Recommendation for DVD/DivX Player...

[alexb76]

Been searching for a while here without finding an answer

Looking for a good quality DVD player that does DivX/Xvid well. I already have Philips 642... but it's PQ is not good and it does not have proper DVD features and the remote sucks big time.

Want to improve on the Philips. The only option I've found is the Pioneer dv-588. It uses Mediatech chip. Is this a noticable improvement over Philips? Does it have full DVD features? How is PQ?

Gonna hook it up to a Plasma HD TV (1024*768 res.).... so wanna make sure it has good progressive scan as Philips' sucks in that too.

Any help is appreciated!

[mats.hogberg]

A good start would be to tell us where you live - The DVD player market seems rather local...

/Mats

[alexb76]

Sorry, I though my profile shows that. I am in Canada. Mostly watch DVD rentals, some VCDs and DivX downloads.

[alexb76]

Ok, it seems there's another player out there that meets my requirements.

Yamaha DVD-S550

Can anyone tell me which is better? The Pioneer DV-588A or Yamaha DVD-S550?!

Thnx

[MJA]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009H7HAU/103-8878540-4095844?v=glance&n=172282&n=10...onics&v=glance

u can check the reviews there

[alexb76]

what about Yamaha? I looked at posts in here but they are mostly regarding 657 firmware, hacked firmwares, etc...

[junkmalle]

This one sounds good:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1397043#1397043

You can solve your remote problem by getting a learning remote.

[alexb76]

that does look good... but I cannot find it here in Canada... so back to my last two options... Yamaha vs. Pioneer.

[alexb76]

why help with DVD players is quite slow? not too many visitors to this section?

[Big C]

How about either a Yamaha 5-Disc changer such as the DV-C6760 or DV-C6770. If you cannot aford those, try either the single-disc DV-S5750 or DV-S5770. The Pioneer DV-588A-S is a wonderful player, but my gripe with it is that you need a $210 Philips Pronto TSU3000 or an expensive Nokia 60-series Smartphone to send the appropriate IR remote code to make it multi-region compatible. With the Yamahas, in addition to the DIVX capability you seek, they can be made multi-region compatible using their supplied remotes via the following procedure:

1. Turn on the DVD player.
2. Open the tray either by holding the stop button on the remote control or by pressing the open/close button on the DVD player itself.
3. On the remote, press 99990, waiting one second between the press of each digit.
4. Pres the enter or OK button on the remote and you're done!

I hope you find the above useful and helpful in making your decision.

P.S.

The Mediatek MT1389 is one of the best chips out there. For its price, the picture quality is great. And, you get something I feel should be incorporated into any DVD player starting from $100--seemless layer change!

[alexb76]

How about either a Yamaha 5-Disc changer such as the DV-C6760 or DV-C6770. If you cannot aford those, try either the single-disc DV-S5750 or DV-S5770. The Pioneer DV-588A-S is a wonderful player, but my gripe with it is that you need a $210 Philips Pronto TSU3000 or an expensive Nokia 60-series Smartphone to send the appropriate IR remote code to make it multi-region compatible. With the Yamahas, in addition to the DIVX capability you seek, they can be made multi-region compatible using their supplied remotes via the following procedure:

The Mediatek MT1389 is one of the best chips out there. For its price, the picture quality is great. And, you get something I feel should be incorporated into any DVD player starting from $100--seemless layer change!

Why those Yamahas and NOT Yamaha DVD-S550 ? Does that use Mediatek MT1389 as well?

[Big C]

I believe so. Are they current models? Let's check http://www.yamaha.com/yec/sitemap.htm and find out.

[alexb76]

I believe so. Are they current models? Let's check http://www.yamaha.com/yec/sitemap.htm and find out.

Ok, thanks...

Both 550 and 6760 are current... specs are similar... so wondering if I need to pay that extra $$ for 6760.

[Big C]

In your case, I think the 550 would be fine for you. I just went there myself and noticed the same thing

Best Regards,

Big C

[alexb76]

Thnx... one last Q... does Yamaha output SACD via digitial output? I know Pioneer doesn't and has to output through the analog out!

[alexb76]

Also, BigC... what's the procedure on using a Nokia 60-series smartphone for Pioneer?

I have a friend who works at Nokia and can possibly borrow a Nokia 60-series smartphone, if I know what am I doing!

thnx

[Big C]

If you want to hack a Pioneer, you need the following:

Pioneer Hack with Nokia

Remote Control Application: http://www.psiloc.com//files/consumer/series60/Psiloc_Total_irRemote_S60.sis
Remote Control Template: http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/dl.cgi?file=ccf_templates/dvd_players/pio-d...ip&area=pronto

[alexb76]

Thnx a bunch man... the 1st link didn't work but I will try to find that program... if I got a hold of a Nokia and was able to do this... will report back

EDIT - I fixed that link and downloaded

[Big C]

Any time! As great as the picture and sound are on DVD, the copy protection scemes are the screwiest I've ever seen in the audio/video industry in my lifetime! However, through pacients, research, and teamwork, we can still have a life as easy as the old days of VHS, CD, cassette, and LPs, yet experience a quality thats surpasses the above! I'll admit I don't have ALL the answers. There are so many inconsistancies. It can get frustrating at times. In fact, did you see my topic about the Yamaha home cinema systems? Even I have questions.

[junkmalle]

alexb76, Once you get your new Divx/DVD player, whatever it is, please report back with a comparison of it vs the Philips. I think everyone will find it interesting.

[alexb76]

I will, I think a lot of people wonder about that... I did wonder too and researched and not a lot of people have done the upgrade to compare the two... so I would be one of the first few.

[Ryan_Cawdor]

Since you say you have a HDTV, try looking for a player that will upconvert a normal DVD to HDTV resolution. A popular player that will do this, plus play Divx/Xvid is the Oppo DV971H.
Here is a good forum link about upconverting players: http://tinyurl.com/aju2s