Looking for "VCR Friendly" Player

[JohnnyCNote]

My trusty Apex AD1500 is exhibiting signs of aging - the tray won't open any more. I can still pull it out and push it back in and it will play, but after 2 years I think I've gotten my $14.92 worth (I got it on a Columbus Day special from CompUSA).

I read on Nerd-out.com that the Cyberhome CH-DVD500 has a "hack" that allows it to be connected to a VCR or DVD recorder. Has anyone here tried one, or does anyone know of any others that are "VCR friendly" (as the saying goes these days)?

Thanks....

[lordsmurf]

I did it. Honestly, I've never hacked a single machine a day in my life, for this purpose, and I've always routed them through VCRs.

I did something to a CH-500 once, but I no longer remember what. It's not mine.

[JohnnyCNote]

I had a feeling you'd know something about this - thanks! I found a few places that sell the CH-500. My only concern is that they might have different versions, like the Apex AD1100. Unfortunately, Nerd-out.com seems to be down right now. They were up earlier today.

I wish I'd have kept on of the AD1100's I had a while back. It's rare I need to "back-up" directly from a DVD player, but I like to know I have that option available. My AD1500 is still usable, but I'm taking this as a warning sign that it may die without notice.

It's certainly gotten its share of use. Last fall I was laid up with a broken ankle, and it really helped me get through a period of confinement to my room....

[WesleyHester]

If you can find one, the Sungale 8208 is VCR-friendly and has a Region free hack as well. I've had mine for about a year now without issues but I don't use it every day either. The player doesn't have progressive scan.

[JohnnyCNote]

Thanks for the info. That would be fine, but the only place that seems to have it wants $189! How much was yours?

[chas0039]

You might find that it will be easier to get a different VHS machine as a lot of the newer models only kick in Macrovision if you hit the record button. If you want VHS friendly for other purposes please disregard.

[compiler]

Why no one talks about Philips DVP 642 that may be the best buy in 2004? Of course, it is VCR friendly and region free (hacked).

[lordsmurf]

You might find that it will be easier to get a different VHS machine as a lot of the newer models only kick in Macrovision if you hit the record button. If you want VHS friendly for other purposes please disregard.

That's probably why none of mine ever went wonky just from being an in-between for the DVD player.

[JohnnyCNote]

You might find that it will be easier to get a different VHS machine as a lot of the newer models only kick in Macrovision if you hit the record button. If you want VHS friendly for other purposes please disregard.

Thanks for the reply. I should really say I want one that allows "back-ups" to other devices, not necessarily VHS. It's not often I do, but the need arises every now and then.

Why no one talks about Philips DVP 642 that may be the best buy in 2004? Of course, it is VCR friendly and region free (hacked).

I'll have to check it out. It's readily available and the price is right at around $70. Thanks for the tip!

[WesleyHester]

JohnnyCNote, when I got my Sungale 8208, it was under $70 on eBay new. I guess they are now in limited supply and/or sellers know what they have now (vcr friendly player people want).
I knew about the Philips DVP 642 player but I did not know it was VCR-friendly (can copy DVDs to VHS Macrovision disabled). Now I'm considering replacing my Sungale with the Philips in my component rack because the Philips does have Progressive Scan and many more features.

[chas0039]

I have replaced 2 dud Panasonic machines that cost much more after they died (factory defect, just out of warranty). I would buy another Philips in a second. I may do it before I have any need just because of quality and a plethora of output connections. This is one great machine.

[JohnnyCNote]

JohnnyCNote, when I got my Sungale 8208, it was under $70 on eBay new. I guess they are now in limited supply and/or sellers know what they have now (vcr friendly player people want).
I knew about the Philips DVP 642 player but I did not know it was VCR-friendly (can copy DVDs to VHS Macrovision disabled). Now I'm considering replacing my Sungale with the Philips in my component rack because the Philips does have Progressive Scan and many more features.

I'm definitely going to look into the Philips.

Also, has anyone been able to get on to Nerd-Out.com in the past few days? I haven't been able to....

[WesleyHester]

Nerd-Out is not working for me either.

[RowMan]

VCR Friendly DVD players are getting harder to find. I've had a Cyberhome 500 for over a year and the Macrovision hack works great when I need it. That same hack worked fine on a unit bought by a friend of mine less than three months ago.

[compiler]

However, a Cyberhome 500 is not easy to be found but the Philips DVP 642 is. Morever, the Philips quality is definitely superior to the Cyberhome unite. The only problem is the Philips DVP 642 is not DVD friendly. Does anyone know any DVD friendly unite that can found in the store nowadays?

[JohnnyCNote]

Nerd-Out is not working for me either.

It's back up - at least for now...

[westlaw]

Has anyone here tried one, or does anyone know of any others that are "VCR friendly" (as the saying goes these days)?

Thanks....

I recommend Sampo DVD Players. Many can be made "All Region" or "VCR friendly" via the remote control.

Some Sampo models requires a bio hack. I'm a complete novice at bio hack upgrading, but a few years ago, I purchased several of these Sampo units as christmas gifts and modified them myself with no problems.

Check out www.area450.com for complete info of the Sampo line of DVD Players. They have extensive information of how to hack these units. I've had my two Sampo 631CF for 3 years now... I've never a problem with them.

Also, the Sharp DV740U is VCR friendly out of the box.

good luck.

[JohnnyCNote]

I have another question about the Philips DVP 642: I've read elsewhere that while it's "VCR friendly", it may not be DVD recorder "friendly". What if one were to loop its output through a VCR and then go into the DVD recorder? Is there a combination of ways to connect them that will fool the MV, like from composite line-out to the VCR, then RF from the VCR to the DVD recorder, etc?

Or maybe I'll just keep the Apex for those rare occasions when I might need its unique capabilities and otherwise use the Pioneer DVR 210 for general playback as well as recording. Since I got it from Costco, I can always take it back when (I mean "if") it decides to act up. In the meanwhile I might run across another Apex somewhere, like at a garage sale, etc., and get it for a good price from someone who's not aware of its hidden value......

[handyguy]

Walmart has Cyberhome 300's you could check those out for a hack, I think they are $35 or so....

[JohnnyCNote]

I just came back from WalMart and they had a lot of Cyberhome 300's. Unfortunately, they aren't "VCR friendly":

Cyberhome FAQ (Regon Free, Macrovision, Disortion, PAL/NTSC)

How do I turn off Macrovision? (CH DVD-500 ONLY! - THERE'S NO KNOWN SOLUTION FOR THE CH DVD-402 or any others!)

I wrote down the model #'s for the players they had in stock and I'll see if any are hackable. If so, I'll let youse know.....

[zleepy]

Don't throw out your APEX. Have some fun with it.

Open it up and remove the drive then clean the gears (do NOT use spray cleaner)
using Q-tips, swabs and/or a tiny brush.
While cleaning, see if you can find out what's causing the tray problem.

After cleaning up the gunk, apply TFT (Teflon) gel to gears and rails (guide
rod & grooves the IR reader & tray rides on).
Put it back in the player and see if it works.

Cleaners, swabs, brushes and TFT gel are at Radio Shack.
Have fun.

FWIW I use LiteOn 5001. Tho I use it only as a friendly recorder, it's also a VHS
and DVD friendly player

[JohnnyCNote]

Thanks for the tips! I was also looking at this page: How to replace a dead DVD-ROM drive "loader" in your DVD player. Depending on how things turn out, I may give this a try.....

[JohnnyCNote]

I guess I fixed it. I opened up the box and worked the tray in and out a few times and it's working fine now. I didn't see any belts, nor could I find any gears or anything else as the mechanism was buried and I didn't want to risk not being able to put it back together if I did take it apart.

I have a bid going on eBay for a Sharp 740. I'm going to get it anyway if I win just to have a spare. Thanks for the help!