Samsung DVD-L1200 12 in. Portable DVD Player

Have you become so hooked into the technology world that you went out and purchased a portable DVD player? You just could not be away from the DVD's that you so love and enjoy that you have to have them with you all the time? Sure, these people exist and even sometimes have a friend or two, but come on.

I like the Samsung DVD-L1200 Portable DVD Player to the extent that it does provide a great picture and the sound is pretty wonderful as well. Both are every bit as good as what you would expect to find in a high end TV with surround sound. So yes, technologically this is a dream machine. You get the first 12 inch screen for viewing and three jacks for headphones so you can watch in areas where other's have no interest in what you are viewing. The Samsung is also just a little over an inch (1.1")in width so it is easily portable. What are some of the other features are provided? See below:

* MP3 playback ability
* Progressive scan ability
* Two built in speakers
* Remote control
* Freeze frame/ fast forward/ reverse
* Slow motion
* Surround sound
* One year warranty


The player is thoughtfully arranged and the buttons make sense. They are also big and the same can be said for the remote. This is an easy to use machine. It is also fairly versatile. You can change the screen angle in order to mount it against a wall or in a corner. A good feature.

All of this sounds great and it is. The picture and sound are truly as good as you will find on much more expensive TV's and DVD players. So, why would I never suggest buying one of these?

Well, there are a couple of reasons, actually. For one, the thing costs around $1200.00. I do not know about you, but in this day and age if I am going to spend $1200.00 on an electronic gadget, it better be one heck of a machine and one that is going to be used frequently. In other words, is it a good enough machine and is it going to be used enough to make it worthwhile? For me the answer is no.

Here is the scenario I have: I come home with a DVD and want to watch it. Where will I turn? My computer? Not likely, but it is an option. This machine? Not likely since it has just a 12 inch screen. My DVD player and TV? Uh, always. There really is just no comparision.

Ok, so what happens if I want to take it with me and watch during the day. For me that means that Monday through Friday I may be able to watch while on the train coming from or going to work. Um, ok not a bad idea, but do I really want everyone within view looking over my shoulder and breathing on the back of my neck? What if I cannot get a seat? Regardless, that is the only time during the week where I would take this with me. On the weekends, who knows, but I cannot think of any reason why I would take it with me unless we were going somewhere for the weekend or on a long car trip. Oops, I would probably be driving, so that option is out.

In other words, I just do not know when I would use the portable DVD player. Which brings me to another reason why you should avoid this one; there are cheaper models available. We have determined that I am not going to use it more than infrequently, so what about kids? Sure, they would use it all the time. But, do you really want your kids viewing a $1200.00 DVD player? Do you really want them viewing one when there are options that cost 80% less than this one. I can answer for myself and can assure you that any kids that I ever have will not be watching the most expensive DVD player on the market.

Another thing that concerns me with this machine is what happens when it gets dropped? Though the machine is fairly solidly constructed, I doubt it would stand up very well when dropped. Now I must say that I doubt that any other DVD player would stand up all that well either, but the difference is that most others do not run in the $1200 range.

Finally, I would wonder why, if I was going to spend this kind of money, why I would not just go ahead and buy a laptop. Sure, a laptop costs more, but you also get a heck of a lot more for the money. You can still view your DVD while having all of the computing options that you do not have with this machine.

I continue to bash the L1200, but there has to be some instance when it would be needed and/or useful, right? Well, yes. Keep in mind that a 12 inch screen is not very big, but I would suggest that this is not necessarily a bad option when on a boat or in an RV. Both mean that you might not get good TV reception- if at all- and might have extended periods to view and will also be in a small area. I spent the better part of a weekend viewing DVD's on the machine while spending a weekend in the Poconos. We all gathered around the kitchen table (Reminded me of the pictures you see from decades ago as families crowded around the radio and then the TV.) and watched a couple of movies. Hey, we were stranded by ice and had little else to do. In this instance, I was glad we had the player.

The Samsung DVD-L1200 Portable DVD Player is a wonderful machine that provides a great view and crisp sound. The machine is a joy to use and would be highly recommended if I could find a use for it. Unfortunately, I look at this machine as similar to buying a 12 inch TV when you already have four other much more desirable options that will reside in the same area. In other words, why would you make the purchase? The technology is great, but this is something that I would, without a doubt, pass on purchasing.