Audio Video News

Until recently, movie fans on the go had to shell out a few grand for laptop computers with DVD playback capability. Such units typically weigh a several pounds and offer far more functionality than movie fans need.

Pioneer now has a lightweight, affordable solution for those who want movies on the move. The company's portable PDV-20 offers DVD/CD/Video CD compatibility in an ultra lightweight compact player weighing barely more than one pound. The PDV-20 measures only 7-1/2" W x 7/8" H x 5-9/16" D, the size of a book. The portable player features a 7" active matrix 16:9 LCD screen and 96kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters for widescreen picture and superb sound.

The twin laser pickup lets the player perform with most media types: DVD-video, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-Video. The screen's anti-glare and anti-reflection coatings allow movies to be seen even in high ambient lighting. Twin headphone jacks provide audio for two viewers, and video and audio outputs allow the player to double as a video source in home systems. Pioneer claims the PDV-20 is the lightest and thinnest DVD player on the market. Among portables, it is also among the most affordable, with a suggested list price of $620.