Selecting a Portable DVD Player

Selecting a Portable DVD Player

If you want to watch a movie while travelling by road, or while undertaking air travel, or if you want to keep your children occupied with a movie for the duration of a long drive, bring your portable DVD player along! To use it, all you need to do, is to plug your headphones into the set, and relax with your favourite viewing to pass time on the journey. Most portable players have a built-in LCD screen and speakers that can give you a miniaturised home theatre experience. When shop for a portable DVD player, make sure you check for the features that are actually relevant to your intended use before you buy.

Screen Size and Weight

The player size is the probably the first aspect to be considered when you venture out to select a player. Those with larger screen sizes will correspondingly weigh more. The ideal screen size is generally held to be 7" making it handy and easy to carry. Bigger screens give you better clarity, but the sets are more expensive than models with smaller screens. There are also low priced portable DVD players without screens, if you intend to plug the player into an existing television set or perhaps an old LCD screen from a car video system. These are easier on the purse than those that come with a screen but be sure to check that the player you choose has outputs that are compatible with the video inputs of your screen.

Playback Formats

Besides the standard function of playing DVDs, a number of portable players can support CDs of various formats such as MP3s, audio CDs, CD-R/RW, and DVD-R. Some DVD players are also capable of handling images in JPEG format that are saved onto a CD. This allows you to carry your photo albums on CDs with you, to show your friends when you visit them, while on vacation or at a family get together, without having to lug the extra baggage and weight associated with an unwieldy bunch of photo albums.

Comparing Video Outputs

First, get to know the types of video output the player can support. A component video output separates the different video signals, and maintains high colour fidelity and image quality, all of which go to produce a picture of high quality. S-video output is another high quality output option that presents an excellent picture. It is also possible to connect many portable DVD players with RCA phono connections, but you are likely to lose much of the video quality produced by standard DVD players. Make sure to choose a player with a video output that suits your television or screen.

Quality Audio Outputs

The choice of audio outputs boils down to any optical and coaxial cable type connections that are offered by your chosen player. An optical output is often the better choice from the perspective of producing the best sound effects when connected to a home theatre system. If you are hesitant about using your portable set when there are others around you, you can also opt for receiving audio output through a set of headphones. There are a large number of headphone models on offer, sporting a built-in headphone jack, or multiple headphone jacks, and even wireless headphone support.

Digital Surround Sound

Watching a movie on a portable DVD player with digital surround sound can transport you to a miniature virtual theatre environment. If you decide to use RCA connections, you will be missing out on the sound effects and quality that DVD players are capable of producing but there is little point in paying the extra for optical outputs if you only ever intend to use the player on the move with its own internal speakers or headphones.

Batteries

Portable DVD players are almost always equipped with internal rechargeable batteries, with some having a provision for using AA batteries when the internal batteries run out. Most internal batteries, when fully charged, last for between two and a half to three hours of use. Check to see that your player's battery is equipped to run an entire movie! If you intend to use the DVD player in your car, remember to get the battery charger that is compatible with the car's charging system. This charger is sometimes included with the accessories you receive when you buy the player. If not, check its costs as some of them have been known to cost nearly as much as the player itself.

Connectivity and Use - Further Thoughts

If you want to connect your DVD player to other audio equipment, or to the television set, then there are choices of regular A/V connections that can give the best video and audio outputs. If two people wish to listen to the audio simultaneously, look for two headphones, or purchase a 'Y' adapter which splits a single headphone output into two. You may also have the option of being able to connect the portable DVD player to your car, and listening to the audio output through the car speakers. Some players can be mounted in-between the seats, using the straps specifically provided for this purpose.

Warranty Period

Portable DVD players usually come with a manufacturer's warranty of one year. The warranty period varies depending upon the brand you choose to purchase. It is advisable to choose a portable DVD player that carries at least a one-year warranty and consider the extended warranties offered by your retailer (but be sure to check for exclusions and restrictions in the fine print).

Conclusion

Before you buy a portable DVD player, it is advisable to become acquainted in advance with the essential features to look for and to decide which of these actually matters in the context of your intended use of the machine. The clarity, sound and convenience offered by a portable DVD player should give you and your family hours of high quality entertainment.