For some months I updated this site with news items. Here is an archive of these:
 

How Pathetic - Portable DVD at the IHOP
Akron Beacon Journal columnist George Thomas rants:

There's no particular angle to this rant. Actually, there is or else I wouldn't be writing it.

As I prepared for vacation today...I had a couple errands to take care of today. As I tooled around the Cleveland Heights area today my son Matthew talked me into hitting an area IHOP.

...I noticed Matt peering over my shoulder and suddenly he said: "Dad, can I sit next to you so I can be closer to you?" Touching? Sure. But completely out of character, especially now that the hormone monster is beginning to take over. Sure enough, there was the reason he wanted to be closer to dear ol' dad - another child of about his age was plopped in the restaurant with DVD player in front of him watching the latest Harry Potter movie.

Keep in mind, we own a couple of those wondrous little machines that we travel on airplanes with and keep in our minivan for Matt and his brother, so I am not about to wage a one-man war against the proliferation of portable DVD players. However, the first thought to come to me - how pathetic. Here was a kid, sitting at a table with 15 family members and he has to use a piece of electronic equipment for company. Checking myself, I then realized that his parents were just as much at fault.

As much as I love film and television, it doesn't permeate every facet of my life or my family's. I think it's ludicrous that those parents are all too willing to allow Harry Potter to sit at the breakfast table with them - even if it's in an IHOP.
June 12th, 2006

What Took So Long?
The Hartford Courant likes the Philips PET320 portable DVD player:

What took so long? The PET320 would have been a killer a few years ago, a $130 DVD player with a 3.5-inch LCD screen packaged in what looks like a portable CD player, circa 1995. Even now, it's a budget alternative to the iPod, with a bigger screen (the iPod's is 2.5 inches), built-in speakers and an instantly accessible, no-extra-charge catalog of movies - your DVD collection.

It just doesn't have the same cool quotient as the iPod. It is, however, a palm-size player - if your palms are big enough to hold a circular player not quite 6 inches wide and high. At only an inch thick, though, the PET320 (www.usa.philips.com) is actually thinner than the video iPod. It would be even thinner if it didn't require a detachable lithium battery pack and fold-out stand that snaps into a slot on the back side. Still, the entire setup weighs less than a pound.
June 5th, 2006

The Worst Tech Products of All Time
PC World lists "the 25 worst tech products of all time." It's a great report that will bring howls of laughter (and recognition) from most long-time computer users.

Number 21 on the list is the Eyetop Wearable DVD Player:

Some things just aren't meant to be done while walking or driving, and one of them is watching DVDs. Unfortunately, that message was lost on Eyetop.net, makers of the Eyetop Wearable DVD Player.

This system consisted of a standard portable DVD player attached to a pair of heavy-duty shades that had a tiny 320-by-240-pixel LCD embedded in the right eyepiece. You were supposed to carry the DVD player and battery pack in an over-the shoulder sling, put on the eyeglasses, and then... squint. Or maybe wear a patch on your left eye as you walked and watched at the same time.

Up close, the LCD was supposed to simulate a 14-inch screen. Unfortunately, the only thing the Eyetop stimulated was motion sickness.
May 29th, 2006

An Obscenely Large Screen
Britain's T3 gadget magazine raves about the Toshiba SD-P2800 portable DVD player:

This portable DVD player has two things you won’t find on any video jukebox: an obscenely large screen and DVD-Audio playback!

The screen’s viewing angle is impressively wide, which comes in handy if a couple of mates want to watch a movie too. It’s also sufficiently high-resolution to capture plenty of detail, ensuring that a DVD of Donnie Darko doesn’t live up to its murky title.

…Then there’s the battery: it charges in an hour and gives you four-and-a-half hours of video playback. It’s touches like this that make this Tosh a fantastic portable DVD player. It’s not going to reinvigorate its market, but if you want movies on the go, and you’re not a fan of more compact PMPs, look no further.
May 11th, 2006

A Pretty Cool Device
High praise from Digital Lifestyle for the new TD850 portable DVD player from Directed Electronics:

Directed Electronics has recently released two tablet DVD players which feature superb performance as well as a decent battery life. One of the players dubbed TD850 is rich in features which range from a big screen to compatibility with numerous movie formats.

Since portability is a much talked about topic these days, the Directed Mobile Media 8.5” Tablet DVD System is just the thing for many movie enthusiasts. Just as the name suggests, this portable device features an 8 inch screen which is a high resolution widescreen TFT display capable of displaying images at very high quality and contrast ratio.

...Overall this is a pretty cool device which includes a lot of great features. The battery life is pretty decent and the playback formats are pretty numerous. 
May 9th, 2006

Time to Buy a Portable DVD Player
Newsday carries a feature on portable DVD players:

Essentially, only one good reason exists to buy a portable DVD player in 2006.

It's cheap.

...Another reason why this might be the time to acquire a DVD portable - other than the advent of beach weather - is the imminent arrival of the two new next-generation DVD formats, HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

It's unlikely either will filter down to the portable level soon: The advanced resolution and higher quality of the formats are designed to be shown off on big, wide-screen, high-definition monitors. A Blu-ray DVD won't look much different on a 7-inch screen than a conventional DVD.

But the manufacturers are looking toward the future, and it's likely that all prices on current DVD equipment may drop even further as the two new formats become established in coming months.
May 3rd, 2006

Ah, the Joys of Plane Travel in the United States
The Sydney Morning Herald finds it natural that Americans would embrace portable DVD players:

Ah, the joys of plane travel in the United States. First you queue for 25 minutes to get through security (and odds-on, being a foreigner, you've been tagged for special checking so please remove your shoes and belt).

Then, after finding that the locals have stuffed their suitcases, furnishings and kitchen sinks in the overhead lockers and there's no room for your perfectly legal carry-on, they slug you for a $5 headphone rental to watch the movie.

No wonder portable DVD players have become such big business in the US - you get to watch the movie you want and it doesn't cost a cent. What's more, you can pause it when you like.

The newspaper finds that they're gaining in popularity down-under, too, and it recommends the Grundig DVDP7004.
April 27th, 2006

Portable DVD Player News Flash
Engadget previews Axion's new AXN-6079 dual 7-inch screen portable DVD player.

Sony's new D-VE7000S and DVP-FX810 portable DVD players attract attention from Digital Lifestyle, MobileWhack and MobileMag.

The new BlueDot 12-inch widescreen portable DVD player is described by End Score as "of dubious value due to its size" and by Digital Lifestyle as "surprisingly impressive."
April 20th, 2006

Proof That Expensive is Better
The Toronto Star compares three portable DVD players at different price points. No surprise - the expensive one was best.

A quick summary:

- An "inoffensive looking device" from Curtis ($200) - "Not long after the player's serviceable yet uninspiring screen fired up, the DVD movie inside the player began skipping. Then, skipping a lot. Incessantly even."

- The RCA DRC616N ($250) - "A slick piece of moveable movie technology."

- The Philips PET1000 ($360) - "Bright, beautiful picture quality and pristine audio. Measure for measure, the Philips player offers the most impressive and immersive movie-watching experience of the three."
April 18th, 2006

Pretty Nice - But Is $609 Too Expensive?
Digital Lifestyle magazine is impressed with the new Toshiba SD-P30DT portable DVD player: 

Of course the most essential physical component of a portable DVD player is the screen. Here we have a very impressive 9” screen, with a resolution of 800 x 480. High quality picture guaranteed? Yeah, pretty much. Obviously the device will be able to play DVD movies, but Toshiba has also thrown in a Digital TV tuner! Now, if you run out of movies, you have a healthy selection of other flicks and programs to choose from. You can share your portable movie experience with a neighbor due to the 170 degree viewing angle offered with the SD-P30DT. In case you don’t have a DVD player at home (highly unlikely, I know), you can hook the SD-P30DT up to a TV through the included video outlets. Alright, so the device sounds pretty nice, but it’ll be the price may make you think twice. At $609, Toshiba is really taking a big risk. Guess we’ll have to see how it goes when the player it’s the streets in May.
April 12th, 2006

Portable DVD Player Sales Run Hot
Global sales of portable DVD players rose to 14 million units in 2005, up from 11.3 million in 2004, according to research firm In-Stat. 
April 7th, 2006

Two Screens Better Than One
The new Axion AXN-6079 portable dual-screen DVD player is attracting comment. Mobile Whack said:

What's better than a portable DVD player with one color screen? A portable DVD player with two screens, of course! Axion announced the two-screen baby, the Axion AXN-6079, in an enviable package. With each screen offering 7" goodness, you can enjoy some peaceful times driving with kids in the backseat.

Digital Lifestyle magazine commented:

It features many cool things like support of the DVD, CD, MP3 and Photo CD formats as well as the two 7” screens. The screens are TFT LCD screens with a high brightness and contrast ration, as well as an aspect ration of 16:9 making it a widescreen. To power the player, users either use the AC adapter or can use the cars power with the supplied car adaptor. The two screens allow for the movie being played to be displayed on the two screens at the same time. No more fighting over who gets to hold the player therefore being closer to the screen.
April 6th, 2006

Two New Sony Players
Sony has announced two new portable DVD players.

The D-VE7000S, Sony's first DVD Walkman player is a slick slim- design DVD player with 7-inch widescreen LCD and embedded battery. To enhance the viewing and listening experience, the DVD Walkman comes with a high-powered speaker cradle that also doubles as a charging dock and A/C adapter, providing versatility on the go or at home. The unit's dual headphone jacks, DVD navigation buttons, Walkman headphones, and a carrying case make it the perfect travel companion.

...The DVP-FX810 "portable cinema" model is ideal for family travelers with an 8-inch widescreen LCD screen encased in a hard acrylic shell. Once open, the screen can flip over the DVD player, perching atop for easier viewing individually or with family members or friends. The screen swivels 180 degrees so everyone can share in the experience.
March 17th, 2006

The Best Portable DVD Player Ever?
Britain's T3 gadget magazine reviews the Toshiba SD-P2800 portable DVD player - "a gadget nut's dream" - and wonders if it's "the best portable ever."

Firstly, there’s a 9-inch widescreen with a respectable resolution and an ultra-wide viewing angle, meaning that you don’t have to be looking dead-on to get a crisp, clear image. So what, we hear you cry. Well, it means that if you’ve got a buddy or two that wants to watch the movie too, they won’t have to shift and squint in order to work out what the chuff is going on.

Other features include a superb 4.5 hour battery life – enough to last you through that interminable Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet, no less (or a director’s cut of Lord of the Rings if you’re not quite as cultured as T3) – and a card reader compatible with digital photos.
March 10th, 2006

Just Don't Watch "Lord of the Rings"
Digital Lifestyle magazine has a few issues with Coby's  new TF-DVD7050 portable DVD player:

I can’t honestly recommend one of these things, knowing how little the battery will last. If only Coby offered somewhere in the upwards of 5 hours, this thing could be a hit. The screen is great, and the rest of the features make the whole unit complete. It’s a shame that great design doesn’t spread over the whole DVD player. If you’re still interested, and feel like giving this thing a shot, know that it won’t be much of a risk, since it doesn’t cost much. With an extra $130, and a desire to play movies on the go, why not give it a shot? Just don’t try watching "Lord of the Rings" on this thing; you won’t get through the first disc.
February 28th, 2006

Toshiba's New Wide-Screen Portable DVD Player
MobileMag takes a look at Toshiba's new wide-screen SD-P1700 portable DVD player:

The SD-P1700 is ostensibly a WideScreen DVD player. But its 7" screen is also capable of showing pictures stored onto an SD, MMC, xD, or Memory Stick.

It even has an analog TV tuner, giving access to a certain range of "traditional" viewing as well. Speaking of "traditional" things, the machine runs on batteries, which can last up to 4 hours and are rechargeable and lithium ion in variety.

The SD-P1700 will retail for US$179.99 and will be available beginning in April.

And Engadget comments:

We just saw that Nintendo is planning a TV tuner for the DS, but now we're seeing one of those tried and true analog TV tuners pop up in a slightly less unexpected place, a new portable DVD player from Toshiba. The SD-P1700 sports a 7-inch screen, can view pictures with its memory card reader, and that's about it. You'll also need an external antenna to any decent reception, but until we get some of that DVB-H service, this looks like the best we can do.
February 18th, 2006

Player with a Nice Surprise
Great review of the Mustek DTV407 portable DVD player from Digital Lifestyle magazine, under the headline, "A Portable DVD Player with a Nice Surprise":

Portable DVD players aren’t exactly the newest technology, but they still offer plenty to a consumer without any other form of portable entertainment. Mustek brings a bit of life back in to this stale category with its DTV407 portable DVD player. While by no means extraordinarily innovative, the product does manage to include some features that aren’t standard in a regular DVD player. In fact, if a consumer is still interested in this type of product, this would probably be the model to get.

First, the DTV407 offers the basic media support that is offered by the average portable DVD player. It can play DVD’s (duh!), CD’s, MP3’s, and even JPEG photos. While this may sound appealing to a rare individual, it just doesn’t cut it for me. Luckily, the player offers Terrestrial Digital TV support! This awesome feature allows the user to watch TV channels on the road! Up to 1000 channels can be stored, so the user has plenty of options.
February 14th, 2006

Samsung "Expands Its Leadership"
The Mobile Whack website is highly impressed with Samsung's new DVD-L760 portable DVD player. It writes:

Samsung's tremendous long list of incredible new products for the year 2006, gets a boost with another product. This time though, its in the form of DVD-L760 Portable DVD Player. Samsung, a global innovator in DVD arena, expands its leadership with DVD-L760 portable DVD player. The DVD-L760 offer improvedbattery life and re-confirm Samsung’s commitment to offering consumers affordable “on the go” DVD players thatprovide the ideal combination of high-end technology, stylish design and lightweight portability.
February 11th, 2006

Home Entertainment on the Run
Panasonic in Japan has announced a new line of portable 9-inch DVD players, the Panasonic DVD-LX97 (pictured) and DVD-LS91, with built-in tuner for receiving digital terrestrial TV

The players support a wide array of media, like DVD Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW1, DVD-R1, +R1, +RW1, and CD-R/-RW2. Both versions also recognize major media file formats such as MP3, JPG, and MPEG-4. Other common features include consolidated stereo speakers and an FM transmitter.

The LX97 edges the LS91 on two features. The former has an SD memory slot. Its integrated TV tuner also sets it apart not only from the LS91, but also from the rest of the portable DVD players in the market since it is the first one to include such a feature in the unit.

Battery life for the LS91 is at 6 hours, while the LX97 could go on playing for up to 10 hours.

The units will be first introduced in Japan on March 15 and will cost US $759 for the LX97 and US $464 for the LS91.
February 8th, 2006

Talking Bird Books
The latest tool for the bird watcher - a portable DVD player.

...palm-sized talking bird books that not only allow viewing select species, but also provide the birds' sounds to aid in the identification. DVDs are used by both novice and veteran birders. The clear, up-close shots of the ever-moving avians such as warblers, coupled with clips displaying diagnostic field marks, usually eliminates the doubt as to a certain species identification.
February 4th, 2006

Keeping the Children Busy
The New York Times is impressed with the Coby TF-DVD560 portable DVD player:

For those long car trips punctuated by the children's fistfights and the interminable replaying of Hilary Duff's latest CD, the Coby TF-DVD560, a portable DVD/CD player, may offer some relief. It has 12 built-in classic Sega games, a remote control and a DC adapter for use both on the road and at home. And it includes a pair of earphones.

The 1.4-inch thick player plays CD's, DVD's and CD-ROM disks of MP3 music and has a 3.5-inch color screen. Once the movie is over, the youngsters can play classic games like Golden Axe and Ecco the Dolphin.

The TF-DVD560, available in March for $120, also connects to any TV with the included AV cable, allowing it to double as a DVD player, picture viewer and game machine on the big screen. With its remote control and plastic stand, the device also acts as a miniature viewing station.

The included games are not exactly cutting edge — they are from the days of the Sega Master System, a console sold mainly from 1986 to 1989 — but they will definitely charm game players of a certain age and keep the children busy.
February 3rd, 2006