Read if you want a cheap play anything UK DVD player

[Craig Tucker]

The player in question is the Akura ADV142S, I know I have never heard of it either

On the manual it says it will play

DVD
CD
SVCD
VCD
MP3
CDR
CDRW
JPEG
HDCD
Kodac picture CD
CD+G karaoke discs

Edit : Also MP3 DVD's

I bought it because I wanted a player for viewing my jpeg pictures from my digital camera on my TV. It's great for this you can choose from about 10 different transitions for a slideshow, rotate the pictures, mirror them and even display them as multiple thumbnails.

It says nothing about being multi region, but it plays my region 1 discs no problem straight out of the box, no hacking required. Also plays my DVD-R, have not got any DVD+R so cannot test those but I would expect it to play them. It also says in the manual that it is a progressive scan player.

This player is also very slimline, I will post a picture of it when I get a chance.

Now for the best bit, the price.

£37.49 from Somerfields.

[VCDHunter]

Will it do the NTSC to PAL conversion too ?

[Craig Tucker]

Yes, you can set it to NTSC, PAL or Multi which is the autoselect option.

[Craig Tucker]

OK as promised, here are the pics. That great lump directly below it is my Pioneer 636.





I don't think you can go wrong for £37.49

[VCDHunter]

I think you're right. £37 for an all singing all dancing DVD player seems like a steal. Pity I already have 2 players.

[Craig Tucker]

I already had 4, I now have 5

[simon1987]

Does it play Xsvcds?

[Craig Tucker]

I don't have any to test I am afraid. When I bought the player though I was told if I was not happy with it I could return it for a refund. So if you get one Simon post here if it does/does not play XSVCD.

[Kopy King]

does it have DTS capabilities as my old Deccavideo does'nt and I'm after a new player . Just looked closer at the pictures of cause it does

[Will Hay]

Gonna get two at lunch time (one a Christmas gift, the other for the bedroom).
Dumb question but you haven't said...
It has a remote control, right?
Will

[Craig Tucker]

Of course

[Will Hay]

Of course

Good, a pal of mine just brought three in, two of which are mine
Will

[Will Hay]

First impressions:

Slight rattle on first load of dvd, less so once playing.
Great picture quality, but I'm far from an expert and ain't fussy when it comes to DVD's.
A wedding dvdr I produced (VHS to DVD and DV to DVD on same disk) stutters slightly on my Wharfedale M5, absolutely flawless playback on the Akura.
Great remote, very easy to navigate allthough didn't notice a 'menu' button, just a 'return'.
Free scart lead, batteries and composite cables.
Region free from the box as Craig said.
I'm thinking of buying another, to replace the Wharfedale in the living room.
A great buy, an absolute steal at the price.
Not too shabby looking either, although I'm not a fan of plastering all disk formats on the unit itself (I prefer mine sleeeeeeeeeeeek).
Will

[Craig Tucker]

I thought you would be pleased will, not much to complain about with this player as far as I can see.

I have not tested DVD+R or XVCD or XSVCD so if anyone has one of these players and can test these discs please post here. It would also be interesting to know if it plays miniDVD.

[RabidDog]

craig tucker get reading that photo touch up manual. A bit of editing would make things a lot lighter (dodge? )

[Craig Tucker]

craig tucker get reading that photo touch up manual. A bit of editing would make things a lot lighter (dodge? )

Turn the brightness up on your monitor :P

[cspuk]

do you know if this dvd player is available in all somerfields? as im from scotland?

[Craig Tucker]

The best thing to do is ring round your nearest stores, they will tell you if they have stock.

[Bingo31]

Hi,

has anyone with this player tested a DVD-R made up of multiple VCD/sVCD ? (eg one made using SVCD2DVD)

thanks

Col

[FROSTBITER]

Another recommended cheapo is the Pacific 1002 from asda at £39.99 with a 3 yr guarantee, im convinced that if i put a beer mat in this thing,ill get a picture.


Frosty

[Bingo31]

It would be even better if you put in a beer mat and got a pitcher !!!!!


:P

Col

[FROSTBITER]

rofl

[yongkuk]

The Pacific 1002w DVD is fantastic. The problem is trying to get one now. Had to go to 8 Asdas before I found one.

[energy80s]

The best "cheap" DVD player I know of is the Cyberhome 400 from WH Smith's at £50. It is very compact (almost a portable) and will play anything - even raw MPEG or JPEG files on CD/DVDR ROM's. As WH Smith's are a UK wide company (never heard of Sommerfields) and have a mail order division, the player is available all across the UK.

[Craig Tucker]

Great remote, very easy to navigate allthough didn't notice a 'menu' button, just a 'return'.

Yours must have fallen out then Will, because mine has got one.

[MeTaLgEaRsOoTy]

somerfield is also known as "kwik-save",and yes most branches sell them,in scotland...blah,blah..
didnt like the rattle though,seems to be a cheapo build,like the pacific1002,what with its playback rattling.
i think its down to the labels on discs,etc,maybe a balancing issue.
ill just stick to my alba just now,its cheaper too,at £35.
plays all formats,just like that one,WMA as well,and doesnt make a noise at all.
oh by the way,the akura plays +R(W) media,but i noticed that the audio sync was out on terminator 3 towards the last parts of the movie(maybe 1hour+ into it, and thats on +R.seemed to stutter a bit like a bad PAL/NTSC conversion. jerky camera movement,etc.
shouldnt do that,as its a PAL copy.

[Craig Tucker]

no playback rattle with mine

[Garbage_Guy]

I bought the Pacific 1002W, But it does not "seem" to want to play my ksvcd copy of swat, has anyone tested the Akura with this format? as you can get a few hours on 1 cd/r.
If it works I'll take it back to Asda and visit Kwik-Save
BTW Asda only do the 1 yr waranty now.

My neighbour bought a dvd player from Argos @ £39 and that plays Everything mpeg/svcd/ksvcd/jpeg/mp3 It was called a cinitek or something similar any info?

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning.
/ Moderator Craig Tucker

[Craig Tucker]

my ksvcd copy of swat,

Please read the forum rules, no warez on this board.

[Garbage_Guy]

Jeez!!!
My copy of a home made movie of me an the kids I recorded in Ksvcd format.


Look theres a witch, lets burn her