Need player for mpeg iso files

[spiffy]

Hi,

I've been doing reasearch in the DVD Players section for weeks, but many of the models that pop up are either too old or not sold in US. I thought I'd ask the question here to see if I can get some different opinions...

I am looking to buy a stand alone DVD player that is also good at playing mpeg 1/2 files off a data disk (without authoring). Better yet if it can also play raw vob files. I don't really care about MP3 capabilities; but I'd like long file name support for the video files.

Other requirements:

-- VCD/SVCD/DVD-R,-RW,+R,+RW
-- Progressive Scan (3-2 pulldown)
-- NTSC/PAL
-- Region Free via Remote

Optional:

-- Karaoke

Lastly, I want to be able to buy this player from a local store! I have had too many problemsin the past with mail orders, that I'd rather buy from a brick & mortar place so I can return it right away if I need. My local stores include Target, Best Buy, Fry's, Circuit City, Good Guys, Sears, Costco, Wal-Mart and CompUSA.

At first, I bought a Philips DVP 320 from Target; it fits all of my requirements, except I can't get rid of this annoying time counter that's on screen when I play the mpeg data files, so I don't plan on keep this player.

I hope I'm not looking for the impossible combination. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Spiffy

[absolutic]

My Magnavox 421 (49$ but maybe even cheaper) plays raw MPG/MPEG files! Plus it is region-free with remote! So with mpg files, I just burn them without authoring and voila, it plays it, you can zoom, ff and rw with no problems. It even plays mixed cd-roms, where is some photos, some mpeg files, etc... I've had it for about 8 months, it maybe even cheaper these days.

It is not a progressive scan, and it does not have a display on the front panel (it is an ultra-slim player). It does not play DIVX movies. I use it in my bedroom and am very happy with it. My gf got it for free for opening a new account at the bank.