As a United flyer, I've realized that I've hit a sad point when I limit myself to one article in Hemispheres per roundtrip, ration out my magazines to make that I'll be supplied throughout the month, and try not to watch the inflight programming at the beginning of the month.

So I think it's time for a portable DVD player. Combined with NetFlix, I'll never be bored on a flight again! I was really impressed with Samsungs DVD-L1200 model with the 12" screen. It's expensive though.

But do you guys have any favorites? I think the Samsung I was looking at comes with a 2 hour battery (the majority of my trips are under 2 hours). But I think I can buy a 6-8 hour battery for $150 or so for longer trips that I'll be taking later next year.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Do you have a laptop? If so could you add in a DVD drive to that, certainly less to carry...

Sorry but not too up on DVD players. Frysoutpost.com always seems to have some very cheap ones, and to be honest if you are looking at something on a tiny screen I suppose it becomes a balance of clarity over price.

The screens on most airlines have pretty awful quality but it doesnt seem to detract from the enjoyment of the film.

I would go cheap, I assume this thing is going to get some battering with all the travel, so if it breaks, $150 is easier to swallow than $400. They are not that robust.

Prices drops and technology gets better and better. My advice is find the Chinese no name with the best/biggest screen you can find and make sure that its all region. That is the one you should buy.

Beg to disagree. I suggest you stick with the well-known Japanese brands. I have a Panasonic DVD LV-75 model that I bought in October 2000 (for almost $1000!) and it's still working fine inspite of all the schlepping around both in airplanes and hotel rooms. Of course, the battery can hardly hold a charge now and it's not worth buying a replacement battery for ~$180.

These days, I use my PowerBook for inflight DVD viewing. Makes for a bigger screen and one less travel gadget to carry.

I've considered a laptop but I wouldn't do anything but watch movies on them anyway. I can surf the web and check email through computers in hotels and I really don't want that added weight and bulk.

I got the following one for my wife, Mintek MDP-1810 8" and it works pretty well especially since I got it for about $200. I was worried about the brand as it is really a lower end brand but it plays really well and isnt too big. I think if you get anything any bigger you might as well carry a laptop. We have Bose QC2 headsets so the crappy headphones they send with it isnt a problem (they send two which are the same as the type you get on a plane) and it does come with a headset jack that allows two people to share the audio. My wife doesnt like to carry her laptop when we travel and my batter life is not usually not good enough for a whole movie so if the plane doesnt have power it is a problem and this thing plays a whole move without the batter running completely down. In short, we like it but since it is a low end model and we have only had it for a few months there is time for the thing to blow up on us but so far so good.

Hello, I am bumping up this thread - I am looking for a cheap portable DVD player ($150-$250) for the kids for some upcoming flights. I am hoping for 8"+ screen. Any advice???

the difference between 7 and 8 inches on the screen are negligible. There are lots of 7" available now for less than 150 bucks. I have an Audiovox that we have been quite happy with for three years. I did just see one somewhere in that range that has a rotatable screen. ^ If I see it again, I will edit my post.

I was looking this weekend and several electronics stores had a Poloroid 7" with rotating screen for $139 after a $20 rebate. There was also a no-name brand for $129 with free carrying case after rebate. This is about the price point I've seen recently.

another bump to this ?...
i am looking for a good multi-region portable dvd player. saw some on e-bay for $179, but dont know enough about them to know if it'll break down on me in 2 months or something...
any ideas?
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One problem with laptops is that if you sit in back and don't have an exit row, they're often pretty cumbersome - so if you do get one primarily for movies, etc, while flying, you might want to avoid the temptation for a bigger screen. A 14.1" nonwide is already pushing the limits of useability in coach: on AA, with MRTC, even a little bit of a recline by the person in front of me keeps it from being useable for typing or games (I can usually get an angle where the screen is viewable for movies at least.)

On some of the shorter seats (non-MRTC, JAL) it's pretty difficult to get even an angle just to watch the movie.

I'd imagine, based on the dimensions that a 15.4" widescreen would probably be manageable (it's height is about the same as the 14.1") but a non-wide 15" or a 17" wide is probably right out.

If you can stand it, a 12.1/13.3 widescreen is likely a lot more useable in cramped conditions. I'd also be curious how a tablet-PC form factor machine would do under those conditions.

Tonight (5/6) I saw a Mintek Mpd 1770 (7" ) Portable DVD player for $49.95 before a 20.00 mail in rebate at my local Costco. cant vouch for Minteks quality but have to say for 30.00 I'm not sure you can go wrong.
Of course like many products what is on sale at my Costco may not be anywhere else, but I have to say there were quite a few of them in my store (30-50)

It might be worth a few minutes to check out your local store