Product Review: Durabrand DVD-1002 DVD/CD Player
SIZE/STYLE: It is lightweight and smaller than most other DVD players. The player is mostly dark grey, with chrome-colored buttons. The unit is easy to move around, but requires that electricity be provided through a built-in AC cord, so portable use is limited. The tray for placing DVDs and CDs is located on top of the player, and pops open with the press of a button, so it is not possible to stack other devices on top of it, or place other top-loading audio/video devices under it. It has a row of indicator lights (power/standby/play) on the front, but no clock. The DVD-1002 comes with a small grey remote, which is powered by two "AAA" batteries (included).
MANUAL: This Durabrand DVD/CD player comes with a detailed instruction manual, as well as a quick reference sheet for setting it up. The English section of the manual is about twenty-six pages long. When purchasing a used Durabrand DVD-1002, try to buy a unit which includes the manual, as some functions are not entirely self-explanatory, especially if you are not already familiar with using a DVD player. There is an inaccuracy about subtitles in the manual (refer to the "subtitles" section below).
CD/DVD PERFORMANCE: So far it has been used to successfully play six DVD movies over a period of almost one month. It also displayed all of the photographs on a Kodak PictureCD well, and worked fine when tested with a music CD. While playing a music CD, the track number, number of seconds elapsed (on the current track), and a logo appear on the screen. While playing CDs, the video cable can be disconnected from the TV to save electricity by leaving the screen blank, or to connect a video cable from another device (you might use a TV-capable computer or watch a satellite TV channel while listening to a CD through the television speaker). Updates will be posted in the "Comments" section of this review if there are any mechanical problems or changes in the DVD-1002's performance.
SUBTITLES: This Durabrand CD/DVD player is capable of displaying subtitles in multiple languages. However, the menu for turning subtitles on/off or selecting language doesn't seem to actually change the subtitle mode, despite following the manual's instructions. Instead, to turn the subtitles on and off or select a language, press the button on the remote control marked "SUBTITLE" repeatedly until the desired setting is reached.
TV CONNECTION: With most televisions, it should be possible to connect the Durabrand DVD-1002 to them using one or more of the connection options available (composite via RCA jacks, S-Video, or Progressive). However, some older (esp. 1970-1980s) or small (under 13") TV models do not have the correct type of input jacks. For these TVs, an RF modulator unit can be used to connect the DVD player to the TV. Also, the manual states that some VCR-TV combination units cannot be used with a DVD player.
POWER: According to its manual, the Durabrand DVD-1002 consumes fifteen watts of electricity while operating (about equivalent to a low-wattage CFL bulb or a five-inch B&W television), and five watts (almost as much as a clock radio or answering machine) when in "standby" mode. It is in standby mode whenever it is turned "off"; unplugging it when not in use can save a small amount of power.
BUYING: This Durabrand DVD player can (as of late July, 2007) be purchased at Wal-Mart stores for about $28, so it is one of the least expensive DVD players available. Wal-Mart offers a number of other Durabrand products, including televisions and boom boxes. This player can also be purchased on eBay and a couple of online shopping websites.
Published by Z. Perry
Freelance writer, website operator, and programmer View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI could really use the DVD player and i am sure someone in the family would like the DVD. http://www.gpscardvd.com
They also recalled the purple and pink colored versions later on, in addition to the silver colored unit I reviewed: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09335.html
Yes, they're offering a full refund. You can read about the recall here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09316.html
now it's been recalled.
I agree that this Durabrand DVD-1002 DVD player is an UNSAFE product.
I got this at WalMart a few years ago and used it continuously, often leaving it on while I left the house.
Then a few days ago, while I was in another room, I heard a loud POP. When I came into the room it was spewing smoke in "rapid oxidation" mode.
I disconnected it and got it outside, to let it cool off for a day or so. (Sparks can survive hours.)
It's not on the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall list -- and by now, it certainly should have been -- and when I tried to bring up the CPSC's "Report an Unsafe Product" webpage, that appears to have been hacked ... with lots of Chinese(?) characters on it.
Interestingly, the Durabrand 1002 is no longer listed on Walmart's webpage.
I've had one of these for about 2 years now, and it works fine -knock on wood- my dad also has one, not sure how long he's had it. only trouble with his is, the remote has been lost and I can't seem to find a universal code for it.
While watching tv, i noticed smoke coming from the DVD player next to the TV. As soon as I got up to check I heard some explossion. I was so scared that I had to call 911. all of the sudden the room got full of smoke. Please post it if this product is ever going to be recall.
Update: I haven't had any problems with it yet, but reports of these units melting, smoking, and/or producing sparks have appeared on several different web sites. I would recommend unplugging the DVD player at all times when it is not in use. This way, at least you will be there to unplug it and extinguish any fire should the problem occur.
I too purchased this DVD player about a year ago and the other day I was home alone when I heard a gun shot sound coming from the T.V . I thought the big screen T.V had blown up and when I ran to unplug the tv it blasted off again filling the house with smoke. My hsband turned the tv on when he got home and it worked fine it was very puzzling to me how this could still be playing. Then yesterday my 4 year old wanted to watch a dvd and low and behold it would not power on~ upon checking it in another outlet I disovered it was melted and still had the burn smell to it. I too tried to phone the number on the bottom and it has benn disconnected. If anyone knows what I should do to get these recalled let me know thanks!
I purchased the durabrand model 1002 because it was inexpensive. The unit worked fine for a short period of time, then the sound no longer worked. I tried different audio cables to no avail. Then I read about all the people have trouble with them melting, starting on fire and internal explosions and I immediately unhooked it and will not use it. These should be recalled at once.