Axion AXN-7080 Bravo Series 8-Inch LCD TV/DVD Player Combo
The unit stopped working properly on my 6th day of ownership
I orginally gave it a 4 stars rating, yet I have deleted the previous review and typed this new one instead for the updates: <br /> <br />This review contains two sections 1 & 2, <br /> <br />Section 1 is the update on March 05, 2005.  Section 2 is my original review written on March 01, 2005. <br /> <br />====(Section 1)==== <br /> <br />Don't buy it.  It does not eject my VCD on my sixth day of ownership of this Axion product.  I am very unhappy as the VCD is not mine, but my friend's. <br /> <br />Now, I have decided to go with the new Emerson 7\\" DVD/VCD + TV  LCD TFT unit now.  Emerson name has been around for much longer time and should be much more reliable compared to this new name Axion, which is made in Taiwan. <br /> <br />If you continue to read section 2, you will see how I orginally recommended this Axion (although not more now!).   <br /> <br />====(Section 2)==== <br /> <br />This is a very versatile unit.  However, it also is not perfect. <br /> <br />This unit arrived two days ago as a gift.  I opened the box and this unit looks pretty shiny and cute.  It is about 9\\"X 2\\" X 7\\" with the stand, it is higher.  And the case feels solid and the stand can be adjusted to a degree for better viewing angle. <br /> <br />Connected the unit with the ac/dc adaptor that comes with it, it is nice.  Inserted a VCD of an Asian movie, it played right away.  The first two minutes, the LCD screen was self-adjusting, picture was blurry at that 2 minutes interval.  Then, it was all clear and bright.  Turned the brightness down and it worked and looked pretty clear and the quality is pretty good for a small unit like this.  Of course, I am not talking about HDTV quality here, however for a portable entertainment unit, I think that this unit shows pretty good pictures. <br /> <br />Playing the Asian movie, you know how the movies go, usually the left channel is Cantonese and the right channel is Mardarin.  Since this unit is stereo sound, it will give you both dialogue atthe same time.  You cannot switch to either left or the right speaker.  However, I solved this by connecting to a pair of computer speakers and used only the left speaker to listen to the Cantonese dialogue. <br /> <br />One thing about the unit's speakers, they are small, but they give very clear sound and pretty loud enough for a car, SUV, van, truck or even a 150 sq. ft. room.  I even connected it to my cable tv line, it hooks up right away and it is just like using my home big screen tv, but without the big screen. So, the cable works! <br /> <br />I have tried, this unit also plays Kodak picture CDs, and Kodak camera filmed movies and other DVD camcorder DVDs.  This unit is so versatile.  We took the unit to our car and used it for one day in the car.  Hooking it up to the cigarette plug-in power source is easy since it comes with the adapter.  The unit works well in car.  We connected the digital camera to the unit and photos are viewed through the LCD screen, nice!   <br /> <br />Also, if you put in Kodak picture CD, it turns into an electronic album for you so that it shows you one picture after another, each with duration for about 5 seconds.  Very nice! <br /> <br />So this unit is almost perfect... <br /> <br />However, a big big however, the unit does not have a handle; meaning it is difficult to carry it around with ease.  One has to be careful otherwise it slips out of hand easily.  One has to use two hands to carry it.  Why doesn't Axion attach a handle for this \\"portable\\" unit? <br /> <br />Watching tv is very much dependable on the reception ability.  I have no problem receiving channel 5 & 7, but have some problem receiving channel 2 in downtown area.  So, I will try with a Radio Shack Tv antenna soon and see if it will get better, but hey, the TV works !! <br /> <br />The remote also works well. It let you jump to the next section if you watching Karaoke or other MTVs, etc.  It lets you select between TV/DVD/Aux mode for AUX is useful if you wantto play game on this unit and connect it to another DVD player, etc.  The remote also let you eject the DVD/VCD/CD, control volume, picture quality, sound level, etc.  And is pretty intuitive. <br /> <br />Connected this unit to my big screen tv, it works too.  I can watch the Asian movie and American movies on my big screen tv while the Axion is playing the VCD/DVD. <br /> <br />In short: <br /> <br />Pros:  <br /> <br />1, being versatile, plays DVD, VCD, CD, CD+RW, Kodak picture CDs, camera recorded movies, DVD camcorder recorded movies, etc.  And it can also work as an electronic photo album. <br /> <br />2, Light weight: about 7 lbs in total.  To me, it is pretty light and easy to carry. <br /> <br />3, cute design, look cyber in silver!! <br /> <br />4, good sound, the speakers are small but they are stereo speakers and sound is clear.  But, don't expect bass thought, if you do, connect it to your home sound system. <br /> <br />5, price, about the same as other DVD ONLY units, yet you get TV on this one plus cable tv capability. <br /> <br /> <br />Cons: <br /> <br />1, no handle to make it easy to carry around <br /> <br />2, no straps that comes with this unit so that you can secure it against the headrest of your car easily <br /> <br />3, no carrying case/bag that comes with this unit <br /> <br />4, no headphone that comes with it, you have to buy it on your own.  And, there is only one headphone/headset jack.             <br />   <br />As of this writing, another new unit is on the horizon: <br /> <br />Emerson M-Box 701TN Portable 7\\" Headrest Monitor with DVD Player / TV Tuner <br /> <br />Versus the Axion, the Emerson unit has (1) a handle for carrying around easily, (2) two headsets jacks, (3) comes with strap to secure it on the headrests of our cars, (4) one free wireless headset.   <br /> <br />Like the Axion, the Emerson unit also comes with (1) AC/DC adapter, car power adapter, TV Tuner, remote control. <br /> <br />However, the only drawback ofthe Emerson unit versus the Axion is that the Axion is 8\\" wide for the LCD screen, the Emerson is 7\\" only.  So, whichever suit your situation. <br /> <br />To me, both work well for me though.  I watch it in car, at home, in office.  No problem.  Rent a movie at a Blockbuster and watch it in car and return it afterward.  Kind of fun!  Then, watch ESPN sport on cable at home, watch the news while on the road.  Both of them should do the jobs admirably. <br /> <br />Do I recommend the Axion and Emerson, I recommend the Axion by now since the Emerson is not even out yet, but will be out within a month as of this writing today 3/1/05.  Check with Amazon. <br /> <br />I deduct the Axion one star since it doesn't have a handle to make it easy to carry around and does not come with straps to make it easy to secure it in the car.  Other than these, this unit shines!! <br /> <br />--------------------------------------------------- <br />One last words (3/5/2005): <br /> <br />Remember section 2 was my original recommendation, and I no longer recommend this faulty product since it stopped ejecting the VCD that I inserted on my sixth day of ownership. <br /> <br /> <br />I am returning this Axion unit and will put my money on the upcoming new Emerson unit which has the same features plus TFT LCD, not just LCD; and one free wireless headset; and handle for carrying around easily; and carry bag; and securing strap; and better expected reliability from Emerson.