need a new dvd player

[xdeity]

as above, but i only have limited funds, like about £50 or £60.

been told that 'progressive scan' is something i should look for, as it apparently makes the disks easier to read or something.

i have a toshiba sd220e that was supposed to be really good at reading dvdr, but it just is not cutting it, failing reading half way through films and such, whereas other people dvd players play them fine. someone told me it may have an overheating issue.

anyway, anyone got any suggestions, looked at richersounds but they have loads and there are no independant reviews, so pass me you wise knowledge please

[tam30over]

try asdas they seem to have good feedback on there pacific dvd player and in your price-range i think there about £40

[Jesterrace]

Apex is good if you can find them over there (if I remember correctly they might be under the Pacific Digital label)

[Van Nugent]

I'm thinking of getting a Philips DVP642, which can also play DivX 3.11/4.x/5.x. It's about $67 USD shipped. This is a progressive scan player, BTW.

If your monitor/TV doesn't have component video inputs then progressive scan won't do any good, anyhow.

[Jesterrace]

Uh Van Nugent, you do know Philips' track record with DVD Players, right? Not good. Also as I understand it, while it will play divx that doesn't mean it will play all divx files.

[Van Nugent]

Yep, I remember reading your post on that. I've never owned a Philips before so I'm still thinking. :) A friend's got a 642 and it seems to play pretty good.

[Elaine]

Well, you need to consider how much they cost and what they play. My sis and I bought my mom a Apex a couple of years ago. I flashed it even before I wrapped it. Then I told her to be very careful as the warranty was void. :laugh: Merry Christmas This was about 2 years ago and it's still working okay. But for about $65. US at the time, it's still a heck of a bargain. It still plays anything you stick in it.

[Neo]

Progressive scan is the way of system that the horiztonal lines apear on your TV. There is internlace and progressive. Progressive produces much better picture quality and some people argue that 720p is better then 1080i. But if your TV does not support progressive, then there is no point really, as you will not be able to take advantage of it.

[leftist]

I got a 642 and it played pretty good until I tried to flash the bios. Now it won't work at all! LCD doesn't come on even. Xvid is also hit or miss

[PhilEnfield]

I can second tam30over's advice.

The Pacific 1002w from ASDA's is super value and for playing backups ... it's pretty much unbeatable.
It also plays MP3's from DVD (not many can), plays raw MPEGS & JPEGS in a slideshow ... good for viewing Digicam pics. I've put all mine on a few DVD-R's.
Has no probs with DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW.

I know of at least six m8s who have this and a few have bought another to keep in reserve ..... last time I looked it was under £40

[leadan]

amazon have some good players and new customers get £3 off.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001WTU1W/qid=1089065610/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl/202-1195253-4347031

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000UIXTU/qid=1089065610/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-1195253-4347031

[xdeity]

my tv has scart inputs, does that make it a progressive scan compatible tv?

if it helps it is a toshiba 3377db 33" tv but not widescreen, i don't like widescreen

[scarecrowdr]

I paid about £49 for mine at the Lockal W.H.Smith shop..."CyberHome CH-DVD 400"..Plays the Lot....DVDs, CDs, VideoCDs, MP3, JPEG, MPEG, WMA files....No regrets from me so far...