AKAI PDVD172 PORTABLE DVD PLAYER MULTI REGION CODE FREE 110-220 NTSC PAL
Disappointing Performance
About a month  ago I purchased an Akai PDVD172 from an online distributor so the next time I have to go the hospital I won't have to rely completely on their rather limited TV fare. <br /> <br />First, the good points.  It is region-free which means it will play discs from anywhere in the world, and it has a built-in standards converter which allows the user to select between NTSC and PAL output, regardless of the original format of the disc.  In keeping with this universality, the AC adapter/charger is evidently of the switching variety, allowing it to be used with a mains supply of anything from 100 to 240 volts AC, 50 or 60 Hz.  The converter itself is located toward the middle of the power cord, so it won't hog outlet space the way wall warts do. <br /> <br />All in all, it's not a bad little player...but...! <br /> <br />The \\"but\\" is a biggie, in my opinion.  No matter what aspect ratio DVD is played, it always comes out elongated on the built-in LCD active matrix display.  Standard 4:3 comes out a bit stretched, 1.85:1 is annoyingly stretched and squashed, and 16:9 borders on spaghettification.  I've read the manual many times trying to find a way to fix this.  My emails to Akai customer support are all bounced back as being undeliverable.  This tends to make me somewhat uneasy.  Perhaps they'll answer my fax. <br /> <br />What it all boils down to is this:  it'll do to keep me from playing with my toes next time I find myself at Our Lady of Pain and Suffering, but I could not, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone.