Help me pick a "Gadget" (portable dvd player questions...)

[somethingwitty]

Ok, I usually wouldnt do this, but I have very little time to come up with an answer to this one...basically, I need to pick a "gadget" to buy by tomorrow, and I will be going to bed soon tonight-so quick (reliable ) advice would be greatly appreciated. and before anyone asks, this money must be spent and ASAP-i won't bore you all with the details, but asking for the cash is NOT an option.

I have a price range of up to $500 dollars, though I'm sure I could go a little over if needed.

I'm looking to either get a portable DVD player, an mp3 player, or a discman that can read CD's containing mp3s.

-portable DVD player: what specs should I look at, and are there any decent ones for under $500 (at "known" stores)?

-mp3 player: Looking for lots of space-so I'm thinking of the creative jukebox with 6.4 gig. I'm wondering, though, how reliable the player is. anyone have one that can comment?

-Discman+MP3: umm, no clue here.

<edit> now leaning towards a portable dvd player-got some questions on the one I'm looking at-scroll down. thanks </edit>

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[Alienwho]

Portable MP3 player.

The new PBJ (Personal Jukebox) is about the size of a gameboy pocket and has 20 gigs. I have the 6 gig version and LOVE IT. The new version has backlight display and stuff (which my version doesn't ) Also it has one lithium ion rechargable battery that lasts for 11 hours. My bro has a nomad jukebox and he's always worrying about batteries and battery life and I just laugh

 

[chiwawa626]

no, not mp3 player...i wanted a gadget, and i got one and i got bored with it...its like a cd player...weee now thats soo fun...

 

[somethingwitty]

Thanks for the input...stupid question maybe, but I'm a little concerned about reliability-the jukebox has a hard drive in it, so what kind of &quot;abuse&quot; can it take? I'm not exactly going to throw it around the house, but have you dropped yours at all? any issues? Want to do me a favor-drop it, then tell me if it still works?

 

[Alienwho]

I've dropped by jukebox probably 10-15 times on carpet and the cement once It has a cool leather cover that helps padding and keeps the dust off so it can take pretty good abuse. Now if you were going to take off the leather cover and drop it on the cement...it would *probably* still work, but i'm not gonna take that risk.

 

[Alienwho]

Clicky clickyfor some info

<edit>check out the PJBox vs Nomad

 

[Shooters]

Out of those three I would probably go for the mp3 player because you can use it a lot......running, working out, yard work, or when you want to listen to loud music and not disturb others in your home.

I probably wouldn't go for a portable DVD player becuase watching a DVD on a screen that small would get irritating. Plus, the only time I could really think of that you would use it would be during long card rides or flights. Sitting at your house and watching a DVD on that thing would be lame.

How about a digital camera or a Sony Clie. I saw an add for it the other day and that thing looks sweet. I think it can play mp3s also.....just don't know how much storage it has.

 

[somethingwitty]

Ok, I'm pretty much down to either a portable dvd player or an mp3 jukebox. (I have a digital camera already-old and cheap when i got it, but still good).

DVD player:
pluses include portable, can hookup to a tv, can be used on those long, boring airline flights (we visit family cross-country 4-5 times per year). I have a dvd player in my computer, so this would be strickly for trips...actually, added bonus would be the ability to bring it to a friends room on campus so we can watch a DVD movie w/out going all out looking for a player.
my concern (aside from general lack of knowledge regarding portable dvd specs) is that I would apparently be purchasing a low-end model, since many of these go for close to $1000, and I'm looking to spend half that. what am I losing out on? anyone know if a panasonic portable dvd player for <$500 is too good to be true?

thanks again for all the help...

 

[Soybomb]

Look for a nice handheld like a hp journada or the compaq ipaq. Portable dvd player is stupid unless you're a frequent flier or rider.

 

[Rainguy]

I'd go for a Pocket Fisherman.

Time to go outside and get some fresh air dude.

 

[Alienwho]

I'm a music enthusiest, and I take music everywhere I go so the Mp3 was a great choice for me. When I see movies I prefer to watch them on the big screen or at a home entertainment center. I'd rather listen to music and close my eyes and relax instead of watching the movie on the airplane anyways.

Choose whatever would be more practical for you.

 

[somethingwitty]

<< Choose whatever would be more practical for you. >>



yeah, I kind of had a feeling it would come down to that. Thanks to all for the advice so far.

as of now, I'm strongly leaning towards a portable dvd player-between the family trips to CA, the drives to NY, train rides home from college, etc, that would seem to fit me best.

Just to shift the focus a bit-does anyone have any experience with costco? I can get the &quot;Panasonic 5&quot; Portable DVD Player DVD-LV55&quot; for $400 after rebate of $100 there...

Portable DVD player
Easy-to-use
5&quot; widescreen LCD screen
Built-in function LCD
Screen selector: Normal, full or zoom
10-bit video D/A converter
Still picture display
Frame advance/reverse
Skip forward/reverse
High-speed smooth motion scan: 5 speed up to 100x
Repeat mode
Black level control
Auto switching field/frame still
Built-in stereo speakers
Optical digital output for DTS and Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Headphone V.S.S.
Advanced V.S.S.
Dialogue enhancer
Headphone jack with volume control
96 kHz/24-bit D/A converter
Slim size remote; 35 keys
Easy-to-use slide jog
On-screen menu icons
Chapter preview
Title/chapter search with marker function
Multi-voltage AC adapter
Rechargeable battery pack
Mini audio/video cables
Energy Star compliant

Anyone have any experience with portable dvd players-specs I should be looking for, etc?

thanks again all.

 

[chiwawa626]

mp3 or cdplayer...ur gonna get bored of it...when a walkman came out, people thought it was so cool...its pretty boring though...oh well just return it if u no like or sell it

 

[Farbio]

i was just looking at the crutchfield catalog that came in the mail today and on the back cover, they have an aiwa portable dvd player for $499, might want to check it out, i'm sure they have it on their website!