The best comercial DVD/CDR/SVCD/MP3 Player

[Whitedog]

I have researched this site and I have yet to find a conclusive opinion on a decent DVD player with SVCD/MP3/CDR compatability. Can anyone recommend a player that can play these formats with no modding or screwing around with the controls? Is there a specific brand (panasonic/APEX) that is more reliable than others?
Also, The layout of this website DVD Player database is so convluted that a savant would have trouble wading thru the poorly organized information. Have I provoked anyone? Yet?

[Hardcoreruss]

What's your budget ?

What country are you in ?

[Whitedog]

I am in the USA. My budget is open, but I dont want to drop serious coin on a player that will be half the price in just 6 months. Suggestions?

[tomtheman]

In the past when I was looking to buy a dvd player. I decided to go cheap and bought a cheaper dvd player. I ran into problems of not being able to watch vcd and ran into disk reading problems. Luckily I return the cheap Apex one and bought a JVC one for more money. All my problems were solved after that. This JVC dvd player played anything I throw in it.

The key is tp look for a dvd player that actually said support dvdr, dvdrw, mp3, vcd, svcd. If it doesn't say this then you will run into problem. The apex I first bought said it support cdr and cdrw too. But couldn't read my vcds.

So when I bought the JVC, it specifically said it supported vcd and svcd. This is a great dvd player.

Thanks,
Tom

[mkelley]

Yes, and in the U.S. I'd strongly recommend you buy from a place like Best Buy, which allows returns within 30 days no questions asked.

They have a number of > $100 players that look attractive to me and are supposed to play everything. I particularly like the progressive scan Samsung. Take the player home and if it doesn't play everything you throw at it just bring it back and try another.

DVD players are truly commodities nowadays -- I really wouldn't spend much on one unless it's for a big screen (> 36") and you're going to use component video. In that case you might end up spending a few more bucks and get something with all the bells and whistles. But I really like the idea of getting cheap DVD players and moving them around to various rooms as you buy others (right now we have three and I'm going to pick up a couple more this weekend to fill up some rooms -- one will almost surely be that Samsung).

[Gargoyle]

I just bought a JVC XV-N50BK ($113.00 @ Best Buy)- I think that its the best player I've ever had (Apex Ad-600, AD-1500; GE 1101P, Mintek DVD1600). My only complaint is that it doesn't play SVCD subtitles, even though the manual says that they are supported (it maybe due the authoring/burning that I used, that does make a difference).
for general player info, check HERE
you can download the manual in .PDF HERE

[CogoSWSDS]

Daewoo DVD-5800 works well for me. Plays SVCDs, VCD, MP3, and DVD. Plus it is region and macrovision hackable.

CogoSWSDS

[ipgpe13]

I have an older Sony DVD player, paid over $200 when I got it about 4-5 yrs ago. Works fine, great picture but does not play mp3s or mpg or open dvd, vcds.

Got a few Apex players on sale over a year ago for about $60 on sale (got 3 for X-mas gifts for family and one for me).

The Apex works great, it plays everything I throw at it with no problems (mp3s, all cds, vcds, dvds etc.)

It looks a bit clunky and the remote is not very ergonomic but for $60 it was a great buy. All the ones I gave as gifts working great too.

The picture from my Sony though is a little better I think, so I keep that one hooked up to my main, big TV.

[Whitedog]

Thank you all for your input. I bought a JVC from best buy, and it just crapped out on all my SVCD's. Other than that, it was awesome for all the other needs. So I have been thinking of picking up the Pioneer S55. Anyone have any experience with this unit?
Once again, thanks to all for you input!
WD

[mkelley]

I have no experience with this *particular* unit, but in general I'd stay away from Pioneer if you want to play much non-commercial media.

There are some well-established threads on other forums that indicate Pioneer does not like DVD-Rs burned using BeSweet AC3 encoded at certain rates. While I haven't been able to prove this myself, I also haven't been able to disprove it. If you don't do any authoring of DVDs, or you don't use BeSweet, or you don't plan on playing any friend's authored DVDs, then don't worry about it.

Right now Samsung seems by far to play the most media. But I'd also trust anything by Sony and the new Panasonic's look pretty nice as well. To each his own.

[txpharoah]

There is no ONE player. Buy an APEX for best CD format support. And a TOSHIBA for best DVD format support. An Apex will run under $50, and a Toshiba can run at about $100. So for $150 (price of an expensive player that may not do what you need) you can get the best of both worlds.

[dc91gt]

I have no experience with this *particular* unit, but in general I'd stay away from Pioneer if you want to play much non-commercial media.

There are some well-established threads on other forums that indicate Pioneer does not like DVD-Rs burned using BeSweet AC3 encoded at certain rates. While I haven't been able to prove this myself, I also haven't been able to disprove it. If you don't do any authoring of DVDs, or you don't use BeSweet, or you don't plan on playing any friend's authored DVDs, then don't worry about it.

Right now Samsung seems by far to play the most media. But I'd also trust anything by Sony and the new Panasonic's look pretty nice as well. To each his own.

Quite the opposite. Pioneers play everything.

I've got both a C503 5 disc and a 343. Both have played every single
CDR/DVDR/W I've put in it.

-d

[mkelley]

Glad they're working for you, but I can post you to quite a few links that show just the opposite.

In particular (as I've mentioned elsewhere) Pioneer's have a problem with BeSweet AC3 encoded audio -- if you don't do this then you'll never see the problem. But it's a definite problem

[wulf109]

My 2 cents would be to a Sampo 612,not the 612N. It plays everything including SVCD's made at full DVD bitrate,6000 average/9800 peak. Plays everything flawlessly,including miniDVD. It is also macro and region hackable.

[nickerous]

I've been through quite a few dvd players. The best that I had was a Norcent DP-300. That thing would play anything. VCD, SVCD, DVD (haven't had any experience with dvd-r, soon....very soon...). It would even play raw mpeg files. The bad part was that it broke down after 2 months of use. Looked like someone messed with the vertical hold on my tv set. Took it back, tried various other players with no luck before finally hitting upon the second best. The Sony DVP-PQ1. It is very small, so it doesn't take up much room on an already crammed dresser, it played vcds very well, it wouldn't play actual SVCDs, but it would play SVCD files with the nifty little VCD header trick. As long as it will play dvd-r, +r, I won't have to shop for another player for a while.

[dc91gt]

Glad they're working for you, but I can post you to quite a few links that show just the opposite.

In particular (as I've mentioned elsewhere) Pioneer's have a problem with BeSweet AC3 encoded audio -- if you don't do this then you'll never see the problem. But it's a definite problem

They seem to be working for me and quite a few other people as well, as they have a few units in the top rated players on this site.

My experience with them isn't very limited either.

I've got over 100 burned DVD-R's and easily 100 VCD/SVCD movies played on both units.

Since they playback AC3 encoded audio from almost every other source, I'd say besweet has the bug, not pioneer. Especially given commerical dvd's work.

-d

[mkelley]

They seem to be working for me and quite a few other people as well, as they have a few units in the top rated players on this site.

Since they playback AC3 encoded audio from almost every other source, I'd say besweet has the bug, not pioneer. Especially given commerical dvd's work.
-d

As I said, if they are working for you, fine. But it's not a question of whose problem it is -- if Pioneer doesn't play DVDs authored with one of the leading AC3 converters out there (indeed, there *aren't* any other freeware ones, and the cheapest standalone ones cost over $300) it's something for people who play DVDR media to be concerned about.

There are a whole lot of people authoring with BeSweet AC3, and Pioneer would not be a good choice for them or for anyone who will play the discs they offered. But if all you play are commercial DVDs I wouldn't give this a second thought.

[gmatov]

Boy, you guys aren't helping me at all, this time.
I opened this page to see what to buy to replace a 6 month old Apex 1201 with, as mine just crapped out. Apex says 39 bucks, plus shipping to CA, to repair. As it cost 59 new, I'd rather replace, maybe finding one that would play everything, as this one did, with a year rather than 3 month warranty.

Any suggestions?

As for Samsung, the forum at the left says they will play anything. My kid's M205 will not, so they say, play any of the disks I converted and took to their house. I let them borrow my movies and a backup copy at the same time, to see if they would work- no piracy involved.
Since they ARE commodities, now, I'd rather spend < 100 for a replacement.
Then again, I did get 6 months, 10 a month, it plays all, so maybe another Apex, a 1500, and just amortize it the same way. Pitch it if it breaks again.
Back to the DVD player page.
Thanks.

[BJ_M]

best comercial player in the world is the pioneer 7400 --- one heavy duty player with a lot of nice features .. its also the only frame accurate player made (you can go to a specific frame and and also step frame by frame -)


plays any type of dvd-r and +r and cd .... does not play svcd though with out doing a header trick ..

about $1000

[mkelley]

Boy, you guys aren't helping me at all, this time.
I opened this page to see what to buy to replace a 6 month old Apex 1201 with, as mine just crapped out. Apex says 39 bucks, plus shipping to CA, to repair. As it cost 59 new, I'd rather replace, maybe finding one that would play everything, as this one did, with a year rather than 3 month warranty.

Any suggestions?

Whatever you do make sure the player you buy is from a store like Best Buy, which allows returns no questions asked for 30 days. Then you work the heck out of it, trying any disks you have around the house, any friends you can borrow, etc. If it plays everything, then all you need do is worry about the warranty (if you are really worried about that, buy an extended warranty, although in general those are for suckers).

[gmatov]

mkelly,

I agree with your remarks.
However, I was just at BB, nothing I liked, then WalMart, bunches of them, including a Phillips, for 108, and being Phillips, VCD, SVCD capable, w/o paying th royalty that caused Apex to quit VCD, on the box, at least.
WM has a 90 day return, but I don't particularly like WM, so may look for one on line, after I check some more brands to the left for satisfaction/capability.
What is your personal preference?

Thanks,
George

[Bob W]

The Mintek 1600 which sells for a mere $47 at BestBuy will play anything you can throw at it with the exception of mpeg4.

[rsuave5]

my sony dvp-ns715p plays it all, svcd, vcd,dv-r,dvd-rw,dvd+r, ac3, you name it my sony plays it i can shove a rock in it and get star wars!!!

[Bob W]

my sony dvp-ns715p plays it all, svcd, vcd,dv-r,dvd-rw,dvd+r, ac3, you name it my sony plays it i can shove a rock in it and get star wars!!!

I also have one and I agree it's a fine player.

[gmatov]

BobW,
BB online offers it at 39.99, now, with free shipping. The one I went to didn't have it, will call the other one nearby to see if they do. Rather pick it up now, 10 bucks more, than wait for a week to mail me a couple. Think it's what I'll go with.
Thanks.

[negon]

Apex Ad-1200 plays DVD, MP3, Picture CD, SVCD, raw MPEG and costs about $45 right now at H H Gregg. I love the raw MPEG compatibility!

[SoCalMK]

I have the Sony DVP-NS315B and I love it. It plays just about everything I throw at it and it only costs $100. It plays SVCD and XSVCD, but the only thing is that you have to do the VCD header trick. Other than that, its a great player for its price.

[txpharoah]

The Mintek 1600 which sells for a mere $47 at BestBuy will play anything you can throw at it with the exception of mpeg4.

It doesn't play SVCD very well.

[Bob W]

The Mintek 1600 which sells for a mere $47 at BestBuy will play anything you can throw at it with the exception of mpeg4.

It doesn't play SVCD very well.

I only made two svcd discs however they both played great for me and the few vcd discs I made played fine. I think I used Studio8 to make them but it's been a while.

[hoyboy]

Do you only get 3 months warranty with some electronic gear in America?. In Australia, everything we sell in electronic gear has to have at least a twelve month warranty!. Maybe it has something to do with consumer laws!.

(sometimes wish some of the cheapS*** stuff I am forced to sell would only have a three month warranty)