Personal DVD Player that Plays MP4 Files?

[tom5304]

I've looked around the 'net for one of those portable DVD players (8" screen or so) that can play the MP4 video files I've been building up for my iPhone.

It just seems like there's times when I'd like a bigger screen than my iPhone, but I can't exactly lug around an Apple TV and a monitor.

I'd like to rip my current DVD collection to MP4, and skip the step of copying the DVDs or converting again to Divx to play on a personal DVD player.

The only ones I've found so far are pretty cheap-looking Chinese brand players. Can anyone recommend an MP4 player that can fill the gap between the iPhone's 3.5" screen and the big television? Thanks.

[gadabout]

a laptop

[tom5304]

Ugh. I was so hoping I didn't get a smart-ass reply. Well, it's the internet... I'll keep my hopes up. :)

[David G.]

Have you looked at stuff by Archos?

[tom5304]

As far as I can tell, the Archos stuff is mostly handheld size, not much bigger than my iPhone.

[David G.]

The 705 wifi has a 7 inch screen, I would say that is a fair bit bigger.

[Mr Kram]

my kids' panasonic dvd player has the capability, but i've never tried to play my ipod compatible files.

DVD Player (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Video/DVD-Recorders-Players/Portable-DVD-Players/model.DVD-LS82_11002_7000000000000005702)

[ddeadserious]

Why not an old G3 or G4 iBook or Powerbook? Slap a bit hard drive in there, and it should be just fine...(assuming you get one with a DVD-ROM drive.)

[gadabout]

Ugh. I was so hoping I didn't get a smart-ass reply. Well, it's the internet... I'll keep my hopes up. :)

sorry, i didn't mean it to be (all that) smart-assed... but it may be worth looking into a used pc or something to give some more functionality.

i know that i saw a coby dvd player that supported mp4 though. it was about 120 bucks. not sure if this was one of the cheap ones you had looked at... i've considered getting it or one like it a few times.

[tom5304]

Naw, that's cool. The more I'm researching the more I'm seeing that a small laptop might actually be as practical as these personal video players. :o

I have found a few personal players that play MP4s, but man do they look like cheap junk!

Thanks though, and in a few days I'll post my findings and at least the next guy can find it through a search or something...

[Volante]

If Ipods can play it, a netbook should too? Any atom-based?

[madmaxmedia]

There's a Philips portable DVD player that has Divx capability, not sure exactly what file formats it will do (but MPEG4 seems like a great bet.)

[Mr Kram]

did you look at the dvd player i listed? it's made by panasonic and it's very well built. i would agree that you should stay clear of the cheap stuff. we previously bought a dvd player from walmart for about $150. it lasted just beyond it's warranty and then died.