Plilips DVP642 will not load some of the NEW RELEASE DVDS

[Aunt Busy]

Hello,

I have a Philips DVP642. Have always loved it because it played anything without a problem.
It plays all of my large dvd library without any issues, but some of the new releases, I don't know if it has something to do with the new copy protecting software now installed, it tries to load the dvd for a few minutes, then it just gives up and it ejects. It only does this with the new release movies....

This is happening a lot lately and it's getting to be a major pain. Is there something I can do to solve this problem?

I went ahead and checked and this is the version I have:
1223 642/37 01E1

Please be detailed, I am technically challenged.

A Big Thank You for your time and help .

[ntscuser]

Do the titles which refuse to play come from any particular studio, Sony for instance?

[Aunt Busy]

Thank you ntscuser. As a matter fact, now that you mentioned it, all the ones I noticed were from Sony. But some I did not check. They will play in my laptop just not on my player.

Also the strange thing is that if I get a different copy of the very same movie sometimes it will play fine. Some new releases just seem to take longer to load....I thought that if it was a format problem all the discs from that particular movie would be unplayable, but that is not the case.

This player has been great in the past, I have it set up to play all region, it plays discs I made myself etc, no problems, just in the last 6 months or so I have been experiencing issues with it. I started to think it might be going bad, but I have about 1800 dvds in my collection and they never have a problem playing, just some of the new recently issued dvds, quite a few lately.

Again thanks for your help.

[Aunt Busy]

I just checked my last problem DVD, Blockbuster is sick of me reporting unplayable dvds. This last DVD is a new release from Lionsgate, not Sony.

[ntscuser]

I just checked my last problem DVD, Blockbuster is sick of me reporting unplayable dvds. This last DVD is a new release from Lionsgate, not Sony.

I believe Lionsgate titles are now distributed by Sony (and MGM of course). A firmware update from Philips might help or it might not. If that fails then the latest own-brand budget players are surprisingly good at playing problem discs.

[Aunt Busy]

Thank you for the reply .
How do I go about doing the filmware thingy?
Which brand are you referring to Sony Players? I read awhile back on Amazon someone else was having trouble with new Sony releases playing in their own players as well....

[jagabo]

The DVP-640 is pretty old. I doubt you'll find an update recent enough to handle the problem discs. In their zeal to find tricks that fall within the DVD spec but confuse DVD copying software the industry is creating problems for a lot of old DVD players. It's probably time for a new player. A Philips DVP-5990 or 5992 would be a good replacement for the 640.

[ntscuser]

Thank you for the reply .
How do I go about doing the filmware thingy?

If you know the dealer who sold you the Philips personally he should be able to do it for you. Failing that you will have to visit Philips' website to see if a firmware update is available for your particular model. There may also be an unofficial update available from a third-party website but you install one of these at your own risk.

Which brand are you referring to Sony Players?

Certainly not! All the major retailers have cut-price players made specially for them in the far east by companies we know little about. The brand name will be different for each retailer so I can't recommend any particular one but they have been known to play disc titles which even upmarket brands refuse to play.

[Aunt Busy]

Thank you Jacabo, you might be right, I will not be happy at all if I get a new player and it also has problems with the new releases thought I hate it that they are so screwing up this market and that the average person cannot just buy a DVD and just expect it to play without any problems!

Ntscuser: I just bought mine at Wall-mart. Do I have to connect my dvd player to a computer to install the update? I am a bit hopeless in technical matters, sorry.

I don't quite understand your second comment.....I should look for what kind player exactly, a no brand? You don't suggest another Philips like Jacabo mentioned?

The other complaint I had read at Amazon I believe the person was complaining about an expensive Sony player that also didn't play their own newly produced dvds!

Thanks again everyone.

[jagabo]

Philips' web site has updated firmware for their players. They have update instructions too. Basically you just turn on the player, open the drawer, put the CD in the drawer, close the drawer, then just wait about five minutes.

[Nelson37]

The firmware update usually consists of downloading a disk image file, burning that to a disk, then "playing" the disk until finished. Usually only takes a few seconds, it is very important that the player not be turned off during this process.

My last two Phillips units, plus a Phillips soundcard, all died within two years of purchase. I will not buy any additional products from this company, nor recommend them to anyone. Almost any sub-$50 player from WalMart would be better.

[ntscuser]

Ntscuser: I just bought mine at Wall-mart. Do I have to connect my dvd player to a computer to install the update? I am a bit hopeless in technical matters, sorry.

You would normally burn the update file onto a blank CD then insert the CD into the DVD player. If you're not technically minded it's best avoided as you could screw-up the DVD player completely.

I don't quite understand your second comment.....I should look for what kind player exactly, a no brand? You don't suggest another Philips like Jacabo mentioned?

I'm not saying a newer Philips won't cure the problem but there is no guarantee of that and it will cost more than say a Coby from the same dealer. If you can, take one of the problem discs with you to Wal-Mart and try it on one their demonstration machines.

[jagabo]

I agree with Nelson37 to some extent. Philips does not make great DVD players. But I assume the OP is using a DVP-642 for it's Divx capabilities. I think the 5990/5992 is the best replacement with that capability. Especially with one of vb6rocod's firmware mods.
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic355675.html

[Aunt Busy]

Hello again and thanks .

I went to the Philips website and was told after entering the item model number "They have no firmware available at present, sorry"!

What is Divx capabilities?

I am using this player for the following reasons:
It plays NTSC and Pal,
various formats, including my own dvds,
I looked up a easy to follow fix to make it all region,
was available at many retailers
and inexpensive.

[Ai Haibara]

Yeah, I think Philips pulled the firmware downloads for the 642 from their website a while back. Not sure why, though... or if it's available anywhere else.

[jagabo]

http://forum.doom9.org/archive/index.php/t-93330.html

here's a direct link to the current version: -Philips Player Firmware for: -
Philips: DVP630/00, 630/02, 630/04, 630/05 | DVP632/00, 632/02, 632/04, 632/05 |
Philips: DVP640K/69, 640K/75 | DVP642/17, 642/37 |

http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp630_05/dvp630_05_fus_eng.zip

The site also references other sites with older firmware versions.
http://www.cfide.com.br/dvp/

One possible problem is that the player will come up in PAL mode after a firmware update. If this happens you won't be able to see the onscreen menus. I recommend you write down the exact key sequence to select NTSC output with the remote.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Sony,Lionsgate and Disney use advanced copy-protection so that's probably the problem.I agree with the others that you should get a new player,the 59xx series will play anything and they are still being updated.

[Aunt Busy]

Thanks to Ai Haibara for the mental support

Thanks to Jagabo for all the time you have been spending trying to help me with my problem and the link.
For Jacabo I have yet another question though, where do I look up the exact key sequence to select NTSC output with the remote? Right now it plays both NTSC and Pal.

From one Moviegeek to another thanks for the reply. The 59XX series is a Philips you are referring to?

Anybody else can recommend an easily available, play everything, inexpensive DVD player as a replacement? What do you all like?

[jagabo]

where do I look up the exact key sequence to select NTSC output with the remote? Right now it plays both NTSC and Pal.

It's in the setup menus. Setup -> Video Setup -> TV Standard -> Multi/NTSC/PAL. The exact key sequence is:

Setup
Down
Down
OK
Right
Up or Down to cycle between the three options
OK (a confirmation dialog appears, doing nothing reverts to the previous setting after 15 seconds)
Left
OK

Try it a few times to get familiar with the process.

[MOVIEGEEK]

From one Moviegeek to another thanks for the reply. The 59XX series is a Philips you are referring to?

Anybody else can recommend an easily available, play everything, inexpensive DVD player as a replacement? What do you all like?

Philips made several models in the 59xx series:
5960
5982
5990
5992

I have the 5982 but it's discontinued,you can get a 5990/5992 for $60USD.

[jagabo]

The 5990 and 5992 are getting hard to find. I think we're near the introduction of new models. If you want one go to your local Best Buy or Walmart and see if there are any left on the shelf. Amazon appears to have them now for US$60.

[Squash]

Yeah, the 5990s as well as other Philips models are totally gone from the Walmart shelves here, along with the shelf tags, so it's not like they're awaiting a new shipment. This may be related to Philips selling their brand to Funai for the North American market not long ago. Funai may be negotiating a new deal with them or something.

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/philips-lays-off-dvd-business-to-funai/

[jagabo]

Thanks for the info about Philips being sold to Funai. I guess that explains the disappearance of all the Philips DVD players. Get them while you still can...

[Aunt Busy]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Is there a fix to make this player "All region" ?

[Aunt Busy]

I forgot to ask, my current player, plays Pal and NTSC do you guys know if this version also plays Pal?

[jagabo]

The Philips DVP 5990 and 5992 can be made region free with a few button presses on the remote control (instructions are in the player list here). It converts PAL to NTSC much better than the DVP 642. The one drawback is that it does NOT have an s-video output. Just composite, component, and HDMI.