We had no complaints about the user interface. As is the case with most budget players fabricated in China, the menu system isn't slick at all, but navigation is pretty straightforward. A few picture adjustments are on hand, though we barely strayed from the default settings to obtain what we felt was the optimal picture this player could produce.
That picture is on par with what we've come to expect from portable DVD players with 7-inch screens that cost less than $200--which is to say, perfectly acceptable. Since it isn't a high-resolution display, the image isn't super sharp, but the colors are fairly accurate and well saturated. That said, the picture got noticeable worse (and sometimes unwatchable) if we were looking at the screen from too high a viewing angle. Ideally, you should watch the iLuv from 3 to 4 feet away at eye level or slightly below eye level. In other words, backseat watchers should have no complaints.
As for iPod video, on-screen image quality will vary according to the resolution of your source video. But if you download a 640x480 iPod video from iTunes, you can expect your videos to look as good as what you get from a DVD, because of the resolution constraints of the iLuv's display. However, just remember that if you download a video recorded in the 4:3 aspect ratio, you'll have to stretch it to fill the iLuv's widescreen display. Likewise, it's important to note that to play iPod videos, you have to turn around the iLuv to navigate your iPod's menus, using the iPod's scroll wheel, while it's sitting in the dock. The buttons on the front of the iLuv won't control playback on the iPod, nor will the remote. While not a deal breaker, it is a significant drawback.
jWin says the built-in NiMH battery--it isn't replaceable--provides up to 3 hours of operation, which our tests confirmed (we got slightly more than 3 hours but that was with a completely new battery). Three hours of battery life is about average for portable DVD players with 7-inch screens, though you can find some models that top 4 hours.
Since the iLuv i1055's release, it's been joined by at least two other DVD/video iPod portables, the Philips DCP750 (7-inch screen) and DCP850 (8-inch). For essentially the same price, the Philips models offer several improvements over the iLuv: a more traditional folding design (the screen can also flip down, tablet-style); iPod and disc trays on one side; better file support, including DivX; and an SD slot. Until iLuv answers those step-ups, the i1055 is a hard recommendation. In the meantime, though, we have no problem recommending this over dedicated iPod video-enlargers like the Memorex iFlip.
What You'll Pay
- Set Price Alert
