Philips DVP 642 (37A) dvd player -does it play PAL

[Katiemay]

I just bought a Philips DVP 642 (37A) DVD player, but not sure if I will keep it. I am trying to decide between it and the Daenyx DV-5602 but can't find any review on that one. I want to order two PAL DVD movies but in Philips DVP642 (37A) manual it says that DVD player will not play Region 2 (PAL) DVD movies unless your TV supports PAL, which mine does not. By the way, what is the difference between the Philips player that I got (DVP 642 (37A) and DVP 642 (without (37A) after it. Will mine play PAL DVD's even though it says it will not in the manual? If not,I may take it back, as I want one that will play multi region DVD movies, especially PAL. Also, has anybody here had any experience or comments about DAENYX DVD player? Its says on the box it will play PAL but has no DivX like Philips DVP 642, but it may be OK. Hope to get some input. Thanks.

[Krispy Kritter]

Both of mine play PAL discs fine, although I have the original version. I haven't seen any information regarding the new model.

[jagabo]

The 642 can convert PAL to NTSC for display on NTSC TVs. It's not really great at it though -- there are lots of resizing artifacts. The DVP-5960 and 5982 are much better.

You may need to use the region free hack to enable playing discs from other regions.

[Katiemay]

To: Jagabo:

>The 642 can convert PAL to NTSC for display on NTSC TVs. It's not really great at it >though -- there are lots of resizing artifacts. The DVP-5960 and 5982 are much better.

>You may need to use the region free hack to enable playing discs from other regions.

I only meant converting NTSC to PAL. I am in Region 1. So I wanted to know if I keep the DVP 642 (37A) if it will play PAL DVD movies (with a hack). Also, I wanted to know if the DVP 642 and DVP 642 (37A) are basically the same. Thanks.

[jman98]

The warning about the player not playing PAL movies is basically a warning to American/Canadian morons to discourage them from trying to play PAL DVDs on NTSC TVs because that won't work.
Here's what you do.
1) Use the "hack" for this player to put it in multiregion mode.
2) Change the TV output setting on the player from AUTO or MULTI (the default is one of these, but I don't remember which name they use) to NTSC.
After doing these, you will magically be able to play PAL DVDs on this player with an NTSC TV.

I think the DVP-642 is nowhere near as bad as many claim. Maybe I got a good one. Yes, certainly there are better players out there for sure and both the models Jagabo lists are better, but I don't recall ever seeing "lots of resizing artifacts" with mine. I've had none of the quality problems others complain about, so maybe I just got a good one. There were serious quality control problems with this model and many had problems.

The DVP-642 is fussy about Divx files it will play. If that is important to you, you should avoid the following, all of which will cause this player to have major problems.
1) Resolutions greater than 720x576
2) GMC with warp points greater than 1
3) Packed bit stream
4) QPel (Quarter Pixel)
5) Video bit rates of 2000 Kbps or greater and any audio except MP3. This model will play Divx with AC3 or DTS soundtracks, but the video bit rate needs to be below 2000, maybe even below 1500, or you'll have audio stuttering on playback.
6) There is an upper limit to the video bit rate this player supports. I think it's 3000 Kbps.

[Katiemay]

To jman98:
Thanks for your reply. Do your comments apply to DVP 642 (37A)? It is probably a slightly newer model than the DVP 642 but exactly what is different I don't know. I am not familiar with all these terms you mention as I've never had a DVD player with DivX and not even sure exactly what it is except that most DVD players have it now. I see DVP 5960 here in Walmart but not DVP 5982. I am trying to also find out if Daenyx DV-5602 brand is any good. It has everything except DIvX and I am not sure if I would use DIvx. Have you ever heard of this brand? I know they don't want Canadians/Americans playing PAL movies, and I only want to play two PAL movies.

K.

[Katiemay]

Jagabo:

>The 642 can convert PAL to NTSC for display on NTSC TVs. It's not really great at it >though -- there are lots of resizing artifacts. The DVP-5960 and 5982 are much better.

>You may need to use the region free hack to enable playing discs from other regions.

Do you know anything about DVP-3140? I see that model in stores.

K.

[jagabo]

Sorry, I don't know much about the 3140. I think it's in the same class as the 642.

[Katiemay]

To Jagabo, you could be right. the DVP 3140 is probably much the same as the DVP 642, as both are the same price in Walmart near where I live. Both of them are $49.99 Can. $ - which is much the same as US $ right now. I might also consider DVP 6980 which you have said is good but its $20.00 more. Have you heard of Daenyx DV-5602?
I wonder if its owned by Daewoo. Its around the same price in Walmart as DFVP 642. It has HDMI and plays PAL and has most features except DivX but I don't know if I need that. It doesn't have a website and is Chinese, well they are all made in China, but Philips has a website at least and is a name brand. Some people must have it. I just wondered if I should get it. The Daenyx V2001 model is listed here at videohelp.Thanks.
K.