Philips DVP 642 and DVD mp3

[winifreid]

I currently have the Magnavox MDV 455. I seems fine for dvd's and mp3 cds. I would like to play mp3 dvds (data disks). Is the Phillips 642 capable of this? I have read that it does not support shuffle mode in any format: is this the case? How would you compare these two models for regular dvd video playback?

I guess my final question is whether it is really worth the bother to have a xvid player, if I do not plan (can't - dialup!) to download any avi movies? I tried making a backup using fairuse and the output looked great on the monitor. But it took nearly 4 hours to encode. So I suppose the only advatage to xvid is the lower cost of cdr's? The disadvantage being encoding time and loss of menus.
Thanks

[winifreid]

Another question: It seems this model has only been out for 3 months. Anybody had one just quit working? It it reliable? I had an Apex that stopped after 6 months. I have had the Magnavox for about 5 months and so far so good.
Thanks in advance for answering all these questions.

[redlineracing]

Yep,The Philips 642/17 Is a good Player.Go here for all the specs and downloads.

http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp642_17/dvp642_17_pss_aen.pdf


If you d buy the 642,make sure you DL the Rom upgrade file & instructions.This will enhance the Divx playback.

I also have the Magnavox 458/17 player.It it almost the same at the Phil 642,without the Divx.

Philips owns(makes) Magnavox so they are fairly equal in quality.

I got the 642 at Target for $70,and the Mag at Circuit City for $50.

The 642 is in demand ,so it's hard to find.

\redline