Customer Reviews

Mintek MDP-1770 7-Inch Portable DVD Player

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Don't let the brand fool you. This player is remarkable in a few ways: 1) It is region-free. You can play DVDs from any region with this player. 2) It can play MPG and VOB files on an ISO formatted disc (along with your mp3s as well), although it expects the MPG audio to be s/vcd compliant. 3) The screen quality is amazing. If you play HDTV streams on this player you will be quite pleasantly surprised!

There are a few downsides with this player: 1) it doesn't automatically switch between wide screen 16:9 and 4:3. What's annoying is that the control to switch is only available on the remote control. To be fair, I don't know of any other DVD players that does this either. 2) It doesn't come with digital cables. The unit is preloaded with 1 audio and 1 video cable. It is also capable of outputting digital through its optical port but you need to buy a mini toslink cable separately. 3) The tech support seems non-existent, at least via e-mail.

Also, this player is capable of fast-forward. Some units like Audiovox aren't capable of seeking, so you have to either watch a whole chapter at one time or start over. A noteworthy feature.

If you buy this, buy the Mintek 1770 Kit, also sold here at Amazon. With the new rebate, you get the kit for the same price, but in addition to the player, you also get the case, car power adapter, headphones and audio splitter. My kids have been using this player for 2 months, including one very long road trip, and so far no problems. I am a bit nervous given the number of very negative reviews here at Amazon (most of which were done after I bought mine), and the fact that the manufacturer is a small company (that's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars). However, now that there is a $50 rebate bringing the price down to $200 (not available when I bought mine), and the set includes a decent case, car power adapter, and 2 headphones with an audio signal splitter, not to mention the tremendous functionality, it's such a good deal that it may just be worth taking a chance on. Amazon is always so great about quickly replacing or refunding defective products within 30 days, that at least takes away some of the worry. As for battery life, I let Return Of The King run on it and the battery died at just over 2 1/2 hours (not great, but Amazon sells extra batteries for this unit, and for the price, it's hard to complain). One great feature that the product description doesn't include is the A/V input. You can play video games on this, or view your digital photos straight from the camera, etc, since you can plug an audio and video source in. Depending on the type of game console you have, you may need to get an adapter to convert the RCA output from your game unit to 1/8 inch miniplug format to plug into the DVD player, but these are easily bought on Amazon or other electronics stores (ie, Radio Shack) for less than $10. If your game unit or other outside video source has RCA jacks, then you're all set because this DVD player comes with a cable that has RCA plugs at one end and miniplugs at the other. But if you have a GameCube (no RCA jacks, just RCA cables), or a digital camera with a USB-RCA cable, then you'll need to get the RCA-miniplug adapter (again, it's cheap). Here's how you can input video to the screen on this DVD player. There is a switch on the side of this DVD player that toggles the A/V jacks from output to input, thereby telling the screen to display the DVD or an outside video source. Just make sure you switch the A/V back to output before you try to watch a DVD again. If the switch is on input and you try to watch a DVD, all you get is a black screen. I thought mine was broken until I toggled the switch back to output, then the DVD displayed fine. I wonder if any of the other people who said their screen stopped working accidentally toggled this switch to input? Anyway, I won't buy a second one until this first one proves its durability a bit longer, but at two months old, it's working fine and is definitely the most loaded player around for under $500 (and Amazon is giving it away for $200!).

I am very happy with this dvd player. No problems at all, very clear full detailed picture. The sound is ok, but is better with headphones. If you buy ANY portable dvd player I whould advice you to buy a case because most people that dont get dust in the dvd players and will cause alot of problems.

Purchased the mintek last year for Christmas...worked great for awhile but after six months the picture disappeared...no picture, just sound...take in for repairs and was told that was a common problem with Mintek and that it would be more to fix the player than to buy a new one...I am purchasing a new player but defintely not a Mintek!!

This is definently a waste of $250. Even though the picture and sound are great, the player only plays very very few DVD's uninterrupted. It just stops in the middle of a movie and when you take the disc out and clean it, it still skips in the same spot. If you are a first time buyer and are looking for a cheap, good quality portable DVD player, DO NOT waste your money on a Mintek.

If you read the reviews carefully, you will notice a pattern that the positive ones are written by people who have had their products for only a short period of time. The people who have owned their units for a while are the ones who are negative because they have learned how unreliable these products are. My Mintek died after only 6 months of regular non-abusive use. No wonder the warranty is so skimpy -- 1 year parts but only 90 days labor, which is 90 bucks plus shipping. It's not worth it considering you can by another unit for a little more. DO NOT BUY A MINTEK! You definitely get what you pay for.

We have had our unit for almost a year and it works wonderful. The battery life is a little short, but we got an external battery that powers it for 10-12 hours. This has worked quite well on overseas flights which are 9+ hours. This is our second unit. The first one which has a square screen, is used as a security monitor for an out door camera. It has been in use for over two years. The 7" for the price was an excellent value. If it breaks it is a much cheaper reinvestment.

I purchased the unit to entertain 3 young boys on a 7-hour ride in a minivan. After about an hour of play (the 1st hour of use) the screen started to scroll vertical lines. It would start to play again after powering it off and back on. It kept getting worse until it would not play for more than a few minutes. I purchased the unit on Traget.com and called a Target store while on vacation hoping to exchange the unit...no go. Target.com and Target stores are separate entities and do not play nice together. I was hoping to make an exchange since the identical unit is on the shelf at the Target store and I had my receipt. I am now still on vacation looking at a 7-hour return trip and shopping to replace the (junk) unit at other retailers where I can return it in any city. I already printed off the return label from Target.com and will not be ordering from them again. I will also stick to Sony, which is a known high quality manufacturer. Spend the extra money on a name brand. Buyers be warned...

I enjoyed this DVD player for several months. I did not use it very often. After several months, though, the screen went black. This problem is a common one, as shown by the reviews here. I have contacted Mintek support, I don't hold out much hope. I would not waste money on this DVD player.

Just ordered this from Target.com website and I love it...The ordering process was very easy and it arrived one day early, in safe and sound condition... I bought this to keep our 4 year old busy on long road trips, but after trying it out at home first, I think I have a new use for it... The color and picture is on parr with our flat screen home moniter.. Sound is loud and clear, just wish one could control the sound with the remote also.. It also makes a fine DVD Player for hook up to a T.V. I hooked this up to our older T.V. and was able to watch a DVD.. Good if you have a lack of space problem...One could not beat the price also, as the big names cost alot more.. You get alot of bang for the buck... Overall I am very pleased with this purchase and would recomend this to anyone looking for a portable DVD....