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New DVD player - Can't Decide I need advice please
Forum Index -> Hardware -> DVD & Blu-ray Players Printer-friendly version
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Hairfarmer
Member


Joined: 05 Jan 2007
Location: United States
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 10:27 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
Greetings,

Recently my old Pioneer DV-S737 died. It played both NTSC and Pal formatted disks and all regions. I paid about $500 for it in 2001. I have a large collection of dvds that are from different countries and in PAL format. I've been looking on ebay for a replacement.

I can't believe how much the prices have come down in regards to A/V equipment!

All of the following DVD players are region free and NTSC-Pal compatible. In addition they all convert the PAL signal to my NTSC TV on the fly without the need for a PAL-to-NTSC conversion box. With my older unit I had to use the converter box to play PAL dvds. It seems as though this feature is built-in these days.


I have narrowed my choices to the following:

Toshiba
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK ... 0245022751

Pioneer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK ... 0097037359

Sony
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK ... 0103078006

Phillips
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK ... 0267977429


Any suggestions on the better of the three would be appreciated.

Hairfarm

jagabo
Member


Joined: 09 Dec 2005
Location: none
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 10:40 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
If you're looking at Philips look at the 5990 or 5992. They're much better than the 5960.

<US$58 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10050628

From what I've read the remote is much better too. The 5960's remote is one of the worst ever made.

redwudz
Mod Neophyte


Joined: 07 Sep 2002
Location: AZ, USA
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 12:02 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
I'd recommend the 5990/2 also. Add in vb6rocod's firmware mod and it's a very nice unit for the cost: http://forum.videohelp.com/topic355675.html Plays back all my PAL video with no problems.

EDIT: Even if you never play a DVD on it, the USB drive to video conversion feature is worth the price. smile.gif

This thread would be better in the DVD & Blu-ray Player forum. Moving you.

And Hairfarmer, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:
Quote:
Try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like Help me!!! or Problems.

Thanks,
Moderator redwudz

Last edited by redwudz on Nov 03, 2008 12:46, edited 1 time in total
neomaine
Member


Joined: 09 Jul 2001
Location: United States
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 12:06 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
redwudz wrote:
I'd recommend the 5990/2 also. Add in vb6rocod's firmware mod and it's a very nice unit for the cost: http://forum.videohelp.com/topic355675.html Plays back all my PAL video with no problems.


Yeah, what he said! Just got mine a couple of weeks ago and added the new firmware. One of the best electronic decisions I've ever made.
_________________
Have a good one,

neomaine

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jagabo
Member


Joined: 09 Dec 2005
Location: none
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 12:12 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
And if you're worried about a region free hack for the 5990 (without a firmware mod):
http://forum.videohelp.com/topic358689.html#1904082

MJA
Member


Joined: 05 Jan 2005
Location: IL
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 12:25 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
Freak'n DVP 5990 refurbish at Philips was selling for $39 free shipping and this dude is selling 5960 refurb for $59.

get the 5990 from wal-mart for easy return just in case


from techbargains.com

Quote:
Philips DVP5990 DVD Player (Refurb, 1080p Upscaling, DivX) $39.99 Free Shipping, Oct. 6 4 PM

Philips Outlet has the Refurbished Philips DVP5990/37B Progressive Scan DVD Player, featuring 1080p upconversion via HDMI and DivX playback, for a low $39.99 Free Shipping. Tax in most states


Hairfarmer
Member


Joined: 05 Jan 2007
Location: United States
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 14:19 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
Thanks for the great suggestions guys. This looks like a perfect player!

What exactly can I use the USB drive to video conversion feature for?

thanks so much.

jman98
Member


Joined: 08 Oct 2004
Location: Freedonia
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 14:53 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
Hairfarmer wrote:

What exactly can I use the USB drive to video conversion feature for?

thanks so much.


I think you are misunderstanding something here. I've never heard of anything like this.

The USB function allows you to play supported video files (NOT high def!) from USB devices that are FAT32 formatted. NTFS won't work.

If you really care about quality, you might take a look at:
http://www.oppodigital.com
They make highly regarded players that are considered superb for PAL to NTSC conversion and they also can be made region free.

Be warned that we're getting posts on various Philips models sold in North America that CANNOT be made region free anymore. I don't remember specific models, but I have to warn you that if you buy Philips and the region free method mentioned by jagabo fails to work, you may want to get a refund.

Finally, note that Circuit City is permanently closing 20% of its stores in the USA. Some cities, including mine, are having ALL of their Circuit City stores closed. Going Out Of Business sales will start either on Nov. 4 or 5. If you have a Circuit City that will be closed (sorry, don't have a link to a list) you might look into buying a Philips model there as there might be a good discount, but check on returns just in case yours can't be made region free.

redwudz
Mod Neophyte


Joined: 07 Sep 2002
Location: AZ, USA
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 15:08 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
Just to add, a external hard drive with a USB interface can play movies off the drive through a 5990 player. It also plays PAL video. The drive needs to be formatted in FAT32 format, but easy enough to do. I use Xvid and Divx files mostly for the 5990. I recently set up a 320GB external USB hard drive with about 400 videos. They play back fine through the 5990 to a NTSC TV, even the PAL files. You just use the remote to select the videos. biggrin.gif One method here: http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-5990/9370?#70038

vb6rocod's firmware mod makes it easier to read long titles, along with other nice additions.

Admitibly, the quality isn't great compared to the Oppo, but the price is. smile.gif

samijubal
Member


Joined: 25 Jul 2004
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 16:22 Posts View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
The Philips players use a DC brush spindle motor, don't expect them to last a long time if you use it a lot. I have a Philips I use just for PAL DVDs and my main player I use for everything else.

Teutatis
Member


Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Location: United States
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 20:40 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
redwudz wrote:
Just to add, a external hard drive with a USB interface can play movies off the drive through a 5990 player. It also plays PAL video. The drive needs to be formatted in FAT32 format, but easy enough to do. I use Xvid and Divx files mostly for the 5990. I recently set up a 320GB external USB hard drive with about 400 videos. They play back fine through the 5990 to a NTSC TV, even the PAL files. You just use the remote to select the videos. biggrin.gif One method here: http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-5990/9370?#70038

vb6rocod's firmware mod makes it easier to read long titles, along with other nice additions.

Admitibly, the quality isn't great compared to the Oppo, but the price is. smile.gif


Will it play ISO files?

MJA
Member


Joined: 05 Jan 2005
Location: IL
Post Posted: Nov 03, 2008 20:47 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
Quote:
Will it play ISO files?


nope

redwudz
Mod Neophyte


Joined: 07 Sep 2002
Location: AZ, USA
Post Posted: Nov 04, 2008 01:53 Posts Comp View users profile Send private message Reply with quote
I use VCDGear to convert the common ISO formats (VCD, KVCD) to MPEG format. I think the 5990 will play them. I haven't tried as I don't have the unit here at present. You may also be able to load the ISO into Daemon Tools and copy the resulting VCD, KVCD to the drive used for your 5990. I haven't tried that either. This may also work with DVD ISOs, though those seem fairly uncommon.

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