Portable DVD players

[Texclerk]

I am looking for a portable DVD player for my 5 yr-old. It does not need to be anything fancy. Just something to get him to grandma's house and back. I would have one installed, but I also have a now 7 month-old daughter. She will want to watch Barney soon, and he will be watching Power Rangers. It would be pointless to have one installed when they will have such different interests because of their ages.

What portable DVD player would you recommend? What should I stay away from? I do not want to break the bank, but I do not mind spending a reasonable sum for a decent player.

Thanks.

 

[KingKoopa]

best buy seemed to have a pretty wide selection last time i was in there checking them out, and the prices on all of them have come down tremendously since when they first came out.

a good rule of thumb when buying electronics is not to buy a brand you've never heard of. Apex, Mintek, Samsonic, Orion... Save yourself the trouble and buy a brand you recognize-- Toshiba, Sony, JVC, Samsung.

I don't know if they carry any Toshiba portables but I have never been unsatisfied with any Toshiba product I've owned (TV, VCR, DVD).

 

[Horn9497]

This is one of the very few items where I'd recommend their warranty plan. I bought a Toshiba portable DVD for my son about a year ago (he was 1 1/2 then). The sales guy said the battery on portable DVD's lasts about a year and will need to be replaced for $100 or so. The replacement deal was $75. Sure enough, one year later the battery will no longer hold a charge. It also got banged around enough that another little part wasn't working and best buy will replace that, also. First and probably last time I've ever bought their replacement deal but it worked out for me. The Toshiba is good, by the way. I think it was $400 or so. Make sure you have an ac adapter for the car lighter so you don't have to worry about charging the thing before the trip.

 

[RC Didnt Offer]

I second the warranty info. I found a good size screen model (7" I think) made by Polaroid at Best Buy. In all it went for about $200 on sale if I remember.

With the savings from the sale I bought the $75 warranty that covers it for everything for 4 years. Great decision. I've already gone there and got a new one like three times. These things are just so delicate and flaky (all brands) that its something you should consider.

 

[HornZealot]

I got a 7 inch toshiba from Costco for Christmas at 275$, I love it.