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Best for iPods

Philips DCP951 £200

As well as DVD playback, the Philips has a sliding docking drawer for an iPod (but not an iPhone), plus an SD memory-card slot. It’s a shame, then, that it’s so poor on other fronts, such as the plasticky casing and flimsy stand, and the unprotected 9in screen, which, despite being colourful, is of low resolution at just 640 x 220 pixels. Then there’s playback that skips if you drop the player from a height of just 2in. It’s the only player here that failed to read Divx files from a DVD, and it was even fussy about playing them from an SD card. Further demerits are a remote that won’t adjust volume, and the risible 2½-hour battery life.

Verdict: Does not live up to its claims, so save your cash.

www.philips.co.uk

Best for value

M&S 7in DVD player £100

At 710g — before installing the six AA batteries that give just two hours of life — this is the lightest player tested. The 7in screen is small but films still looked detailed, thanks to the 720 x 576-pixel resolution. That said, darker scenes looked murky. Corners have been cut to hit the low price, and a rubbery finish and poor-quality car-kit show this. Worse still, video cannot be played via USB, a Divx film on DVD lacked sound and the remote cannot control the volume.

Verdict: A great price, but run it off the mains only.

www.marksandspencer.com

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