Chorlton

I'm getting around to buying a region free dvd player (with converter?), and I'm looking for recommendations. My old friend google lists some dodgy looking sites, so I'd rather get some opinions here. I dont care about recording dvds, but I do want to play divX, mp3, jpeg etc. I dont want to have to buy some converter thing on top of the player, either. HD compatible would be nice too. Any ideas?

Big D

Cyberhome 300 - $30 and it plays all you want (not sure on divx as i convert the RM files) simple code unlocks - it it dual voltage so you can take home and its pal/ntsc - not high end so isnt for the serious AV fanatic but it does the job!

dbj1000

Philips DVP-642

$49.99, and it not only plays all PAL and NTSC DVDs (without any additional converter) but also practically every digital file type known (.avi, .mov, DivX and many, many more).

We've had ours for two years. After 18 months it failed, but I found instructions on replacing a single capacitor on the board inside (a 5 minute job with a soldering iron and a 50-cent component) and it's been perfect ever since.

It's also surprisingly nice looking (although the remote, like so many remotes, is ugly as hell).

dbj1000

Oh dear. Chorlton's in Texas, so's Big D and so am I.

...which just goes to show that there's feck-all to do in Texas except watch... ahem... imported movies!

Chorlton

At 100+ each day outside, not surprising is it?!

dbj1000

You wuss. My daughters played soccer in the 105deg heat today... while we parents wilted under sunshades and sipped iced water.

Chorlton

I can do it, but its no fun. I like the cold. I always wanted to live in Canada, and I end up in Texas

Chorlton

So any more DVD recommendations? I dont mind spending a bit of cash for something that will last a while...

Kate2112

Debbie does Dallas lasts for a while but of course anything you use too often wears out. Oh I'm sorry I thought you were looking for DVD's not the recorders

AmerLisa

Naughty.....

dan_alford

Your link says it only plays non-region encoded DVD's. Is this the case or can this feature be turned off by an "unofficial" key sequence on the remote?

Esquimaux

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.ph...hilips+DVP+642

Chorlton

There are so many around now that are region free out of the box,so I'd rather go with one of those.

Esquimaux

The hackables are all degrees of junk .. they last about 18 months and then break and then I spend another $40. As its used for watching Balamory they are disposable at that price IMHO

Hiro11

Usually, I'd agree, but the 642's hack is ridiculously simple. If memory serves:

1. open tray
2. Press "0" five times
3. close tray.

Works like a charm.

It's also 49 bucks, outputs progressive and plays burned divx/xvid files. Sold.