Cheapest decent XviD-compatible DVD player?

[TurboFool]

First off, this is NOT for me, personally. I've got my eye on an Oppo Digital for my home theater system (I don't have an HDTV yet, but I figure I might as well plan ahead with an upconverter). This is for my 4-year-old daughter's room.

Currently she's got a cheap-ass Cyberhome DVD player which does pretty well for her. On more than one occasion, though, she's changed the DVDs by herself, without permission, and gotten them covered with fingerprints. *shudder* So I wanted to make backup copies of them for her so she won't destroy the originals, but her current player won't play burned DVDs. So first up on my list was replacing it with one that did. However since I was starting to look for a good XviD-compatible player for me, I realized I could throw several movies on a disc for her, or a bunch of TV shows, making it easy for her to pick her own selections when I need some downtime.

So... any suggestions on a very cheap player that'll fit these needs? Doesn't need obscure support, as it'll be primarily files I rip and encode myself.

Thanks!

[~bT~]

Cyberhome 401. I think the player got an updated name & spec now. Anyway, I got one from Amazon.com for less than £30

[TurboFool]

As far as I can tell from a quick Google search, this one seems to be only in the UK. Do you happen to have any information on US availability? I forgot to specify this (typical American, we forget there are people from other countries on the internet, lol).

[ilovejedd]

I would recommend the Philips DVP642. It doesn't support advanced XviD features like QPEL and sometimes has a/v sync issues playing AVIs with VBR MP3 audio, so just avoid encoding with VBR MP3. Otherwise, it's a really good player for its price, especially if you're just looking for something cheap for your daughter. Currently, it's $59.99 from Circuit City (http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=100066&WT.mc_n=55209&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=AFFILIATE%20MARKETING&cm_cat=COMMISSION%20JUNCTION&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=55209) with free shipping and $20 rebate bringing it down to $39.99. Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000204SWE/sr=8-1/qid=1156303437/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9461568-3273661?ie=UTF8) has it for $49.99 plus $5.99 standard shipping.

Oh, I just remembered Philips just released a new DivX certified player. It's the Philips DVP5140 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F2KUK8/sr=8-5/qid=1156304461/ref=pd_bbs_5/002-9461568-3273661?ie=UTF8). So far, it's been getting excellent reviews and I'm planning on replacing my DVP642 with it once I save up some money (getting a root canal is so expensive). Or maybe the older Toshiba DVD Player in the living room (my room has all the techie stuff :p). It's just $59.99 and ships free with Super Saver shipping so basically, it's just $4 more than the DVP642. I think it's also multi-region, so come to think of it, might as well just get the DVP5140 instead of the older DVP642.

[TurboFool]

Great advice. I'll keep an eye on that unit while my funds improve (recovering from similar financial pitfalls, so I know how you feel). Depending on how it turns out I might even consider one for my living room, although I'm beginning to think about just saving up to build a HTPC for it. Maybe use some of my parts from my current computer after I upgrade it.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Personally I would not recomend buying the Philips DVP642 as it's fitted with a very weak (ESS Vibratto II) chip-set by todays standards!

Have a look for players fitted with MediaTek's MT1389-xx range of chip-set or Zoran's Vaddis 888 chip-set ;)

[theturtle]

Philips dvp5960 81$ best buy

[kosmonaut]

We like the Philips players around here quite a bit. So I would second theturtle's recommendation of the DVP5960.

[rectangular]

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/...&categoryid=18

Buffalo’s High-Definition Wireless Media Player might be an excellent choice for those of us who want to play anything without having to purchase a full blown Media Center PC. Right now you can get one for about $270 with shipping here in the states. A really good value considering that a decent HTPC will cost you between 1-2 thousand dollars. All we need now is some end user reviews of the player to see if there are any playback issues with the latest codecs being broadcast wirelessly from your PC to the player and passed along to the TV.

[Sharro]

I own a Philips DVP720SA and I love it for it's quality of construction, still the firmware development has stopped a while ago.

As far as cheap and good is concerned, and great firmware still being developped I can only recommend Yamada 6800 X, got one at home (49,99 EUROS) and beats the firmware of my Philips easily. Two firmware versions exist, one also supporting DivxUltra Menus and nerodigital files.

All the best,

Sharro

[cockpit]

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/...&categoryid=18

Buffalo’s High-Definition Wireless Media Player might be an excellent choice for those of us who want to play anything without having to purchase a full blown Media Center PC. Right now you can get one for about $270 with shipping here in the states. A really good value considering that a decent HTPC will cost you between 1-2 thousand dollars. All we need now is some end user reviews of the player to see if there are any playback issues with the latest codecs being broadcast wirelessly from your PC to the player and passed along to the TV.

you think there's any chance of playing x264 movies on this thing?

[BigDid]

Personally I would not recomend buying the Philips DVP642 as it's fitted with a very weak (ESS Vibratto II) chip-set by todays standards!

Have a look for players fitted with MediaTek's MT1389-xx range of chip-set or Zoran's Vaddis 888 chip-set ;)
I second SMD in all points.

If you make a search on "DVP642" you'll have an idea of all problems (and possible solutions to be honest) related to that particular player.

Go for a well known brand with a MTK 1389 series or more recent chipset.

Did

[canuckerfan]

philips dvp5140

plays some stuff that the old 642 can't and it's only 50 smacks US!

[Dams]

Silvercrest 6515 , about 59 euros.