I'm pretty new to the VCD-SVCD scene. I'm going to ask for a

[Avalon-Racer]

Hello

I'm going to ask for a DVD player for Xmas, so what is a good DVD player for under $100(or VERY CLOSE to, as $100 is my price limit)

It needs to be able to play VCDs and SVCDs. I would also like a model that you are able to make regionless by means of a firmware flash or something(No chipping required if possible)

I also heard that Apex DVD players were good.

Would someone help me please?

Thanks

[sracer]

Since you will be playing VCD and SVCD discs in addition to DVDs, I strongly recommend that you not get an Apex. For about $130, you can get the best DVD, VCD, SVCD, player undr $200... a Pioneer DV-343.

Is there any way that you can get a Gift Certificate or Visa Buxx card, or something with $100 to spend, and pitch in the difference yourself? Or maybe have a couple of people join together to get you a joint gift? An Apex player, for $100, $80, even $70 is no bargain.

[Avalon-Racer]

I dunno. I dont have any money, and the rents are already paying for an A+ class. But they did say that I could get one more thing, if it was $100 or so.

I'll take a look at the Pioneer DV-343. I was looking at the Apex AD 1500, which "sounded" good. But I'm new, so I dont know.

Is the hardware on the Pioneer flashable to make it regionless?

[Sefy]

I Don't think you can flash Pioneer DVD's, but if you have a choice, I would also recommand either Pioneer (higher quality) or the Apex DVD's.

but I would first recommand you to check the DVD Players list and see what is the most prefered DVD Player here.

[herokid]

I don't know if I consider APEX good but my 660 plays absolutely everything I have put in it. Just from the reviews here, Pioneer seems to be the brand of choice. No comment to that as I don't own one.
My 660 played fine right out of the box, so did the one i bought my sister. If you go Apex, I do recommend you buy retail, not mail order, as others here have reported they needed to exchange.
VCD, SVCD, low to VERY high bitrates, cheapest CDR on the market, PAL, NTSC - all perfect to me.
One caution note - Wish I could remeber the brand but my first go of a (s)VCD DVD player got rave reviews here but if you put PAL in, you got PAL out. Not much use to me in NTSC land.

[Avalon-Racer]

Thanks guys. I'll take a look at both.

Sefy, I took a look at the DVD players list, but so many players, etc. Dont know how to find the "MVP" of DVD players from that list.

I'll probably take a VCD and test it in the machines.

[Sefy]

I would more recommand you make something like my SxVCD and SeVCD CD's, cause if they work, then you'd have higher chances that other non-standard formats will work as well.

Playing VCD won't mean you can play XVCD/SVCD/XSVCD.
however playing an SxVCD will practicly guarntee you can play VCD, XVCD, SVCD and XSVCD.

[tomselina]

APEX is cheap for a reason. Only 1 read laser instead of the usual 2. This makes for bad reads on DVDs, and especially VCD/SVCDs. Stick to the Pioneer.

[Avalon-Racer]

Thanks. I'll take a look at the guides on how to encode and burn a SxVCD.

Now....where did I place those street racing clips......