Can someone suggest a quality DVD plyr that plays everything

[Leander]

Or is that to much to ask for?

I guess what I'm looking for is a standalone DVD player that can read cdr, dvd-r and cd-rw media, it also needs to be able to play compliant and non-compliant SVCDs and DVDs.

I've browsed through the comptability list, but I'd like to hear some feedback from the forum users on their experiences with DVDs and the many formats that can be created with a PC.

thanks for any help

[Leander]

let me just edit this post by saying I know a DVD player won't be able to play everything but at the minimum I'd like a player that can handle various formats of SVCD

[tigerwolf]

Well I owned a philips dvd711 its a very good unit for vcd and svcd, though when playing svcd you have to have it set to pcm setting for audio.

When I replaced it, I bought the samsung n501 -
Excellent vcd and svcd playback, plays mp3 discs as well and hdcd. Very sturdy unit, but lacking in some features. So I returned it.

I then got the pioneer 440 -
which in my opinion is probably the best chose you could do. It plays mp3, vcd, svcd, xvcd, dvdr, dvdrw. Its all good. And its only about $180.

So I'd say overall go for the pioneer dv440. Oh but don't look at the best buy website for some reason they have the unit priced at $300, yet at a best buy store they have it for $180. Just a heads up on this oddity, you can get the pioneer dv440 at quite a few places for around $180. Check out http://vcdhelp.pricegrabber.com/

[tigerwolf]

oh I forgot the dv440 also can play pal and ntsc movies, states directly in the manual about this and I tried it out, played the pal vcd I made without turning it black and white, though it was a little oddly shaped which I imagine comes from having an ntsc t.v.

Also , to my understanding, you can switch between regions without any limitations

[markab]

Well I'm not too sure how easy they are to still find but you might want to look into getting an Apex AD-700. The unit has firmware which can be upgraded by CD. If you load the Sampo Cf631 patched firmware into it you end up with a DVD player that;

-Has a "Loophole" menu where you can select region (1-5, or Bypass) and you can turn macrovision on or off.

-Can play DVD, mini-DVD, VCD, XVCD, SVCD, XSVD, (DVD-R, DVD-RW?) & MP3 using multiple types of CDR and CDRW disks.

-Can play raw MPG files

-Can display JPG's (in random,shuffle, and program mode) and both rotate and zoom in on them.

-And (Best of all!) can play all of these file types directly off a hard drive that you can hook up directly to the player (by just replacing the IDE cable)!

A week ago I burned the new patched firmware and added an extra HD I had laying around. It offers a great amount of flexability.

Mark

[Chris Smithe]

I've also heard good things about the Daewoo 5700 or last year's model the 3000N. I'm just going by hearsay mind you, but it looks like this model would offer a lot of flexability too. Not too sure if it's actually superior to the Apex, but maybe at least on par?...[/b]

[avl1]

Tigerwolf, did you buy your Pioneer 440 in the US in a place that sells multisystem code-free DVDPs or just some "regular" merchant? I need to play some PAL discs and I can't find out for sure if this player will handle them and a region different from region 1. I tried asking Pioneer USA about the PAL compatibility having told them that I have an "any region" PAL DVD, but they basically didn't answer the question at all by saying you can play only region 1 discs. Have you tried to switch the region?

Or is that to much to ask for?

I guess what I'm looking for is a standalone DVD player that can read cdr, dvd-r and cd-rw media, it also needs to be able to play compliant and non-compliant SVCDs and DVDs.

I've browsed through the comptability list, but I'd like to hear some feedback from the forum users on their experiences with DVDs and the many formats that can be created with a PC.

thanks for any help

you need to add REGION FREE so it will play anything from anywhere. some will also play mpegs and MP3 files.

[Ogre]

I use a Logix DVD 3000, Plays DVD, VCD, SVCD CD-R, CD-RW, MP3s,
Theres a good hack to make it region free, Plays NTSC, Pal as well.

Got it From ASDA for £109

I use a Logix DVD 3000, Plays DVD, VCD, SVCD CD-R, CD-RW, MP3s,
Theres a good hack to make it region free, Plays NTSC, Pal as well.

Got it From ASDA for £109

Try some diffrent software diffrent software. There tons of Demo Ware out there.

I use a Logix DVD 3000, Plays DVD, VCD, SVCD CD-R, CD-RW, MP3s,
Theres a good hack to make it region free, Plays NTSC, Pal as well.

Got it From ASDA for £109

Sorry wrong group agian. Some will even play true MPEG as well mine
dose.

[easy9]

i am looking for the same features as above, but i need it to be a progressive scan model, any help please

[avl1]

Pioneer DV-444 is very similar to DV-440 and supports progressive scan

[hard worker]

Check out GE 1101 for $ 118.00 US at wall mart its the bomb. It does everything. VCD, XVCD, SXVCD, standard Meg, 5000b/xvcd, Meg2,SVCD DVD's,different film controls and audio controls.
CHECK IT OUT

[Scobo]

real_newbie,
what do you mean by "true MPEG" ?

real_newbie,
what do you mean by "true MPEG" ?

unedited wiht no CODEC

[tigerwolf]

AVL1:

The pioneer dv-440 will play pal vcd. I have tested that. I don't have any region discs other then region 1 to test that feature. But I did try the hack for 444, assuming that if I changed the region to something else then tried a region 1 disc it would kick it. which it didn't. though that doesn't mean the hack doesn't work. In the manual it refers to being able to change country codes, which makes me wonder if when you change the country code if it would also change the region. Unfortunately I don't even know anyone that has different region dvd to test that for you. I bought the player at Ultimate Electronics for $180. You could always purchase it try it out, if it doesn't work take it back. Both best buy and UE are good about that. If you do, let me know if it will play other region discs, its a nice thing to know.

have a good one,
tw

p.s. on pal and ntsc vcd, it will auto switch.

oh though I do have no region discs that will play in it just fine as well.

[t0nito]

The MUSTEK v520 dvd player does all that you are looking for, it supports mp3, vcd, svcd, xvcd, xsvcd, dvd (of course) cd-r, cd-rw, dvd+rw it plays any mpg recorded in any cd-rom and it's very easily hacked for region free. It plays PAL and NTSC discs. I have this player and I love it alot!

[ozwaldo]

hi all just wanted to put my say on record:
go for a mustek or one called a dansai if you can get hold of them as they are the bee's nee's when it comes to dvd's. we have a saying in the group that exchange films that if you get a piece of car and sprayed it silver thes plyers will play it ....that is how good these players are you cannot go wrong with them and you can hack them and turn the macrovision off...


i hope i have been of help

[SatStorm]

Well, most of those chinese players plays everything!
A small search in the dvd players list might help to locate some of them in your area.
Personally, I vote for cyberhome 212 or 512. Plays anything I know with excellent quality. Also has DTS,etc... Region free, macrovision free.

Pioneer 333 and 444 are good solutions. I know many users in this forum using them, and there are excellent with - X - formats of any kind!

[Fnomna]

I bought the Voxson 320 after testing it with CD-RW and the region
code. Works fine.
VCD
SVCD
MP3
XVCD at bitrate 6000+
XSVCD at 7000+.
(Tests using Kodak/Diamond Data 4x CD-RW)

You can use non-standard VBR MPEG-1 for VCDs.
You can use up to 720x576 resolution for SVCD!

Apparently the versions of these Voxson/Mustek/Yukai/AWA players
that use the VOL+/- region code are based on a newer Winbond
chipset and there is no macrovision ON/OFF control. These also don't play
miniDVD (I haven't tested yet). But when you can play a SVCD with
720x576 resolution and 7000+ bitrate - isn't that close enough to
miniDVD?

The ones that use the older region code are based on an ESS chipset. These do play miniDVD apparently, as well as playing straight burnt
MPEG files!

I would highly recommend any of these:
Voxson 260/320/330
Mustek 520/560
Yukai Mustek clones
AWA 520 (the small one from BigW in Australia)

The Voxson 330 (with 5.1 channel analogue out) is sold at Australian
Target stores for $319. (The 320 doesn't have analogue 5.1 out but
still has digital 5.1 outputs - optical and co-ax).

Anyone know how to remove the macrovision from the Winbond chipset?

Please also see http://forum.vcdhelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=83362
(titled : Mustek 520/560/562 /Voxson/AWA/Yukai owners)

[rsaforjm]

I have the Pioneer 440 with a NTSC TV. When I play a pal VCD, it cuts off the top and bottom. So if you need to watch Pal on NTSC TV, forget the Pioneer.