Inexpensive progressive region-free DVD player?

[Alterator]

Hello all! My old region-free DVD player has died on me. So, I am looking for a replacement. But, in addition to being region-free, I'd like it to use more "current" technology (my old player wasn't progressive, didn't have alot of inputs/outputs, etc.). Of course, I also want to keep it as cheap as possible.

I definitely need: progressive-scan, region-free (hacks are fine by me), and cheap. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Rypro 525]

define cheap? if you can afford it (and have an hdtv with dvi imputs) the latest oppo at 200 bucks is your best bet.
but for a budget http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/asp/pid.118/qx/details.htm
its 100 bucks, progressive scan and divix certified

[JACOB]

I would try cyberhome 300. you can get it at wal-mart for 33 bucks.. its progressive scan and region free.. just no DTS.. if you are looking for DTS.. try cyberhome 300S.. which you can order from amazon.. its like 35 bucks or so.

Jacob

[X]

The Cyberhome 300 passes DTS just fine. They just don't use the DTS logo anymore for whatever reason.

I used to be a big fan of that player and have two of them. But I tried to buy another recently from Amazon and ended up sending it back for replacements twice. After three bad ones I gave up and wouldn't recommend them anymore.

If you can stand the remote here's the best current deal in a good region-free progressive player that will handle anything...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips-DVD-Player-DVP642-/sem/rpsm/oid/100066/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I read that Wal-Mart has it for $5 less in the store.

I got a refurb for $30 from Philips and it's been great. You might check there. (http://www.outlet.philips.com)

I also had an earlier model that I was given and it's working fine as well. But I hate the remote and my universal remotes don't seem to be able to do the code timings well enough to replace the remote that comes with it. I'd love to have a solution to that. I've never seen that problem before.

[M Polo]

Another fan of the Philips 642. It's a nice little piece, cheap and does it's Region free duties perfectly. I've had mine for over a year and a half...

[AGuyNamedMike]

Another very satisfied DVP-642 owner here, 16 months and counting. My Radio Shack 2117 universal remote drives it just fine.

[Numanoid]

define cheap? if you can afford it (and have an hdtv with dvi imputs) the latest oppo at 200 bucks is your best bet.Which model is the latest Oppo?

[X]

My Radio Shack 2117 universal remote drives it just fine.I've tried both a RS 6-in-1 and a RS touch sensor remote on both my Philips players. I used the Philips code and also the learning mode (off both Philips remotes) and about all I can get either of them to do is turn off, on (sometimes) and stop. The newer Philips is a little more responsive.

I can only assume it's a timing issue. The RS remotes work perfectly fine with all my other equipment.

[mbs]

I fifth the DVP-642. It is the epitome of cheap region-free. The PAL->NTSC conversion is quite good as well.

If you want to get fancier (and spend more), go with the Oppo.

[JACOB]

the newer models of cyberhome 300 do not include DTS.

Jacob

[takingchase]

define cheap? if you can afford it (and have an hdtv with dvi imputs) the latest oppo at 200 bucks is your best bet.
but for a budget http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/asp/pid.118/aid.007782/qx/details.htm
its 100 bucks, progressive scan and divix certified

I got this player refurbished from the phillips website for like 25-30 bucks and I love it, a really good player.

[X]

the newer models of cyberhome 300 do not include DTS.

JacobI have two Cyberhome 300s. The Sept. 2003 one has the DTS logo and the Feb. 2004 does not. However the Feb. 2004 one does have DTS in its menu and I just tried a DTS DVD and the receiver showed it was receiving a DTS signal.

I don't have the 3 most recent ones I got to test out as they all went bad and I replaced them.

[Randy Miller III]

I, uh, "sixth" the Philips DVP-642. Great value for the money, but that HK Flix price looks a little high. I picked mine up from Amazon awhile back for under $60 shipped.

EDIT: It's still under $60 shipped at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000204SWE/sr=8-1/dvdtalk/dvdtalk/qid=1145902097/ref=sr_1_1/102-8208882-7126507?%5Fencoding=UTF8).
Also, here (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=Philips+DVP+642) are directions for making it region-free.

[JACOB]

there are players called 300S and then there are players that are just 300. the 300 without the S doesn;t have DTS.. the 300S does have DTS.

Jacob

[X]

My newer one is CH-DVD 300/l and the older one is CH-DVD 300. Both have DTS.

I thought the "S" meant silver as there is also a black model.

Available in Silver: CH-DVD 300S (shown above) and Black: CH-DVD 300 (below). http://www.cyberhome.com/products.asp?Product=300

[JACOB]

I talked with cyberhome about it.. they listed a bunch of dvd players of 300S etc that had DTS.. the 300 with no S or Z didn't have DTS.

Jacob

[X]

Strange.

Anyway, I'm not recommending the player anymore due to its quality really dropping.

[Numanoid]

I had a Cyberhome 300 without the DTS designation. It would play some DTS discs and not play others. Strangely, on some discs it would play the DTS track for a while and then the audio would drop out and a DTS error would appear. I don't know what was up, but I wouldn't count on it doing DTS properly.

[JACOB]

my cyberhome 402 played DTS just fine.

Jacob

[X]

I never use DTS on them because they just go into a bedroom TV. When I test them it works but I've only done it for a few minutes.

[Rypro 525]

Which model is the latest Oppo?
http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/asp/pid.90/qx/details.htm

[chente]

For those that have 742's can you verify that it turns off progressive scan by itself when you shut it off. I've read that on a couple of boards and one guy claimed that he had some tech support guys confirm it but I never have been able to get a straight answer from anyone on this board.

Basically, if you read a lot of reviews for this unit, there are a large number of people complaining that the pal to ntsc conversion is lousy. Someone figured out that what was happening is that progressive scan was shutting itself off when the unit is powered down. So it worked fine, then when you used it the next time, it looked bad. Apparently, if you check the menu, it looks like progressive scan is still selected. You can fix the problem by deselecting it and then reselecting it. Then it plays normally again.

Any comments?

[chente]

The mystery continues...

[printerati]

My CyberHome CH-DVD 500 finally died, so I was in the market for an upgrade as well. I settled on the Toshiba SD4980, which a local chain had on clearance for under $60. At that price, it's a no-brainer choosing it over the Philips, since it also has the benefit of upscaling/HDMI output.

There's a remote hack at videohelp.com to make it region-free. I've tested an R3 NTSC and R4 PAL disc so far, with no problems. The remote sucks, and the blue light around the DVD tray is annoying, although you can (temporarily) turn it off in the setup menu. There's no "dimmer" button on the remote, unfortunately.

If anyone needs a CyberHome remote, let me know. That's the only thing from the CH-DVD 500 that still works. :)

[BSTNFAN]

My CyberHome CH-DVD 500 finally died, so I was in the market for an upgrade as well. I settled on the Toshiba SD4980, which a local chain had on clearance for under $60. At that price, it's a no-brainer choosing it over the Philips, since it also has the benefit of upscaling/HDMI output.


Where did you find that price?

[printerati]

Where did you find that price?

I bought it at the h.h.gregg store in Florence, KY. They still have it on their Web site for the same price with free shipping. Look under the "Video" section at www.hhgregg.com (http://www.hhgregg.com). It's at the bottom of the second page of "All DVD Players."

[justbarelymovin]

Well, thanks to everyone's recommendations, I went out to Circuit City today and did an in-store pick-up (a little over $54 with tax) for the Philips DVP-642!