Keeping The Kids Entertained on Long Road Trips
As a parent, one of the most challenging parts of traveling with young children is keeping them occupied and content during long car rides. The promise of their favorite snacks and singing 99 bottles of juice on the wall will only entertain them for so long before the dreaded "Are we there yet?" starts. While planning activities and games can help, nothing beats letting kids zone out to a movie or TV show so you can focus on driving.
Portable DVD Players To The Rescue
This is where portable DVD players come in handy! Pop in a new release or classic kids movie and you'll get hours of peaceful driving time. Portable players are designed for life on the road with features like:
- Dual screens so siblings can watch different shows
- Car power adapters so you don't drain the battery
- Headphone jacks for private listening
- USB and SD card slots for downloaded media
Other Benefits
Beyond keeping kids entertained, portable DVD players offer other advantages for families including:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Affordability | Cheaper than built-in car DVD systems |
| Portability | Use at home or on planes, trains, etc. |
| Durability | Withstand bumps and drops better than tablets/laptops |
| Simplicity | Easy interface for kids compared to mobile devices |
Choosing the Right Player
The key is finding the right DVD player for your needs and budget. Here are some factors to consider:
- Screen size - 7-10 inches ideal for portability
- Battery life - 5+ hours for longer trips
- File format support - CDs, DVDs, MP3s, JPEG, DivX, MPEG
- Outputs - Headphone jacks, AV out, coaxial digital audio out
- Durability - Shock and drop resistant
- Extras - Car charger, multiple screens, gaming remote
Popular Brands
Top makers like Sony, Philips, LG, DBPower, ieGeek and Sylvania all offer great portable DVD players. Do some research to compare features and prices.
Take the stress out of family road trips with a portable DVD player. The kids will love it and you'll stay sane during the long drive!
Key Features of Portable DVD Players
When shopping for a portable DVD player, there are several features that are important to consider based on your needs and how you plan to use the device.
Display Size and Type
- Screen size - 7 to 10 inches is ideal for travel. Larger screens can increase cost and reduce portability.
- Display type - LCD screens are standard. LED backlighting provides better viewing angles.
- Resolution - Minimum of 480 x 234 pixels for clear image quality.
- Bright screens - At least 200-400 nits brightness.
- Swivel screens - Allow adjustable viewing angles.
Connectivity and Outputs
- Headphone jacks - Usually 1-2 jacks for private listening.
- AV output - Allows connecting to TVs.
- Coaxial digital audio - For high quality sound.
- USB port - Enables media playback from flash drives.
- SD card slot - For memory card video playback.
- HDMI - For HD video but less common due to cost.
Battery and Power
- Battery life - 5+ hours minimum for long trips.
- Car charger - Allows charging from car outlet.
- AC power cord - For charging at home.
- Rechargeable battery - Lithium-ion batteries are best.
- Replaceable battery - Lets you swap in a spare.
File Format Compatibility
- CDs/DVDs - Ensure DVD/CD player compatibility.
- DivX/MPEG4 - For compressed digital video files.
- MP3/WMA - Essential for music playback.
- JPEG/BMP - Allow viewing photos.
Prioritize the features that align with your planned usage. Portable players with the right mix of display quality, connectivity, power, and file support will be the most versatile for travel and entertainment.
Disc Compatibility
When choosing a portable DVD player, one of the key factors is making sure it supports the disc formats you plan to use. Here are the main types of compatible discs to look for.
DVDs
The most common discs are standard DVDs. Ensure the DVD player is compatible with:
- DVD-Video - The standard DVD format for movies.
- DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW - Rewritable DVD formats.
- Dual layer DVDs - Double sided with more storage.
- Region coding - Can play DVDs from different regions.
CDs
For music and data CD playback, the player should support:
- CD-R, CD-RW - Rewritable CD formats.
- MP3 CDs - Store MP3 music files.
- JPEG CDs - View JPEG picture files.
- CD-DA - Standard audio CD format.
Blu-ray Discs
For the best high definition video, look for Blu-ray compatibility:
- Blu-ray - For 1080p HD movies.
- Blu-ray 3D - For 3D movie playback.
However, Blu-ray support is less common on portable players and will increase the price.
Other Media
Many portable DVD players also support:
- USB flash drives - For videos, music and photos.
- SD cards - Play media directly from SD memory cards.
Key Factors
- Video formats - Ensure DVD video, MPEG4, DivX, XviD, and MPEG1/2 support.
- Audio formats - MP3 and WMA support for music CDs.
- Discs font both regions - If you have DVDs from different regions.
- Burning software - For creating compatible DVDs and CDs.
Choosing a portable player that works with your existing disc collection and allows you to play new movies and music on the go is key to getting the most entertainment value from your purchase.
Top products in 📺 Portable DVD Players
4 Review
Connectivity and Output Options
Portable DVD players offer a range of useful connectivity ports and outputs to allow you to connect to other devices like TVs, speakers, and more. Here are some of the key options to look for.
Audio and Headphone Connectivity
- Headphone jack - Usually one or two 3.5mm jacks are included for private listening with headphones.
- Built-in speakers - Small stereo speakers provide basic sound but headphones are better.
- Digital audio out - Coaxial or optical digital outputs allow connecting to external speakers or AV receivers for better sound quality.
Video Connectivity
- AV out - Composite RCA video and audio output makes it easy to connect a DVD player to any TV.
- HDMI out - Allows digital HD video and audio through one cable. Less common on portable players.
- TV tuners - Some models include built-in TV tuners to watch broadcast television.
Wired Connectivity
- USB 2.0 port - Enables playback of videos, music and photos from a USB flash drive.
- SD card slot - Allows directly inserting an SD card to access your media files.
- Subwoofer pre-out - For adding a standalone subwoofer.
Wireless Connectivity
- Bluetooth - Streams audio to wireless Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
- WiFi - For smart DVD players that connect to the internet for streaming services.
Power Options
- DC car power adapter - Allows charging and powering from your car's cigarette outlet.
- AC power cord - For charging and powering from a wall outlet at home.
- Rechargeable battery - A lithium-ion battery enables use away from power outlets.
Choosing a portable DVD player with the right mix of connectivity options will allow you to easily use it at home or on the go and get the most functionality from the player.
Durability and Portability
Portable DVD players are designed for travel and mobile use, so durability and portability features are important when selecting a player.
Durability Features
Look for these durability factors:
- Drop resistance - Can withstand occasional drops and bumps during travel.
- Shockproof - Shock absorbing chassis and internal components.
- Water resistance - Protection against light splashing or spills.
- Dust proof - Sealed components keep out dust.
- Scratch-resistant - LCD screens resistant to light scratches.
Rugged Design Elements
Durable construction like:
- Rubber trim - Cushions drops and absorbs shock.
- Reinforced corners - Metal or rubber bumpers on the corners.
- Sturdy chassis - Made from tough polycarbonate plastic.
- Screen clasp - Holds the screen closed during transport.
Portable Features
Handy characteristics for portability:
- Compact size - Fits easily in bags and car seat back pockets.
- Lightweight - Typically 2-3 lbs for easy carrying.
- Integrated handle - Makes carrying easy.
- Multiple color options - Fun colors for kids.
- Remote control - Operate from a distance.
- Vehicle mounting straps - Securely mount in cars.
- Extra accessories - Carrying cases and shoulder straps.
Real World Example
The DBPOWER MK101 portable DVD player has great durability and portability:
- Withstands drops up to 70 cm due to shockproof rubber trim.
- Dustproof and splash-proof for all conditions.
- 2.5 lbs weight and 9.5" screen fits anywhere.
- Comes with car headrest mount and wall mount.
- Includes a carrying case and shoulder strap.
Choosing a portable player built tough enough for travel will ensure it lasts for years of family entertainment on the go.
Entertainment On The Go
One of the biggest benefits of portable DVD players is the ability to enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and more while on the move. Here are some of the great entertainment options these players offer.
In the Car
- Keep kids occupied on road trips and vacations.
- Mounting straps allow securing to car seat backs.
- DC car charger lets you power the player from the car.
- Works for business travel like rides to the airport.
On Airplanes
- Lightweight and compact to fit airplane tray tables.
- Watch movies and shows during long flights.
- Plug in headphones so seatmates aren't disturbed.
- Battery allows use when in-flight power isn't available.
In Hotel Rooms
- Entertain the kids in the room before bedtime.
- Relax and watch movies after a long day of travel.
- Hook up to the TV to watch on a bigger screen.
At the Park or Beach
- Outdoor viewing with family at picnics and BBQs.
- Play movies to occupy kids at the playground.
- Listen to music playlists while sunbathing.
Around the House
- Move it room to room for entertainment anywhere.
- View different content than what's on the family TV.
- Listen to audio books or podcasts while doing chores.
With so many options for fun on the go, portable DVD players are a versatile choice for convenience and entertainment every family can appreciate.
Enjoy Your Favorite Movies And TV Shows On The Go With A Portable DVD Player
A portable DVD player is a great way to enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows on the go. With a built-in screen and the ability to run on battery power, you can watch your movie collection anywhere you go. Portable DVD players are particularly useful because many newer laptops don't have disc drives. They were originally designed for use on planes, but modern ones can be hung on the back of a car's headrest. You can also connect them to your TV with a cable and enjoy your collection at home. Best Buy and Kohl's offer a variety of portable DVD players to choose from. Some popular models include the Trexonic 12.5 Inch Portable DVD player and the apeman 7'' Portable DVD Player PV770. Portable DVD players can also play files from USB flash drives and SD cards, and many can display more than just video DVDs. Prices of portable DVD players vary, usually retailing for about US$40–300.
What Are The Features To Consider When Buying A Portable DVD Player?
When buying a portable DVD player, there are several features to consider. Here are some of the most important ones:
