Inexpensive progressive region-free DVD player?
#1
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Inexpensive progressive region-free DVD player?
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!
I definitely need: progressive-scan, region-free (hacks are fine by me), and cheap. Any suggestions? Thanks!
#2
DVD Talk Hero
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/as...qx/details.htm
its 100 bucks, progressive scan and divix certified
but for a budget http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/as...qx/details.htm
its 100 bucks, progressive scan and divix certified
#3
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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
Jacob
#4
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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/Phili...oductDetail.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.
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/Phili...oductDetail.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.
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by 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.
#8
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Originally Posted by AGuyNamedMike
My Radio Shack 2117 universal remote drives it just fine.
I can only assume it's a timing issue. The RS remotes work perfectly fine with all my other equipment.
#11
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Originally Posted by 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/as...qx/details.htm
its 100 bucks, progressive scan and divix certified
but for a budget http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/as...qx/details.htm
its 100 bucks, progressive scan and divix certified
#12
Administrator
Originally Posted by JACOB
the newer models of cyberhome 300 do not include DTS.
Jacob
Jacob
I don't have the 3 most recent ones I got to test out as they all went bad and I replaced them.
#13
DVD Talk Reviewer
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.
Also, here are directions for making it region-free.
EDIT: It's still under $60 shipped at Amazon.
Also, here are directions for making it region-free.
Last edited by Randy Miller III; 04-24-06 at 01:10 PM.
#15
Administrator
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.
http://www.cyberhome.com/products.asp?Product=300
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).
#18
DVD Talk Hero
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.
#21
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Numanoid
Which model is the latest Oppo?
#22
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
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?
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?
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
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.
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.
#25
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Originally Posted by 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.