When the DVD player first came out it was designed exclusively as a home entertainment system that was not intended as a portable item. In fact, the early DVD players came with plastic plugs designed to keep the DVD's internal component in place when transporting the player. (This was done to avoid damage to the interior components) There was, however, much rejoicing when laptops developed the ability to play DVDs because now an easily portable DVD player existed. However, and the DVD drive was a fringe benefit to owning a computer. If you did not have $1500 for a laptop or a need for a laptop this really wasn't an option. Then, along came the very cool portable DVD player that can be taken anywhere and it often is.
However, selecting a portable DVD player is not as easy as it looks. If you look at the various DVD players on the market you will notice that there are a number of name brands and prices. This would definitely lead to a little confusion on the part of the consumer as to which portable DVD to purchase. Well, this is only a minor hurdle because it is not difficult to select a portable DVD player provided you examine certain criteria.
Probably the most basic area to take into consideration is the size of the DVD player which ties into the size of the player's screen. If you spend a lot of time riding coach on airplanes you probably won't have all the much room for an oversized DVD player. In this case, a seven inch screen becomes the right option. If you want to keep the DVD player in your suitcase and only use it in your hotel room then a ten inch screen becomes a better option. So, always take into consideration the size of the screen relative to your use of the player into consideration before making a purchase.
And speaking of screens some screens is better than others. If you are a stickler for crystal clear picture quality then you may wish to purchase a portable DVD player that possesses an LCD screen. Of course, LCD screens may be quite expensive so if they are out of your budget there are a number of excellent "standard" screens that are quite nice as well.
Now, no matter what size screen you have or how clear the screen is it will be utterly worthless if it doesn't play the DVD. That is, there are a number of different types of DVDs that some DVD players can't play. For example, some players are unable to play DVD-R's or DVD-R/W's and if you possess a number of these types of DVDs then you will certainly want a DVD player that can handle these formats. As such, when you purchase a portable DVD player it is critical to read the box it comes in and look for the section that defines the formats the DVD player is compatible.
It is always best to perform a little research prior to shopping. This way you will already have a heads up in regard to which name brands are top of the line and which name brands are best avoided. Thankfully, there are a number of excellent consumer electronics review magazines that can greatly aid in this role and make your selection process a little easier.
As you can see, selecting a portable DVD player is no where near as tough as some would be lead to believe. All it takes is a little patience and due diligence and you can find the perfect player for your needs.
Whether buying for yourself or a gift for a loved one, finding just the right DVD player isn't as easy as it seems. There are so many formats, sizes and added features for DVD players today that you might sift through hundreds of players before finding the right one at the right price. Use this quick guide to compare the types of DVD players available on the electronics market.
DVD Player Sizes
Determine what size player you will need. If you're adding a DVD player to your home entertainment system, determine where you will put it and how much space is available. Normal-sized DVD players can be rather wide so you'll want to be sure of your available space before shopping. DVD players are also very thin in height and most have a slot on the front that slides in and out for inserting the DVD. This is great if you have a wide space that is limited in height.
For odd-shaped spaces or very tight spots, there are different sizes and shapes of DVD players. These are usually available at electronics stores online so you'll have plenty of styles to choose from. The vertical DVD player, for example, sits upright similar to a vertical computer drive. It comes with a stand to hold it in a sturdy position. If you still have your old VHS collection, there are DVD/VHS combo machines that play both formats. This saves space as well. Also available are super slim DVD players and "space saver" DVD players to fit your personal needs.
Types of DVD Players
Once you determine the size you'll need, you're ready to compare name brands and features at the electronics store or website of your choice. You can often find many different brands and styles of players at one single electronics mall online. This will allow you to compare without spending hours searching through many websites.
Some of the features you'll see include progressive scan, time-slip recording, EZ editing, zoom, slow motion, HD (high definition) DVD, front audio/video input jacks, CD-R/-RW playback, MP3-CD playback, D/A converter, favorite scene selection, TV Guardian, and many others. You may not find one particular DVD player that carries every feature, so it's wise to determine which features are important to you before selecting a player. Which features will you likely use the most? Which will you probably never use?
You'll also notice there are many brand names for DVD players. Some of the well-known brands include Philips, Coby, Emerson, Toshiba, Magnavox, Sanyo, and Panasonic. Pricing for DVD players can range from around $50 to $500 depending on the features you choose.
If buying a DVD player for your child, there are also players with children's themes. The player will actually look like the child's favorite cartoon character!
To find the DVD player that's right for you, search online by brand name, features, or price to compare. Or, you can visit an online mall to compare all in one location. Besides electronics, you can also find other great items at an online mall such as computers, laptops, lingerie, pets, automotive products, telephones, jewelry, household products, toys, and more. Take your time to find the DVD player that will meet your needs. You'll enjoy years of quality entertainment!
Both Richard Adams & Chris Robertson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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