Toshiba SD-P1000 Portable DVD Player
Still the best picture of any portable DVD player (2004)
Although some of the reviews are approaching four years old, the words are still true -- as of 2004 this player has the best picture quality of *any* portable DVD/LCD player EVER.  At 5.9&quot; it doesn't have the biggest screen nor does it have the most pixels.  What it does have is an incredible picture quality that is unmatched by many larger home plasma and LCD televisions and no other DVD/LCD player.<br />It's that good.<br />The later portables by Toshiba can't touch it.  Panasonics and Samsungs don't come close.  Minteks, Sonys, whatever else don't even rate.  The SD-P1000's viewing angle is acceptable and the contrast ratio is quite good.  The color accuracy is outstanding.  No adjustments to the picture (except for backlight brightness) are available and are not needed. I can't technically state why this player looks so good but the secret has to be the quality of the LCD screen.  It is special.  Perhaps it is a screen used by Toshiba in its Libretto series of pocket computers.  In any event, the later, larger screens by Toshiba are not as good -- poor consrast ratio and viewing angle.<br />This player passes Avia and DVE test DVDs with ease.  Excellent color and geometry.  Incredible detail.<br />Downsides?  The battery arrangement is a bit clumsy and the battery is, of course, proprietary (why can't they make these packs accept a bunch of replacable AA NiMH cells?).  The remote is bit large.  There are few controls on the player so the remote is *needed*.  The player can get a bit hot.  Battery life isn't the longest -- good for one two hour movie and not much more.<br />Still, even with the downsides, the amazingly detailed, smooth, colorful picture produced by the Toshiba SD-P1000 makes one forget the shortcomings and just enjoy the beauty of the movie.