DVD players for mpg or"raw mpeg" files

[DonMac]

I have a Plextor ConvertX which produces *.mpg files when capturing MPEG1 and MPEG 2. These files have to be "rendered" to get to the normal DVD burnable format. The problem is that "rendering" good quality or high quality capture MPEG2 types of mpg files takes more time than capturing even on a 3GHz Pentium.

The MPEG2 type of mpg files are directly readable by the Windows Media Player (as well as by InterVideo WinDVD 4). Does anyone know if there are hardware DVD players that can play these mpg files? There are hints in the DVD Player forum that some versions of Apex DVD players will do the job, and the soon-to-be released Bravo, which is supposed to mimic the Windows Media Player, may also. Does anyone have hard results?

[XrayDuke]

The Apex AD-2600 will play raw mpegs without any problem. I use my TV-Card as a VCR to record and just burn the mpeg to a DVD+rw and then just drop it the Apex. Works great and I just erase the DVD when I get done.

[tigerman8u]

My Apex AD-500 WM plays them. Can't tell the difference between them and a regular dvd except for no menu. Does give the name of the file/s and lets you choose which one you want to play. I use it alot to put mini mpeg1/2's on cd-rs. IMO Apex is a great player at a great price.

[ferreter]

My Aspire D-900 also plays them. I think they are on sale on buy.com for $30 after rebate.

[Gazorgan]

My APEX 1201 (The $39 unit) plays them fine (NTSC or PAL). Unfortunately this unit isn't made anymore.

So that's what, 3 differenent APEX units? I'd try an APEX

[Batchman]

Also the KISS DVD players will do this, and they have the extra benefit of also playing raw DivX and Xvid (perfectly, the vast majority of the time, but with rare glitches.)

Of course the KISS players aren't quite as inexpensive as the Apex players.

[dphirschler]

My Philips player plays raw mpegs. mp3s too. The model number is in my profile.


Darryl

[DonMac]

Thanks for all the info on suitable mpg players.

In terms of US availability, it looks like the Apex AD-2600, available for $54 from Amazon.com is a good low end (questionable mechanical reliability?), and the KISS DP 450 is a good high end (for those who do not care about the internet connection?) since it can also handle MPEG4 formats.

Looking at the player criteria of the "DVD Players", I have been wondering if MPEGISO capability was equivalent to my original question, of mpg playability. Comments?

If so, then the next question relates to UDF format, which is the only way Nero allows you to record files longer than 2MB (i.e. most movies).
Are you required to use the ISO format (as opposed to the UDF) to make mpg files playable, and if so, is there any easy way to get around the 2MB file limit (i.e. fast ways to split larger mpg files)?