DVD player purchase: Basic consumer advice sought

[Bahger]

I'm a sophisticated PC/multi-gadget consumer but this is only my second DVD player purchase. I'd really appreciate advice along the following lines.

- Are multi-territory DVD players available legally in the USA? I'd like to be able to play British-standard DVDs if possible. Do these players require dedicated monitors or can you run them through a regular TV, as usual?

- My PC can burn onto DVD+R and DVD+RW format disks. I edit DV on my PC. Is it worth finding a DVD player that can read the RW format? My last player could only handle DVD+R. Are the machines that can read multiple disk types much more expensive? Can anyone summarize the practical benefits of multiple formats?

- Are either of the above expectations (multi-territory/multi-format) unrealistic when looking for a DVD/VCR combo?

- Is any particular brand known tobe more robust than others? I have to factor in my childrens access to the DVD player. They are usually very careful but...

- Exactly what value is progressive scan?

- Do you recommend online purchase of DVD players or is it better to research online then buy it at a store?

Thanks. I really appreciate any and all input.

 

[tmlim]

First off, you can find a lot of info at <A HREF="http/www.videohelp.com" target="_new">http/www.videohelp.com</A> The forums are great there!

A lot of players can be modified to play all region discs. It's usually done by entering a code with the remote. See <A HREF="http/www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks" target="_new">http/www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks</A>

Most players today can play both -RW and +RW. +RW tends to be more compatible. I only use +RW.

Almost all players now are progressive scan, but you're only going to benefit if you have a TV that can view it, ie an HDTV.

I prefer to buy at the store incase there are problems with the player and you need to take it back.

Hope that helps!

"A delayed game will eventually come out, a bad game is bad forever."
-Shigeru Miyamoto

 

[Bahger]

That's very helpful, many thanks.

 

[vorlon]

Very few of them are availale in store. For divx + dvd players, none of them are perfect. I have philips 642 and LG DVB418. Philips is based on ESS Vibratto while LG is based on Media Tech (MT1389).

I got Philips 642 from K-mart and LG from Bestbuy. Philips is so easy to make it region-free. But for the pic. quality, LG performs far better than Philips. For Divx compat. wise, MT1389E seems to be better than Philips. But Philips is much cheaper. There're others such as RJTech/Neuneo from online vendors such as www.newegg.com.
But as the other poster said, I prefer getting it locally so that I can return it easily.

For $79 or so from K-mart, Philips seems to be OK product. But RJtech product seems to be getting pretty good reviews too if you're willing to take risk of getting it from online vendors.

 

[lonelypauly]

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