Need Advice - Good, Cheap DVD Player

[RevSchafer]

Hello,

I currently have an Apex 3-disc changer that I've had for two+ years. I have had repeated problems with it (thankfully I bought the extended warranty). For the past several months, it looks up when loading the Title portion of a DVD, and I have to unplug it, wait for the spindle to wind down before plugging it back in (otherwise it drops the still spinning disc back onto the carousel and scratches it severely). I would say that this occurs roughly 70-80% of the time I try to play a disc. Often times it will lock up and I'm unable to eject the carousel without having to unplug it and wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in.

I have never modified my current Apex (no hacks) and have no intention of doing so to my new player, as I have no need for region-free or no-macrovision.

I am looking for a replacement that must be able to play DVD-Rs. MP3 decoding, VCD/SVCD playback and/or karaoke are nice, but not necessary. It should preferably have digital coaxial audio out and S-video as minimums (system is already wired that way).

I can handle digital optical to the A/V receiver and component video out directly to my TV, but would have to then make sure to switch both the TVs input and the A/V receiver in order to watch a DVD instead of just the A/V receiver. My family isn't very technical so it would honestly be too complicating for them to remember to switch both just to watch a movie. My A/V receiver is Dolby Digital/DTS certified, and my TV is progressive scan, btw.

I am not an audiophile/videophile, I don't need anything glamorous. If there is an $89 model out there that will do what I need, I'll probably be perfectly happy with it.

[EricB]

After my Pioneer 343 started to fail, I bought a GE5803P at Walmart ~$130. It has been great and even though the 343 has been repaired, I prefer the features on the GE.

It has everything you mentioned except no component or optical out (I'm unclear whether you say you need that). Everyone says the remote sucks (which it does), and the player does not like to stay in pause for a long period (press stop). Given those items, it does a great job playing all formats. I believe the GE 1101P is the cheaper single DVD version.

[chroniX]

http://www.blockbuster.com/bb/article/details/0,,ART-805,00.html


Magnavox MDV450SL


Plays EVERYTHING VCD/SVCD/XSVCD/MP3/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R/DVD-RW/etc


Get it at your local block buster...and grab it fast, they run out quickly

[dolphin2002]

Hi I guess with your prices mentioned in US $ your are in the states.
Either way my suggestion will still be valid as I think this manufacturer is in the US.I am in the Uk and recently bought an expensive DVD player that even thoguth it said DVD-R its a pile of *&*&(*&.So in my rage discovered a Cyberhome CH402 plays everything I can throw at it.VCD,SVCD,Mp3,DVD-R,DVD-RW,DVD+Rw and i nice little feature Jpegs,yeap just burn you pictures and it will slide show them great.it retails here for about £80,if you need more info let me know :P

[SquirrelDip]

Hello,

I've had Sony DVP-S500D for a number of years and have been happy with it - only down side is that it is limited in it's playback features (no MP3, no SVCD etc...). Went searching for a second brand-name player and after searching the Player List on this site settled on the JVC XV-S300BK.

Paid $200 Canadian (which would be about $125 USD) for the JVC and am extremely happy with it. Plays just about everything I throw at it.

[wwmw]

Hello; Chronix

Hello; will it play Video Avi and Divx formats downloaded from the Interenet and burned to CD-R I download allot of movies in these formats please respond ASAP!

TIA!
William

[wwmw]

Hello; dolphin

Hello; will it play Video Avi and Divx formats downloaded from the Interenet and burned to CD-R I download allot of movies from Imesh and Kaza in these formats?

Please Respond ASAP!

TIA!
William

[RevSchafer]

I went to Blockbuster and checked out the Magnavox MDV450SL that they had. The only drawback is that it's silver and the rest of my home theater stuff is black, but I can live with that.

They also had an Akai model DVD200BL that I can't find anything about. It appears to have very similar features, is black and is $20 cheaper ($69) than the Magnavox. Also, it appears to have a very nice remote, there was no picture of the Magnavox remote to compare it to. I really don't like the remote that came with my Apex, so a nice remote is a big plus for me.

Anyone know anything about this player and how it compares to the Magnavox?

Thanks again.