I have dvd on my computer but cannot access special features on some. I thought this was just my computer, but in shopping around for a dvd player for home use I have heard that not all players will play the features as well. ie... One player will play some feature that another player can't and vice-versa. Is this true?

What features cant you play on your computer?

All I have is a computer Dvd drive and a Realmagic card and I get everything and then some for things that need a computer.

Maybe you need a driver update for your computer system?

Toy Story - No features at all
Matrix - just a few, though I can search by chapter to access.
JPark collection - locks up accessing a couple.
I did update my driver about six mon. ago, But I'll check again for any new ones.
My real ? though is if this is common for regular dvd players (not so much my computer, though that would be nice if there is a fix)

My DVD-Rom drive on my Compaq Presario laptop is the worst.

For the Abyss DVD, it can't get passed the THX intro. For the Hunt for Red October, it freezes at the paramount logo

It refuses to play any of the special features on the Goldeneye SE

For the TWINE SE, it won't play the alternate angle scenes.

On my M:I 2 DVD it won't play the Impossible Stunts feature

My laptop display freezes when i try to play the Halloween 5 LE

On the new X-Men DVD, It won't play the movie unless I select a scene from the menu.

For my Robocop Criterion, the picture starts skipping and completely freezes near the end of the movie and I had to put it into Safe Mode because Windows wasn't loading at all after I hit the re-start button.

The Matrix and T2 SE work fine on my DVD-Rom player

I suggest you buy a Sony DVD player. I've never had a problem with it. I've been in this forum a long time and have seen numerous complaints about Toshiba DVD players and how they won't play features.

I have the Pioneer DV-525 [though they may not sell it anymore], and it has been wonderful... Pioneer drives for the PC are good too, but I had problems with The Patriot [2000 Mel Gibson], which prompted the DV-525's purchase.

Pioner, high-end Sony, and Toshiba I have heard good things about, but I would steer clear of Panasucky and JVC... as well as APEX [unless you need the multi-region, which i dont think they support anymore] and the other off-brands.

I hope this helps, let us know what you end up buying...

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What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it?

-Han Solo, Star Wars Episode IV

Moving to Hardware Forum

I decided to go with a Pioneer DV 333, and I'm very happy with it. A great place for DVD hardware reviews from consumers is:
http://www.audioreview.com/reviews/DVD/

I would probably go with a Toshiba DVD player. I have the Toshiba SD2200 right now, and I have had no trouble with any disks. Some people report firmware problems, but I have yet to experience any difficulties with any DVDs (Toy Story, T2: UE, etc.). You may want to look into the Toshiba SD2300. It is one of the first Nuon DVD players. Nuon-enhanced DVD players promise greater flexability as well as completly smooth slow-motion, forward, reverse, and enhanced angle viewing.

You can read more about Nuon technology here.
http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/dvd/nuon.html

Hope this helps.

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My DVD Collection

[This message has been edited by BartleyR7 (edited December 03, 2000).]

quote:<HR>Originally posted by billytune:
Here is a great unit that has everything. It is being offered by EasyWeb TV (http://www.easywebtv.com/eztv.htm ). I love mine! and if you hurry, they are still giving away their Mini-Vacation Certificates with each new order.
The EZTV-2500 is the complete Internet and Entertainment solution! In addition to surfing the web, writing email and talking on the Internet Picture Phone enjoy advanced entertainment features such as DVD, Karaoke, CD and MP3!
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Hey Billytune,
Do you work for this company or something cause you sure sound like you are trying to sell this unit. It also doesn't help that you posted the exact same message in other posts about people looking for dvd players. Never heard of this unit and I am curious if anyone else knows if this is a scam.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Fogie:
My real ? though is if this is common for regular dvd players (not so much my computer, though that would be nice if there is a fix)<HR>

With a stand-alone DVD player, you may experience an occassional glitch with one particular section of one particular disc. It is not something I would spend many sleepless nights worrying about. I have a 3-year-old player and I have only encountered one instance that I would call a glitch - I couldn't view about 5 pictures in a 50-picture still gallery. Among three friends with three different brands, none of us has encountered devastating glitches in our DVD players.

If you're really interested, try searching the Net for a so-called "glitch list", which should list common problems and the specific unit they are associated with. Do not let this fear prevent you from buying a DVD player - most name brands are very reliable.

[This message has been edited by DigIt (edited December 05, 2000).]

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Ky-Fi:
I decided to go with a Pioneer DV 333, and I'm very happy with it. A great place for DVD hardware reviews from consumers is:
http://www.audioreview.com/reviews/DVD/

<HR>

I second this recommendation. You should be able to find this around $250-300 and is a great player for the money.

Of course, I stacked discounts at 800.com and got it shipped (w/ free shipping) for about $145 so I'm REAAAAALLY happy with it