Discount Portable DVD Players

About Portable DVD Players

A portable DVD player is a battery-operated device that lets you watch DVDs when you’re away from your home entertainment system. Portable DVD players have all of the controls you’d expect to see in a regular DVD player, with the addition of a small screen for viewing your movies.

Portable DVD players are useful in a variety of circumstances. You can take your DVD player to the doctor’s office and watch a movie while you wait for your appointment. Parents also say they love using the machines to let their children watch their favorite DVDs on long car trips.

Although portable DVD players have dropped considerably in price since they were first introduced, they are still significantly more expensive than a regular DVD player. You can buy a DVD player for your home entertainment system for about $30, but expect to spend $90 or more on a discount portable DVD player.

Factors to Consider

While your personal budget is obviously an important consideration when purchasing a portable DVD player, there are other factors to consider.

For example:

• Size and weight. Portable DVD players vary greatly in size and weight. If you’re going to be toting the machine around on a regular basis, however, you’ll want to buy one that is as small and lightweight as possible.
• Screen. Look for a screen that’s as large as possible with a clear and sharp picture quality.
• Supported disc formats. Can your DVD player play CDs as well?
• Battery life. How long does the battery last before it needs to be replaced or recharged? If the battery is rechargeable, how long do you need to wait for it to be fully charged?
• Outputs. If you think you may want to be able to plug your portable DVD player into your regular home entertainment system, look for quality outputs such as an S-Video for video and Optical Out for audio.
• Warranty. How long is the manufacturer’s warranty valid? What types of repairs does it cover?

If you’re planning to purchase a portable DVD player as a gift, it’s also a good idea to investigate the store’s return policy. You don’t want the recipient to feel like he or she is stuck with an item that’s inappropriate.

Buying Discount Portable DVD Players Online

Portable DVD players are sold at almost any electronics store, but online shopping makes it easier to compare prices and features at a glance. If you’re interested in purchasing a discount portable DVD player online, check out the following helpful links:

• Amazon has an impressive selection of portable DVD players priced to fit almost every budget. Shipping is free.
• Buy.com offers several portable DVD players in the $90-to-$120 range. Shipping is free.
• Overstock has portable DVD players in a variety of styles, including a model with a docking station for your video iPod.
• Refurb Depot sells a variety of refurbished merchandise, including portable DVD players. All items have been inspected by the manufacturer and come with the original product warranty.
• Shopping on eBay can be a great way to find DVD player bargains, but it’s best to only buy from sellers with an established track record.

If you’re looking for an easy way to compare prices on a specific DVD player model, visit Price Grabber. This Web site makes comparison shopping easier by letting you view prices from up to 30 different merchants and read customer reviews.

Additional Information

If you’re interested in learning more about purchasing discount portable DVD players, check out these great resources:

• PC World: About Portable DVD Players
• Portable DVD Player Buying Guide
• Portable DVD Player Reviews, Comparisons, and Prices