Which DVD player? *more info within*

[Leshita]

My budget is around around $140 (Canadian) or less (around $100 would be even better).

Basically I am just looking for something with progressive scan (hoping to get a TV that supports it some day), good picture, good sound, no skipping (or very very very minimal) on all my DVDs, VCD/SVCD playback, and lastly a sleek design (not that important though). Also, support for component and S-video, since I would want to use those once I get a better television.
I play mostly R1 DVDs, and some R3 (only legit North America, Hong Kong DVDs currently, planning on purchasing some Korean and Japanese discs in the future). MP3 playback/ID3 tag support would be great too, but not vital.
So either a region-free player, or one with a simple region hack would be perfect. I am not looking to upgrade the player in a long time, so I want one that will last.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[redwudz]

<<<<<DVD PLAYERS to the left.

[Leshita]

Yes, I know that, but I just thought I can get some better advice here.
There are players that aren't listed there, right?

[anzimike]

you can find alredy hacked apex players on e-bay in your price range. they are not pretty, but work well. I have apex ad-1500 and it plays everything I put in it. also defeats macrovision and cgms if you get one with chip. god luck.

[Leshita]

Thanks, for the suggestion.

I'm looking to purchase the player locally in-stores though. Also, looking for something with a well known brand name such as Pioneer.

Hmm, is the ad-1500 discontinued? Will I be able to find it in stores?

[Poppa_Meth]

if you want something that will last a while don't go with cheapy brands like apex or cyberhome. Sony, Toshiba, JVC, Panasonic, and Pioneer are worth looking into. Best thing to do is go to an online store like Circuit City or Crutchfields and fine some that have the features you want. Then look them up in the DVD Player section here to find out if there are region hacks and see reviews on them.

[Leshita]

Thanks, I'll go do that tonight, will post in this thread if I need farther opinions.

[lenti_75]

if you want something that will last a while don't go with cheapy brands like apex or cyberhome. Sony, Toshiba, JVC, Panasonic, and Pioneer are worth looking into. Best thing to do is go to an online store like Circuit City or Crutchfields and fine some that have the features you want. Then look them up in the DVD Player section here to find out if there are region hacks and see reviews on them.

don't you read that he wants to play mutiple region dvds ??

the best and easy to crack dvd players, are cyberhome 300 - for $40 at bestbuy, or philips 642 which is around 70.

it's a really adventure to crack a sony.....

i personally have a sony and a cyberhome, and I love the cheapo cyber.....

[Poppa_Meth]

The cyberhome may be easier to crack but I've heard all kind of complains out of them quality-wise. It all comes down to what more important to the buyer. Easy region hack. Or a deck thats going to last a while and give good quality playback.

[Dimmer]

My budget is around around $140 (Canadian) or less (around $100 would be even better).

Get a cheapest progressive scan player from Costco or Sam's Club; should be around $70+tx. If you can't find a firmware hack for it here or at rpc1.com, return it and get the second cheapest. Nowadays it's not always Apex, it might easily be a JVC.

[Leshita]

My uncle got me one of those Koss DVD players from Costco before, but I was less than satisfied with it. There was an easy region hack, but the occasional skipping during playback is unbearable for me.

EDIT:

Okay, I have been looking at the Futureshop website and have narrowed down to 4 players.

Sony DVPNS725P
Sony DVP-NS575PB
Pioneer DV-275-S
Panasonic DVDS35K

Currently leaning towards the Sony DVPNS725P as there seems to be a region hack available, while I am not sure about the others. Plus the comments on the DVD players list section seems very positive.
What do you guys(/gals?) think?

EDIT2:

Hmmm, how's the Panasonic DVD-S27K?

[Poppa_Meth]

I've got a Sony DVPNS725P and I'm fairly happy with it though I haven't tried the region hack on it yet. I will say that it has a red level problem though. On black areas especially in Anime you'll often see a lot of red in the black instead of a pure blackness.

[Leshita]

How's the progressive scan on the Sony player, Poppa_Meth? I've read some negative comments on it (though I'll probably won't be getting a TV anytime soon that will support it anyway ).

Anyone got any comments on the other players?

[lordsmurf]

I think my LiteOn 5001 is a perfect player. Even if I never used it to record, it's worth the $250 it cost just to have it play DVDs as nice as it does. It plays any DVD I give it, even rare-specs from PAL that are hard to play in the USA (352x288 interlace and 352x288 progressive MPEG2)

[Poppa_Meth]

Couldn't tell you on the progressive. I don't have an HDTV to try it on.