Portable DVD Players
A portable DVD player  is a relatively inexpensive way to entertain yourself or family, where ever you are. Most portable DVD players are small enough to sit on a airplane tray table or in the back of a minivan. Whatever purpose you have for purchasing a portable DVD player, make sure you consider your needs before purchasing.
Portable DVD Styles
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Household Player
If you want the portable DVD player to also serve as a household player: - A larger screen is ideal, but keep in mind the larger the screen, the heavier and more expensive the player.
- 8" to 10" models are some of the largest available.
- High-quality audio and video output are essential.
- Look for models with remote controls.
- Check out: Coby TF-DVD7050.
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Travel-Friendly Player
For a more travel-friendly player, focus on: - Lightweight models. Some weigh as little as 2 pounds and have 5" screens.
- Long battery life is key with a minimum of 3 hours on one charge. Otherwise, you won't even make it through a movie.
- High-quality audio and video output.
- Check out: Toshiba SD P1850.
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Car Player
For kids or anyone else in the back seat: - There are specialized models that can be suspended from the front headrests in a car to allow for back-seat viewing.
- Also check out the swiveling tablet screen models.
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Handheld Player
Maybe you just want something small -- really small -- like a handheld DVD player. - There are relatively few models that have been released to date, and most are made by no-name brands, except for the Philips PET320, shown above.
- Expect a small screen of about 3" to 4" and a heavy load (the rechargeable battery makes them a little beefy).
- Check out: Philips PET320
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Features To Consider- Size, Weight and Maneuverability
- Smaller players will travel more easily, but if it is too small it will not be ideal for a car player, so make sure the the size of the player can accommodate your needs and viewers.
- A portable DVD player can get pretty heavy, especially if the player has large rechargeable batteries. All players are small enough to be portable, but check the weight in the product details when comparing models you plan to buy for travel.
- For optimum viewing on your lap, you might want to look for DVD players with a rotating screen that does a 180° and then folds back down on top of the unit like a tablet computer. The Sony DVP-FX810 or the Sony D-VE7000S DVD Walkman are examples of this type of DVD player. You might also check out the Mustek MP100 too.
- Screen size varies but, larger is definitely better, despite the higher cost. Also consider the aspect ratio. Try to get a model with both 4:3 and 16:9 (widescreen) compatibility. Here are some big screen models with a 9" or larger screen: Philips PET1002, Insignia NS-PDVD9 and Panasonic DVD-LS91.
- Specs, Specs and more Specs
- Many portable players today can double as CD players because they support multiple disc formats. You should consider a player that accepts CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-R/RW, as these do-it-yourself disc formats are increasingly common, especially if you have a DVD recorder or DVD burner at home.
- Outputs enable portable DVD players to substitute for regular size DVD players at home. You'll want a player which has high quality outputs, such as component or S-Video and both digital and analog outputs for audio, so you can get the best quality playback. Also look for a Dolby Digital and DTS support if you own a surround sound or home theater system.
- Multiple headphone jacks are very useful when the DVD player will serve multiple users at one time.
- Virtual surround sound is a great feature that will help enhance the sound quality by recreating a surround sound feel.
- Skip protection is essential if you want the player to do well in cars or in any bumpy environments.
The Top Rated Models
ConsumerSearch.com ranks the players below as top:
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All Around Best
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For Folks on a Budget
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Basic Is As Basic Does |
Other popular models include:
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Insignia IS-PD040922 Portable DVD Player
