How to Buy a Portable DVD Player

With so many choices in portable DVD players on the market today, deciding between models can be a tricky task. By determining what features you want in your portable DVD player, you will be able to develop your own customized shopping guide before you hit the stores or the Internet to make your purchase.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Think about screen size when selecting a portable DVD player, since this is typically directly related to price point in most models. The bigger the screen, the larger the price tag. Most experts recommend a screen size around 7 inches.

2. Check out the image quality of the different models available on the market. When reading the specs of these models, you'll generally find that 1,000 x 600 resolution provides the highest quality detail.

3. Look at the DVD player from all angles and in all lights. If you want to buy a model to install in your car, make sure that the screen is easily viewed from the sides and up and down.

4. Buy either a flip-up or tablet style portable DVD player. Your choice is contingent upon your desired use of the portable DVD player. If you plan on traveling with this piece of technology, the traditional "lap-top" style of the flip-up portable DVD player is fine, but if you will be installing your DVD player into a car, the tablet style will be more practical.

5. Shop for a DVD player that will go the distance. Most DVD players will be outfitted with a rechargeable battery that can hold a charge for 2 to 3 hours. However, you should plan on investing in an additional battery to extend your viewing time.

6. Expect to see a difference in prices when you buy a model that can support multiple format types or even tune into TV stations. The majority of basic portable DVD players will support DVD and MP3 formats. If you wish to display digital images from a disc or memory card, look for a model which supports the JPEG format.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you identify a couple of portable DVD players that have the features you are looking for, take the time to read user reviews. Whether they are found on a shopping site or a home electronics blog online, these reviews can give you an impression of what the user interface is actually like for each of the models.
• Even if money is no object, you should consider the relative portability of a larger screen portable DVD player before you get the biggest one you can find.