Entered CNET Catalog: 06/06/2007
SKU: DP781
Manufacturer: LG Electronics U.S.A. Inc.
Manufacturer description
LG Electronics is one of the world's largest electronics manufacturers, producing a large range of consumer electronics and IT products. LG has created reputation for progressive technology and innovation with the latest technological developments in consumer electronics, home appliances and IT products. PRODUCT FEATURES: 8-inch Swivel Screen; Touch Panel Controls; USB Media Host; Up to 5 Hours Battery Life; Automotive Charger; A/V Input + Output; Multi Format Disc PLayback: DVD Video/ DVD±R/DVD±RW/ Audio CD/CD-R/CD-RW.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
User Rating: 
2/10
Not user friendly and the screen broke after 20 uses.
Pros: Compact and the screen swivled.
Cons: We bought an LG DVD player because we like the brand. We declined the warranty offered by Best Buy but were shocked when the screen stopped working after 1 year. The screen went white and doesn't show a picture although the machine still works.
User Rating: 
4/10
Excellent Picture - Overheating Nightmare
Pros: This portable DVD player has the best picture I have seen. I've compared to phillips, panasonic, sony, and insignia. It also has a very easy intuitive interface.
Cons: Overheats. I bought it in January of 2008 and it worked fine until November 2008. At that time the DVDs began to stop playing and skip. I tested DVDs on other players and they worked fine. Right now it won't play anythiing.
User Rating: 
5/10
Good qualities, but started overheating/shutting down
Pros: We chose this player because of the long battery life, and it did not disappoint in that area. The picture is great too. I liked the swiveling screen.
Cons: Sound was too low. Unit stopped working after a couple of months. I believe it was overheating.
User Rating: 
9/10
good product
Pros: good video
Cons: max sound output should be louder
User Rating: 
6/10
Good screen bad audio
Pros: Nice screen, easy controls
Cons: audio had a buzz
User Rating: 
10/10
Great product. This dvd player is a must-buy. User-friendly.
Pros: Good battery life, very durable, folds down easily into your lap, AV hook-ups for TV, light-weight, VERY easy to use.
Cons: None that I can think of
It's been criticized for having sound problems, but I don't think it's bad. Give this one a try. You'll be glad you did.
User Rating: 
8/10
Great buy, especially if on sale
Pros: good picture, easy to use
Cons: low volume, bulky battery
User Rating: 9/10
Kudos to LG
Pros: Picture quality, battery life, Remote and USB port
Cons: Sound could be louder
Picture quality is crisp, plays all varieties of DVDs. Various options available. Can be set to different LCD modes. Battery life is about 4 hours as against the claim of 5 hours.
Go for it.
User Rating: 9/10
Great DVD Player plus Video iPod Connectivity
Pros: Screen Quality, Video iPod Connectivity
Cons: Low Sound and battery adds some weight
User Rating: 10/10
Keep this one for yourself
Pros: Picture is the unbelievable, and I'm particular. You will be amazed.
Cons: battery pack not internal, dvd door is thin, but neither bothers me.
After comparing all the portable players in a reasonable price range, I pick this one hands down for the best picture. No glare screen, t5 hour battery, touch controls, more features, and FINALLY a player with a reasonable volume.
Before I purchased it, I didn't like the removable battery pack. I thought it would be obtrusive. After using it this week, it is no prob. I wouldn't give it a second thought.
This would work well for kids, you can wipe off the buttons easily because of the touch sensitive pads. Also, you can flip the screen around and lay it flat. If your kids are very young, they are less likely to sprag the screen off when flat.
Good choice all around, you will be a believer in LG after this.
User Rating: 9/10
Great Machine!!
Pros: Picture quality is awesome.
Cons: Shiny base looks great, but be prepared to wipe off fingerprints. Wish the back of the screen was all black instead of white. No video playback from USB
User Rating: 9/10
Great Portable DVD Player
Pros: Great LCD Screen, Battery Life, Soft touch Controls, USB Port
Cons: Sound is not that loud.
User Rating: 8/10
Great Picture, great build quality
Pros: Picture Quality is very good; can be made region free
Cons: Power adapter, does not play VCD
Sound quality through the built in speakers can only be described as 'tinny', but it seems no better or worse in this regard than its competitors. Using headphones though the sound is very good and provides an engrossing experience with movies.
Cons? Well for some strange reason LG have included a power adapter rated at only 110v. For a device designed for travel this is no good. Also, the player does not play VCD's - not a big deal for most people, but I lived in Asia for 3 years and have a sizeable collection of VCD's. My guess is that if it doesn't play VCD, then it won't play movies burned to CD using MPEG-1. However let me say that the quality of this unit is so good that I'm prepared to forgive it's minor foibles - $10 gets a travel adapter from Radio Shack.
One more thing. There is a region free hack available from the web - you're looking for a file called LG5000.zip. It works fine with this machine
User Rating: 8/10
screen quality near HD
Pros: screen resolution; swivel screen; usb input
Cons: glossy surface invites smudges
Except for the poor choice of a glossy surface finish the player rates a 8.5. A 9 in screen would have put his close to 10
User Rating: 9/10
Best of Breed
Pros: Image quality, touch controls, swivel, build quality, toll-free support
Cons: Bulky battery, manual is a bit light on details
User Rating: 9/10
A great product
Pros: Picture Quality, format campatibility, battery life, ac & auto adapters included,, USB media host
Cons: did not include headphones or car mount
I narrowed down to the Sony DVP-FX810 and a Panasonic DVD-LS82. The Panasonic was $250 and had a 12 hour battery life. However, I was disappointed with the picture quality. The $190 Sony had very weak sound on both the speakers and headset. The LG DP781 was not on display, but I have had very good success with most of my LG products (ie: DVD Burners which out perform my Sony, Iomega and HP burners). Then someone came in while I was looking and opened the LG box because a friend had recommended it to them. I watched as he put in the demo disk and it really blew my mind. The box said it was compatible with DVD +- R and RW, but did not say if it read DVD+R DL. I went home and scoured the internet until I found one review which said it was. I went back and purchased the set. I have played many formats, including the DL and most are great. I have one disk that won't play well, and I am not sure why.
It even has a USB 2 slot that will play audio tracks on a flash drive. Pretty cool.
I purchased two Sony Noise Cancelling headsets and a case that included a car mount. I got the set to entertain my grandaughter on long vacation trips, but I think I will get good use of it for myself.
User Rating: 8/10
Best Screen Quality Sceen of Reviewed Players
Pros: Picture, USB Connector for Flash Drives
Cons: With the Battery on makes it a little bulky
What I tested so far:
Battery charged within the specs, I haven't had time to test the duration.
Play a Sample DVD, Picture Great, Volume is not that loud might be problem in a noisy area but I plan on listening with a headphones.
I wanted to post something in case anyone was considering the unit.
I ran a few DVD's Mostly Concerts and Music and I think the sound is a little better that I first heard the first time. Also, the battery life seems decent to my calculate with isn't exact since I lost track of time I would say I got between 4 or 5 hours. Enough for a plane ride.
