While new models aren't coming out as quickly as they used to, there are still dozens if not hundreds of portable DVD players for cars available. You can buy a good player for $150 or less, and can get yourself a two screen package with headphones, adapters and other add-ons for $200 or less.

Get a screen size larger than seven inches if possible. A small screen is difficult for more than one person to watch at a time, and if you have kids (or even one kid, if they ever have a friend along), the whole point of a portable DVD player is to keep the peace. Having them scuffle over trying to watch a tiny screen does not create a sense of peace. So get a screen nine to eleven inches across. The unit will be a little bit heavier, but the results are well worth it. By a "bit heavier", I mean it may weigh 6-8 pounds instead of 4-5.

Invest in headphones. The sound will be better, and you will be able to use the player on airplanes, and even if you are only using it in the car you will be able to do so without having to listen to your kids' Barney episodes, or they will be able to listen to Barney while someone else is taking a nap. Be sure to test the headphones with your player, as some headphone/DVD player combinations work better than others.

Get a portable DVD player that also plays CDs and homemade DVD/+R movies. That way you can have pre-corded TV shows to watch during the drive (for pennies a recording) and you won't need a second CD player. Some of the DVD players that get strong reviews and play CDs include the Sony DVP-FX930 9-Inch Portable DVD Player, the Coby TF-DVD8503 8.5-Inch Widescreen TFT Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player with Swivel Screen and the Panasonic DVD-LS86 8.5-Inch Portable DVD Player.

Make sure the player has enough battery life to play at least one movie. While you can extend battery life by dimming the screen a bit and using headphones instead of the speakers, having a player that can not play a full movie is bound to cause some complaints. Of the DVD players listed above, the Panasonic wins the playback time prize with a surprising 13 hour playback time, while the Sony has six hours of playback. The Coby is the weakest with around two hours playing time.

Check how many headphone jacks the player has. If there is only one, you will have to buy an adapter if two people want to listen. It is also nice (if not necessary) to get a good car charger in the package, and if you are going to do some serious traveling, you will also want an adapter for different currents, plus a plug-in wall charger.

Finally, all good portable DVD players for cars have at least a one year warranty. Anything less is a sign of a cheap model that will break fast and force you back to the store to buy a replacement.

Cecilia Montrose lives in a small apartment with no room for a big TV, so she got a little television. Her favorite size is a 15" TV. She is currently shopping for a new 15 inch TV DVD for her sister's kitchen.

The portable DVD players have been on the market for quite some years and are already being included as a standard feature in many vehicles. They are excellent for keeping kids or adult passenger entertained since they allow them to play back various types of multimedia files such as music, movies, and pictures. Most of them also come with universal mounting systems, which allow them to be used in almost every model car, no matter how big or small; in most cases, they are attached to the front seats' headrests with either straps or special brackets, and are very easy to mount and remove. Since there is a wide variety of make and models out there, choosing one requires careful consideration.

Before purchasing an in-car DVD players, take into account:

1. The supported multimedia files. While all potable DVD players will obviously support the DVD file format, some of the latest are capable of playing back DivX and other extensions, which are quite popular today. If you plan to listen to music, then selecting a model that plays MP3 files comes highly recommended.
2. The screen size - naturally, larger screen is preferable as it would deliver better viewing experience, but larger screen also means bulkier unit, so you need to consider that as well.
3. Power options - while some portable DVD players could be powered by batteries, others cannot, which makes them usable only inside the car or in the house, if they come with AC adapters. If the player comes with batteries, find out what the battery life is, especially if you have no other option to power it.
4. Audio and picture quality - the latest in-car DVD players offer outstanding picture quality, but at times, the audio is not clear or loud enough. If at all possible, test the sound quality before purchasing the unit or get online and read a number of user reviews in order to learn more.
5. Wiring - you do not want to deal with messy wiring since this could present hazards, especially if you have kids, and also makes setting up and removing the player more difficult.
6. The accessories that come with the portable DVD player are also important. Remote control is vital if your kids cannot operate the unit on their own and so are the various chargers and cables, which would extend the player's functionality. Good cases would also help protect the screens, and help you carry the player easily.

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