Looking for a new DVD player-suggestions?

[dbr1]

I am looking for a new standalone DVD player. I have a cheap Toshiba now that will only play about half the DVD backups that I make. (I am making mostly dvd-9 disks using very slow write speeds with a new NEC DVDR and using dvd shrink and then imgburn).

My disks that dont play well on the Toshiba generally do play well on my friend's Phillips, which seems to be a discontinued model.

Any suggestions for good all around players, especially ones that are most "forgiving" when playing DVD backups?

[masken]

what do you want? A quality player or a cheap player? Outputs?

[masken]

...on the other hand, you can get both in a player that's become very popular recently, the BBK/Oppo DV971H, which has a DCDi-chip from Faroudja (FLI-2310), which normally only is found in much more expensive players. It also has a Mediatek 1389-FE chipset in it, which enables playback of some DivXviD material. Not the best MPEG4-chipset there is, but the main feature of this player is DVD playback, and that, the Faroudja chip does very well (the player has won several tests). All for roughly €195.

[dbr1]

what do you want? A quality player or a cheap player? Outputs?
Mostly a cheap player, but I could spend up to $200.

But again,the number one specification: maximal playback compatability with home burned double layer DVD movies.

Outputs don't really matter much- my current TV supports S video and analog, not digital. (although one day I will probably have a HDTV with digital inputs)

I checked out that Oppo model that you recommended- looks nice. Would it likely have a high compatability with DVDs that I burn?

[masken]

don't know... send them an e-mail and ask?

[dbr1]

I guess this is an interesting question- what makes a player compatible with more types of dvd media than another, and how can you know, other than trial and error testing?

[masken]

well if you know which DVD player hardware they're using in the player, then you can draw some conclusions... then there's sites like divxtest.com and videohelp.com too.

[masken]

Now , I think the best player is Philips DVP5140 , is the first player that is DivX Ultra Certified :
http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3Ddvp5140_37_us_consumer%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fconsumer%2Fen_US%2Fcategories%3Ccatalog_us_consumer%2Fcategories%3Chome_audio_video_gr_us_consumer%2Fcategories%3Cdvd_players_recorders_ca_us_consumer%26&productId=DVP5140_37_US_CONSUMER&activeCategory=DVD_PLAYERS_RECORDERS_CA_US_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER
I've got a Philips DVP 5900 today. But I won't ever buy Philips again, their support sucks. It's impossible to hold of anyone regarding firmware problems.

...wonder what chipset's in that Philips player...

[new_age]

Philips DVP5200: 99.9999999% sure it is mediatek chipset it is also DivX Ultra Certified
Philips DVP5140 I guess (hope) also mtk chipset

DVP5900: Zoran Vaddis 778 chipset:
http://www.home.no/masken/pics/philips_dvp5900_case_open.jpg
http://www.home.no/masken/pics/philips_dvp5900_main_board.jpg

[masken]

yeah, see you found my pics ;)

[new_age]

yeah, see you found my pics ;)

;)

Can you get a hand on DVP5140 or DVP5200? For testing and firmware extraction .... ;)

[kosmonaut]

FYI: The DVP5140 is a Mediatek chip. I'll check on the 5200.

-Kosmonautbruce

[masken]

;)

Can you get a hand on DVP5140 or DVP5200? For testing and firmware extraction .... ;)
Sorry, like mentioned, I won't buy a Philips player again. Only other Philips thing I'm thinking of buying are the SBCHD1505U digital wireless surround phones:

http://www.consumer.philips.com/catalog/SB/SBCHD1505U_00_webImageFullSize.jpg
sorry 'bout the thread stealing...

[masken]

btw, also have a look at these interesting results:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=124