Portable Digital Video Player

Design concept for a portable Video CD player.

DV Player

In 1994, Video CD was just being launched and DVD-Video didn't exist yet. I was very interested in the potential for portable video delivered on MPEG-based Video CD and used this project to research the technology and design a product for a particular market segment.

Building on the popularity of portable CD audio players, this product offers video entertainment (such as movies and music videos) to people who commute or travel a lot. It is branded here as a Sony product in recognition of their market-leading and innovative history in consumer electronic products.

The CD player mechanism, electronic componentry, and batteries are housed in the lower half of a rugged ABS shell. The 6" backlit active-matrix LCD screen has an adjustable viewing angle, and folds down when not in use. The external LCD status display is always visible (even with the screen down), so that control and feedback is still available when playing audio CDs. Sound output is delivered through stereo headphones.

The player is powered by 8 AA-standard rechargeable NiMH batteries ensuring playback of a full feature-length movie.

The overall shape was designed to be comfortable to carry or hold, with a unique aesthetic to differentiate it from existing portable audio CD players.

(1:1 Scale facsimile model pictured.)

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