Sony DVP-FX700 7-Inch Portable DVD Player
Quality Product
I bought this unit 3 weeks ago from Best Buy.  I had previously purchased a Mintek 1710 (7 inch screen) from Best Buy in August 2002.  The Mintek had a sharp picture but its build quality and its battery were exceedingly poor.  I had two Mintek's go bad on me until Best Buy simply asked me to apply my initial investment towards any new DVD player.<br />Next, I acquired a Toshiba SD-P2500 with an 8.9 inch sceen.  This unit has fine build quality and the sound is superb.  However, after 2 days of fiddling with its controls, I could never get a good picture in lowlight scenes.  The blacks were too milky.  I watched the DVD of TWISTER and was really disappointed with the experience.  Finally, I took it back to Best Buy and got the Sony.<br />The Sony is a beautiful unit with a 7 inch screen.  It lacks the progressive scan feature (no use on the built-in screen) of the Toshiba and the component video outputs - it does have an S video out.  The sound from the tiny speakers is nearly as good as the Toshiba.  However, this unit has the finest build quality (quite unlike the Mintek which would get dented with the slightest bump) of all the portable DVD players that I have seen.  It is made in Korea and not China (not sure if that has anything to do with it).<br />The picture quality is simply superb with deep blacks.  It has two buttons right on the LCD that allow you to adjust the brightness and contrast - very convenient.  I also love the tiny blue LCD display that gives you information on the track number etc.  So far the battery appears to perform well.  It has only one headphone out unlike the Toshiba (which had two) but this can be rectified with a $5 split cord from Radio Shack if you need it. I have had no problems with DVD's slipping in my car over road bumps. The manual is well written as you might expect from Sony.<br />I must confess that I miss the 8.9 inch screen of the Toshiba and also the ability of the Mintek to play PAL DVD's. (Neither the Toshiba or the Sony will play PAL DVD's).<br />Finally, I would highly recommend that one get a product replacement plan with these players.  Although, I am so far very happy with the Sony, I just have a feeling that portable DVD players are still not quite robust enough for the use that our children subject them to in the course of travel.ny will play PAL DVD's).<br />Finally, I would highly recommend that one get a product replacement plan with these players.  Although, I am so far very happy with the Sony, I just have a feeling that portable DVD players are still not quite robust enough for the use that our children subject them to in the course of travel.