Does anybody have any info/reviews/opinions on this portable player? It's apparently discontinued (not on the Mintek web site), and the Best Buy webs site shows it not available, but my local BB still has one for $399 before the $50 mail-in rebate. Thanks for any input.

Well, you could try it, but I wouldn't put my expectations very high. Maybe you could find a Best Buy with a display model so you could take a look at the picture quality yourself. The unit I saw on display wasn't working anymore. Not sure why. Considering Mintek makes low end DVD players, I doubt it's very impressive. Here's a picture from an Ebay auction:

http://image1.villagephotos.com/pubimage.asp?id_=407990

Now, it may just be a bad image, I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure that you could return the player if you're not satisfied or it stops working on you. I'd still try to find a display before taking the plunge, though.

I wonder why is was discontinued? Too many returns?

Gee, thanks, Li, that was most...unhelpful. Looked around a little bit more and found this forum:

http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/viewto...5960cdbaa66c7f

Does look like some people have had problems with this cheapo player. It is, however, very inexpensive. Did I mention it doesn't cost much? Might be good enough for its intended purpose: keep my 3-year-old occupied, and therefore not squawking, on an upcoming 12-hour car trip....

P.S. -- The same site has a page with various threads that include other discussions of this same player:

http://www.nerd-out.com/forum/viewfo...p?forum=23&648

Well excuse me for trying. There's not exactly a plentiful amount of information about this player. Why even ask for opinions if you're going to have an attitude? I was just trying to warn you about buying it; EVEN though it's cheap it's not necessary worth buying! How am I supposed to know what it's intended purpose is? Jezzz...

If you want a cheap player that's inexpensive, less likely to crap out on you, and have a decent picture, I'd suggest looking into the Audiovox DV1680. It can be found new for around $420 online.

http://search.shopping.yahoo.com/sea....99&X=2&clink=

I have had the Mintek DVD-1710 since 6/11 and I am very pleased with it. It has played every DVD I have placed in it. I purchased this player because of the price($330 after rebate and taxes) and I can say that I have gotten my money's worth so far.
Time will tell how well the build quality of this inexpensive player is.

The screen is much brighter and sharper than my Toshiba laptop(PIII 500) which I used to use as a portable player. I typically have to turn the brightness level down The battery lasts 2.5 hours as advertised. The player with the battery attached is a bit bulkly but still much smaller and lighter than a laptop.

I have used this player in my car's entertainment system without any problems. Again it takes up less space than the laptop. The player handles bumpy roads without any problems.

I have also successfully tested the video input feature of the player with a Gamecube.

The only problem that I have encountered with the player is with an audio out of synch problem when directly accessing chapters. The audio can be easily brought back in synch by pausing and restarting the player with the stop button.

My advice is to buy the player and try it out. If you don't like it or if it has a defect you can easily return to BestBuy.

OK, sorry I did not jump on this thread this morning.

Dah-Dee, while not breaking any rules, it is odd that you ask for input then respond like you did.

In the future lets be a little more careful. Lets keep this thread going on topic so you and others can learn from the great posters we have.

Thanks,
Brett

Like you said, mod, didn't break any rules, not trying to, just picking on Li for picking on the poor little Mintek without offering any real info on it. And that same picking-on-Li post did provide more info, just in case others are interested in the same player. Li's second post was better, too, actually provided a low-cost alternative. No, DDunnaway, I don't have my mind made up yet. Looks like the heat is making EVERYBODY a little touchy, don't you think? Nothing to see here, folks, let's keep moving. Thanks for the informative post, Nshing.

Hey dude, instead of bashing people who give THEIR OPINION, which you asked for, maybe you should grow up and stop trying to justify your attacks.

Dah-Dee,

How exactly was I picking on it? All I said was that it's made by a company who makes low-end DVD players. I suggested that you find a display unit and try out at the store before you buy it. I also offered an image of the Mintek, who's picture quality, in my opinion, did not all that great looking. I then said, if you'd like, you could buy it, try it out, and if you don't like it, return it with no real consequences.

Like I said, there’s hardly any information on this player online. I was just trying to help. Don’t be so unappreciative.