Recently I talked about owning the Audiovox 7" portable. However, I was getting progressively more frustrated with the lack of picture quality. It wasn't bad for cartoons, which are oversaturated with color anyway, but when I watched Ben Stiller, I saw how bad it really was.

Exchanged it at Costco (and pocketed the $60 difference) for the Mintek MDP-1770. Let me tell you, this is a good player for $220 (with bag and accessories). Colors are very good. Only real complain is that you can see the scan lines and it's a little dark. But I've seen alot of DVD players lately, and I can say it's right up there with the best. For the record, it really appears like the Sony has probably the nicest display.

For $220, I think it's the best portable out there. Just an FYI.

when you say you can see the scan lines, are you bumping a non-anamorphic dvd up to the full screen size? If its anamorphic you shouldn't see those scan lines.

I made a darned lucky find a month or so ago and snagged myself a Polaroid 7" 0700 for $179, open-box from Best Buy...It was the perfect combination of having the box there and a sale going on at BB - $199 new, compared to the usual $249-299 it's been since then. Came with everything and works great...I don't think anything can compare to it at the price-point I found, considering I've heard complaints about the Minteks crapping out on people after a little while.

For other people that have Portable DVD players, you think the extended energizer battery is worth it? It's gonna be my main player pretty soon, as i'm leaving for AF Basic Training in three weeks, and then will only have the portable through tech school training which lasts all summer.

No, it's just a South Park DVD, so it's in full screen (but markedly worse when I extended it to WS).

KappaSig,

1) I looked hard at the Polaroid, but I feel like the colors are more vibrant on the Mintek. I also thought the Polaroid looked and felt less sturdy. Still, for the price, a great buy.

2) I heard about the crapping out problem, but I got it at Costco, which means I can return it no questions asked. I can also upgrade if they get something in more interesting.

3) I've heard bits and pieces about people developing some problems when using batteries that aren't stock. I'd recommend going through Polaroid and getting a second battery.

Josh, there's a $20 off coupon for this player (item #748008) good from today to 4/4. It was in the big wallet coupon book. Go back with your receipt tomorrow and a coupon and they should be able to give you the $20.

Glad you like the player. I have the Samsung L100, but it's in the shop right now for repair. I miss my portable player.

Thanks for the tip David. However, I may just hold on to the value at $219. If they get the 8" in, I may upgrade. There's also a problem with returning if they don't stock this model WHEN (not if) it goes on the fritz. I play this thing twice a day for 30 mins each when on the train during the week. What else am I going to do, read?

Not sure if this was clear but the coupon is a Costco coupon. Getting the $20 off shouldn't cause you a problem with returns or future upgrades.

I almost wish I didn't drive to work for that very reason though. But then I couldn't get to Costco and post all that deal info! It would be nice to have an hour a day where I knew I'd be able to watch DVDs.

On the other hand, I watched 3 DVDs this weekend, so I'm not exactly DVD deprived. Hopefully my portable player will be back soon too.

Dave,

I meant that I'd rather have the $20 in credit than have to pay it out of pocket later. I spoke to the electronics guy at one Costco and he said they will be getting the 8" model soon, and since these have been selling well, they may get some more "name" models in. So really, this is just a placeholder for the timebeing.

Although, $20 is nice.

Had to revive this thread because I also got a Mintek 1770. I gotta say, for the price they are going for, they can't be beat. They are $219.99 with a $20 rebate putting it at $199.99 from Costco. The picture quality is actually quite good (this coming from someone who had the Toshiba SD-P2500!!!) when compared to the other low priced models. I got anxious and returned it for the 8 inch model a few days later, and let me be the first to say, it was a mistake. The 8 inches screen is terrible (way to dark and not detailed) compared to the 7 inch, so it promptly went back for the 1770. As far as bargains for a portable DVD player goes, I think this wins in the bang for the buck category. It also comes with all the neccessary accessories you would normally have to buy separately. Plus, when you get it from Costco, if anything goes wrong with it, you can return it years down the road if need be. Just my 2 cents.

What happened to the SD-P2500?? That's the one that makes me drool..

Made me drool to, but the hefty price tag couldn't validate me keeping it. I just bought a laptop instead for not much more, and most recently the 1770 for straight movie watching.

Thanks for bringing me back

Anyway, I *totally* agree. I had been talking to the electronics guy for a few weeks about when they were going to get the 8" in. He called about three weeks ago and I came in before he set up the display model. Cool guy - he actually put me in a darkened room with both players and let me see the difference. I came out 10 minutes later - the 7" smoked it.

Mintek 1770 the best portable out there.

Have you tried playing DVD+/-R on the Mintek? I have an Initial 5" portable that does not seem to play burned media very well. It seems to pause or lock up occasionally yet does fine on store bought DVDs.

Both formats play on the Mintek. The Mintek is one of the few portable models that plays +R

Yes, the Mintek 1770 plays everyting I threw at it, plus, it's easily region hacked with a few presses of a button. I'll save you all the trouble. Here it goes:

1. Turn power on (the rest is done from the remote)
2. Press set-up
3. Select preferences menu
4. Press play
5. Input 251131
6. Press "Left" then "Down" button (should show region code)
7. Select region
8. Press set-up to confirm and exit
--Voila, you are done--Select region "0" to play everything.

And yes DVD Josh, for the money the 1770 cannot be beat. The picture quality alone is leaps above the competition in this price range.

Well, it's a bit pricier now, but I picked up a Panasonic LS5 for $270-$50MIR , or $220 net. *This* player can't be beat for the money. I've seen Minteks, Apex's, "Polaroid"s, etc. No contest.

Why the Panny? It has everything I want in a portable:

The screen is gorgeous. Once you start watching a movie, you simply watch the movie and don't even think about "screen quality." It's just *there*. It sucks you right in. (That's a good thing! $^) Even though it is a 5" screen, it looks better than most 7-8" screens. You can even keep it a bit closer if you want, picture looks smooth and crisp. And it has great sideways viewing angle. Works fine for 2-3 people watching. Put the Panny next to a Minte and there's no contest.

This unit is *portable*. It is the size and thickness of a square cd player, weighs just over a pound. Fits nicely in a cd-player case, along with dvd's (instead of cd's). For me, portability is important because the lighter it is, the more I'll take it along. Sound is great thru headphones too. Like any player/laptop, the built-in speakers are ok but not great.

The LS5 has a really slick design too. The fliptop screen has a pivot in the middle, so once it is raised, the bottom can be slid forward, to make it even more compact and adjust the vertical angle. You can even fold it back so it's almost flat (face-up) on top of the player base.

Battery life is great. What use is a portable if it dies in the middle of a trip? The stock battery gives about 3 hours. Turning the brightness down helps, and adjusting the screen a bit more vertical keeps the screen bright. Plus, I picked up a cheap 3rd-party extended battery for $50 that lasts well over 5 hours per charge (I haven't drained it yet but watched 3 full movies on one charge with no signs of quitting.) The batteries hook on behind the hinge, and they are easily carried along, not heavy at all.

In sum, the Panny LS5 is a superb combination of picture quality, portability, and battery life--the 3 most important things for me in a portable. If I ever want a much bigger screen, I can use my laptop--but the weight and battery life aren't worth the hassle for me.

I'd keep an eye out for deals on this model. Give it a look-see in stores. It's a treat for the eyes.

Does Costco still have this $20 coupon for the Mintek?

Yes. It's a rebate through the end of the month.

I bought the Mintek one at Costco today. Quick question though: what is their return policy? Do I need to purchase some sort of plan, like you do at best buy, so if something happens to my dvd player i can return it and get another one?

Zodo,
At Costco you can return anything (except computers, they are only 6 months) pretty much forever. We had a Sony phone for 3 years and it crapped out. Costco took it back and exchanged it for an upgraded one because they didn't sell that model anymore. Also, my in-laws friend had a tv for 6 years (yes 6) and it crapped out also. They returned it, with receipt, for a new one. Just save the receipt. There is no need for a service plan (I don't even think they sell them). Costco has the best return policy I have ever seen.

Now we are back to agreeing again AOD

Costco's return policy is unbelieable, as is their customer service. I lost the receipt for the Audiovox DVD Player I bought, and a CSR re-printed me one.

The only thing you can't return to Costco after a long period of time are computers, and even then you get 6 months. There is NO risk in buying from Costco.