The Initial IDM-1731 is a basic portable DVD player that offers one or two surprising features for a unit with a list price of about $300. Many budget portable players tend to feel flimsy, but the IDM-1731 is a well-constructed, sturdy-looking unit. Even the screen hinge feels solid. The only gripe about the design and construction of this model is the bulky battery attachment that affixes to the rear of the player. That said, the high-capacity rechargeable lithium battery performs well, lasting longer than the listed 2-1/2 hours of playback time.

The IDM-1731 doesn't have the broadest format compatibility, but it does support formats such as DVD, VCD, and MP3-encoded discs so you can enjoy watching movies, viewing home camcorder footage, and listening to digital music. The IDM-1731 features a built-in seven-inch LCD screen that offers a 16:9 widescreen format display and enables multi-angle viewing so two people sitting next to each other can watch a disc. The picture quality is good, with well-saturated colors and excellent detail rendition, even when viewed in bright sunlight outside. One surprising feature for a portable in this price range is the onboard anti-skip protection function. With the IDM-1731, you can watch movies while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike, even as a passenger of a vehicle driving off road, without experiencing the usual picture distortion or loss of image. And with the 2-1/2 hours of battery life, if you're using the player in the gym, you're likely to expire long before the IDM-1731 does.

Use headphones with the IDM-1731 and you'll enjoy impressive audio reproduction. Use the built-in speakers, however, and you'll be less impressed, often having to crank the volume up to maximum to compete with background traffic noise in a car or flight noise on a plane. The IDM-1731 comes equipped with composite video and analog audio interconnects. It also features an S-video output and a coaxial digital-audio output that enables you to connect the portable to an A/V receiver and speaker system for DTS or Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Warranty
90 days