Philips DVP642 now $57.86 at Wal-Mart

[absinthecarolinas]

For those interested ... plays DivX/XviD files and all DVD/VCD/SVCD very well, and ya can't beat the price. Now $57.86 at Wal-Mart (formerly about $69.99). Will also play VOBs and MPGs (DVD/VCD/SVCD spec) directly from disc.

-abs

[Neuron]

With all my respect but this player is a piece of junk. I've got no luck with this player. It was buggy all around. Returned it back to Targer after six days of extensive trial usage. Would not recommend to anyone.

[celtic_druid]

You should be able to pick up a half decent MTK based player for not that much more.

[stim141]

I agree that its a piece of junk. Also just purchased it at Walmart this weekend and this is what I found. First, the drive motor is pretty noisy - you can hear the thing spinning from about 7 feet and hear every track change. The menu system is pretty basic and one major flaw is the lack of time left on video. When playing Divx's the read head seems to either click or screech. Don't think its defective since other posts have confirmed this. Navigation via the remote isn't intuitive. Finally when the player is in standby the red light is blindingly bright - so if you aren't using the player and just watching TV the light is pretty distracting. Even tried to tape over the light with electrical tape and it still shows through the clear bezel. If you can overlook these problems its an 'ok' player but I'd go elsewhere.

Also, Divx is releasing Divx 6 which will almost definately make the current Divx generation players obsolete - unless a firmware update can update to Divx 6. The new specs for 6 are pretty impressive.

Heres the link from Tom's Hardware:

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050615_010321.html

[absinthecarolinas]

Methinks you doth protest too much. I mean, we're talking 60 bucks for a player that will play most every DivX and XviD encode ... which ought to be 100% of them if you are encoding your own.

Also, the DivX 6 release states that they've designed the new codec "carefully within the constraints of DivX Certified device compatibility." I think you're speaking of the new file format (Fusion ... or *.div/*.divx files). No, the player probably won't be compatible with those, but I still see no reason why the video within would not be compatible. I'm sure a way to demux it and remux it into an AVI will rear its head.

-abs

[stim141]

I'm probably just being picky, and I can live with the user interface but the drive noise and standby light kill it for me. Going to take a chance and give the new Kenwood 3250 a try which is 86 dollars and has a few extra features but lacks an optical out (has coax). Somewhat hard to find locally but looks like it is built a little better as well - although their support based on their website is a little thin so firmware updates may be a problem. Otherwise going to the Yamaha.

[absinthecarolinas]

Do you know anything about that Yamaha model? And do you mean the DVS5750? I ask because I've looked at it and I'm wondering if it plays Qpel/GMC. I've been told it will "play anything with a hole in the middle," but I can't confirm this. They have it at Best Buy for $149.99.

I also noticed a new model on the shelf from LG over the weekend. Actually, on glancing at Best Buy's website, it looks like their entire line of "LG" brand DVD players play DivX. I'd really like to get some specs on that. There appear to be no details in videohelp's player database.

-abs

[celtic_druid]

LG player should be MTK based and therefor handle qpel and 1 warp point GMC fine.

[james636]

It sounds to me like those that are ragging on the Philips DVP642 work for one of the competitors in some way. You're talking about motor noise, and a standby light I have one and it plays every file that it claimed to play; thats more important to me.

Someone spoke of the Yamaha. Now let me get this straight, one would pay an extra $60 dollars for a player just because it has a so called quiet motor and no standby light Well go ahead Big Ballers. I mean if your pockets are on swole, then spend on

But for me, I don't hear any noise nor does the standby light bother me.

[craiggus365]

I agree with james636, I own 2 of the 642's

The standby light is a TINY led - the motor is only slightly noisy during initial disc recognition and for the price you can pick one up this is a steal. The only drawback is the newer versions have the Macrovision enabled and as of yet you can't flash them back to a previous firmware. Only one of mine is newer and the older one is going strong over 1 year. The price of this unit far outweighs these small gries in my eyes.

[tmaxwell2435]

I have three of these and don't have any complaints. :P

[absinthecarolinas]

But for me, I don't hear any noise nor does the standby light bother me.

I'm with you. They've never bothered me, either. I also own two of 642s, and I love 'em. In fact, for under 60 bucks I'm seriously considering buying a third. Then I could watch DivX/XviD files on every TV in my house.

-abs

[james636]

But for me, I don't hear any noise nor does the standby light bother me.

I'm with you. They've never bothered me, either. I also own two of 642s, and I love 'em. In fact, for under 60 bucks I'm seriously considering buying a third. Then I could watch DivX/XviD files on every TV in my house.

-abs

I agree with james636, I own 2 of the 642's

The standby light is a TINY led - the motor is only slightly noisy during initial disc recognition and for the price you can pick one up this is a steal. The only drawback is the newer versions have the Macrovision enabled and as of yet you can't flash them back to a previous firmware. Only one of mine is newer and the older one is going strong over 1 year. The price of this unit far outweighs these small gries in my eyes.

I have three of these and don't have any complaints. :P

These are three smart people I think I'll get a second one myself

[TOY4TWO]

I agree that its a piece of junk. Also just purchased it at Walmart this weekend and this is what I found. First, the drive motor is pretty noisy - you can hear the thing spinning from about 7 feet and hear every track change. The menu system is pretty basic and one major flaw is the lack of time left on video. When playing Divx's the read head seems to either click or screech. Don't think its defective since other posts have confirmed this. Navigation via the remote isn't intuitive. Finally when the player is in standby the red light is blindingly bright - so if you aren't using the player and just watching TV the light is pretty distracting. Even tried to tape over the light with electrical tape and it still shows through the clear bezel. If you can overlook these problems its an 'ok' player but I'd go elsewhere.

Also, Divx is releasing Divx 6 which will almost definately make the current Divx generation players obsolete - unless a firmware update can update to Divx 6. The new specs for 6 are pretty impressive.

Heres the link from Tom's Hardware:

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050615_010321.html

It plays DIVX 6 fine. There are 3 different disc loaders/lasers. Which model did you get S M or E?

Big differences b/w the 642s out there.

[DeathStalker77]

Is it still the M series from Wal-Mart?

I got mine about a year ago and am thinking about another one (still waiting on the details of the 1223 firmware).

Of the three, my understanding is that the M series is better than the E series - don't know about the S series.

Thanks much!


--- DeathStalker

[DeathStalker77]

Ok, decided to go out and get one last night.

The one I got was shipped to Wal-Mart on 05/26/2005 - it was manufactured March 2005 and shows 642/37 v1109 01 E 1

It's interesting that these are now the 37s, not the 17s. I checked all of the half-dozen boxes and they were all labeled the same and shipped the same date.


--- DeathStalker

[tashidondrup]

deleted

[lacywest]

Whatever ... I got the Phillips DVP 5960 for 54 bucks on Ebay ... postage included already in the price.

[catdaddio6]

you guys are postin on a topic over a year old,,so you know

[handyguy]

Lol.....

Try a Zenith 1080i Up-Conversion DVD Player with HDMI Output
at circuit city online only with rebate for $39AR. Has s-video, component, composite connections.