You are here: Home > DVD
Player Reviews > Audiovox D-1708 Portable DVD Player Review
Review
of Audiovox D-1708 Portable DVD Player
I
often find myself on long drives with my two boys, ages 8 and 6. Like all young
boys they easily grow restless and bored. I decided that the growing popularity
of portable DVD players had to have some merit, and went with the Audiovox D1708
because it was affordable and Audiovox is a brand I've had a good history with.
The D1708 comes with two sets of headphones, and the mounting bag can
be strapped onto the headrest of one front seat or suspended between the front
seats for easy viewing by all backseat passengers.
To test the unit, I
installed it between the two front seats and plugged it into the car's cigarette
lighter. I put on the headphones and turned the volume to a comfortable level.
I then started the car, put all the windows down and turned the car's radio up
to the volume that I usually have it set to while driving. I did not adjust the
balance, but left the car's rear speakers on at their usual level. I then returned
to the rear seat and put the headphones back on. The radio chatter was little
more than background noise and did not interfere my ability to hear the DVD's
soundtrack.
I was concerned about the viewing angle of such a small screen.
I was afraid the boys would have to lean toward the middle of the car to see the
screen well. To test this, I reclined across the seat and rested my head against
the window. The view wasn't perfect, but it wasn't too bad, either. I then sat
up straight, and the angle was just fine. Also, suspended between the two front
seats, the screen was closer to mys sons' eye level than mine.
When the
time came to take the boys on the road, I chose a DVD from their collection that
has seen some use. It had some light scratches from being dropped and slid across
our living room coffee table. I did not bother to clean the smudges and fingerprints
(of which there were plenty) from the disc, but started the unit and headed for
the road. I took a route from our house that included a rutted gravel road. My
older son told me that the disc never skipped or stalled, but played flawlessly.
The D1708 also comes with a rechargeable battery and an AC/DC adapter.
The owners manual says the battery is good for about three hours of operation
when fully charged. Also included is an audio/video cable for use with a TV or
another monitor.
I have one very small gripe. The headphones are folded
and unfolded before and after each use. They fold in three places, two of which
are hinged like eyeglasses, which appear to use the exact same kind of screws
you find in eyewear. After less than a dozen uses, one headset lost a screw. Anyone
who has ever owned a pair of cheap sunglasses (I believe that means EVERYONE)
knows how annoying this can be. It is, however, an easy fix.
I am completely
satisfied with the Audovox D1708. It has made long road trips much less tense
for my wife and I, and more enjoyable for my boys.
Buy the Audiovox
D-1708 Portable DVD Player
