Looks like I have finally found the DVD player I was on the lookout for. This player has the following features that made my day:

* As claimed, it plays DVD-R.
* It didn't claim it, but plays DVD+R. It takes longer with DVD+R discs to get going, but does eventually play them.
* Is inexpensive: available for $75 on the net; if you luck out, you might be able to pick one up for $55 on eBay (plus shipping charges in both cases)

These were the features that mattered to me. Some others this unit has are as follows:

* Plays mp3 files on CD-R. Doesn't read id3 tags.
* Claims to have universal power supply (110-230v)
* Claims to output PAL and NTSC. No idea if it can read PAL discs.
* Claims to be all-regions. The setup screen has the option of changing the region setting.
* Can output 5.+1 analog channels for AC3. DTS output is only via coaxial digital.
* Has component video, SVHS and A/V outputs, as well as coaxial digital audio out. Doesn't have optical digital output.
* Can search a movie that is playing by absolute time.

I haven't tested the following formats that it claims to read: VCD, SVCD, CD-RW, and DVD-RW (nor DVD+RW).

Look and feel are like a cheap product. Doesn't have progressive scan. Doesn't read DIX/AVI discs. But I found it to be great value for money.

Ashok