By Philip P Daniel
Some people, unlike myself, have on the go lifestyles that make sitting down and watching an entire season of Star Trek impossible. Luckily for them, companies have heard their pleading cries and have created portable digital video disc players that can be toted and allow the user to watch all their favorite TV shows and motion pictures on the road. When purchasing a new portable DVD player, there are few minor things to keep in mind, things that will either hinder or help the overall experience of traveling and watching flicks.
You know what they say about screen size…the larger the screen, the more viewable surface and pixels per square inch! This holds very true with portable DVD players. In order to even be able to see the passion in William Shatner’s eyes, you definitely need to get at least a screen size of 7 inches, otherwise risk missing key elements of every movie. Most newer models also support widescreen, something ideal for movie watchers as most new DVDs support this format. This gives you a more realistic movie experience, and won’t put those lame black bars on the top and bottom of your screen, making your screen even smaller.
Another key ingredient to look for when purchasing a new portable DVD player is the battery life. You want a battery that can not only be recharged quickly, but also one that will be able to last for the entire duration of whatever movie you plan to watch. There is nothing worse then being almost finished with the extended version of The Fellowship of the Ring, and not being able to see the last, most captivating scenes because of battery loss. Make sure to do research on battery life, and see if your unit features an internal battery that can be replaced if it were to break.
Lastly, I would make sure to check the features and playback abilities of the models that you are comparing. All support DVDs, but only some allow MP3 and burned copy playback, two things that you will defiantly want. Some newer and more advanced models also feature JPEG and MPEG support, allowing you to view pictures or Quicktime movies on your player. Although not important for most people, it is perfect to show off your recent pictures from the local Star Trek convention when you dressed up as The Star Ship Enterprise and one first place and a trophy from a Leonard Nemoy impersonator.
All in all, keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and some brands may
be a better value then others. Be sure to check out Newbie’s reviews when
looking into specific models, and now that you will always get the best prices
on the net from us!
Portable DVD Player Reviews