If picture quality and screen size are your most important considerations when shopping for a portable DVD player, look no further than the Toshiba SD-P2800. The big 9-inch screen makes this unit bulkier than many competing players, so the SD-P2800 does not get high marks for portability. On the other hand, the TFT LCD screen and progressive scan display produce a picture that few portable DVD players can match, and the swivel-screen design allows you to watch the SD-P2800 no matter where you put it.

Another strength of the SD-P2800 is its disc compatibility. It can handle DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD+R, audio CD, CD-R/RW and MP3 and WMA files burned to disc, and it will create a slideshow from JPEG files on disc. This portable DVD player is also compatible with DivX video, making it ideal for viewing internet-sourced content. In addition, the SD-P2800 has a memory card reader that supports SD, Memory Stick and xD card formats. This is a particularly handy feature because loading JPEG images from disc can be a tedious process.

As with many portable DVD players, the volume from the SD-P2800's stereo speakers is insufficient when there's a lot of background or car engine noise. On the plus side, the SD-P2800 has twin headphone jacks, so you can enjoy improved audio volume when watching a movie or listening to music with a friend. The unit's 3-D virtual surround sound simulates multichannel audio over both the headphones and the speakers. The SD-P2800 has composite video, S-video and component video outputs for connecting to a TV at home or on the road, and the coaxial digital audio output lets you route Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound to a home theater receiver.

The rechargeable battery last for about 4 hours on a single charge, and Toshiba includes a car power outlet adapter and remote control in the package. The Toshiba SD-P2800 is a top-quality portable DVD player that delivers superior images.

Pros: Outstanding picture quality, bright 9-inch swivel screen, built-in memory card reader, DivX-compatible
Cons: Bulky due to large screen, low-volume speakers

Warranty
90 days labor, 1 year parts