Definition
If you are looking for a device to take your DVD movies with you while traveling by car, by train or by airplane, you are definitely in need for a portable DVD player. DVD players do d control, have batteries for a long run, and not weigh too much, they are easy to handle an bag for accessories. All you need is this device looking like a laptop. A portable DVD player and a laptop are about the same size, but a portable DVD player may be even larger than a laptop. So, if you have enough room in your car for a laptop, you fit a portable DVD player, too. It is to be set in the car, in the dashboard and can be seen from many angles.
A portable DVD player can be used in the following situations:
- multiple family vehicles
- hotel rooms
- airplanes
- boats
- trains
- buses
- waiting rooms.
A portable DVD player is able to do certain jobs:
- read a DVD disk (meaning to decrypt the data contained by it)
- decode the video stream and convert into standard video signal (either analog or digital) and deliver it
- decode the audio stream and send it to a Dolby decoder, which amplifies it and gives it to the speakers.
Portable devices are favored when traveling. At the other extreme there is the HT which you can't take anywhere, but offers a much better performance. Home theater might be:
- separate components, which are to be assembled by choice, and sometimes preferred for its flexibility and for its sound quality
- integrated system or "home theater in a box". They are delivered as a compact solution for all needs, particularly movies. A home theater in a box is easy to install and use by anyone; all the connection cables are provided along with the system. A remote control for all the functions is included.
Portable DVD players versus laptops
Before DVD players appeared, laptops were favored for playing movies when traveling. They may have bigger screens, but are primarily designed as computers, therefore have a shorter battery life. Portable DVD players are definitely lighter than a laptop and have remote control.
As portable DVD players are expected to play for a few hours without interruption, the batteries and charger need to be small and efficient.