Set top Divx ;) Player [PLEASE READ]

[ZeroSix]

If a unit is capable of playing ALL Divx codecs in .avi format and has progressive scan, optical, coaxial, and RCA outputs plus SVCD, VCD, CVD, DV, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW playback what is a fair price to pay? Suppose a player has upgradable firmware to support any Divx format in the future, what is a fair price?

Please provide feedback -- I am considering such a purchase and want to feel like i have made a fair buy. Is $350 unreasonable?

This is NOT a KiSS player...

Please advise me.

[Don2050]

The way I look at it is what else could you do with approximately $350 ? ie...what kinda of tv computer could you build. The $400ish price range is still too high for me personally as you can pretty much build a decent computer without monitor using your tv for the same amount. And I can do much more with a comp than a strict dvd/divx player.

I guess I am waiting for them to drop below $200, preferably $150. I think that is where I will jump in and buy one and then it becomes a fair tradeoff for me.

but....I should add, I am poor so my view may be skewed, so I suppose that question is somewhat income dependant, if you are unlike me and have a real job, perhaps then it is worth it.

[SatStorm]

For europe the price is okey.
For US is a kind of high.
But, if this player do all those things, ain't a bad deal.

[SaSi]

In a post (around christmas) I think I read that the X-Box can playback DivX (after some updates that I didn't understand (since I don't have an X-Box).

I would rather buy one of those then, since it can also double as a games-console. $350 for a PC won't give you much and wouldn't be as reliable and wouldn't have remote control.

Of course, I don't know how much the X-Box would end-up in price when you add all the required extras.

Just a thought.

[mats.hogberg]

Yes, a chipped XBox can do all that (even if (S)VCD support IMHO may be questionable). That's what you can compare it pricewise to.
From C-NET News:

Programmers posting on the XboxHacker Web site said they have completed an initial version of "Xbox Media Player." The software allows modified Xbox consoles to play videos in the VCD format, commonly used for bootleg movie discs, and versions 3.x and 4.x of DivX

As the XBox is a PC in disguise, updates with new standards will be a breeze.

/Mats

[cchitson11]

Yes a modded Xbox Makes a great set top Divx, Vcd, Svcd, Xvcd, Mp3, Jpeg, Dvd player (basically you get the hint any video). Also how about a NES, Snes, Genesis, Atari and Gameboy not to mention it paly X-box Games. The downfall won't read many Cd-R's or Dvd-RW, But will read Dvd-r and Cd-RW Strange! Also you can network and stream video from a computer. I love my X-box, Would not trade it for any thing.