Customer Reviews

Panasonic DVD-LS82 8.5" Portable DVD Player with Headrest Kit

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I finally decided to get a portable DVD player as I had some long car rides coming up and a 6 and 11 year old. My first forays into research were discouraging as every model seemed to have its admirers and detesters. This version didn't have much written about it, but Panasonic seemed to have a decent reputation. I was actually going to by the LG model I saw, but it was so new, I had no info, and while at the store, the clerk couldn't figure out how to work it. Then I was going to get the Sony, but the screen glare with the screen protector on it didn't appeal to me. So, I grabbed this one and it has worked like a charm. It feels sturdy, has a great picture, and the sound is quite nice. I don't understand the person who couldn't hear it with the headphones on. Maybe he had bad headphones, and there is also a menu on the player that allows you to choose headphone sound, although my headphones worked when it was on regular sound. Plus the first night, something spilled over the closed player and sat there till morning, I was a bit upset, but the thing worked fine, no glitches. As for having no remote, thank goodness for that, one less thing to lose in the car. My 6 year old could operate it just fine by pushing the buttons on the player top.
Also, Costco sells this same one in a package, the Panasonic LS-850 (which I couldn't find anything on), but it only has a 6 hour battery life. The LS 80 is also the same player, just a shorter battery life. I know this because the manual for this player includes all three models, but lists their battery times differently. In all the Costco version comes with more and is cheaper, but you lose out on the battery life.

This is a lightweight product: Panasonic LS82 vs Philips 855 vs Sony Fx 810.

I have so far tested out Philips DVP855/37. I really loved it, except that once the internal battery dies, your out of luck, unless your in the warranty range, in which they will replace the entire unit, thier standard warranty is for 12 months, no extended warranty available. Disposable DVD Player? No thanks.

I have so far tested out the Sony FX810/R. This was quite limiting that the technologies were in end of 2005/mid2006. It played some of the DivX, but not any with DTS or complex audios. The weight was solid, for a tiny player. The Resolutions fair, but nothing to be excited about, in all thier formats. Sound quality was alright, it really just depends on your headset for any device really. It's better to wait for the FX850's that aren't in USA yet. I'm suspecting that the OLEDS LCD screens gonna hit the market next year in 3rd quarter sometime. (HDNA's, protypes that came out in 2004 in private sectors, but only showing now sneak peeks in the end of 2007 to consumers/retailers).

I have so far tested out Panasonic LS82. First thing got the 3 yrs warranty, due to labor only 3 months, just to cover the damned labor, Sony's product is a 12 month device and 12 month labor/parts, Panasonic 12 month device and 3 month labor parts warranty. So becareful on that unless your into Disposable DVD players, I'm not.

I have charged the first time rechargable battery for 7 hrs and left it on at 8 hrs, for full load of "12 hrs" test.

Note you wont get the full 12 hrs as it's printed on the manual for the lowest of settings. Keep that in mind, its the same for the Video Ipods, Sony Products, Toshiba products, heck any product, its the same. Just READ throughly before you buy it.

Now for the generic test: Playing a "Transformers movie" at full scope and all settings available, with all settings set on/Full screen/All sounds on highest/screen set to Bright +5,Moonlight/daylight/beach.

The 12 hr battery lasted 5.30 hrs, without using a headset. I just kept playing the movie over and over till the battery got discharged. I was just blown away LOL.. for full settings without a headset, but mostly on the technologies packed into this player.

Samething all high sounds on/all screen reso's set +5 /moonlight/daylight/beach with headset, no settings changed from without headset. The 12 hour battery lasted 8.20 hrs.

I'm just very happy that this can even play "transformers movie" at full settings and offer what they have vs Sony Fx810, which only forced me onto 2 channel audio.

The no remote control seemed weird, lacking almost, I guess due to hacking region codes/battery time. The Japanese version of this player has it set to ALL regions LOL, with no remote control.

Philips 855/37 = remote control, ipod docked, great screen reso's, sound great, no battery replacement unless in 12 months warranty.

Sony FX 810 = remote control, ok tech for yr 2005/2006, some divx not current, forced for 2 channel mono audio.

Panasonic LS82 = no remote control, tech from mid 2007, plays everything imaginable and with all older technologies. plays Ram dvds (SUPER PLUS).

So out of the 3 I chose, Im sticking with this one. I think originally had the Philips 855/37 had a removable battery I would have stuck with that one vs the Panasonic ls82, but since it's not, this is the optium choice for me. This is only day 3, if anything else should happen on this unit, I'll post about the occurrences.

I have no use for the headrest mount, so seems a bit pricey.

It comes with :
ac charger,
headrest mount (car seat mountable),
av plugs to your stereo/home entertainment unit/tv
car adapter (cig lighter socket)



Hope this gives you some insights for portable dvd players.

Note : your sound quality varies based on what type of audio headsets you used.

I bought this player for a recent trip with a small child (so it's not really for me, unless you count the value of distracting the kid on a long flight). It's pretty lightweight and compact, especially compared to the Toshiba SD-P2900 10.2 Inch Portable DVD Player I bought and then exchanged for this one), so it's easy to tote.

Other nice features: Flexible hinges let you orient the screen in several different ways, even flat against the deck, so it's really great in confined spaces like a coach-class airline seat. It comes with a car DC adapter and an adapter to attach the player to the back of a car's front seat; it's very secure, and unlike those bags that are made to hold players on seats, the adapter is compact, so it's not banging around when the player's not attached, and the player's flexible hinges let you adjust the angle.

I wasn't able to test the battery life (the kid pooped out halfway to Hawaii), but it played for a couple hours without a problem. The specs promise 12 hours, but that's at the lowest brightness level; at normal brightness, it's 7 hours, or 5 hours at the highest brightness--all excellent compared to other models.

Cons: The image quality is pretty good--not great. Colors looked a bit oversaturated; I noted that reds bleed a bit, and the player doesn't offer much in the way of color controls. But cartoons look perfectly fine. It doesn't come with or work with a remote control. Oh, and Panasonic's warranty covers parts for a year but labor for only 90 days and the battery for only 10 days! Which means you kinda need one of those damn extended warranties. Grrr.

But overall, I'm quite happy with it, and my kid loves it.

I did exhaustive research for a DVD player that (1) is good and packed with features and is (2) intelligently designed so you can use it in you car and on the go without too much hassle.

This fit the bill perfectly. Had it for over a month and the few times my daughter used it at home and in the car we've haven't had any problems. It's securely fastened in the car and the screen is flexible so you can adjust the angle.

The picture quality is quite nice. Perfect for shows for my little girl in the car during long trips. Sound is nice and loud. Ease of use is perfect (didn't read the manual at first and got it working with no problem). Plus, it looks like a movie machine versus a silver generic laptop hybrid.

I do wish they included a remote control but since I researched it I knew in advance. And I did buy with an extended warranty (all of these DVD players in general are so fragile).

We used this on a round trip flight to Florida from California. Our toddler loved it and when she was asleep I got to watch my movies. The picture is very good, the volume good enough, and we didn't have to charge it the entire trip. The tilting screen works great for watching on airplane tray tables even when the seat ahead is reclined. The headrest mount is also very useful.

I bought this item, because I am frequently traveling on business around the world. So, the first and foremost reason was the huge battery power of this DVD player. From the start, I took it to Japan and Korea, followed by a trip to Eurpoe. since the Battery charger is fit for all currents in the world, all you need is a Adapter kit. Put it on normal in brightness and combine it with a very good Headphone ( like Bose's )and the battery will last you at least 8 hours.
Best thing I ever did for my own in-flight entertainment !

I recently purchased the Panasonic DVD-LS82 portable DVD player after reviewing many competing players (including other Panasonics). What sold me on this player was the long battery life claim and the large screen. Last week I had the opportunity to test the player on a flight from New Jersey to California. I have two small kids and keeping them occupied during the entire 6 hour flight was a priority. The player performed very well; the battery lasted the entire time (though to be fair I had turned the screen setting to the slightly dimmer "Moonlight" setting) and my kids liked the widescreen format. All in all, a very solid player with many useful features and a battery life that seems to be the longest out there.

I am a normal person and have no experience with electronics, all I wanted was to watch tv on take along with good quality and I got it!!! I chose this model because it was the only one within my budget to give me 12 hours of battery life after charge and that is what I love the best. It is a great player, great quality and I have absolutely no complaints of it.

I just got the LS82 last week and have been very happy. Picture quality is great, sound is more than adequate and fit and finish is super. Buyer beware, Panasonic only offers a 10-day (yes, 10-day!) warranty on the battery so I've been putting it to the test since I got it. In real world situations (screen brightness in the middle of the range, using the external speakers) I've been able to get between 7 and 8 hours of use from the battery. Of course, this is a lot less than the 12-hour claims from Panasonic (their tests are for the screen as dim as possible and using headphones) but it is more than the best claims of the other manufacturers which are probably as bloated. Also, beware that most of these units will not charge the battery if a DVD is played while it is plugged in (a major bummer for all portables). It comes with a house charger, a car charger and a slick car mount kit for vehicles with headrests on the front seats (I suspect it will work great on a plane attached to the "stowed" food tray and on car front seats that have a connected headrest). Overall, I am very happy with this DVD player.

I just received my Panasonic DVD LS-82 a couple days ago. I was so excited to receive it I opened it up right away. Thank goodness I did because the ac adapter did not work at all. I tried plugging and unplugging and I tried several outlets and nothing. I immediately called Panasonic and they kept transferring me to the tech department who NEVER answered by the way. I called 4 times and never got a resolution. I decided it was that day before Thanksgiving and they were probably too lazy to answer so I called them this morning and Panasonic wanted me to take it to a repair center. I said the unit was only two days old and I only needed an ac adapter so after several "can you please hold" they agreed to send me a new adapter. I also voiced my concern about the 10 day warranty on the battery and the rep on the phone assured me that since they log the calls my warranty will not start until after I receive the ac adapter. I am very hopeful that the new adapter will work and that I will have no further problems but we shall see. As for the unit itself I was very happy with the look. It is light weight but feels sturdy. But, the 2 headphone jacks are on the left of the unit and they are a little soft. I have to turn the volume up half way to max in order to hear and this was at home in bed. I hope my little boys are able to hear when we are on the airplane; I am a little concerned about that. The picture is okay, descent but not fabulous, definitely a tad grainy. I was not able to check the full life of the battery because I was only able to charge it an hour to and an hour from our Thanksgiving party. It charged for 2 hours in the car and it only played for about 1:50 at home. I am basically keeping the unit because of the 12 hour battery life. I have high hopes that this unit will last us a long while. Cross my fingers.