Toshiba SD-P2700 8.9 in. Portable DVD Player

My wife is always saying that I buy too many toys. I disagree with her on this issue, because I feel that some electronic items are of absolute necessity. She is right that my toys cost a lot, and I wish that they were priced like the ones I had as a youth. However, usually you have to spend some money to enjoy something, and I like my Toshiba SD-P2700 Portable DVD player a lot. It is great for my trips around the East Coast, and my friends/co-workers like it as well.

It is a single disc portable player, and it can play the following formats: DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD, CD R/RW, MP3, and JPEG. The screen size is 8.9", and it can be swiveled up to 180 degrees and flipped for your viewing preference. It has progressive scan, a parental lock, Dolby Digital Sound capability on its bass reflex speakers, remote control, car adaptor(6 foot cord), and double headphone outlets. Total weight is 2.5 lbs, and it is around 10" in diamater when folded.

The most important factor in DVD entertainment is picture quality, and this machine delivers on that. All of the images are crisp and clear, and there are no blurring problems.(Very common with portable DVD players) The colors are vibrant, and the progressive scan helps in this as well as reducing annoying flickering. Cartoons and movies with a lot of special effects are absolutely amazing, and there have been times that I almost think I have a plasma screen on this. As soon as you turn it on, and put the disc in, you will be stunned by the visual presentations. It does not take any time to warm up-it is ready to roll and give off a spectacular performance.

This player is very easy to use, and the flipping/swiveling is a neat feature. All you have to do to adjust it, is to move it in the direction you desire. (I recommend being gentle, even though the materials are strong.) The buttons on the player are all of good size, and there are no little switches that will aggravate anyone with conditions like Arthritis. This is also a machine that you don't have to constantly fret about breaking as well, as Toshiba made this industrially strong compared to other players. I do not recommend dropping it, but I have done that twice. Each time I sweated profusely, but the player is still working without incident. The batteries work well, lasting 3 hours on a 3 hour charge.

As pleased as I am with the picture quality and durability, I am disappointed by the sound and remote control. The sound is weak, and even at full volume is hard to hear if in a noisy environment.(Such as work, while hiding from the boss.) It has a almost tinny sound to it, and needs some improvement to make its dolby claims a reality. It does sound great on the headphones for some reason, and its strange how this is the case compared to without. There is a double headphone jack, which is great for two users who want a movie in a noisy place.

The remote is pathetic, and an absolute pain. It is credit card sized, and the buttons are extremely small. They are also spaced in close proximity to each other, which makes it very easy to hit the wrong button.I try not to use the remote due to this, and the batteries die on it easily with very little use. With its small size, it is very easy to lose as well. Don't leave it on the couch or in your favorite recliner!

Toshiba offers a one year warranty for parts, and 90 days labor for this DVD player. I have used it extensively, and it has never had a problem. It even plays some of my DVD's that won't play on my home player, due to some scratching. This player has never damaged any of my DVD's or CD's that I have had, and its easy to load and unload them in the top of it. I like it a lot with its wrinkles involving the remote and sound, and think it is a fine product. My wife even agrees that its "neat", and this would be a great item for parents with restless children.(Especially with its overall durability) I bought it for $479.99, but it is now lower priced at major retailers.