(no subject)

[neadods]

I am looking for recommendations for a region free (or hackable) DVD player that also plays avi files.

Comments

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

We have a Phillips region-free model that never steers us wrong. Plays .avi files and has a USB port built in.

[jennetj.livejournal.com]

What's the model on your Philips? I've got the earlier one without the USB, but I'd LOVE to get the one with USB.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

*squints at the tiny lettering on the side* DVP5960. The USB port capability is great.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

According to Amazon, they're up to 5990s now, but it sounds like the same machine.

[melusinehr.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh--I have the 5990 and had no idea it was multi-region hackable. I just did so, and Blackpool is playing merrily. Whee!! This is going to be so bad for my credit card.

Edited because Blackpool + Torchwood would be a fascinating combination, but is not the DVD I am currently watching.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*cough* You wouldn't mind sharing the directions/pointing a person in the right direction?

[melusinehr.livejournal.com]

This page is the first one I found in a google search, and the instructions worked perfectly.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[gonzai55.livejournal.com]

It is most definitely the same machine, just updated. (It's the one I was telling your friend about at the Who panel). The Phillips 5990, only brick & mortar distributor is Best Buy. Ran me $62 and was selling out like hotcakes. The instruction book includes how to make it region-free, it's upconverting, and the USB port is a dream come true. It has yet to disappoint me. STRONGLY recommend.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

They're saying 65-66 at the local Best Buy, which is acceptable. I'll make a run tomorrow.

[gonzai55.livejournal.com]

Make sure the store actually has it; they really do have trouble keeping them in stock, I had to sit on the store availability button for weeks before one turned up within an hour's drive. And then they sold 12 of the 16 they received within 5 hours of putting them on the shelf. The word's getting out about these gems.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

According to the BB website, both stores in my area have it - and about four others besides. I guess the news isn't out here yet, so I'll take advantage on Monday!

(Hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of the one across from the car dealership. Oh, look, the "Maint reqd" light comes on the very mile you go over the recommended oil change!)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Model number, please?

[evil_plotbunny]

I've got two different models. I don't think the model matters much. They're all easily hackable and will play just about any file type you throw at them.

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

It's the DVP5960. Good price, region-free plays all manner of files, have had it for a couple of years now with no malfunctioning, A+ would purchase again. (And did, actually, for the other TV.)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

FAB! *runs to amazon*

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

I recommend the Phillips all-region DVD player - I got mine from Amazon, it cost about $50 (free shipping!) and it plays damn near everything, including avi files.

[patsyrant.livejournal.com]

JVC does an excellent one. Only flaw is you need a power surge protector on the plug. Mine was fab for five years, then one power surge did for it. But reasonably priced and played avi files, as well as being multi-region...

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Everything's plugged into a surge protector. (It's about the only way I have plugs enough for it all!)

Model number, please?

[patsyrant.livejournal.com]

Just dug it out of the closet (in hopes of somebody showing me how to fix it- does this still seem like a recf to you?) and it was actually Sharp DV SL10.

[amilyn.livejournal.com]

My favorite (for four or five DVD players now, including the portable one I use at school) is the Philips/Magnavox relatively inexpensive $45-65 one at Walmart. It plays DivX files, random other stuff, home-burned DVDs, home-burned CDs, doesn't have a region issue or a divide between NTSC/PAL that I've had problems with (my Region 2 German stuff works). The latest versions have a USB port as well.

The one drawback to these is that they last about 1-2 years and then start freezing up and have to be replaced. Course, that's at a HIGH usage rate, and I consider that to be a reasonable replacement rate for that price. (I also like the layout of the remote control.)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

My current player had a low usage rate and had a very high price, and the the %()*! thing won't play for more than 10 minutes without freezing and going back to the beginning now. Enough. Tech that won't work right is as bad as no tech at all.

Have you got a model number? I might find it at Target.

[amilyn.livejournal.com]

They probably have the next generation out now, but ours is Model EVP-5990/37. Target tends to carry them as well, yes.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

According to the website, the local Best Buy has that very model. Time to put a check in my bag...

[jennetj.livejournal.com]

I'll third the Philips. I bought mine 2 years ago at Target for $37, I hacked it region-free in about 30 seconds, and it plays divx, so will play avis. I virtually never burn a dvd anymore - I just burn avis to disk. I want to get the next model up with the USB, because then I won't even have to burn to disk, I can just copy to flashdrive.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

So you got yours at Target. Maybe I should go there and check the hackability of the models they have on offer.

My current player has a USB port but no driver fast enough to stream from the thumbdrive to the screen without hiccups. But then, my current player is a walking set of expensive faults at the moment.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

We've got a Phillips DVP-3980 which is lovely and was cheap. Would love one with a USB Port, though; we do that through the PS3 but I'd rather *not* deal with Someone Else's Gaming System, thanks. ;-)

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

Another vote for the Phillips everyone else has mentioned. Plays anything but dessert plates.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

*snicker* There's a description I'll remember!

[settiai]

I'm going to second (third? fourth?) the Phillips 5990. My parents have one, and it really is awesome. The only problem that I've found is that it only plays divx .avi files, not xvids - there's no video, only audio, in that case.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Um... I don't know the difference.

[settiai]

*lol*

Then you probably won't have any problems.