Rating: 
Summary: This is an awesome machine!
Review: As a frequent traveler for my job, I'm often stuck waiting in airports and on airplanes. Since buying the DVD-L50, I actually look forward to those waits. Now... I do read quite a bit. And some (few) air trips have some type of video program... either movie or comedy shorts. However, after spending a total of over 6 hrs in planes getting from coast to coast on an airline that had neither video nor audio programming, I started searching for a portable DVD player. After doing a lot of shopping around, I decided on the Panasonic L50. It's lightweight, fits into my briefcase easily, and has great picture and sound quality! My 10 year old daughter now loves long car rides! We just head down to our video rental store and rent a few movies for the weekend. The "audio out" for earphones allows me to watch movies in the airport or on the plane without disturbing any neighbors. Although, I've taken to carrying an audio splitter and a second set of headphones because quite often my neighbor on the plane would like to watch too... I would HIGHLY recommend this unit to anyone who travels, anyone who's ever bored at an event, anyone who has children,... come to think about it... I'd recommend this unit to anyone period!
Rating:
Summary: Decent Product - Flexible Usage -> but a bit costly $$$
Review: I was lucky to receive this item for free! So to me, its like having a luxury item marked off my wish list that I would never have to pay for. After inspecting the unit and reading some of the manual (which is quite thick with pages of features), I did have to go buy a DVD movie to test it out. What I found was this: 1). It plays well by itself, the 5" LCD is crisp and renders color very well. The stereo speakers sound okay but this unit is best listened with headphones. Get yourself a good pair if you don't have one. This unit only deserves the best. 2). I could connect it directly to my Sony 27" TV using the supplied video/audio cable and it worked great! Now I can start to collect DVDs. 3). Unfortunately, I could not connect it to my JVC Pro-Logic receiver for audio output to my home entertainment speakers. It might still be possible, but I just haven't figured it out yet. 4). I also have a Pentium II 350 Mhz computer system with a Pinnacle PCTV card that I connected with using the S-Video. Wow, that was cool because now I can view my cable TV on my computer or use this portable DVD player for movies on my computer. Now I don't need to buy a DVD player for my computer! This works just fine with my 19" monitor (full screen mode) and my Dolby-Digital Computer speaker system. Yea Buddy! 5). Lastly, I did notice the player gets very warm after 2 or more hours of play. At one point, the player stopped on me during playback, and I could not figure out what caused it. But, I pressed the play button again and it continued to play until I stop using it. Oh well... My finial analysis is that I would not buy this unit first. Instead, I would invest in the THX Dolby-Digtal Home entertainment system (complete) and a large screen 50" TV. Set yourself up at home first, then think about the portables later. Good luck shopping.
Rating: 
Summary: Long-Term Review
Review: I bought this player when it first came out in 1999. It's the most reliable electronic product I've ever owned. I've traveled all over the world with it, including to Canada, China, Italy, North Dakota, Vermont, and St Croix. It has saved me from going crazy on long flights. I've shoved it in my backpack and carried it all over the place. It even got wet in a rainstorm once. It's tough. After at least 1000 hours of playing time, I've never had any problems with it. The battery still keeps it's charge even after 5 years of frequent use. The display is just as sharp as it was when I first bought it. I highly recommend it if you plan on getting a used player.
Rating:
Summary: Whiners: Notice that most of the "bad" reviews are 5 stars!
Review: This ultimate gadget is a must-have for a true gadget junkie (like myself). I got the DVD L-10 when it first came out and now, the DVD L-50. Sure, it runs hot after a few hours, but so does every portable PC DVD. Please notice that almost everyone that complains about this unit still rates it 5 stars because the movie watching experience itself is awesome. The "1 star" folks obviously didn't buy it or even see it up close. Mine stays hooked up to my home theatre system with the optical audio and S-video connectors when I'm not traveling. I own a Sony VAIO notebook computer with DVD and would ALWAYS choose to view a movie on the DVD L-10 because the quality of the viewing experience is that much better. The hardware MPEG of the DVD L-10 instead of the software MPEG of every laptop except the Apple G3 powerbook is the main reason.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Penny - No Regrets!
Review: I see all the negative reviews here in which people say you should get a laptop with a DVD drive instead, but I completely disagree. The laptop is heavier, more expensive, sucks up battery life faster, and isn't as readily connected to various pieces of audio-visual equipment in your home. I bought this unit so I could have the best of both worlds: I keep it hooked up to my home theater system on a day to day basis, then unplug it and take it on the road with me for long car trips and flights. Its value cannot be exaggerated when you're looking for a means of keeping a four-year-old happy and quiet while buckled into a seat for two or more hours. Also, it's perfect for family cabin and timeshare trips since you can bring a whole library of movies and plug the unit into virtually any TV once you get there. And if there's no TV just use the flip-up screen. About that screen---I've found that my movie watching experience is different when using it, and in fact I feel MORE "pulled in" than when watching on my bigscreen TV. Finally, regarding the speakers on the unit: if you use headphones instead of the speakers, the dolby surround effect will amaze you. I don't know how they did it, but it's just like being in the theater.
Rating:
Summary: Quit complaining about it and buy it! It's awesome!
Review: Lots of people complain about this player's few faults. First of all, who cares if it gets a little bit hot? All high-tech devices that have to decode DVD's, display a picture, and spit out sound gets hot! It's a fact of life! If you don't like how hot it gets, put the thing down instead of holding it! Second, it's not a better deal than a laptop. A laptop that could play DVD's would be 2 or 3 times as much, have worse sound, and a choppy, slow picture unless you spent 3000 dollars on it! And who wants to lug around a heavy, ugly laptop and boot it up, stick it on your lap and watch part of a movie before the battery runs out. Anyone would rather have something sleek and palm-size that plays movies, and pay less for it then a laptop! When you get down to it, laptops aren't as portable as the DVD-L50, so why settle for it? This player, for its size, features, and prices, has hardly anything wrong with it. It's about time that we can watch digital movies on the road or in the air, CONVENIENTLY!
Rating:
Summary: A Gem
Review: This little DVD player has been a gem. I have had it for several years and paid much more for it than the current price. The grandchildren have used it and it has been loaned to my daughter to take on trips several times. I use it at least 5 times a week. It still works great. The battery still keeps its charge for approx. 3 hrs. Panasonic made this DVD player right. Don't hesitate to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Battery life too short
Review: I get only 2:15 of battery life on average, barely enough to watch a good movie. I'd love to see cheaper packs, or a camera battery add on option. It plays +R but not +RW disks.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic reliable little machine
Review: I own an L50 for two years right now. A sharp and clear image, plus great conveniance because it size. Beautiful sound with good earphones. I never had even a slight malfunction. You have all the controls you need. The device is hardly constructed, so you can take it with you anywhere without problems. I use it in my bed, at the office, in hotels rooms (great when plugged on the room's TV) etc... Not the larger image on the market, but surely one of the most precise. Don't even try to search for the pixels. I just say you can buy it without fear.
Rating:
Summary: great dvd player
Review: Recieved dvd player in 3 days,packed well,all accessories,looks great,works great,I would always shop this way,buy my dvd's from amazon.com and I'm always satisfied, Pete
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