Problems with ST 1-3 on Zenith portable DVD player?

[dmmetler]

I bought a Zenith portable DVD player so Alli could watch her ST DVDs on our trip to California (almost 5 hours in airplanes, plus several in airports), and ST 1-3 all lock up the player when they change sections (which badly bothers my daughter-Rachel is NOT supposed to just stop and freeze there). BST doesn't bother it. My copies of 4-6 are loaned to a friend right now over the Christmas break, so I can't test those.

Does anyone have this sort of problem? Is this a problem with the brand of DVD player or this particular copy of it (I plan to return it to the store-the question is, do I fight for a refund and get a different one, or exchange it for a different copy?). And, does anyone have a recommendation for an ST friendly portable DVD?

[amiller]

We had some trouble with the DVDs on our player, but I tihnk that was the 4-6 ones not 1-3. I wonder if maybe because they are older the new technology won't play them as well?

[Kei_as_in_K]

Ours is a Polaroid, and I've had no problems with any DVD, except with one that William got lots of fingerprints smudges all over. The one I got also will play Kodak picture CDs, reg audio CDs, and CD-/+Rs and DVD-+Rs. I don't know if that made the difference in compatibility issues.

[dmmetler]

Well, I took back the Zenith, and tried ST2 in several different players, and ended up getting a Toshiba. (The salesman was pretty accommodating, fortunately). They didn't have the poloroid, the Samsung wouldn't read the DVD at all, the RCA didn't have a cover over the screen (which doesn't seem good for sticking in an airport carry on bag), and the others were brand names I'd never heard of.

According to the guy in the store, sometimes the portable wide screen models will have trouble with videos which don't have a wide screen track, so maybe that explains it on the older STs?

[Kei_as_in_K]

I wouldn't have thought of bringing the DVD in w/me to test it out.. how cool that the salesman was so willing to help!
The RCA didn't have a cover for the screen? Wow, I bet that needs a little more TLC to make sure you don't leave it out in sunlight for too long.

Glad you were able to find one that was compatible. Toshiba's one of my favorite brands.

[dmmetler]

It was kind of funny, since Alli would be looking around and "talking" about everything and nothing, then she'd hear the giggles and immediately LOOK for where it was coming from. Instant baby mesmerization. She wasn't all that happy when she didn't get to watch the whole thing, either (MORE SIGN...MORE SIGN....NOW!!!). I think the sales person understood exactly WHY I wanted a working player.

I think the RCA is designed so you can just strap it to the back of the car headrest-the tray for the DVD pulls out, and then the screen is in the top of the device, which just seems WAY too risky to me.