Initial IDM-1731 Portable DVD Player with 7-Inch LCD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this product only 1 week ago, with some hesitation based upon reviews. However, all reviews of this type of produce were luke-warm at best, no matter what the price of the product. It seemed that approximately 30% of people who purchased any portable DVD had some problem, requiring return/replacement. Also, most factory warranties are similarly anemic. I normally purchase online for the discount, but chose to purchase this product locally (same as online price), so that I could have more personilzed service if necessary. Also, I normally do not purchase the extended warranty through the store, but for this product, I did because of the potential for problems (and the poor manufacturer warranty of 1yr parts / 3 mos labor). The first thing that I noticed is that everything I needed was in the box - including DC adapter, video cables (unlike some more expensive models - and these things are expensive to buy separately). The unit had a good feel to it, and the screen hinge felt solid, not flimsy like some. My biggest complaint so far, is that the screen does not fold all the way flat (almost), which is pretty important if you will be hanging it off the back of a seat in the mini-van. The battery is a bit awckward, being a rather bulky separate piece that attaches to the back of the unit (limiting screen opening angle), with a wire plugging into the same port as the AC adapter, but you get used to it. With the battery pack attached, the screen only opens up a bit beyond 90 degrees. The picture is sharp, and the colors very good, with an excellent wide viewing angle - even in the sun. In the store, the difference between the model several hundred dollars more expensive was negligible (and the sound better). Unlike other reviews, I found sound quality to be good (for portable), and was clearly able to hear it in the car over the background noise (if you are looking for theater sound without headphones, don't buy portable). With headphones, the sound is outstanding. The battery has lasted longer than the advertised 2.5 hours even after mutliple charges, and I have been able to watch 2 movies before recharge. It attaches very easily to my home TV, and works nicely in that capacity. (unfortunately, my 2 year old thinks that it is now his - "MINE!" - ugh ) I have been using the unit constantly since it's purchase to find any problems while still in the 30-day return period. Overall, I am pleasantly surprised, but did not give 5 stars due to inability of screen to fold flat, and unit's features which are only available with using included remote (both which are acceptable IMHO). Most problems I have seen in reviews have occurred immediately, a few more approximately 6 months out - hence the extended warranty purchase. I have recorded a few MPEGs from the internet onto VCD, and it has played them without any trouble whatsoever. Good luck.
UPDATE: 11/27/2003
Still using the player nearly daily. Working great! Very pleased with investment.

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Watch movies, listen to MP3 CDs, or review camcorder footage--all from one portable device. Initial Technology's IDM-1731 puts a world of entertainment at your fingertips. The built-in seven-inch widescreen TFT (thin-film-transistor) LCD displays favorite movies in their native aspect ratios, and the player's onboard antiskip protection--a surprisingly rare feature in portable DVD players--paves the way for media enjoyment during more active uses. What's in the Box DVD player, full-function remote control, AC adapter, high-capacity rechargeable lithium battery, composite-video interconnect, analog audio interconect, and a user's manual. Spare batteries are available by contacting Initial's customer service; headphones are not included.

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