Initial DVD-1810 Portable DVD Player with 8-Inch Screen
I like it
The DVD-1810 portable DVD player, also sold under the Mintek brand (which I earlier reviewed here on Amazon), brings affordability to on-the-road DVD entertainment.  The player also plays CDs, VCDs, SVCDs, and also DVD-R/RW (I haven't tested it with DVD+R/RW as I don't have that media, so don't know if it can play it).<br />I picked this model for its 8-inch gorgeous screen and unbeatable price. It even comes with a car adapter as well as AC cables (RCA type). The screen is very good, has wide-screen [but see the other review for tip on making it work correctly], and the battery lasts about 2 hours at the highest brightness setting.<br />The machine itself is a little over an inch thick, but the battery snaps to the bottom and will add another half an inch. The whole thing (player + battery) weighs in at about 2-2.5 pounds... You can use the brick-style AC adapter with the player directly if you don't need the battery (e.g., when using it at home). Battery charging takes about 6 hours, so that's a department where the manufacturer can improve a bit.<br />The player has simulated surround sound, but you should get a good pair of headphones to take full advantage of that; the built-in speakers are unsurprsingly pretty lame. (Hint: any good Sony headphones will make a great addition. The player does not come with headphones.) All the other standard DVD features are there, and you can also zoom in and zoom out. Zooming in, however, results in pixelated images, so it's not really useful to me, but some may find the feature of value. The package also includes a full-function DVD remote that's powered by a watch battery.<br />The build quality of this Chinese-made product is decent.  Nothing is loose or feels flimsy, but it's definitely not as well put together as electronics made in Japan.  For example, you'll find Panasonic portable DVD players feel more solid and confident, but I have had my Initial for a few months now and it works totally fine and there's been no problems.  (Knock on wood.)<br />I'm very happy with my DVD-1810 and take it everywhere I go. I just need to recharge it every night. I highly recommend this tremendous value if you are in the market for a portable DVD player.lems.  (Knock on wood.)<br />I'm very happy with my DVD-1810 and take it everywhere I go. I just need to recharge it every night. I highly recommend this tremendous value if you are in the market for a portable DVD player.