Portable DVD Player [Archive] - Professional Soldiers ®

Warrior-Mentor

04-14-2007, 07:51

Anyone done the research on what's a decent portable DVD player to take with on trips?

Looking for:
- durable (able to sustain some dust/sand common on trips, minor bumps)
- affordable (less than $250)
- battery life (some such batteries dry so fast...would like to be able to play 2-3 movies without having to recharge)

Anything that is "I have and I like it..." or "I had it and it sucked..."

Looking for your recommendations on the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY...

Thanks!

blue02hd

04-14-2007, 08:02

Although I can't help you with a specific brand, I would suggest you keep in mind an AC range of 110-220 as an important requirement. It gives you the added benefit of using both euro or US standard power when you need to recharge.

FWIW.

vsvo

04-14-2007, 11:14

This past Xmas I bought my sister the Philips PET1002 (http://reviews.cnet.com/Philips_PET1002/4505-6498_7-31891723.html) to replace an older one she had been using in the car and on trips with the kids. She loves it. I bought it for a little under $300 from J&R, but the price has gone down some more.

x-factor

04-14-2007, 14:37

I can vouch for this one by Sony:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002HRBS0/ecampaign8-20?gclid=CIXtmvThwosCFSNgUAodbX_yAQ

Its part of some of our portable gear. My buddy just got back from Bagram with it and he didn't report any problems.

kgoerz

04-14-2007, 16:31

We have had a few of them over the years. Seems it's the favorite present for the Grand Parents to give our kids. Only issues I ever had were the lids breaking, probably just ruff handling by the kids. This is one item you want to get the extended warranty on. Best Buy has exchanged two of ours for broken lids with no questions. Pay more attention to the battery life then anything else. Our batteries only last for one movie. Probably why they cost way under your $500 limit. Know I just use my lap top and leave the portable DVD Players behind.

The Reaper

04-14-2007, 16:47

FWIW, I prefer to use my laptop as well.

TR

one-zero

04-14-2007, 19:35

W-M,
The Ft Myers/Belvoir Pxs have had quite few sales on models primarily suited for guys deploying...they were pretty darn cheap $89-200 range I usually leave one with indig each trip, spreading the goodwill and got my use out of them.

If your not using for austere conditions that are too hard on the gear - I'd agree w/TR, can't beat the laptop for pic quality/size as well as multi-function you probably need anyway...

Warrior-Mentor

04-14-2007, 20:22

FWIW, I prefer to use my laptop as well.

TR

I like my laptop as well...

problem is two fold...mine eats batteries (one movie and it's shot).

The other is units are getting anal about guys having them...

The Reaper

04-14-2007, 20:35

I like my laptop as well...

problem is two fold...mine eats batteries (one movie and it's shot).

The other is units are getting anal about guys having them...

I don't think you will get much more than one movie per charge out of the players, either.

TR

huzza

04-14-2007, 22:49

Mintek is the best DVD player I have come across; but make sure to buy it at Costco if they have one in your area, as they have a lifetime warranty, which is a real good policy in my opinion.

Mintek
10.2" Portable DVD Player
Versatile Playback Formats
Built-in Stereo Speakers

$199.99
Item # 177931
Shipping & Handling included *Costco.com products can be returned to any of our more than 400 Costco warehouses worldwide. *

Regards,
George

Warrior-Mentor

04-15-2007, 19:51

gits

04-19-2007, 15:28

Sir, you may want to take a look at newegg for some if you have not looked already. Pretty good reliable stuff as far as Electronics go and they have pretty good shipping rates.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=491&name=Portable-DVD-Player

May want to take a look at this one sir, It's in the price range your looking at and seems to have gotten some pretty good reviews. Also seems to have about 5.5 hours of battery life according to the manufacturer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882105054

Warrior-Mentor

04-19-2007, 18:59

I don't think you will get much more than one movie per charge out of the players, either.

TR

You are right about that. 2 hours is what most players advertises.

Tried (without luck) to find a supplemental 9 volt power source....thought there would be something I could put some C or D cells into to support an extra movie or two...

Gits: Thanks for the tip with newegg...will consider it in the future...not waiting for delivery at this point...

The Reaper

04-19-2007, 19:10

You are right about that. 2 hours is what most players advertises.

Tried (without luck) to find a supplemental 9 volt power source....thought there would be something I could put some C or D cells into to support an extra movie or two...

Gits: Thanks for the tip with newegg...will consider it in the future...not waiting for delivery at this point...

12V DC car power adaptor. Or a 12V car powered AC rectifier for the 115V charger.

While you could get 12V out of 8 C or D cells, if I were in theater, I would hit the 18E up for some expended 5590s and step down the voltage to 12v. Many aircraft now have power adaptors under some seats.

HTH.

TR

Team Sergeant

04-19-2007, 19:15

I like my laptop as well...

problem is two fold...mine eats batteries (one movie and it's shot).

The other is units are getting anal about guys having them...

They have "external" batteries these days......:rolleyes: There's a fwe batteries that have a six hour life.....

I have two DVD players, Panasonic LS50 both still working fine and both use internal and external batteries.

TS

jatx

04-19-2007, 19:17

Sir, you should look into getting a Juice power source/adapter. They will work with any laptop and have an extra attachment that will allow you to use them on airplanes. In addition, you can plug your cell phone into the Juice and charge it at the same time. I picked one up last year and have been very pleased.

www.igo.com

You might also check eBay for a cheap second battery - they are always nice to have.

Warrior-Mentor

04-19-2007, 19:49

Thanks TR & Jatx.

Thanks for the sarcasm TS!

Team Sergeant

04-20-2007, 07:41

Thanks TR & Jatx.

Thanks for the sarcasm TS!

You're welcome, what's a former commo-man for anyway, keeping the team leader straight.;)

I've got one or two external batteries. Might I suggest a set of Bose headsets to listen to your movies?;)

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=triport_ae_headphones_index

http://www.batterygeek.net/SearchResults.asp?Extensive_Search=Y&Search=dvd+external+battery

http://www.global-batteries.com/index.php/cPath/10?OVRAW=dvd%20external%20battery&OVKEY=external%20battery&OVMTC=advanced