Portable movie players and headphones for toddlers

[louisouis]

I will like to get a portable movie player and headphones for my 20month old when we travel long haul during Christmas. Do you have any brands that you will recommend? I was thinking of an IPOD Touch but it may be too fragile for a toddler who likes to throw things just to hear it go 'plonk'! Ang suggestions will be great!

[LeahH]

We've have a little Archos personal media player which I find great. The screen is bigger than an ipod touch at 7 inches, but still small enough to fit into a handbag.

We wanted it small so we could use it taxis when our toddler is restless. It also has a little stand so you can sit it on front of them on planes etc. and a spare battery attachment.

Also good is that you don't need to change downloaded films into the mp4 format, it will play any movie files as they are.

We have an Archos 6.0 which can store around 80-90 movies, but there are several different brands and sizes around.

Re. headphones, I am ordering a pair of Sony children's headphones off Amazon as I can't find them anywhere in HK!!

[louisouis]

Leah where did you get your Archos player?

[LeahH]

The computer centre in Wanchai

[zhouleggett]

we are a joint culture expat family, so you could imaging we have being doing quite a lot long distance travellings, with 3 little children all under 6 years old. so in my past experience with the portable dvd players are: get the cheapest that works for your dvd collection. since just like you said, the little ones intend not to be careful around our morden equipments, and the result is that i am on my no. 3 machine now. you get the picture!

[Portia]

You might actually want to consider a portable DVD player that doesn't require headphones for your little one. I found that my son would not keep the headphones on when he was younger. He is better now that he is nearly three. I find that the plane is so loud that it doesn't really bother people. I can barely hear it when I am sitting 2 seats from him and I figure it's better for other passngers to hear a very quiet movie soundtrack than his loud crying!

[southside852]

We have the panasonic one - got it at pacific place electronic store that has about a 14 hours battery life. our son used it from our flight to nyc from hong kong and it was such a lifesaver. no need for headphones at that age since there is so much white noise and i doubt your 20 month year old will even keep them on. no one even hears it.

[Sleuth]

We use a wide-screen Zen, it's heavier/sturdier than the ipods, with the Sony child's headsets. And fits in a handbag.
Can also be used without headsets.