Portable DVD player
A portable player can be a boon for the frequent traveller, for children and for restless passengers who get impatient on long haul flights or on extended journeys by train. There is the option of renting a portable player, if you do not already possess one, for travelling purposes. However, frequent renting of a portable set may prove to be more expensive in the long run than acquiring one. For UK residents, Rocket Films is a company that offers portable DVD players on a rental basis especially aiming at rail travellers, with a number of pick up and drop off points at railway stations. There are also DVD rental companies at airports and stations where you can rent a DVD at one station and drop it off at another. If you choose to buy one, there are a number of important features to consider in finding the one that is just right for you.
Screen Size and Portability
Players having bigger screens tend to proportionately weigh more, and do not therefore allow for easy portability. Portable players having a screen size of 9”-10” cost more and weigh more, but can be perfect for joint viewing. The recommended screen size to achieve a balance between weight and ease of viewing is 7” which is the optimal size from the standpoint of portability. Many of the latest models come with a TFT (thin film transistor) screen for vibrant colour and detailed display. A TFT screen is however likely to be more expensive than smaller screens. The size of the battery also contributes significantly to the weight of the DVD player.
Other Supported Formats
Most players are capable of playing media other than digital video discs (DVD) which includes support for playing audio CDs, in addition to CD-R/RW, MP3, DVD-Rs and other DVD formats. It may be well worth the effort to get acquainted with the various formats that your preferred portable DVD player is capable of handling. Some DVD players can even play CD’s with images stored in JPEG format, thus allowing you to take all of your photo albums along to share with family and friends. A few players also come with a media card slot, which can be used for viewing your digital pictures without even requiring a CD.
Material Used in Construction
Ideally, a portable DVD player should be made of a sturdy material, rather than of a lightweight plastic that may on surface appear to be stylish. A sturdier material for the casing may well guarantee longer life for the gadget, whereas a delicate material may not be conducive to rough handling. Most players come equipped with an anti–shock feature which helps for smooth and uninterrupted audio and video output even while you travel on bumpy roads.
Sound and Image Quality
If you decide to connect your player to your TV or home theatre system, an in-built progressive scan feature will be important to provide image clarity and surround sound quality. You may also want to consider a player that has quality output features like S-Video for video and Optical out for audio, so you can get the best possible playback quality.
Battery Life
Considering that the battery is the most expensive part of a portable DVD player, take a long hard look at the options. You need to decide where your particular balance lies. It should be possible to charge the batteries, preferably in situ, from multiple power sources, an option that assumes particular significance when the system is used as a travel companion. Player are usually equipped with an AC adapter and in some cases a DC adapter for in-car usage. The battery typically lasts for two to three hours in the normal course of things, which may be inadequate if you want to run the full length of an epic movie. Batteries with longer life are expensive and can be excessively heavy. The trade off is therefore between the convenience of carrying a lightweight player that is portable in the real sense, and one that has a longer lasting battery but can become a bit of a drag when you have to carry it in addition to other essential items of baggage.
Viewing Angle
It is not usually feasible for everyone to sit in front of the screen and get a clear view of the video, so you may need a wider viewing angle if you are planning to share your viewing. A wide viewing angle of up to 160 degrees is achieved with a high quality TFT flat screen which is being offered in many of the new portable DVD players.
Connectivity
If you plan to use your player with other equipment, it is essential that you get to know how well your portable DVD player will connect to other audio/visual equipment that you have at home. For private viewing, you need not be unduly concerned with hooking up to speakers or to an external monitor. If you want to watch with others, choose a player with two headphone ports or else buy a Y-plug headphone splitter. As a third alternative, consider a portable DVD player that offers regular A/V connections with the options of coaxial or optical outputs for audio and S-video or component outputs for video, for connecting to your home system.
Conclusion
Using a portable DVD player is a great way to pass time on long trips, with the option of choosing the movie that you want to watch. As with any purchase that you make, especially an electronic gadget, you need to do some basic research in advance to ensure you get your money’s worth. It makes sense to analyse your requirements from the perspective of likely usage, and to select a model based upon the features available to address your specific requirements.
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Jason Flowers is Managing Director of 3 Wise Monkeys With e-tailers like 3wisemonkeys.co.uk you get the best of both worlds with a guide to buying a portable DVD player. As well as producing quick guides such as the one above to improve your on-line shopping experience, we are always happy to respond to your queries and to give detailed buying advice over the phone with no pressure to purchase.D
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