Here’s how much a DVD player cost in 1997 compared to 1997. 2026
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You might think that a DVD player being manufactured and released in 2026 sounds crazy, but it still exists. Even with the popularity of streaming on smartphones, gaming consoles and smart TVs, owning a DVD player remains a possibility. They’re ideal for anyone collecting DVDs to add to a physical collection, and you can get one in 2026 for much less than in 1997. DVD players were released in the late 1990s, with technology company RCA being among the first to do so.
Panasonic and Sony also offered a line of DVD players at the time, and both continue to make models today. If you wanted a DVD player from the year the ’90s sci-fi movie “Starship Troopers” bombed at the box office, you can expect to pay up to $749 for a Panasonic model, or more than $1,500 in 2026. To buy a new DVD player today, you’re looking at spending less than $100 for a Sony unit. Sony is a well-known brand that continues to manufacture DVD players, alongside Philips and Panasonic, with its Blu-ray players capable of playing DVDs.
What has changed in DVD players over the years
DVD players may still be worth buying in 2026, as they have undergone some changes since 1997. In early versions, they were connected to TVs with RCA cables. Today, DVD players can be connected to your TV using an HDMI cable, switching the signal from analog to digital. As a new technology that emerged in the late 90s, DVD players are quite expensive. However, the price of a home unit was nothing compared to portable players.
Panasonic released the “PalmTheater” DVD-L10 in 1998, which cost around $1,000 for watching movies on the go. These portable DVD players came with a built-in screen instead of plugging into an external monitor. If you wanted to play a DVD in 1997, a DVD player was your only choice. But on October 26, 2000, Sony introduced another method to watch DVD movies at home with the PlayStation 2 gaming console. The latest console, PS5, is also capable of playing Blu-rays.
Companies That Still Make DVD Players Today
Sony is one of the few major tech companies still making a standalone DVD player in 2026. The Philips PLD2000 player is available on Amazon for $69.99 and can upscale a DVD from 480P resolution to 1080P, which reviewers say works well. Panasonic formerly manufactured DVD-only players, but has since expanded to manufacturing combination Blu-ray and DVD players. If you have a Blu-ray collection, you may want to consider an inexpensive Blu-ray player to watch your favorite movies and TV shows.
Although Blu-ray players work with both types of discs, DVD players do not support Blu-rays. There are other companies making DVD players today, beyond the well-known names like Sony, Panasonic and Philips. For example, the Megatek region-free player is available on Amazon for $39.99 with a 4.4-star rating, and Majority DVD sells a player currently listed for just $29.95. However, it’s best to do your own research before choosing which DVD player is best for you.
