| Tip
of the Month for November 2005
TIP: Buying Inexpensive
Portable DVD Players
Portable
DVD players have become much more affordable as the technology behind
them improves. Heavily discounted portable DVDs can be found on
the web for as little as $200.00, and you might find some high-end
players discounted up to 50 percent retailing at less than $500.00.
Portable DVD players are a boon for frequent travelers who can while
away time between flights or by-pass poor in-room TV reception,
and a great tool to keep kids entertained on long road trips. If
you are thinking about buying one, here are a few tips to guide
you:
- The quality
of the picture and sound and the screen size are the factors
that affect price. You will pay more for a better machine but
even the higher end players show up with good discounts at online
sites like HotBuysElectronics.com. Shop around and don't neglect
the big retailers like Target. They often have internet-only
specials that feature deep discounts.
- If you
are planning to carry your new portable DVD along with luggage
and a carry-on bag, consider the weight of various machines.
You don't want to burden yourself with something unwieldy. On
the other side of the coin, you probably wouldn't be happy with
a screen that measures less than 7 inches high.
- Even if
you are planning to purchase online, make a trip to an electronics
store and do a little hands-on research into the picture and
sound quality of various models.
- Consider
how important optional features are to you, and if you are willing
to pay extra to have them:
- Progressive
scan technology gives you a better quality picture with
less flickering. It will add to the cost but many consumers
think it is worth it.
- Most
DVD players run on a battery for about 3 hours. This isn't
near enough battery life for most road trips or flights.
If recharging is going to be difficult, find out how much
you will need to spend on additional batteries.
- If
connectivity is important to you - some models allow
you to hook up to a videogame console or to a camcorder
- you can expect to pay more for this feature.
- However
you plan to use it, your portable DVD player will need to
be durable enough to handle the rigors of travel
- whether in your luggage, or in the back seat of your car.
Pick a model that appears sturdy and has no design features
that might damage easily.
Finally, if
you find a bargain, check the warranty. If the warranty period is
for less than a year for parts, you might want to select something
that offers a one-year parts warranty and a labor warranty of three
months or more.
These articles are intended
to provide resources for the tax and accounting needs of small businesses
and individuals. The information contained in this Website is intended
to provide general information on matters of interest in the areas
of tax and accounting. Users are encouraged to contact us regarding
specific situations.
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