Travel Gadgets #2 - Cinema on the Run

February 24 2009 by Mark Deyer

cinemaontherun.jpgTechnology has influenced the way that many of us travel. Cell phones make sure we're always accessible, GPS has turned paper maps into museum exhibits, and mp3 players give us refuge from noisy airplanes. One travel innovation I could not live without is the portable DVD player. The PDP is the perfect travel accessory for the traveler looking to zone out in a busy airport, relax in the back of a bus, or quiet a carload of loud children. I purchased my first PDP in 2002. Since my first, I've owned 3 others- and not because they've become lost or broken, but because like other gadget geeks, I'm always wanting the latest and greatest. If I had the knowledge and understanding that I have now when I bought my first player, I would have saved a lot of time and money.

Helpful tips when selecting a PDP that is right for you:

Does size matter? Size is a key element when deciding on a PDP. If you're like me and you do most of your travel in the air, it will be important to buy a smaller, lightweight player. Players can range anywhere from 2lbs to 4lbs. Lightweight players are great, but the added convenience will cost more. For the occasional traveler who will be using their player around the house or in the hotel room, size may be not as much of a factor. Larger, bulkier players are usually lower in cost.

Pick the right accessories. Accessories are an important part to choosing the right player. Any player that you select should include a car adapter and the appropriate A/V inputs to connect your player to a television. Some players include carrying cases to protect the player, remote controls, and travel sleeves for hanging the player on the back of a car seat. Picking a player with the right accessories for you will save you the hassle of costly last minute trips to the electronics store before your next vacation.

Added features. I often have a travel companion with me, so it is important to me that my player has two headphone jacks. Many players will play MP3's, read audio CD's and display CD's with jpeg images. Ask yourself if these added features are necessary to you and if you're willing to pay a premium for them.

Battery life. It used to be that 3 to 4 hours was the standard for PDP battery life. Now, battery life ranges anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. If you will use your player mostly in the car, battery life may not be as important to you since you can plug into the car adapter. If you travel primarily by airplane or don't have time to charge your player, picking a player with extended battery life will be helpful. There is nothing worse than losing power halfway through a movie.

Don't break the bank. It is tempting to feel lured into spending $500-600 on a player. While those players offer lots of great features like 10" screens, surround sound connection capabilities, and iPod docking, the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of great players priced in the $100-200 range. Sony, Phillips, and Panasonic offer great players that won't break your budget. The technology is changing so often that buying an affordable player will save you money in the long run since you will be able to upgrade in the future.

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