Can anyone in the USA recommend a good DIVX DVD player?

[jtofu]

I've been digging around Videohelp.com for a few hours now looking at DVD players that can play DIVX. But i'm finding that alot of them are no longer manufactured. Can someone recommend me something i can pick up at Bestbuy/Circuit City/Ultimate Electronics or even Amazon. I Saw someone ask for help in the UK, but I don't wanna fly there just for a DVD player. (kinda too broke for that)

I picked up the Toshiba DS-3990 last week (kinda how i knew dvd players could play divx) and it has problems playing the audio of alot of AVIs. Probobly will return it next week.
Thank you.

[yoda313]

philips comes pretty well recommended here it seems. There is the cheap 642 model (I think thats the basic one). There is also a newer upconverting model with usb inputs as well. Can't tell you the number off hand but try philips - don't own one personally however.

I have a liteon 1107 dvd recorder that does divx but I don't use it much anymore (got a tivo ) and personally I don't really use divx a whole lot. Except for web publishing I maninly record in dvd mpeg on my computer

[jagabo]

Philips DVP 5960. $70 at Circuit City.

[musher70]

yeah...Phillips 5960...
Bestbuy CC lots of other....

Or the Outdated No USB 642
(a great player in its day)
like 2-3 years ago...at WalMart
for $59 give or take, casue thats
all they sell(old discounted items)
reee tvs there...

[MJA]

if you care about quality .check the LG DN191H DIVX player,HDMI,card reader

Zenith DVB612

[dlflannery]

Another vote for the Philips DVP5960.

And DivXMediaBuilder for making DivX DVD's with multiple titles, menus, buttons, etc. Works great and it's free.

[FulciLives]

The Philips DVP-5140 is $49 and change at WALMART. It is really all you need. The DVP-5960 adds HDMI output with HDTV scaling (720p or 1080i) but just about any HDTV does it's own scaling from 480i/480p so you really don't need the DVP-5960 unless you want the USB option (which seems to be very hit or miss) or the HD JPEG feature (which sounds interesting).

I went for the DVP-5140 and it looks great on my 51" 16x9 WS HDTV (which is a Hitachi CRT RP unit). DVD quality is great. MPEG-4 quality is also great although the excessive compression of MPEG-4 is oftentimes very apparent on such a large screen. However with proper encoding (resolution and bitrate) you can still get very nearly DVD quality out of the MPEG-4 format.

Either way (5140 or 5960) it is hard to go wrong. To get a better quality MPEG-4 capable DVD player you need to spend a lot more money and for the same money (or more) you could easily do worse.

However if you have a HDTV with HDMI and want to go "all out" then take a look at the Oppo Digital DV-981HD which is probably the best MPEG-4 capable DVD player for any amount of money (it is $229 at the Oppo Digital website).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Mark F]

I have a Toshiba SD-V394SU (DVD/VHS combo) that has played all the DivX files I have tried. I got it at Best Buy back in May for $102. I haven't run into the audio problems you mention on your Toshiba.

[would_like_to_know]

What one should look for in a player is a great ability to update firmware and reset the Region code when needed.

Philips players have a vibrant community of dedicated professionals, which really helps going foward. Other players - not so much. I could not find anybody discussing Zenith updatability at all ...

[jman98]

This website compares the DVP-642 and DVP-5140
http://home.wi.rr.com/ntngod/dvp642_vs_dvp5140/
The DVP-5140 is the winner except that the DVP-642 can be tricked into playing some Nero MP4 encoded files (there are other webpages on how to do this) and the DVP-5140 won't touch anything that says MP4.

Some DVD players have problems with certain types of audio in Divx. If the video bit rate is too high, the player will have problems with the audio. If the video bit rate gets above 2000 or so, if the audio is AC3, it may not play without problems. MP3 ususally works, but I have tested 3000 Kbps video bit rate files on my DVP-642 and they won't even play MP3 correctly. DTS support on Divx seems a bit hit or miss, but I think the problems are mostly related to the bit rate issue and I suspect that DTS will play fine if the video bit rate is not too high. The DVP-642 may still use an old Mediatek chip that had various issues with Divx and should be considered somewhat out of date. I understand that the DVP-5140 uses a more recent chip.

[FulciLives]

The DVP-642 may still use an old Mediatek chip that had various issues with Divx and should be considered somewhat out of date. I understand that the DVP-5140 uses a more recent chip.

The now out-dated (though still sold in some circles) Philips DVP-642 uses an ESS Vibratto II chipset whereas the updated Philips DVP-5140 and the Philips DVP-5960 both use fairly new MediaTek chipsets.

In fact most of the newer MPEG-4 capable DVD players use a MediaTek chipset of some sort.

Also I had a Philips DVP-642 and the quality was just plain bad and this was with DVD Video and MPEG-4 video. The DVP-5140 and DVP-5960 are completely different and much better!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ZoneRanger]

I've got the Toshiba SD-K850SU and the Phillips DVP5960/37 ('37' denotes US model). They're both great. The downside of the Toshiba is that it has a neon blue light across the disc tray (this may be a plus for some!). It plays everything and is an all-region player. Absolutely, no problems handling any file I've thrown at it. The Phillips DVP5960 is great once you update the firmware with F-Sweds firmware (adding support for packed bitstream files), although, I hear there may be a problem with 5.1 sound and his firmware. The 5960's greatest strength is the USB port.

[would_like_to_know]

The now out-dated (though still sold in some circles) Philips DVP-642 uses an ESS Vibratto II chipset whereas the updated Philips DVP-5140 and the Philips DVP-5960 both use fairly new MediaTek chipsets.

Actually, DVP-642 with Vibratto II was great relatively speaking. The recently manufactured ones use ESS Phoenix ( ES8380 ), with lots of issues, check this thread:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=317193

New Philips players such as 5960 are nice, that is a no-brainer for 50-60 bucks.

[FulciLives]

The now out-dated (though still sold in some circles) Philips DVP-642 uses an ESS Vibratto II chipset whereas the updated Philips DVP-5140 and the Philips DVP-5960 both use fairly new MediaTek chipsets.

Actually, DVP-642 with Vibratto II was great relatively speaking. The recently manufactured ones use ESS Phoenix ( ES8380 ), with lots of issues, check this thread:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=317193

New Philips players such as 5960 are nice, that is a no-brainer for 50-60 bucks.

I still can't believe that people are buying the DVP-642 and it is even more surprising that Philips is still making it since the introduction of the DVP-5140 and DVP-5960.

I guess the DVP-642 was SO popular that they are still turning them out as long as people still buy it (based on it's reputation).

However I had a DVP-642 with the ESS Vibratto II and I found the quality to be rather poor. The only good thing was that you could watch MPEG-4 files without first converting to MPEG-2 or hooking the computer up to the TV.

That kewl feature aside though the image quality ... even with a commercial quality DVD Video ... was absolutely crap ass. The PAL to NTSC was also rather poor.

The DVP-5140 and DVP-5960 are totally different and much much much better in terms of image quality. My only (minor complaint) is that they only output at 0.0 IRE BLACK instead of 7.5 IRE BLACK but some people seem to think that 0.0 IRE BLACK is better anyways so ...

I guess I am spoiled by Pioneer players that mostly allow the user to select 7.5 IRE BLACK or 0.0 IRE BLACK output.

The PAL DVD to NTSC is much better with the DVP-5140 and DVP-5960 than the DVP-642 but it is still lacking. My Cyberhome CH-DVD 500 is still better in this regard. I may have to "break down" and purchase the Oppo Digital DV-981HD as it has incredible PAL DVD to NTSC conversion quality. Alas I never seem to have the money but I should be getting back enough for taxes this year that if I am otherwise caught up on my bills that will be my tax refund purchase.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[jtofu]

I'm Amazed. I picked up Phillips DVP-5960 and it's amazing. i can pause w/o losing audio. Picture quality looks great. Intrested on the USB function. Thanks guys. Apperciate all your help!

[would_like_to_know]

I'm Amazed. I picked up Phillips DVP-5960 and it's amazing. i can pause w/o losing audio. Picture quality looks great. Intrested on the USB function. Thanks guys. Apperciate all your help!

He-he, to be truly amazed you gotta flash this firmware:

http://board.softpedia.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=4372&view=findpost&p=23940

This way you gain long file names which is really nice.

[thirty2bit]

I'm in the same spot- my Philips 642 just died today- started getting jerky and pausing during playback in the last three days and now sounds like it's having problems spinning up the disc. I get "no disc" errors after a long wait now. Capacitor C316 looks fine by the way.

The only thing that bums me out with the newer Philips players is that they don't have S-video outputs. I don't have component inputs on my TV, nor any digital ports.

I'd like something that has S-video, but the two most important things are being able to play DL discs and Divx. I would prefer not to buy another 642.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[TBoneit]

Well for me the US model Phillips 5960 USB works with my Hard Drives and +R DL discs. Verbatim and Memorex burned with a Lite-On drive.

[FulciLives]

I'm in the same spot- my Philips 642 just died today- started getting jerky and pausing during playback in the last three days and now sounds like it's having problems spinning up the disc. I get "no disc" errors after a long wait now. Capacitor C316 looks fine by the way.

The only thing that bums me out with the newer Philips players is that they don't have S-video outputs. I don't have component inputs on my TV, nor any digital ports.

I'd like something that has S-video, but the two most important things are being able to play DL discs and Divx. I would prefer not to buy another 642.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The Pioneer DV-393 is essentially the same as the Philips DVP-5140 but the Pioneer has S-Video output. Both use the same MediaTek chipset.

The Pioneer DV-490 is essentially the same as the Philips DVP-5960 but the Pioneer has S-Video output and no USB input. Both use the same MediaTek chipset.

So I would get one of those ... if you want REGION FREE then you need to buy it that way (i.e., pre-modified). One of the better places that sell REGION FREE DVD players (and at usually damn good prices) would be 220-Electronics

220-Electronics has a REGION FREE Pioneer DV-393 for $85.00 plus shipping.

Please note that both Pioneer models can do PAL to NTSC conversion but if you want REGION FREE you must buy it that way ... don't buy a standard Region 1 model and then attempt to modify ... will not work and to get an existing model modified costs more than just buying it pre-modified to begin with!

Good Luck !!!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Neuron]

... Can someone recommend me something i can pick up at Bestbuy/Circuit City/Ultimate Electronics or even Amazon. I Saw someone ask for help in the UK, but I don't wanna fly there just for a DVD player. .

The answer depends on your viewing environment and your needs and preferences.
If you need DivX player to watch video on SDTV I would personally recommend Philips 5960. This player is great with DixX but not really good with up-conversion for HDTV (IMO based on my own experience with). If you need DivX player to watch video on HDTV then I would strongly recommend to look at JVC TH-C60 / 50 or 40 models (They are DVD/DivX Ultra HTIB systems). Excellent DivX / DVD-Video handling and PQ quality and its up-scaler (up-converter for HDTV) does its job very good (surprisingly good). I went with TH-C50 myself.. Another good alternative is Pioneer 490V. All of these you can find in Best Buy, Circuit City and similar stores. I would also suggest test run for each of them before you decide who is a winner. Practically all consumer electronics retail stores have fairly decent return policies.

[thirty2bit]

The Pioneer DV-393 is essentially the same as the Philips DVP-5140 but the Pioneer has S-Video output. Both use the same MediaTek chipset.

The Pioneer DV-490 is essentially the same as the Philips DVP-5960 but the Pioneer has S-Video output and no USB input. Both use the same MediaTek chipset.

So I would get one of those ...

Thanks for the reply FulciLives. I ended up ordering the DV-393. Remote is much better than the Philips (!), picture quality is excellent, menus are very nice. The only weirdness was when I tried playing a couple DiVX discs I had laying around- weird, because they output sound on 5.1 rear channels until I hit the audio button on the remote to activate the front channels. There is no option in the player menus that will control anything having to do with 5.1. Oh well. Again, it's only on he two discs I tried.

Thanks again for the recommendation. I would have passed by the Pioneers completely because the guide here these players showing DVD DL in "strikethrough" text meaning they're not compatible? I'm glad I posted because the guide accuracy didn't seem all there.

[FulciLives]

The Pioneer DV-393 is essentially the same as the Philips DVP-5140 but the Pioneer has S-Video output. Both use the same MediaTek chipset.

The Pioneer DV-490 is essentially the same as the Philips DVP-5960 but the Pioneer has S-Video output and no USB input. Both use the same MediaTek chipset.

So I would get one of those ...

Thanks for the reply FulciLives. I ended up ordering the DV-393. Remote is much better than the Philips (!), picture quality is excellent, menus are very nice. The only weirdness was when I tried playing a couple DiVX discs I had laying around- weird, because they output sound on 5.1 rear channels until I hit the audio button on the remote to activate the front channels. There is no option in the player menus that will control anything having to do with 5.1. Oh well. Again, it's only on he two discs I tried.

Thanks again for the recommendation. I would have passed by the Pioneers completely because the guide here these players showing DVD DL in "strikethrough" text meaning they're not compatible? I'm glad I posted because the guide accuracy didn't seem all there.

I don't own a Pioneer DV-393 but many here (in various threads that I have read) have reported that the quality is excellent and that they work well.

I have had Pioneer DVD players in the past (and currently a Pioneer stand alone DVD recorder) and they have always been quality units.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
As for the menu and adjusting the audio ... try entering the menu of the player when the drive is empty of a disc. Often times that will get you to a different set of menus than when a disc is inserted.

[cal_tony]

Something similar was posted a month or so ago. At that time,there were many recommendations for the 5960. So I bought one from Cir. City. $57 They paid the freight but not the sales tax.

So far, very satisfied with the unit.

[thundar]

kind of an older post...maybe.

ive owned a divx player before. meh, it was ok.

what id really suggest is this: get urslef an original xbox and softmod it. this is by far best the best thing u can do....in my humble opinion. seriously, a modded xbox is such a sweet player for just about ANY video and audio format u can throw at it. so many features.

try it.

[TBoneit]

And the modded xbox has a nice wireless remote with all the proper play functions?

I could play all video from my computer on my TV set. I don't don't because I have not found one s/w player that can be controlled with anything approaching the ease and functionality of a standalone player.

If you can suggest a s/w player that will not have on screen controls and allow me to scroll fwd or backwards or slo-mo with the mouses scroll wheel and displays full screen then I'd be there.

I haven't seen anything approaching that functionality. I've been using DVRs for so long I even reach for the remote in the car to skip back for something I missed, unfortunately the car radio doesn't have that feature. I do lots of skip backs when I watch something to catch something I missed or clarification or to see side action that was in the background etc.

That is the nice thing about my Sony changer it has fwd skip and reverse skip.

BTW I'm serious if anybody knows a s/w player that lets the scroll wheel control forward and reverse plus slo-mo let me know.


If I were the type of person that starts watching something and watches from start to finish only then a s/w player would work.

In my case I may end up watching a 2 hour movie spread out over three evenings and the DVR resume feature gets a workout by me.