Need Laptop for dvd movies in car. nothing more Suggestions?

[psigna]

I plan to purchase a basic laptop computer to mainly use on roadtrips to watch dvd movies. The price of the portable dvd players, along with the minute screens has driven me away from that option. I don't want to spend a fortune. I have been loon=king on Ebay. I need the basic system requirements that I should look for. THanks!

[stiltman]

Dell outlet area for a new laptap with great prices/warranties
http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?target=InventoryPage&action=sort&sortCo lumn=price&lob=INSP&sessionID=A53DVryV!-497374247!-770444743!1090107139394&tgtSeg=I

Then click on price to show the lowest priced models

But for just a portable DVD player, this seems reasonable
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2598466&cat=62056&type=19&dept=3...A62055%3A62056

[psigna]

I have seen those portable players, but for that price I can get a good used laptop for less actually, and use it for other things too, such as my huisband's work. Thanks though. I basically need to know what price range would be fair for something that could play dvd movies.

[808smokey]

Try ebay for cheap laptops or computergeeks.com

[Invader Bugs]

well, i have a portable DVD player, Aiwa XD-DW5, and although the screen is rather small, 5.6 inch, i love it, i use it on every road trip i go on. i would recommend getting a portable dvd player, instead of a laptop if your only using it for DVDs

[VideoTechMan]

Just about any laptop nowadays can play DVD's, as most have DVD based drives in them. Just make sure you get one with enough processing power and the correct software to play DVD movies correctly.

VTM

[tekkieman]

Not to try to change your mind if it's made up already, but for the car, I prefer the portable DVD player. Most come with remote controls and carrying cases designed to go over the seatbacks for rear passengers. Most now also come with standard 7 inch screens. I would definately go laptop for any other travel needs, but for the car....portable every time.

[Catherine]

I would agree with the above.
We tried the laptop way and although we didn't have to spend money on portable player, it was frought with problems.
1. Kept falling off, especially when we made a quick stop! LOL
2. Slow to boot.
3. Difficult to change settings, go back and forth on movie, etc (all fixable but pain in neck)
4. No remote.
5. Bulky.
so anyway, just letting you know what experience we had.

BUT! BUT! BUT!
If you already have the laptop, and can't get the portable player, the above problems can be addressed and rigged ad nauseum and give it a chance then.

[Ripper2860]

Ditto the above.

If you have kids and intend to use a laptop, plan on having to interact with the laptop on a pretty regular basis to start the movie, adjust volume, etc. PowerDVD and WinDVD, etc., are not very intuitive and add to that the awkwardness of using a trackpoint or touchpad and -- well you get the idea. You will also need a DC converter and a DC convenience outlet (aka cigarette lighter) within proximity or you'll have a cord stretched from the front to the back seat.

Strongly recommend a portable player, as I have tried the laptop route and it is a pain. Portable DVD palyers also have hardware decoders so they do an excellent job with DVD's.

[rallynavvie]

I use my tuning laptop for playing DVDs and also rig it with a GPS for a moving map. You can sometimes dashboard laptop holders for some cars but they are a pain to install. Handy thing though, especially if you've got a PCS PCMCIA card so you can get internet in coverage areas

Hard to beat a 14" display as long as you have good onboard video. A lot of head units are going to DTS and Dolby inputs as well so you can use your car speakers like surround speakers (depeding on the wiring). It also makes for a good MP3 player. And if it's a semi-permanent fixture in your car it can be covered on your auto insurance (if applicable). Laptops in cars are a handy thing to have.

[DVD_Ripper]

But for just a portable DVD player, this seems reasonable
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2598466&cat=62056&type=19&dept=3...A62055%3A62056

Not a bad option... and they now make harnesses that allow you to fix these between the cars front seat headrests.

[flaninacupboard]

i would buy a mini-itx mobo, and whatever screen you wish. you can use a standard hard drive to put movies on, or use a DVD-ROM. these are great bits of kit, mobo being 17cmx17cm you can mount them anywhere, and adding/replacing things is much cheaper than a laptop.

second hand 12" touchscreen will set you back ~$100. can't pause/resume a movie easier than by tapping the screen

[rallynavvie]

You'd need to run an inverter to it or a DC-DC power supply though. Laptops generally have car adapters readily available to them.

[tekkieman]

You'd need to run an inverter to it or a DC-DC power supply though. Laptops generally have car adapters readily available to them.

My portable came with:

AC adapter
DC adapter (@ rallynavvie - it is a dc unit to begin with - no inverter needed)
Lithium/ Ion battery
Car seat carrying case
Normal carrying case
Accessory case
AV I/O cable
2 sets of headphones
Y adapter for heaphones
remote control

The only problem with the remote is that it needs to be pointed at the front of the unit, which is difficult when the unit is mounted on your seat back. Usually requires the passenger to reach behaing to get the remote to function.

[flaninacupboard]

think he meant for my mini-itx suggestion, which yes, needs a DC-ATX adaptor, but these are readily available in the form of a snap in daughterboard

[tekkieman]

Sorry. Rereading, I believe you are correct.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

Need Laptop for dvd movies in car. nothing more Suggestions?

I can get a good used laptop for less actually, and use it for other things too,

Otay, Buttwheat!

[stiltman]

Need Laptop for dvd movies in car. nothing more Suggestions?

I can get a good used laptop for less actually, and use it for other things too,

Otay, Buttwheat!

Yep, I wondered the same thing

[psigna]

My reasoning is that I want the player for the car, but at the price they are, and the size of the screens, I might as well get a cheap laptop that we can use for other things as well. If I am going to spend 250- 300 dollars, I may as well get the best use out of it. Nothing more means that I don't want to burn discs or cd's, do any processing, etc. I specified that I wanted a Laptop. I did not ask for an opinion of whether this was a good idea or not. Someone else brought that conversion into this discussion.

I plan to purchase a basic laptop computer to mainly use on roadtrips to watch dvd movies. The price of the portable dvd players, along with the minute screens has driven me away from that option. I don't want to spend a fortune. I have been looking on Ebay. I need the basic system requirements that I should look for. THanks!

I was and still am only asking for advice on computer specs. Sorry if that is too much to ask.

[stiltman]

Look on ebay for the very cheapest laptop you can get with a DVD drive


There you go.

[psigna]

Thanks, but can you be a bit more specific?? I know that it needs a dvd. I am more concerned about the processor speed ram, etc.

[SneakyD]

Thanks, but can you be a bit more specific?? I know that it needs a dvd. I am more concerned about the processor speed ram, etc.

I think what stiltman was trying to say was, if the laptop comes with a dvd drive, then the rest of the spec should be good enough for dvd playback.

As to the spec for dvd playback, it hard to say because some low spec systems can play dvd due to having a hardware decoder card. That being said, I can tell you from personal experience that a p3 650 with 128mb ram works pretty well.
Hope this helps

[psigna]

Thanks for your help.

[flaninacupboard]

Yep, Athlon 650 plays DVD no problem.

[stiltman]

I think what stiltman was trying to say was, if the laptop comes with a dvd drive, then the rest of the spec should be good enough for dvd playback.

hammer------> nail------>done