Toshiba SD-P2500 8.9-Inch Portable DVD Player

• 8.9-inch widescreen TFT active-matrix display offers sharp, bright image
• Reads DVD-Video and high-resolution DVD-Audio discs, as well as MP3 and WMA CDs, DVD-Rs, VCDs, and SD media cards
• Super ColorStream PRO progressive-scan component-video outputs (for premium imagery on high-definition and HD-ready TVs and monitors)
• Surface-mounted keypads grant "remote-free" operation of all essential functions
• 3.5-hour battery life, picture zoom, and stereo speakers for headphone-free listening

I just purchased the Toshiba SD-P2500 DVD player. We immediately took it with us on a four hour flight and all I can say is, what a perfect investment. It kept my two kids (1.5 & 3.5 yrs old) occupied which, allowed my wife and I to travel almost stress free (she still had to put up with me). My 1.5 yr old wouldn't wear the headphones and the player's speakers worked just fine. NOTE: I like that the speakers are now located on the sides of the screen as opposed to their old location under the screen.

The only con, the player is a little bulky and barely fits in my Targus case along with it's accessories. As a matter of fact, some accessories had to be left behind. I knew this when I purchased it however and opted for the larger 8.9" screen instead of a more compact player. I prefer the larger screen when I watch it by myself and more so when 2 or 3 of us are watching it at a time. The picture was very clear once you find the right viewing angle. Just a heads up if someone is looking for something more compact vs a larger screen.

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Now we just need to find a carrying case that can hold the player, battery, dvd's, cables, car adapter, two sets of headphones and an occasional diaper or two-ha. ...

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This Toshiba unit is very impressive. I had originally purchased a bargain Mintek MDP-1810. Its picture left a lot to be desired and eventually it failed to operate after a couple of weeks. So I returned it to Amazon and spent a couple of hundred bucks more for the Toshiba. The Toshiba's picture is very good (much better than the Mintek); however, the viewing angle is critical. After experimenting with the tilt position of the screen and the picture controls (of which there are many and you can have three user-programmable settings), I've been quite happy with the results. I have not noticed any undue graininess nor any annoying motor noise during playback. My one complaint is that the blacks could be blacker. There is a faint illumination around the edge of the screen that appears in dark scenes, especially noticeable in the black bars in widescreen letterbox movies. This can be minimized by careful adjustment of the tilt of the screen. (If there's some other adjustment I could make, please let me know.) Don't expect the same kind of picture you get with a direct-view television. Still in all, most of the time this is one gorgeous picture. One other thing to be aware of: as with the Mintek, if you turn the power off, the machine will re-start at the beginning of the DVD when power is turned on. You'd think if the Toshiba can remember three video settings with the power off, it could remember where you stopped the movie.

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It's worth it! Spend a little more $$ and purchase this Toshiba player. Don't waste your time and money on cheaper models like I did. I first purchased the Mintek MDP-1810 to save a few dollars but I was very disappointed in the picture quality. I could barely read the text titles on Alien Resurection (You can especially see the quality difference in movies with darker scenes). Unlike the Mintek, the Toshiba LCD screen has one of the sharpest displays I have seen while shopping around for a better portable DVD player.

My final decision came down to models: The Toshiba SD-P2500 and Samsung L200. The three deciding factors were: 1) The Toshiba is not as bulky as the Samsung L200 and has progressive-scan output. 2) The Toshiba has easier menu functions and ergonomic design IMHO. 3) Longer battery life: 3.5 vs 3 hours. I was able to watch the entire EXTENDED version (2 DVDs) of Lord of the Rings Two Towers before the battery died.

I have only two complaints about this unit:

1) The view angle is not the greatest and takes some adjusting but once you find the right placement, the picture is sharp and clear.

2) The included accessories are limited. I wish Toshiba would have included the BitstreamPCM cable to connect into your receiver for 5.1 digital output. Also, no car AC/DC adapter is included.

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To the person who wanted to fast forward playback using the buttons on the player (rather than the remote), this can be accomplished by pressing and holding down the button to skip to the next track. Press it again, and it goes faster. I do love the remote on this thing. The remote control weighs one ounce, with the battery! It measures 5"x2" and is less than 1/4" thick. Amazing. The player displays the video in whatever the original format is without distorting it. Awesome in many, many ways.

I have been very happy with the performance of the SD-P2500. However, the motor burned out today after 5 months of ownership. I asked the technician how I could prevent it from happening again. According to him, portable dvd players just go out sometimes and that is a problem with all portable DVD players. Lucky we had bought a service agreement at a local store, because the warranty is 1 year parts and 90 days labor. I had previously given it 5 stars based on performance. However, when we spend this much money on something, we want to last for a long time.

I travel a lot, and since I bought SD-P2500 I cannot imagine travelling without it. While I never owned a competing model, I've looked at them, researched them and this is the one to get. 8.9'' screen is just the right size -probably the biggest you can have and still call it portable. The sound and picture quality is simply great. Two headphone jacks can definitely be handy. The battery lasts, and charges fast. And now, four months later, I can also add that this DVD Player can live through a lot of abuse. :-)