Initial IDM-1731 Portable DVD Player with 7-Inch LCD

i did extensive research on portable dvd players. Being a toshiba and panasonic fan, I didn't look much into the Initial brand until I saw the prices of similar players. i compared the picture quality of the Initial with the toshiba sd-p1200 and was quite suprised to see that the Initial hung in there with the Toshiba, and at almost 1/2 the price!! Plus, you get all the necessary cables needed to go on long trips (this is why I wanted a portable dvd player) The sound quality through the speakers is ok, although the toshiba sound isn't any better. When you use headphones, the sound is terrific. Plus, this player has an anti-shock system similar to that found in cd players, so it won't skip in the car or when you child drops it a dozen times. If you want a nice size player (7 inches is plenty big enough for portable) that plays dvd's/cd's, this is by far the best bang for your buck. I only gave it 4 stars because it doesn't come with all the frills of the higher end players, such as progressive scan, numerous menu options, and the battery pack isn't the best, but it certainly isn't the worst either. I saw no justification on spending 200-300$ more on the higer end players. They're not that much better.

I purchased an Initial IDM-1731 this past holiday for one specific purpose; my fiancee and I had a long holiday road trip planned, and we needed something to shake the monotony of a voyage from southwest Florida to northeast Indiana by automobile. After reading up a bit on the available models in the price range I was comfortable with, I decided on this unit. I understood that others had run into problems with it in the past, but assumed it was just a case of a few bad shipments to specific regions and not a flaw in the product itself. Just as a failsafe, however, I purchased a retail chain's extended warranty plan along with it (to cover any of the long-reaching problems that I'd read this unit was particularly susceptible to) and took it on a short, hour-and-a-half long drive before the big trip... a sort of trial by fire. The IDM-1731 performed with flying colors. The picture quality was outstanding and the limited number of buttons on the unit itself managed to keep its physical appearance uncomplicated without sacrificing too much usability (for instance, we effortlessly changed the aspect ratio from widescreen to fullscreen to avoid stretching the TV-series disc we were watching without the use of the remote control). The screen size felt just right, and though the audio was a little weak and tinny when using the built-in speakers, the various output options made the incorporation of an FM Transmitter a breeze. The inclusion of a car-adapter for unlimited use on the road was a godsend, and a major selling point.

It wasn't until we began our wintery trek and crossed the border between Florida and Georgia that we ran into our first problem with the unit. After what I'd estimate as a total of three hours' worth of use in its lifetime, (including the "test voyage" we'd taken the week before) the unit suddenly froze, mid-scene, in the middle of playback. It wasn't attempting to move between chapters, we didn't hit a bump or even budge it physically. Just a freeze frame of the last scene that had aired and nothing else. We attempted to troubleshoot, powering it down, removing the disc, reinserting and powering up again, but had no luck. The unit would recognize that the lid had closed and bring up a "DISC LOAD" message, but never proceed from that point. The two of us assumed it had overheated (since the base was growing a bit warm) and closed it up for the night. The next morning, I tried again and was met with the same "DISC LOAD" message. We began looking out for another location of the retail chain we'd originally purchased it from. When we reached Chattanooga, Tennessee, (roughly the two-thirds point of our voyage) we spotted one right near the highway, turned off, and exchanged our faulty unit for a brand new one. We climbed back into the car, popped a disc in to ensure the unit would function before we left the parking lot, and were pleased to see the DVD loading without a problem. We left the parking lot secure in the knowledge that our nightmare was over.

An hour and a half later, with about ten minutes remaining in the first disc we'd ever attempted to play in the unit, the screen froze once again. We were having the exact same problem... the disc refused to play again, the "DISC LOAD" screen was staring us down, and we were more than a bit frustrated. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, we returned the unit (and the accompanying, unused, extended warranty) for a full refund. This isn't a mild problem that affects only a few unlucky regions in the United States (as we can attest, thanks to our experience with units from both Florida and Tennessee)... it's a flaw with the unit itself that's left me questioning Initial's credibility as a manufacturer. Don't waste your time with an IDM-1731... you'll spend more time troubleshooting, scratching your head and waiting in line to exchange it than you'll spend actually enjoying movies on the road.

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I bought this unit because of the great features and a good price. It would be phenomenal if the screen didn't freeze and skip every few seconds. It's extremely frustrating. Mine is going back after only three days. Hopefully the manufacturer can get it together to fix this flaw. Otherwise it would be absolutely perfect. The picture is great, the sound, the fact that you can view pics or listen to music as well is a big bonus. I should have read reviews first.

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I have seen plenty of reviews on this item, and I must say that I wish I would have seen them before I purchased it. All of the negative reviews have all happened to me too. The problem is, it takes longer than just a few times of using it for the problems to arrive, they start after the warranty is up. Every positive review this player gets is from people who have just purchased it. The most annoying thing is that the picture freezes up and you have to keep resetting the movie. This was frustrating to me, but even more to my kids. We purchased this player because it was the cheapest we could find. We have now decided that you should not buy a DVD player by that criteria. Spend a little extra money, and save yourself the trouble.

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I actually have the 8" version, but played with a demo unit of the IDM-1731 (with 7" LCD measured diagonally) at the Circuit City store in Union Square, Manhattan. I had just purchased a "Bedazzled" DVD at the store, and was able to try it out on this little machine. (Yes, many CC stores let you load your own DVDs to play on their demo DVD players.)

As with my 8" player, this model delivers good picture quality. It plays pretty much all kinds of video disc formats out there: DVD, VCD, SuperVCD, etc., as well as CD and CD-R with MP3 files. WMA files are supported as well. My 8" player, which I use on the bus a lot, is surprisingly resistent to road bumps: I've never experienced a frame drop due to bumps or even when I move the player around, so I expect the 1731 model will be the same.

The verdict on quality is rather mixed. Overall this is far less refined than portable DVD players from Panasonic. The paint on my player, for example, is already coming off after less than a year. The buttons on the player are not very responding, so you'll have to press hard or even press twice to make them work. The remote is ok. Not very user-friendly but totally functional. On the other hand, I've used my Initial a lot and done countless pauses and stops and restarts, and it's still quiet and working flawlessly.

In summary, Initial DVD players belong to the value category. If I had some extra cash I'd opt for a Panasonic model for better picture quality, much better sound (both from speakers and earphones), and infinitely better quality and reliability. But, the Initial's are inexpensive and the one I have has not let me down at all.