Recommendations for a player with Divx and PAL/NTSC output?

[mojo]

I'm looking for a simple DVD player that features Divx output and can switch between PAL and NTSC output (not converting PAL to NTSC, but actually can output both a native PAL and NTSC signal).

I already have Oppo, but I want to try another one.

[Krispy Kritter]

I'm sure there are too many to list...try a search in the DVD Players section. I suspect most players that can play NTSC/PAL can output both formats as well.

The Philips DVP642 can play/output both formats, although I wouldn't recommend it. You won't get much better than the Oppo.

[FulciLives]

The ultimate would be the Oppo Digital DV-981HD or even the Oppo Digital OPDV971H (the DV-981HD is the newer of the two and has slightly better DivX and XviD capabilities).

I call these the "ultimate" because they both use the superior Faroudja DCDi chipset (although only if using the HDMI output on the DV-981HD or the DVI output on the OPDV971H). If you don't use the HDMI/DVI output(s) then the MediaTek chipset does the processing and it is not that good at PAL DVD processing (although it is good at NTSC).

The Oppo Digital DV-970HD is another player they make but it does not have the Faroudja DCDi chipset but instead only has a MediaTek chipset. Unfortunately the MediaTek chipsets do not do very good with PAL DVD material.

These days almost all of the popular DVD players sold in the USA/CANADA that can do PAL and NTSC use a MediaTek chipset. That's the "rub" since this chipset has issues with PAL DVD material.

If you really want to try something else then you might want to look at the Philips DVP5140/37 or the Philips DVP5960/37 ... both use a MediaTek chipset and can do both PAL and NTSC (and easily be made region free as well) but at least they are both "DivX Ultra" certified. Both are pretty much similar but the DVP5960/37 adds HDMI and up-conversion as well as high res JPG playback and a USB 1 input (although it is very flaky). Many have found the up-conversion to be poor though so you are better off using 480i/480p if you go with the DVP5960/37. I have a Philips DVP5140/37 which I bought just for DivX and XviD playback and it does do that very well plus the scaler built-in to my HDTV does a fine job with up-converting to 1080i on it's own. I think for most people the Philips DVP5140/37 is all you really need.

Let me point out that DivX and XviD quality should be identical between say the Oppo Digital DV-981HD and the two Philips models I just mentioned. The only real difference is that the Philips players, being "DivX Ultra" certified can use the "additional features" of DivX 6 such as menu creation and chapters etc. but the Oppo can still do DivX 6 just as well image quality wise ... just without the menu and chapter features.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mojo]

Well I do have the Oppo 971HD, and I am using it with a video projector that displays native PAL as well as NTSC. The projector's display is 1024x 576, so the pixels are native PAL, so when I use a PAL DVD, not only do I get more resolution it doesn't have to do any scaling so it's a smoother image.

I used to have a Sampo player that did PAL and the output was perfect. Then the player died and I got the Oppo, which plays PAL fine, but I see aliasing in the image (crawly edges and stair-steppy lines) that I never had with the Sampo.

I have heard that because my projector uses Faroudja processing (True Life) and the Oppo uses the same thing, there might be incompatability and I am getting the artifacting.

I tried a Philips DVD recorder I have that does PAL output last night and I had the same problem.

I just want a player that made PAL look as good on my projector as my old Sampo!

[FulciLives]

Well I do have the Oppo 971HD, and I am using it with a video projector that displays native PAL as well as NTSC. The projector's display is 1024x 576, so the pixels are native PAL, so when I use a PAL DVD, not only do I get more resolution it doesn't have to do any scaling so it's a smoother image.

I used to have a Sampo player that did PAL and the output was perfect. Then the player died and I got the Oppo, which plays PAL fine, but I see aliasing in the image (crawly edges and stair-steppy lines) that I never had with the Sampo.

I have heard that because my projector uses Faroudja processing (True Life) and the Oppo uses the same thing, there might be incompatability and I am getting the artifacting.

I tried a Philips DVD recorder I have that does PAL output last night and I had the same problem.

I just want a player that made PAL look as good on my projector as my old Sampo!

The model Oppo Digital that you have only uses the Faroudja DCDi chipset when using the DVI out. If you use any of the other video outputs then it relies on the MediaTek chipset (it has both inside).

So if you are using DVI then try component instead.

I know the MediaTek chipset is bad for PAL DVD to NTSC conversion but as I understand it they are also bad for PAL DVD output as PAL.

A few people here say the older Lite-On units (the 500x recorders) did good PAL to NTSC and they use something other than a MediaTek chipset (as I understand it). It wasn't that long ago that Radio Shack was blowing those old Lite-On recorders out for $99 + sales tax. Forget the Radio Shack website ... visit some local stores (or call around). eBay might be another option.

I've never seen a Lite-On in action though so I cannot comment on how well it handles PAL DVD.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mojo]

Hey John thanks for the help and info... I have tried both DVI and component, I still get the aliasing on PAL output (and I'm using the actual PAL output, I do not want to convert it to NTSC).

I suppose my only other option it to try yet another brand of player with PAL output and see what happens... if I still get the problems, maybe it's something to do with my projector.

Maybe I can find out what the chipset was in my old Sampo and see if I can get another player with that chipset!

[esumsea]

Is there another player that does a better job at pal conversion?

[esumsea]

Ened up going with the DV-696v-s because of its 16MB Pal to NTSC conversion and its ability to play absolutely everything I could throw at it. We will see if it lives up to its billing.