Need to Buy Multi-Format DivX Player - Please, Please, Please Help Me!

[meli911]

Hello,

I am having the worst luck finding a simple home DVD player that can play DivX. There are so many out there, but some are more limited than others in their playability. From what I understand, most can play a certain format of DivX (i.e., R-) but a lot of them cannot play R+...

There is a Toshiba SD3990 DVD player at London Drugs that I am interested in. It is currently on sale, at a reasonable price, but the sales person says that it can DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW/VCD/CD/CD-R/CD-RW, but not +R. Then he goes on to say that it's been his experience that Toshiba can usually play +R. I don't understand - it either plays it or it doesn't, just like it says in the manual, right??? He also showed me a somewhat more expensive Nintaus Divx 5.0 DVD Player - DVDN9600M, which is compatible with CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3/VCD/SVCD/DVD/DVD-R/WMA/CD+G. Well, this one doesn't say either that it can play +R, but he says that this one is the best, that it can play the most, blah blah blah. I am sooooo confused!

If it's true that most DivX players cannot play this R+ program, is it also true that most DVDs are not in this format? If I end up buying a player like this, is it really going to limit me or do I simply have to be careful what format I burn the DVD in?

I really, really want to buy a normal DivX player and finally start enjoying movies. I recently upgraded my computer and have really been looking forward to burning and watching movies, but it seems that I'm having the worst luck finding somethign so simple (some of my friends ahve the most simple, cheapest versions of these DivX players from grocery stores and yet I can't seem to find one!)

Do you have any suggestions or links to customer reviews or just any input that would be helpful to me? Please - it would be much, much appreciated!

Many thanks,

mel

[CrayonEater]

The Philips series seem good. I have a Philips DVP-642 (one of the most popular players in existence) and it plays Divx and xvid, although it does not play ones with "packed bitstreams", I believe. It is also funny about playing ones with qpel and custom matrices, although there is a trick - hitting the "SYSTEM" button twice - that allows them to play normally. I believe the later Philips e.g. the 5960 play almost everything without a hitch. I know my 642 will play just about any kind of disc - it could probably play an LP if it could fit in the tray - and can play PAL as well as NTSC, and MP3s in a DVD, to boot. I believe the later Philips' are just as tolerant if not more so.

FYI, most players that don't like DVD+Rs can be tricked into playing them by bitsetting your burned discs to DVD-ROM. There are tutorials on that around here.

[edong]

The older Philips 642 can also backup commercial DVD to VHS.

[INFRATOM]

check divx website

[jman98]

meli911 - It's your decision, but I really don't think I would buy a DVD player from a drug store. The odds of finding someone who actually understands the hardware is bad enough in electronics stores like Circuit City and Best Buy. I'm pretty sure some dude who works in London Drugs is talking out his butt.

No, it's NOT true that most DVD players that play Divx don't play DVD+R. I usually don't recommend Toshiba DVD players as they have been known in the past for doing weird things like making players that ONLY played DVD and CD audio and nothing else, players that played DVD/CD/VCD/SVCD but wouldn't play anything on CD-R, and so on. Lovely. It's a very long, complicated story, but you should not count on the Toshiba being able to play DVD+R if it says it doesn't. It MAY (or may not) play certain brands of DVD+R discs depending on how they were made, but whether or not you can find the right discs to use is a good question. CrayonEater's suggestion on bitsetting may or may not work. If it was me, I'd get another player. Too much uncertainty.

Philips makes some decent, cheap DVD players that play a lot of stuff. They aren't perfect, but they do a good job for the price. Please note that Divx or Xvid videos made with packed bit stream (the MPEG4Modifier tool or something like that can fix this problem), QPel (Quarter Pixel) and MMC (with warp points greater than 1) will NOT play at all on most players that support Divx. Lots of Xvid users use MMC. MMC's default under Xvid is to use 3 warp points. Great. You don't have to understand any of this, just remember it.

No player will play everything. Some moron somewhere will do something when encoding to Divx/Xvid that will cause a player to barf, like use QPel, use AAC audio, use too high a resolution, too high a bit rate, and so on.

Look at the reviews here at this website for the Nintaus and see what owners say. I've never heard of that brand here in the USA. I generally would advise buying from a reputable electronics store, not a drug/grocery store. Amazon.ca might be a good choice for you. Do your research first, decide what to buy and THEN go shopping. Those who don't know what they want in advance rarely make good purchases.

[Krispy Kritter]

FWIW, I would concentrate on finding a player that is known to be more forgiving in file playback than worrying about whether or not it can read -/+ discs. You can just buy and use whichever type discs your player supports, you don't need - AND+ disc support. The bigger issue is the amount and types of file support.

[jagabo]

The Philips DVP-5960 (US$60 at Amazon.com and jr.com) is probably your best bet if you can get it. A new model should be out soon, the DVP-5982. It appears to be a slightly improved 5960.

[gonwk]

I guess Philips way of FORCING YOU to buy a new model is not to RELEASE a Firmware FIX for their Existing Unit ... for example the DVP5960/37 (US Model) which CAN NOT play a "Packed BitStream" AVI ... and by the way, Majority of the AVI's nowadays come with Packed Bitstream (BP).

Also, Customer Support for Philips SUCKS! I have called and called Philips support and they are IDIOTS ... either they have "No Clue" what I am saying or simply Don't give a "Hoot".

I would NOT buy a Philips!!!

Look for something else and pay few dollars more ... if you don't want to have a miserable life dealing with this crappy player.

By the way, Philips 5982 probably will be another SCREWed up Player with it's own problems. Have you folks noticed they use the same Screwed UP Remote ... so that ought to tell you something.

G!

[jagabo]

The Philips 5960 can play packed bitstream if you use one of the hacked firmware updates. Unpacking isn't hard if you would rather do that. Use MPEG4Modifier, it only takes a minute.

[gonwk]

Hi Jagabo,

1) I have MPEG4Modifier 1.4.4 ... and you are right it takes just few minutes to get an "Unpacked" version ... the ONLY PROBLEM is ... that STILL DOES NOT WORK. Not a sure method.

2) The Hacked F/W ... are you talking about F-Swed hacked version ... if so, It DID NOT Fix my problem ... still Stuttering and Jittery.

3) This morning I called 1-888-744-5477 (1-888-PHILIPS) and the Tech Support guy from Florida told me that even they DO NOT have the OLD ORIGINAL Firmware (the good one that worked) ... since the PHILIPS main office is in Amsterdam. And basically told me to go and TAKE THE FLYING HIKE! I asked him what kind of DVD Player does he own and he laughed and said NOT A PHILIPS AND NOT A MAGANVOX ...

So, any other suggestion ... I am OPEN to anything else ... besides Throwing my $80 investment in the TRASH Can.

Thanks,
G!

[dafoe]

It might not be exactly what you are looking for. But with a $30 Action Replay, a couple of net tutorials and some free software you can install a media player on any Xbox that will blow almost any DVD player out of the water.

XBox Media Center will play pretty much anything and is much more feature rich than plain old DVD players. Just something to consider for xvid/avi/mpeg/etc playback.

[vico1]

A new model should be out soon, the DVP-5982.
It appears to be a slightly improved 5960.

Any idea if this one will have a USB 2.0 port?

[jagabo]

A new model should be out soon, the DVP-5982.
It appears to be a slightly improved 5960.

Any idea if this one will have a USB 2.0 port?

Some people think it does:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1671775

But my reading of the specs and user manual at Philips' web site didn't find anywhere that said it had a USB 2.0 port. Only that USB 2.0 devices could be read -- which is true of any USB 1.1 port.

[jman98]

I guess Philips way of FORCING YOU to buy a new model is not to RELEASE a Firmware FIX for
their Existing Unit ... for example the DVP5960/37 (US Model) which CAN NOT play a "Packed BitStream" AVI ... and by the way, Majority of the AVI's nowadays come with Packed Bitstream (BP).

Also, Customer Support for Philips SUCKS! I have called and called Philips support and they are IDIOTS ... either they have "No Clue" what I am saying or simply Don't give a "Hoot".

I would NOT buy a Philips!!!

I'm not sure I agree that the "majority" of AVIs today come with packed bitstream. Anyway, it's a piece of cake to remove this.

I've had my Philips DVP-642 for over 2 and a half years now and it has worked very well. I will say that Philips quality control is shabby, but my brother has a Philips DVD recorder and it's worked really well for him too. Some people have good luck with Philips. The ones who don't bitch incessantly here. And I've got news for you dude - if you think ANYBODY'S customer support has a clue, then you my friend are badly in need a clue yourself. Maybe Oppo's customer support or some similar manufacturer has a clue, but don't expect anything useful out of any of the big corporations. You'll just speak to someone who has no idea what you are talking about. The best help you can get for any technical problem is on the internet by asking other users in forums like this or doing web searches.

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

@ Dafoe ... I'll try that route.

@ Jman ... Got it.

G!

[mats.hogberg]

If packed bitstream is such a PITA - don't use that feature, then? Can't be harder than that.

/Mats

[gonwk]

Hi Mats,

THANKS!

G!

[RabidDog]

I would steer clear of Nintaus .. they have such a well known brand. Tell the drugstore cowboy to get back on his horse and drink his milk (of magnesia). Something like the phillips or toshiba or any solid commercial brand will suit you fine. Just make sure it is divx compatible .. any other problems just give me a shout. Buy online as it tends to be cheaper, but returns are harder and you dont get to test the product.
Follow this link
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers?DVDname=&Search=Search&divx=1&dvdportable=&dvdchan...Submit2=Search

And happiness will follow.. (your a right little pleader)

[twinkletoes]

# Play, Store, download your Movies (Divx, AVI), MTV, Clips, Mpeg-1, Mpeg-2, Mpeg-4, WAV, MP3, WMA, AC3 & jpg...etc file to Tvisto and play directly to your TV with out PC.
# or Copy your collection DVD Movies, Personal Movies, Video, Audio, Photo directly to Tvisto and play directly to your TV.
# Use it as regular external hard drive store your files, data...etc.
# Comes with USB 2.0 High speed and 1394 Firewire interface port allow you to transfer the file instantly.
# Support up to 500GB 3.5" any brand of IDE Hard Drive.
# Support ISO format, just Save your video, dvd movies..etc as ISO format to Tvisto and play directly to TV (same quality as original file).
# Output Interface: Video: Video: NTSC/PAL Composite Video, S-Video, Analog YPbPr Video, SCART RGB, VGA (1024x768), HDTV (480p, 720p, 1080i), Audio: Audio: Dual Stereo Analog Audio supporting compressed Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS pass through
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is what I just got, and it seems to play almost anything that you try. Nice thing is that you can use it as an external drive, or plug it into your TV. It does not have to use your computer, it works without a computer. Very nice, do a search for TVISTO!

[gonwk]

Hi Dafoe,

Could you expand on your suggestion ... I was doing a google search on your items mentioned ... it only confused me more.

By the way, I don't even own an XboX right ow ... and looking at the prices of $350 plus ... it is kind of steep for me ... just to simplify my life.

Thanks,
G!

[twinkletoes]

Hi Dafoe,

Could you expand on your suggestion ... I was doing a google search on your items mentioned ... it only confused me more.

By the way, I don't even own an XboX right ow ... and looking at the prices of $350 plus ... it is kind of steep for me ... just to simplify my life.

Thanks,
G!

I don't know if this Address will get through, but here it is. Its a little over $100 and you need a HD for it, I just use several olds one that I have. Very easy to install. After you get your Video on the hard drive you just plug it into the TV. It even has a nice Remote. So far I haven't found anything, movies, Pics, MP3, ect that it won't play. I'll try to include a pic, not sure if I can..

[jagabo]

Could you expand on your suggestion ... I was doing a google search on your items mentioned ... it only confused me more.

Look up XBMC.

http://www.xboxmediacenter.de/info_project.htm

By the way, I don't even own an XboX right ow ... and looking at the prices of $350 plus ... it is kind of steep for me ... just to simplify my life.

He's suggesting the first generation XBox, not the new XBox 360. You can get the first gen XBox for a little over US$100. The original XBox was basically a stripped down Intel Pentium 3 PC.

[twinkletoes]

This is NOT an Xbox, don't know what else to tell you, this is what it will do!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The TVisto Multimedia Center is not just any old external hard drive enclosure - it's so much more! Imagine putting all your videos and music on one convenient device, and then plugging that device into your television for playback - that's the TVisto Multimedia Center! It even offers a remote control for ease of use - you just add a hard drive and go!!!

The TVisto Multimedia Center offers extra capacity for large files, allowing you to store plenty of data, music, photos and even complete movie collections. The TVisto 3500TVIS is compatible with any standard IDE Hard Drive up to 500 GB, thats a lot of movies!

The TVisto 3500TVIS Multimedia Center produces high quality video and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio for your pleasure. With lightning-fast USB 2.0 or Firewire 400, the TVisto offers hot plug and play, super-speedy data transfer and remarkable versatility. Instant backup! Instant storage! Instant Fun!

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

Twinkletoe & Jagabo ... thanks for your replies on xbox deal.

@ Jagabo ... you know I tried to locate one of my difficult Packed AVI's ... but I guess must have deleted them ... and haven't had to scan the others ...
BUT, I think your solution of passing the suspected AVI thru VDubMod might work.
BTW, Jagabo ... I have been trying to learn VDubMod and VirtualDub ... do you know of a pretty good "Dummy Proof" guide that you can point me to.
THANKS for all of your help Dude!

G!

[mats.hogberg]

The easiest way to make AVIs standalone player friendly (in the rare case you stumble on one that isn't) is to run them thru either AviReComp or AutoGK.

/Mats

[insync44]

I have had a Phillips 5960 for several months now. Thus far its played every recent and old avi file downloaded with absolutely no problem. I've had trouble with an odd QPEL file. For $69,99 CDN I can't complain.

Other than that its purchase a Oppo 981HD for $270. Its reputed to have great quality and it ought to at that price.

[Justprocessbaby]

I purchased a Galaxy Tvisto 3500 3.5 inch TV out External Enclosure/Multimedia Center. It does what I need it to for the most part.

The three irritating points:
1. I can't do a direct download of some AVI XVID encoded anime and play it. It takes and ISO format well. I end up convertying XVID formats using AlltoAVI. I placed all of the same format like MKV in one directory and converted all to videobitrate 1000kbps, XVID, audio bitrate 128kbps even though the original did not go as high. Else, you get a choppy video and audio sync problems.

2. You REALLY REALLY need to make sure that you perform the safe removal procedures for this USB device with windows because it will think it was never disconnected and the movie list will be empty when ou connect it to a TV. Always perform the USB close and then turn off the drive.

3. The software update for the item from Galaxy isn't that great.

Checkout buy.com
http://www.buy.com/prod/tvisto-3500-3-5-inch-tv-out-external-enclosure-multimedia-cent...203268343.html

I bought my harddrive for $90 at Frys. So far it works out pretty good!