much more efficient.
Speaking of battery life - it is a fact that even the best batteries run down and need to be recharged. Most portable DVD players will come with multiple chargers and cables included in the purchase price. It is worth your time to make sure that the car charger, the home charger and multimedia cables are not a separate expense.
Below I have included several brands and models portable DVD players ranging from under $150.00 to $300.00. The descriptions are broken down into categories so that it is easier to shop for features that interest you.
Under $150.00
Price - $149.00 - Amazon $130.00
Brand/Model - Phillips DCP750
Screen Size - 7 inch swivel widescreen
Battery Life - Built in rechargeable rated at 2.5 hours
Extras - integrated iPod Dock, remote control, integrated SD and MMC card reader, internal speakers
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD (both + -), SVCD, VCD, DivX, MP3, MPEG4, JPEG
Dimensions - 7.6 w x 1.5 H - 6.4 D,
Price - $130.00 - Amazon $114.88
Brand/Model - Toshiba SD-P1750
Screen Size - 7 inch widescreen
Battery Life - rated 3.0 - 4.0 hours - lithium ion with rapid charge
Extras - dual headphone outputs
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), DVD VR (both + -) CD, (both + -), DivX, MP3, WMA, JPEG
Dimensions - 7.5 W x 1.5 H x 5.81 D, less than 2 pounds
Under $200.00
Price - $180.00 - Amazon $161.88
Brand/Model - Toshiba SD-P1900
Screen Size - 9 inch widescreen
Battery Life - rated at 5 hours, lithium ion rechargeable,
Extras - dual headphone outputs, included car adapter, remote control
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD (both + -), DivX, AVI, MPEG4, JPEG
Dimensions - 8 W x 6 D x 1.2 H, 2.2 pounds
Price - $199.00 - Amazon $180.84
Brand/Model - Philips DCP850
Screen Size - 8.5 inch swivel widescreen
Battery Life - rated at 2.5 hours, built in rechargeable
Extras - Integrated iPod dock, integrated built in SD and MMC card, remote control
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD-R/-RW, MP3, DivX, SVCD, VCD, MPEG4
Dimensions - 7.6 W x 6.4 D x 1.5 H
Price - $199.00
Brand/Model - Philips PET830
Screen Size - 8.5 inch screen tablet style
Battery Life - rated at 3 hours, built in battery
Extras - USB connection for playback from other USB devices, stereo speakers
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD, CD-R/CD-RW, (S)VCD, JPEG, DivX, MPEG4, MP3, WMA
Dimensions - slim
Price - $249.00
Brand/Model - Axion AXN-6072/6073
Screen Size - 7 inch tablet style widescreen
Battery Life - could not find information, comes with power adapters
Extras - SD/MMC card slot, stereo speakers, optional Sega joystick, TV tuner
Compatibility - DVD, CD, MP3s, Picture CDs,
Dimensions - under 1.5 inches thick, less than 2 pounds
Under $300.00
Price - $279.00
Brand/Model - Philips PET1030
Screen Size - 10.2 inch swivel screen
Battery Life - rated at 3 - 5 hours, rechargeable built in battery
Extras - USB 2.0 slot, memory card slot, side slot loading, car charger, smart car mount
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD, CD-R/CD-RW, (S)VCD, JPEG, DivX, MPEG4, MP3, WMA
Dimensions - slim
Price - $300.00 - Amazon $264.99
Brand/Model - Toshiba SD-P2900
Screen Size - 10.2 inch widescreen
Battery Life - rated up to 6 hours, lithium ion with rapid charge
Extras - integrated speakers, dual headphone output, SD-MMC-MS-xD memory card slot, component-video capable of EDTV or HDTV
Compatibility - DVD (both + -), CD (both + -), DivX, AVI, MPEG4, MP3, WMA
Dimensions - 7.75 W x 10.50 D x 2.00 H, 4.0 pounds
Obviously this is not a comprehensive list of all players, but maybe you will see a particular feature that you want to search for in other players as well. Consider your space, how many will want to watch and listen together, any unique needs you have and of course your budget. Check prices online and offline because the prices will vary as much as the models.
