Polaroid PDM-0723 7 in. Portable DVD Player

I bought this model after much internet reviewing of buyers' reviews on this site & the Circuit City buyer reviews section (reviews of this model & several other comparable 7" models, as well as the 10" models). This model consistently rated high, even compared to its' larger model 10". I got mine for a great price w/ 2 rebates at Circuit City. It came w/ everything needed - 1 rechargeable battery, car and AC adapters, as well as cords & the remote.

I have been enjoying the heck out of it. Both in watching it hooked to the TV, trying it solo & in finding accessories to make it better & more fun. While the 10 in. screen pic is obviously going to be better (it IS larger), the pic on this screen is pretty good. I was able to compare it to what was on the TV & it was just as clear & sharp, just smaller.

I wanted something to use for the few trips a year I make to visit family - 2 hr wait on each end is a pain & reading only goes so far. I like the swivel screen option - I think that will be valuable on the plane in cramped space.

However, after I got it, I realized it had more capability than just to use on a plane!

As with all electronic items you buy, READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL FIRST. This will eliminate things like charging the battery too long & ruining it, etc. It doesn't take long, so just read it. I noticed in a lot of reviews, most complaints were because they hadn't read the manual first!

You don't need to buy the cord Circuit City lists on their website as an acc'y for this model. The mainly needed cords are included.

Turns out the cords hook right into a newer model TV & you can play your DVDs w/out buying a new DVD player - w/out having to buy a docking station! My TV was so old I couldn't hook it right up, but bought a "Universal DVD Connection Kit" at WalMart & the DVD player hooks into one side & a cable runs into the cableline on the old TV. Even for an older 13" TV, I got a great pic! (this TV is not hooked into regular cable because I had just replaced it with a new model TV with DVD player in the kitchen).

Also, note that this is a COMPACT PORTABLE DVD player. It has limitations that most models seem to have, mainly not very loud speakers, battery time & warranty issues. So, until technology can come out with very small, lightweight speakers, get an extra battery, buy the extended replacement warranty AND work around things & quit complaining!

Headphones make the sound great! I just used a pair that I had bought for my boombox at work. However, I also tried using an extra set of computer speakers in the headphone jack & the sound was fine. For use at home, pick up an inexpensive set at your local computer store. For those of you who think you really want to hear the DVD you're playing for your kids in the backseat, you can now purchase a "Sound FX Portable DVD Stereo Sound Case for 5" & 7" DVD Players". It has built-in Amplified Speakers w/ Audio Connector Cable that connects into the headphone jack. It has 2 straps to mount on the headrest of the seatback of the car (or between the 2 seats). I got it at WalMart for ~$30 & recently saw at CompUSA. It takes a 9V battery. You may wish your kids had headphones, they are pretty loud. It is just like other carrying cases - it sits at an L-shape to hold the player on the seatback so the kids can see it. However, it, covers the front-positioned sensor eye & you can't use the remote when it's in this case, so you will have to push the buttons on top.

www.polaroid.com has the replacement battery available for this model - $60 plus S&H/tax, so you can have a spare for a long trip. Still a good deal if you're a frequent flyer & can't plug into the plane. You must buy the 0720 battery - boos to Polaroid for their crappy Cust. Svc. by phone & email about this issue - A universal rechargeable battery is more, $50-$80+ w/ charger for the battery to be charged separately (the Polaroid battery charges on the DVD).

CompUSA has an Adapter kit Portable DVD Universal Power Adapter (by Sakar Int'l) (I found it in the Portable DVD Player section at my local store & also on their website www.compusa.com) that will work in your car, boat or RV, AND will power your portable DVD player from airplanes equipped with in-seat power and are airline quality compliant for insured safety, instead of using your batteries - runs about $25 (other places are 2-3 times more).

I did, however, buy a larger case for long trips (not the one shown as good for a 7 in. player. I think I bought the 10 in. player size) & I had to bring a few home to find the right one - as I wanted one that would carry the player, both batteries, extra cords, the remote, headphones & a small 20-count DVD zippered holder, so the DVD's would be safer than I feel they are in the space provided in any of the cases. While for a larger model, it's still small enough to comfortably tote around.

While this model had a 1-year warranty -- Based on all Portable DVD buyer reviews (not just this model) I made the choice of buying Circuit City's 2-yr. warranty replacement plan for $25. If it goes out w/in the next 2 years & they can't fix it, you end up with a new one, comparable value. Since it appears from reviews they may not last 2 yrs & they seem to break down in the 2nd yr, seemed like a good deal to me.

I just bought the newer model 0742 & am returning it & buying another 0723 from the polaroid site. The 0742 has decent speakers, but does not seem to play ALL varieties of DVDs that I have, while the 0723 does so and remarkably well.