Polaroid shows off a portable DVD player with iPod dock, total lack of effort

Okay, we understand that the newest iPods have locked video-out, so we'll ignore the fact that the Polaroid DPJ-08580B portable DVD player with iPod dock only works with 5G models, but there's no excuse for the rest of the specs -- especially stretching 480 x 234 resolution across an 8.5-inch screen. Top it off with the usual overwrought portable DVD player design and a ¥28000 ($252) pricetag, and you've got a nice little bundle of fail just waiting to be put under the tree.

[Via Pocket-lint]

[macmike47 @ Dec 8th 2007 9:24AM]

Oh I love Engadget. You guys get straight to the point :)

[conor.galligan @ Dec 8th 2007 9:40AM]

"a nice little bundle of fail just waiting to be put under the tree"

the perfect line! reminded me of this right away:

icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/128347587844687500fail.jpg

[Chris Macdonald @ Dec 8th 2007 1:51PM]

reminded me of this:

http://n2.cdn.spikedhumor.com/1/461000/109355_dvdreqinder_1_vw.jpg

[kastonie @ Dec 8th 2007 9:48AM]

You know there are probably still a lot of people rocking a 5g ipod that this would work for. Not everyone has the money to jump up to the latest and greatest ipod everytime apple comes out with one.... im just saying......

[mlb @ Dec 8th 2007 10:01AM]

The point is that the video will probably look horrible when it is stretched out in that manner.

[BigDaddyM @ Dec 8th 2007 3:29PM]

So you are sporting a 5G ipod and want your DVDs to look bad?

It is a DVD player with an iPod dock.
M

[superfresh @ Dec 8th 2007 10:09AM]

Why is Engadget recycling posts from 2005? Oh, wait...

[FThorn @ Dec 8th 2007 10:48AM]

I saw the same model, different name (not polaroid) at Menard's. They look nice for what you get. I just don't have a 'VIDEO' model. I just NOW bought a 1st gen Nano from Apple online store for $59 two weeks ago. Nice unit. Got a 56 hour battery/case for it (iLuv) for $19 last night. The checkout person even said, hey not everyone has the latest model. That's why they keep selling the accessories. Especially that battery pack I bought. Nice lithium polymer. I mean 56 HOURS for $19. ;)

[Jeff @ Dec 8th 2007 12:09PM]

This has been out for *at least* a year - I came across it when I was looking for a DVD player for myself before last Christmas. In fact, right now there are about five different models like this on Amazon, one of which dates to *2001*.

I'm not sure the one I saw was branded Polaroid, but you know they're just rebadging a Chinese player.

[SteveMB @ Dec 8th 2007 1:53PM]

How does it date to 2001 if there wasn't even an iPod that could play video back then?

[Fruition @ Dec 8th 2007 1:23PM]

Oh lol, I read the title and thought "someone took a polaroid picture of a dvd player?" reading comprehension ftw!

[malren @ Dec 8th 2007 2:09PM]

*sigh* Gadget blogs that don't know about the gadgets they report on are the fail. NO SOUP FOR YOU.

This is running the same guts as the Philips DCP850. You can see it from the buttons and the configuration of the dock itself.

The video is only stretched if you leave it in widescreen mode. It will ALSO display a perfectly adequate 4:3 image. I know, I use one literally every day. The video out from the iPod is notoriously soft though, so the most useful feature on the DCP850 ends up being the SD slot. This Polaroid model eliminates that slot, which is just idiotic. It's also a little late to market, as the DCP850 can be had for a song these days.

The only benefit I see to the Polaroid model is an external battery, so you can have a spare or replace it. The Philips version has an internal battery. On the other hand, that SD slot is a dealbreaker for me.

[Nilay Patel @ Dec 8th 2007 2:28PM]

I actually own a DCP-850, as seen here: http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/01/iphone-and-ipod-accessories-what-works-what-doesnt/

480 x 234 stretched on that screen looks terrible, too. And I certainly didn't buy it for $252.

[3rdsun @ Dec 8th 2007 2:38PM]

i have a Maxx portable DVD player which has some nice features like USB, SD ports, DIVX support, 9" screen, TV in/out. I know the brand is not the best but it has what Im looking for.

[SLB @ Dec 8th 2007 4:06PM]

I'll pass

[Joe @ Dec 8th 2007 4:21PM]

At least it plays DivX right? That's pretty cool right?