Features:
- 7-inch diagonal TFT active-matrix widescreen LCD offers better brightness and color resolution than standard screens
- Dolby Digital and DTS digital outputs for connection to compatable processor or audio-video receiver
- Built-in speakers and headphone jack
- Miniature full-function remote control
- 3.5-hour rechargeable NiMH battery and AC adapter
Description:
The slick Pioneer PDV-LC10 is one of the smallest portable DVD players available. The player sports a 7-inch diagonal active-matrix LCD panel that satisfies traveling video enthusiasts and, alternately, serves as a screen for portable presentations. You can operate the LC10 for up to 3.5 hours (a longer period of time than competing brands offer) on the supplied NiMH battery before the battery needs recharging.Pioneer thoughtfully provides all the necessary hookup cables and accessories, including a miniplug-style optical cable for connecting the DVD player to a Dolby Digital/DTS processor or audio-video receiver. In fact, when it comes to music, the LC10 is among the best sounding portable CD players we've auditioned. As a stand-alone DVD player, with the supplied optical miniplug connected to an audio-video receiver and the S-video cable hooked up to a big-screen TV, we were extremely impressed with the Pioneer's audio quality, both in DTS and Dolby Digital surround sound. The PDV-LC10 includes a pair of built-in stereo speakers, which are fine for audiovisual business presentations, but are of little value for movie-watching enjoyment. Fortunately, the LC10's 24-bit digital-to-analog converter delivers superb stereo sound quality through its miniplug headphone jack. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the Pioneer's LCD picture quality. Although the 6-inch wide (7-inch diagonal) screen serves up good color balance with natural flesh tones, its resolution is not on par with competing models. Picket fences show up as staggered steps instead of vertical slats. Overall picture detail lacks depth, with the edges around objects and actors breaking apart. Motion detail is also below average; in crowd scenes, people look like colorful artifacts rather than moving bodies. The LC10 also suffers from poor off-axis uniformity. We had to adjust the angle of the screen just right in order to produce an acceptable picture. Of course, this is a portable LCD player. Setting aside our high videophile expectations, the LC10 is more than acceptable for enjoying DVD videos on an airplane or in a comfortable hotel suite. The Pioneer holds up well under difficult ambient lighting conditions, offering good contrast and no "hot spotting," where the lower-middle portion of the screen appears washed out. What the LC10 lacks in screen resolution, it makes up for with its smart design. Pioneer opted to use a flat-black coating for the inside panel and screen frame, significantly reducing the reflection and glare that are prevalent in competing models. We like the laptop computer-style control-panel button, which allows you to perform all the basic functions, including accessing the onscreen menu and setting up the configuration options. A thumb-size up/down, left/right cursor and enter button make navigating a snap, so you don't have to spend a lot of time setting up before you can enjoy a DVD video. The LC10 also has small thumb-operated dials below the screen for color and brightness adjustments, plus you can change the screen size from 4:3 to 16:9 with the touch of a button. The svelte remote control that comes with this portable DVD player is a nice touch. It runs on a miniature ni-cad battery and allows you to operate all functions, including CD and DVD programming options. Build quality is average. The player itself is solid and sturdy, but the plastic encased battery pack seems a bit on the thin side--no doubt to lighten the overall weight of the player, which feels heavier than its competitors when the battery is attached. From a laptop point of view, Pioneer's PDV-LC10 is a comfortable fit. Its screen serves up an acceptable picture with good color rendition and superb sound quality through the headphone output. If smart ergonomics and an intelligent portable design are more important to you than video resolution, the LC10 will give you many hours of pleasure. --Eric Gill Pros:
- Good color rendition
- Excellent sound quality through external output and headphone jack
- Great ergonomics
- Easy to set up and use
- All necessary cables, battery, and adapters are supplied
- Flat-black inside panel and screen frame reduce reflectivity
Cons:
- Below-average video resolution
- Mediocre sound from built-in speakers
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