Shinco 7" Portable DVD Player
£99.95 (+£3.95 P&P) from Firebox. It used to be £199. It`s last year`s model. It gets great reviews (see below). The model is SDP-1731A:
Here`s the blurb:
The history of movies is littered with monumental moments: the first `talkie` back in 1927, the first Oscar ceremony in 1929, the groundbreaking animation in Disney`s Fantasia and, of course, that bit in Commando when Arnie tells Bennett to "let off some steam" before impaling him on a ventilation pipe. Ah yes, movies are indeed magical.
Of course, one of the greatest things to happen to movies in recent years has been the advent of DVD. This wondrous format is now the platform of choice for serious film buffs everywhere, and the players themselves are getting smaller all the time. Trouble is, regardless of player size, you usually need an accompanying TV or computer monitor to actually watch your films on. For this reason, we`ve unearthed a range of portable DVD players that conform to the Firebox ethos of value for money, super sleek looks and amazing functionality. Firebox regulars will be aware of the award winning* 5" & 7" Shinco models we have been offering, well the range has recently been revamped and we now have 3 new stunners with which to dazzle and amaze!
Barely bigger than a couple of DVD cases, the dumbfoundingly diminutive Shinco DVD players are truly the `giants among pygmies` in terms of their portability. Boasting a 7", 8" or 10.2" colour widescreen ActiveMatrix TFT screen, Dolby Digital output, external memory card slots and USB OTG* ( 8" & 10.2" models ) and an embarrassment of features usually associated with the big boys, the ridiculously portable Shincos are a fabulous hour-cruncher on long journeys and are certain to cause consternation (not to mention envy) amongst fellow travellers.
But wait, there`s more: these sleek, robust little movie houses also play a plethora of other formats, including DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DivX, Xvid, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, JPEG and Kodak Picture CD. For this price you`d think the manufacturers might be stingy with accessories, but no; each Shinco comes complete with a slick multi-function remote control, a car adapter, a high-capacity lithium battery, an AC adapter plus video and audio cables for hooking up to an external TV set should you so choose.
If that doesn`t get you rifling through your DVD collection in anticipation, try this for size: Shincos also have multi language/angle/subtitle capability, zoom play (2x & 4x), programmable play and a built-in anti-shock system to deal with bumpy journeys. There are even two stereo headphone outputs so you and a friend can watch the lairiest, sweariest movies without disturbing anyone but yourselves. Even the 7" player features a quality widescreen 16:9 display setting it aside from other players at this end of the price spectrum.
In fact each member of the Shinco family has unique features. The 7" has the best specifications in its class and screen quality ( 400:1 contrast ratio ) is second to none.
The versatile 8" model can be used either laptop style or tablet style. The lid closes like a laptop so the delicate LCD screen is protected. The display also rotates through 180 ° then folds flat with the base, turning it into a tablet style player which is easier to use in the car.
The 10.2" is simply the best DVD player at any price that we have ever seen. With more features than you can shake a techy stick at, the 1250 is the last word in movies on the move. The image quality on the TFT LCD display has to be seen to be believed and the feature laden ergonomic aluminium chassis would shame a NASA launch console. This is the Daddy!
...and the UK press seem to agree with us! Over the past year our exclusive Shinco DVD Players have been grabbing awards left right and centre from some of the most prestigious review magazines on the market, including "Best Buy" awards from T3 Magazine and Essential Hi-Fi and Home Cinema as well as winning 1st place both magazines` "Portable DVD Group Tests"
Specifications:
7"(SDP-1731A) Features:
Playback Format:
DVD / DVD-R / DVD+R / DVD-RW / DVD+RW / MP3 / CD / CD-R / CD-RW / Kodak Picture CD
Picture quality
7" 16:9 TFT widescreen monitor
High-contrast (400:1 contract ratio) active matrix display (480 x 3 x 234 = 349920 dot)
Composite Video Output
Sound:
Dolby Digital Sound Output
HDCD Decoder
Composite Stereo Audio Output
Additional Features:
Multi-Angle Capability
Multi-region out of the box (region free), plays DVD from any country
Widescreen (16:9)
Zoom Play (2X/4X)
Fast Forward/Reverse Play (2X/4X/6X/8X)
Slow Forward/Reverse Play (2X/4X/8X)
Frame By Frame Play/ Slow Moton/ Repeat Play (A/B)
Still Frame
Screen Saver/Power Saving Function
Hi-Fi Stereo Headphone Output
Built-in Anti-Shock System
Built-in Stereo Speakers
Jacks
1 x DC in 9 v 2.2 A
1 x Coaxial digital audio out
1 x AV out
1 x Stereo headphone
Dimensions: 190 x 142 x 37 mm (without battery)
Weight: 580g (without battery)
Region compatibility: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Accessories Included
Multifunction Remote Control
AC Adapter
High Capacity Rechargeable Lithium Battery
Car Adapter
Video Cable
Technical Specifications for the 7"(SDP-1720A), 8"(SDP-6820) and 10.2"(SDP-1250):
Laser: wavelength 650nm
Video system:
7"(SDP-1720A): PAL/MULTI/NTSC
8"(SDP-6820) & 10.2"(SDP-1250): PAL/AUTO/NTSC
Frequency response: 20Hz~20KHz±1dB
Signal/noise ratio: ≥95dB
Audio distortion + noise: ≤-80(1KHz)
Channel separation: ≥85dB
Dynamic range: ≥85dB
Output:
Audio out (analog audio): Output level: 2V±10%, Load impedance: 10k
Audio out (digital audio): Output level: 0.5Vp - p
Video out: Output level: 1Vp - p±20%, Load impedance: 75, imbalane, negative polarity
Power supply: DC 9V 2A
Allowable range temperature: 5 to 35°C
Power Consumption: ≤20W
Dimensions:
7"(SDP-1720A): 190 x 140 x 28mm
8"(SDP-6820): 190 x 142 x 37mm
10.2"(SDP-1250): 257 x 168 x 32mm
Weight:
7"(SDP-1720A): Approx 825g
8"(SDP-6820): Approx 780g
10.2"(SDP-1250): Approx 1.2Kg
Reviews:
"It`s certainly the sexiest we`ve seen for a while with three hours battery life and super picture quality, all for £299."
News of the World
"You may not have heard of Shinco, but they make about one third of the world`s portable DVD players..Colour, sound quality, vision, were all faultless, children were happy. So far so good. Then I had an idea: would it work in the car?..The anti-trip device worked perfectly..The Shinco has a three-hour battery, which is handy for long-haul flights."
Financial Times
"The Shinco, despite being the cheapest on test, offers the best all-round quality."
Evening Standard
"Beautiful, sleek, compact - all these words describe voles. But they also describe the new award-winning nine-inch widescreen portable DVD player from Shinco."
Maxim
"It`s superb value"
Computer Active
"The picture`s a cracker... Contrast is particularly impressive too... A hugely tempting proposition."
Boys Toys Magazine
Group Test Winner - Portable DVD
"Highly watchable, high-contrast seven-inch LCD, responsive enough to keep up with Kill Bill and bright enough to do justice to the tans on Baywatch. The built-in speakers have plenty of poke and the headphones sound is equally good. The on-player controls are well laid out and easy to use. It`s multi-region too, and comes with a car adaptor and composite video cables.
Verdict: The combination of good overall portable performance and an excellent price mean this player gets a two-handed thumbs up."
T3 Magazine
"The best gadget you can take on holiday this year is a portable DVD player..."
Independent
"Film fans should get the popcorn ready for a cheap night in. Where once you'd have paid nearly a grand for the pleasure of watching movies on the move, these Shinco models make it extremely affordable. Considering the low prices, it's amazing that you'll also find a remote control and car adaptor included along with the lithium battery, AC plug for using at home and video and audio cables. The built-in anti-shock system should save your favourite films skipping on those long bumpy train rides while the stereo headphones mean you can enjoy horror, comedy or a nice gentle romance without annoying the rest of the passengers. Mind you, they'll probably be too busy jealousy watching over your shoulder to worry."
The Sun
"For what the Shinco DVD player offers we are truly shocked by the price (it would still be cheap at twice the price). Rather than requiring that you buy all the extras; charger, car charger, remote control, additional cables, all of these come in the box... Ultimately, this is a great little device that offers far more than it should. Why can't all gadgets be like this?"
pocket-lint.co.uk
Regards,
Geoff.
Geoff Delderfield Photography
This item was edited on Thursday, 17th November 2005, 08:57
