Panasonic DVD-LS5 Portable DVD Player
Deserves five stars
Compared to the Chinese imports (Apex, Initial, Cyberhome, etc.), the Panasonic DVD-LS5 is definitely a premium model, and both the price and quality show.  If you just want to watch DVDs on the road and don't mind teeny sound or blocky images, the low-end models will serve you well.  In fact I love my 8-inch Initial.  On the other hand, if you want to truly enjoy a mobile DVD experience, you gotta buy this product.<br />Better styling and build quality aside, the Panasonic has at least three significant advantages over non-Japanese players: 1) the screen is clearer and offers better viewing angles horizontally, so you can share the joy of DVD with another person; 2) the sound is just incredibly loud for a small player like this, unlike the low-end players -- in fact it feels almost like surround sound in a quiet room; 3) the tilting mechansim is really cool and allows you to adjust the screen angle freely.<br />The battery snaps to the back (and raises the player a bit) and offers a little over 2 hours of viewing pleasure.  All considered, the Panasonic player is also much more portable than the other ones; even with the battery installed we are talking something you can just grab and watch, as opposed to carrying in two hands.<br />Is the Panasonic worth the extra money over the other players?  I definitely think so.