New DVD player - Can't Decide I need advice please

[Hairfarmer]

Greetings,

Recently my old Pioneer DV-S737 died. It played both NTSC and Pal formatted disks and all regions. I paid about $500 for it in 2001. I have a large collection of dvds that are from different countries and in PAL format. I've been looking on ebay for a replacement.

I can't believe how much the prices have come down in regards to A/V equipment!

All of the following DVD players are region free and NTSC-Pal compatible. In addition they all convert the PAL signal to my NTSC TV on the fly without the need for a PAL-to-NTSC conversion box. With my older unit I had to use the converter box to play PAL dvds. It seems as though this feature is built-in these days.


I have narrowed my choices to the following:

Toshiba
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=290245022751

Pioneer
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360097037359

Sony
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360103078006

Phillips
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=280267977429


Any suggestions on the better of the three would be appreciated.

Hairfarm

[jagabo]

If you're looking at Philips look at the 5990 or 5992. They're much better than the 5960.

<US$58 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10050628

From what I've read the remote is much better too. The 5960's remote is one of the worst ever made.

[redwudz]

I'd recommend the 5990/2 also. Add in vb6rocod's firmware mod and it's a very nice unit for the cost: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic355675.html Plays back all my PAL video with no problems.

EDIT: Even if you never play a DVD on it, the USB drive to video conversion feature is worth the price.

This thread would be better in the DVD & Blu-ray Player forum. Moving you.

And Hairfarmer, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:

Try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like Help me!!! or Problems.

Thanks,
Moderator redwudz

[neomaine]

I'd recommend the 5990/2 also. Add in vb6rocod's firmware mod and it's a very nice unit for the cost: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic355675.html Plays back all my PAL video with no problems.

Yeah, what he said! Just got mine a couple of weeks ago and added the new firmware. One of the best electronic decisions I've ever made.

[jagabo]

And if you're worried about a region free hack for the 5990 (without a firmware mod):
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic358689.html#1904082

[MJA]

Freak'n DVP 5990 refurbish at Philips was selling for $39 free shipping and this dude is selling 5960 refurb for $59.

get the 5990 from wal-mart for easy return just in case


from techbargains.com

Philips DVP5990 DVD Player (Refurb, 1080p Upscaling, DivX) $39.99 Free Shipping, Oct. 6 4 PM

Philips Outlet has the Refurbished Philips DVP5990/37B Progressive Scan DVD Player, featuring 1080p upconversion via HDMI and DivX playback, for a low $39.99 Free Shipping. Tax in most states

[Hairfarmer]

Thanks for the great suggestions guys. This looks like a perfect player!

What exactly can I use the USB drive to video conversion feature for?

thanks so much.

[jman98]

What exactly can I use the USB drive to video conversion feature for?

thanks so much.

I think you are misunderstanding something here. I've never heard of anything like this.

The USB function allows you to play supported video files (NOT high def!) from USB devices that are FAT32 formatted. NTFS won't work.

If you really care about quality, you might take a look at:
http://www.oppodigital.com
They make highly regarded players that are considered superb for PAL to NTSC conversion and they also can be made region free.

Be warned that we're getting posts on various Philips models sold in North America that CANNOT be made region free anymore. I don't remember specific models, but I have to warn you that if you buy Philips and the region free method mentioned by jagabo fails to work, you may want to get a refund.

Finally, note that Circuit City is permanently closing 20% of its stores in the USA. Some cities, including mine, are having ALL of their Circuit City stores closed. Going Out Of Business sales will start either on Nov. 4 or 5. If you have a Circuit City that will be closed (sorry, don't have a link to a list) you might look into buying a Philips model there as there might be a good discount, but check on returns just in case yours can't be made region free.

[redwudz]

Just to add, a external hard drive with a USB interface can play movies off the drive through a 5990 player. It also plays PAL video. The drive needs to be formatted in FAT32 format, but easy enough to do. I use Xvid and Divx files mostly for the 5990. I recently set up a 320GB external USB hard drive with about 400 videos. They play back fine through the 5990 to a NTSC TV, even the PAL files. You just use the remote to select the videos. One method here: https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-5990/9370?#70038

vb6rocod's firmware mod makes it easier to read long titles, along with other nice additions.

Admitibly, the quality isn't great compared to the Oppo, but the price is.

[samijubal]

The Philips players use a DC brush spindle motor, don't expect them to last a long time if you use it a lot. I have a Philips I use just for PAL DVDs and my main player I use for everything else.

[Teutatis]

Just to add, a external hard drive with a USB interface can play movies off the drive through a 5990 player. It also plays PAL video. The drive needs to be formatted in FAT32 format, but easy enough to do. I use Xvid and Divx files mostly for the 5990. I recently set up a 320GB external USB hard drive with about 400 videos. They play back fine through the 5990 to a NTSC TV, even the PAL files. You just use the remote to select the videos. One method here: https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/philips-dvp-5990/9370?#70038

vb6rocod's firmware mod makes it easier to read long titles, along with other nice additions.

Admitibly, the quality isn't great compared to the Oppo, but the price is.

Will it play ISO files?

[MJA]

Will it play ISO files?

nope

[redwudz]

I use VCDGear to convert the common ISO formats (VCD, KVCD) to MPEG format. I think the 5990 will play them. I haven't tried as I don't have the unit here at present. You may also be able to load the ISO into Daemon Tools and copy the resulting VCD, KVCD to the drive used for your 5990. I haven't tried that either. This may also work with DVD ISOs, though those seem fairly uncommon.