Stand-Alone DVD Player recommendation

[-mm-]

Hello. If this post is in the wrong category I apologize. If not then great! :P

I am looking for advice on helping select a new DVD player. I need it to be region free so it can play NTSC as well as PAL movies. I also need it to be able to play a number of formats including DVD+-R/+-RW. Additionally, I'd like it to be able to play Dual-Layer DVDR discs. Thanks!

[budz]

Get a Philips 5982 (hdmi) or 3140 from Best Buy or get the Philips 3960 from Wally Worlds.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8192733&type=product&id=1164157002483

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8216414&type=product&id=1166840037410

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5584897

Philips dvd players are stocked as PAL/NTSC compatible and have region hacks as well that can be applied.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP5982_37_US_CO...yer+DVP5982-37

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP3960_37_US_CO...yer+DVP3960-37

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP3140_37_US_CO...yer+DVP3140-37

[yoda313]

I have an old cyberhome dvd player that is region free that works well. No divx support but I am sure newer models do offer it. The cyberhome is still working although its not my everyday dvd player (I use the xbox 360 for that )

[budz]

I have an old cyberhome dvd player that is region free that works well. No divx support but I am sure newer models do offer it. The cyberhome is still working although its not my everyday dvd player (I use the xbox 360 for that )

Too bad Cyberhome went out of business awhile back. From what I remember the head of cyberhome, a chinese guy was arrested. Then the company went belly up. I got their one and only HDMI dvd player which works well as it's PAL/NTSC and is region free via hack. I'll eventually buy one of the Philips models when the cyberhome unit kicks the bucket.

[cal_tony]

I have more than half dozen different brands and each works differently. The Philips 5960 upscales, has a USB port and plays DIVX. It was only about $50. And so far, it seems to play everything. Something to think about is a player with only on screen display. With some TVs, unless the player has its own display, you could get burn in on your TV. Plasma screens are particularly susceptible to that.

Tony

[-mm-]

Get a Philips 5982 (hdmi) or 3140 from Best Buy or get the Philips 3960 from Wally Worlds.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8192733&type=product&id=1164157002483

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8216414&type=product&id=1166840037410

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5584897

Philips dvd players are stocked as PAL/NTSC compatible and have region hacks as well that can be applied.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP5982_37_US_CO...yer+DVP5982-37

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP3960_37_US_CO...yer+DVP3960-37

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP3140_37_US_CO...yer+DVP3140-37

Hey Budz,

Thanks for the information. I was checking the links that you provided and noticed in the features of these Philips players, that they will in fact play both NTSC and PAL, and the burnable media I suggested except for the DL media. Do you know if they actually play these DL discs or shall I actually contact Philips? Thanks!

[budz]

Get a Philips 5982 (hdmi) or 3140 from Best Buy or get the Philips 3960 from Wally Worlds.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8192733&type=product&id=1164157002483

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8216414&type=product&id=1166840037410

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5584897

Philips dvd players are stocked as PAL/NTSC compatible and have region hacks as well that can be applied.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP5982_37_US_CO...yer+DVP5982-37

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP3960_37_US_CO...yer+DVP3960-37

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP3140_37_US_CO...yer+DVP3140-37

Hey Budz,

Thanks for the information. I was checking the links that you provided and noticed in the features of these Philips players, that they will in fact play both NTSC and PAL, and the burnable media I suggested except for the DL media. Do you know if they actually play these DL discs or shall I actually contact Philips? Thanks!

Your welx!
According to the Dvd Player section here at videohelp.com both of those models can playback DL media.

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-5982/8185#comments

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-3140/8231

If you're looking to use your own burned DL media make sure you use only VERBATIM DVD+R DUAL LAYER MEDIA.

[jman98]

My Philips DVP-642 (an older model that I do NOT recommend, but I think it's no longer being made anyway) chokes big time on DVD-R DL discs. I only bought 3 of them (Verbatim made) just to see what I thought of the format. They were a big pain to burn correctly, they cost about 5x what DVD+R DL discs cost, and with the playback problems, I have never bought any others. My limited experience with various Philips players is that they can play Verbatim DVD+R DL discs fine.

Note that we had a very recent post here about a Philips DVD recorder that used to have a working multi-region hack that no longer works. As long as you are buying a DVD player and not a recorder, the listed hacks will probably work to make them go into region free mode. Finally, note that as an American, you need to set the video output in any Philips DVD player you buy to NTSC and do NOT leave it at the default value of "multi" or "any" (Philips calls it one of those, but I don't remember which). Unless you happen to have one of those rare HDTVs sold in the USA that can correctly play a PAL video signal, you'll have problems on DVD playback with any video setting except NTSC.

[RLT69]

Finally, note that as an American, you need to set the video output in any Philips DVD player you buy to NTSC and do NOT leave it at the default value of "multi" or "any" (Philips calls it one of those, but I don't remember which). Unless you happen to have one of those rare HDTVs sold in the USA that can correctly play a PAL video signal,

It's multi and some Standard def TVs can handle PAL playback. I have a Philips TV (non HDTV, no digital) and it plays PAL fine. Might just be a Philips thing. And yes I did switch the DVD playback to PAL to test.

8)

[zagortenej]

If you want a quality player that will play everything but blu-ray DVD's, get OPPO: http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp. It will do everything you need and more.

[pepegot1]

I have a Cyberhome 300 that plays anything you throw at it-PAL, DL, you name it! In fact, I have two as I knew they were going out of business. You could try Amazon or Ebay-shb cheap. I paid $30.00 for mine. It's well built-no lousy plastic.
It does not play HD-STD DVD only, but plays VCD & SVCD.

[jman98]

If you want a quality player that will play everything but blu-ray DVD's, get OPPO: http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp. It will do everything you need and more.

Not quite "everything". Oppo players don't support VCD and SVCD at all. Their support for SACD and DVD-Audio does compensate to a certain extent, but for my needs I'm always going to have to have some kind of cheap, low quality DVD player just to deal with VCD and SVCD.

[-mm-]

Your welx!
According to the Dvd Player section here at videohelp.com both of those models can playback DL media.

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-5982/8185#comments

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-3140/8231

If you're looking to use your own burned DL media make sure you use only VERBATIM DVD+R DUAL LAYER MEDIA.

Thanks again Budz,

There were actually a lot of responses from others interested in this topic. I think though, that I probably will go with your suggestion on one of the Philips models. I'm not quite sure the actual difference between the two, but my main concern has been answered. I suppose if it actually doensn't play the DL media, then I can return it. By the way... I did purchase some Verbatim DVD+R discs about a year or two ago. I think I burned a couple flicks on these discs, but I tried to burn again recently and got a bad burn. These discs were very expensive back when I purchased them, about $3.00 a disc and I was bummed when it came back with an error while burning. I don't know if they go "bad" after a while.

Anyhow, a one more thing I have a question about is connecting the DVD player to the tv. This question should be relatively easy to answer.

Here is my question:

I have used a DVD/VHS combo unit for a long time, and the way I connected it to the tv was very simple... connect the coax. Now, I am seeking to purchase a DVD player that has no tuner inside, so how do I actually connect it?

My tv is an older model CRT model. I bought a DVD player a few months ago, and connected the RCA plugs into the appropriate jacks on the tv and the DVD as well, but no go. Is there some step that I missed? Thanks!

[budz]

Thanks again Budz,

There were actually a lot of responses from others interested in this topic. I think though, that I probably will go with your suggestion on one of the Philips models. I'm not quite sure the actual difference between the two, but my main concern has been answered. I suppose if it actually doensn't play the DL media, then I can return it. By the way... I did purchase some Verbatim DVD+R discs about a year or two ago. I think I burned a couple flicks on these discs, but I tried to burn again recently and got a bad burn. These discs were very expensive back when I purchased them, about $3.00 a disc and I was bummed when it came back with an error while burning. I don't know if they go "bad" after a while.

Anyhow, a one more thing I have a question about is connecting the DVD player to the tv. This question should be relatively easy to answer.

Here is my question:

I have used a DVD/VHS combo unit for a long time, and the way I connected it to the tv was very simple... connect the coax. Now, I am seeking to purchase a DVD player that has no tuner inside, so how do I actually connect it?

My tv is an older model CRT model. I bought a DVD player a few months ago, and connected the RCA plugs into the appropriate jacks on the tv and the DVD as well, but no go. Is there some step that I missed? Thanks!

Those VERBATIM DVD+R MEDIA that you mentioned is it DVD+R DUAL LAYER media or SINGLE LAYER media?
If they are DVD+R DUAL LAYER then use IMGBURN to burn those discs.
The difference between the 2 models is that the PHILIPS 5982 has a usb port that some use with external hard drives to divx files.

Maybe the cables that you used on your tv were defective or something.
Here's the manual for the 3140 unit:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp3140_37/dvp3140_37_dfu_aen.pdf

Here's the manual for the 5982 unit:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp5982_37/dvp5982_37_dfu_aen.pdf

Looking over both manuals I found you can hook up the dvd player via composite cables. Both units can also be hooked up via HDMI cables.

[zagortenej]

Not quite "everything". Oppo players don't support VCD and SVCD at all. Their support for SACD and DVD-Audio does compensate to a certain extent, but for my needs I'm always going to have to have some kind of cheap, low quality DVD player just to deal with VCD and SVCD.

OPPO DVD player actually does play (S)VCD. I just tested a couple of disks and they play flawlessly.

[edDV]

...
Anyhow, a one more thing I have a question about is connecting the DVD player to the tv. This question should be relatively easy to answer.

Here is my question:

I have used a DVD/VHS combo unit for a long time, and the way I connected it to the tv was very simple... connect the coax. Now, I am seeking to purchase a DVD player that has no tuner inside, so how do I actually connect it?

My tv is an older model CRT model. I bought a DVD player a few months ago, and connected the RCA plugs into the appropriate jacks on the tv and the DVD as well, but no go. Is there some step that I missed? Thanks!

What inputs and outputs do you have on the TV?

[jman98]

Not quite "everything". Oppo players don't support VCD and SVCD at all. Their support for SACD and DVD-Audio does compensate to a certain extent, but for my needs I'm always going to have to have some kind of cheap, low quality DVD player just to deal with VCD and SVCD.

OPPO DVD player actually does play (S)VCD. I just tested a couple of disks and they play flawlessly.

Interesting. Their website does not list these formats as being supported on any of their models. Thank you for posting about this.

[samijubal]

If you're brave enough to buy a refurb from Philips Outlet, you can get the 5960 for $25 with free shipping with coupon code SELECT-0408. Or you can get the 5140 for $17 with free shipping. The code expires tomorrow.

[-mm-]

...
Anyhow, a one more thing I have a question about is connecting the DVD player to the tv. This question should be relatively easy to answer.

Here is my question:

I have used a DVD/VHS combo unit for a long time, and the way I connected it to the tv was very simple... connect the coax. Now, I am seeking to purchase a DVD player that has no tuner inside, so how do I actually connect it?

My tv is an older model CRT model. I bought a DVD player a few months ago, and connected the RCA plugs into the appropriate jacks on the tv and the DVD as well, but no go. Is there some step that I missed? Thanks!

What inputs and outputs do you have on the TV?

Hey there ed,

On the back of my tv, the jacks are as follows:

Five RCA Jacks - 1 Video + 4 Audio

Video

1 Input (Yellow)

Audio
1 Input Left (White)
1 Input Right (Red)
1 Output Left (White)
1 Output Right (Red)

One 75 Ohm Coaxial Input Jack

One S-Video Jack

[-mm-]

If you're brave enough to buy a refurb from Philips Outlet, you can get the 5960 for $25 with free shipping with coupon code SELECT-0408. Or you can get the 5140 for $17 with free shipping. The code expires tomorrow.

Hey there sami... where do you find the coupon codes? I wasn't able to jump on that offer that fast. I would need a little bit of time to do some research before deciding on a player. Thanks!

[samijubal]

The code was on the Philips Outlet site. It's over now and most of the stuff that was there is gone.

[biga62]

It may sound stupid,or I didn't read enough, but I would like to know ,when someone wants to buy a region free, player, were on the box or the display model does someone look for something on the product being Reagion Free. I have been to wally world,an some B&M places but can't tell what is Region Free. Any helpful hints or actual things to I.D the thing will be greatly accepted.

Thanks

BigA62

[orsetto]

Actually, I don't remember ever seeing anything on the cartons that explicitly says "region-free" in those exact words. Technically, "region free" is probably a violation of the DVD trademark? Recorders and players are supposed to obey region codes, its part of the default DVD standard. Perhaps some of the cheaper Chinese off-brands might use those words on the carton, but I doubt a major name-brand would spell it out for you.

Nine times out of ten, the region free function is an aftermarket hack by enterprising dealers who open up new units and then rebox them. Sometimes they just input a secret code, sometime they actually install a chip. In any case it is often not an original mfr feature so it would not be promoted on the carton or sell cards.

[biga62]

It may sound stupid,or I didn't read enough, but I would like to know ,when someone wants to buy a region free, player, were on the box or the display model does someone look for something on the product being Reagion Free. I have been to wally world,an some B&M places but can't tell what is Region Free. Any helpful hints or actual things to I.D the thing will be greatly accepted.

Thanks

BigA62

[biga62]

thanks,a lot!