TheNihcman's Full Review: Panasonic DVD-LV50 5 in. Portable DVD Player
I originally purchased the DVD L-50 for one reason; My Sony Glasstron and Sony PBD-V30 (Both also have reviews) were becoming a hassle to carry on those long trips. I liked the idea of having one piece of equipment to carry, instead of two. Also, being that the DVD L-50 is also small, it doesn’t take up a lot of space when you go on trips. Given the fact that it weighs a tad more than 2 pounds with the included rechargeable battery, it is almost the ultimate DVD player. Speaking of the battery, I’d like to point out that it provides a good 3-4 hours of view time; almost enough for two whole movies.
One benefit of this portable DVD player is the built-in screen. The 5” TFT screen showed exceptional clarity; Now only was it sharp, but unlike other LCD screens, the DVD L-50 was bright and displayed very vivid colors. The DVD L-50 also can be used in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. (For those of you who think this is techie talk, it means that it can view in both standard and widescreen modes.
The supplied credit-card remote also comes in handy. It enables you to access the on-screen menus to change things, such as the subtitles, angles, aspect ratio, sound options, and other features. It comes in handy especially when it’s hooked up to your television.
The sound of this DVD player is also a plus. It has “Advanced Virtual Surround Sound” capabilities, which gives you the impression that there are four speakers, surrounding you; Front-Left, Front-Right, Rear-Left, Rear-Right, despite the fact that it only has two speakers. It also has both a DTS audio output (RCA cable) and an optical out (TOS-link). The player also has an S-Video output, which will enable you to hook up the player to a television, using a S-Video to RCA cable. (Techie jargon for the cable that has three plugs; Yellow, White, and Red.)
Although it may be a bit pricey, (I picked mine up for almost $700) it’s worth every dollar. One of my friends prefers his portable player at his apartment, despite the fact that he has a standard deck player also.
However, there are a few downsides. For one thing, because of the small stature of the remote, it is easily misplaced or lost. Also, the unit tends to heat up a bit after an hour of use. Although this doesn’t affect the function of the player, it’s annoying if you’re in the car on a long trip, having it burn your lap.
If you have the cash to burn, consider two things. Go with the Panasonic DVD L-50, or pick yourself up a Sony Glasstron and a PBD-V30. Either way, you’re sure to get your money’s worth.
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