shopping for a DVD player.

[beaker]

Sara and I are in the market for a DVD player.

We want one that plays all formats, particularly SVCD. Sound features aren't important since we don't have a nice stereo to hook it up to.

Future Shop was selling the APEX AD1500 for $139 but they're sold out and don't expect to get anymore in.

Anyone know of comparable models for the same price range or of any other deals going on around town?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

 

[alexd]

Don't get a samsung, and probably avoid the cheaper models. Mine jumps around the DVD and skips parts sometimes. Its basically a boat anchor.

 

[stargurl*]

My dad got an apex a week or two ago at one of the mississauga stores.. brampton had told them that they were just getting a shipment in, too.

 

[Obey]

Pioneer makes a cheap model that works quite well. I bought one from my GF and it was about 260 or so, whes used it for three months and it hasn't had any problems yet. And yes AVOID SAMSUNG they are total shit. I first bought one about four years ago and it sucked and skipped all the time I took it back and they replaced it with a higher model SAMSUNG, I took it home took it out of the box and it would only work in Black & White ??? I got my money back and bought a panasonic for about 500 and it never screws up. I've had it for about three years and it is a great player.

 

[ThePlunger]

Don't buy an APEX. It will break. Same goes for almost any player that weighs less than textbook.

Although they cost more money, most Sony's and Panasonics will never give you any trouble.

My roomate has a generation 2 Pioneer that is almost 4 years old. Works better than my parents and sisters (all new - RCA, Toshiba).

Matt

 

[rejenerate]

I got my parents a Pioneer DV-440, however it doesn't play Super VCD (if that's what you mean by SVCD). But according to the manual the DV-533 and DV-533K do. We've been happy with it so far. The DV-440 was about $300, though.

~jen

 

[bitchass]

i bought the Electrohome from Costco for $175 and haven't had any problems with it - other than on *some* discs the subtitles turn on after you fast forward.

it plays vcd, svcd and anything else i've thrown at it so far. Also, i've got the slightly older modelt that doesn't have the power button on the remote and my friends have the newer one that does.

 

[Mr_Furious]

go dowtown, there's a couple small electronics stores near the Eaton centre that sells JVC dvd players for around $150 plus tax

 

[koz]

pioneer dv-343 is the best for svcds. you can burn on pretty much any brand cd-r and it will play it. i dont think they make that model anymore so it would be hard to find a new one. next best choice would be the pioneer 444.
check out this link for more compatibility info on dvd players

http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php

speace.

 

[joey]

we rented dvds tonight..

my dad has had his dvd played for 4 years and still doesnt know how to work it..

zoolander is funny though
my sister is watching the gift or some girl movie

matt, give me $#50 and ill get you one...

 

[OTIS]

Originally posted by koz


http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php

Matt, I was just about to post this link, it's full of excellent help. You can even narrow your search to feature specific models.

If format versatility is what you're looking for, then I reccomend Apex then Pioneer,some Panasonic models are good also. JVC & Sony seem to be ass when it comes to formats they play.

I'd wait a little while tho, there are models scheduled for the market soon that will be DIV-X compatible.. the new DVD decoder computer card just released by sigma designs now supports DIVX playback, comes with a remote control, and is relativly cheap. Probably the same as your Apex model. Wait a few months I say.

 

[joey]

dude, just get your parents to buy you one.....

say you need it for school or some jazz

 

[Silverback]

Originally posted by alexd
Don't get a samsung

Frantically looks for receipt. No complaints so far (after 3 whole movies).

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

Get a Toshiba. They created the technology and have always been a pleasure to deal with.

From the ministry of never a bad word to say about them.

Prime Minister Highsteppa

 

[lift]

i have to defend samsung here- even if i've only had mine for 6 months... cost $250, it doesn't skip, and plays all formats. hopefully time will be kind to it...

 

[kyfe]

Originally posted by Obey
Pioneer makes a cheap model that works quite well. I bought one from my GF and it was about 260 or so, whes used it for three months and it hasn't had any problems yet. And yes AVOID SAMSUNG they are total shit. I first bought one about four years ago and it sucked and skipped all the time I took it back and they replaced it with a higher model SAMSUNG, I took it home took it out of the box and it would only work in Black & White ??? I got my money back and bought a panasonic for about 500 and it never screws up. I've had it for about three years and it is a great player.

Don't listen to what these people say about Samsung, I've done lots of research on DVD's prior to buying and Samsung has all the options ones over $300 have, I paid $200 taxes in. it's great I have no complaints...
To validate what I've just said, take the point above (obey sorry to use you as an example) a) the quality of dvd player 4years ago was not what it is now....b) obey is not tech support thats for sure... since most dvd models these days come with many different options for output ie S-Video etc. etc. the reason obey received black and white output is because he selected an output that was not compatable with his television, thus giving him a black and white picture.

the model samsung I purchased is DVD-M101, the only option it doesn't have is progressive scan and you probably won't find that on a model for less than $300.

Kyfe

PS don't listen to future shop employees since they know nothing about anything.

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

Originally posted by kyfe

PS don't listen to future shop employees since they know nothing about anything.

That kinda goes without saying. It's like single digit IQ's are part of the qualification.

From the Ministry of don't go to future shop, unless you know exactly what you want.

Prime Minister Highsteppa

 

[Silverback]

Originally posted by kyfe
the model samsung I purchased is DVD-M101, the only option it doesn't have is progressive scan and you probably won't find that on a model for less than $300.

DVD-P401 <--- Progressive scan Samsung. $299+tax

 

[pr0nstar]

Playstation 2 makes a great DVD player on top of the fact it's a Game Console

pr0n

 

[bitchass]

but unfortunately doesn't play vcd or scvd

 

[da MiGHTy pLUm!]

^^^^
my computer with a video card that has TV out handles everything quite well.....

-ron!

 

[labRat]

buy a mac, mine plays DVDs just fine.

how can there be problems with DVD players? the technology has been around for quite a few years now. seems lame to me, don't they have to pass standards or somethin'?

and aren't most electronics all made by only two or three companies, just rebranded?

i'm probably going to get one once i buy a sub and rear speakers, but that won't be for a while. i am quite content with vhs or the most part.

ALTHOUGH - lately i've noticed that VHS rental tapes have been getting crappier and crappier. i've run into audio problems at least 3 or 4 times in the past year to the point where i had to return the rental and get a new one. and usually it's from movies that are still on the new releases shelf. i smell a conspiracy here that the rental places are purpously ruining the tapes so that everyone moves over to DVD. bunch o' wankahs.

ALSO - has anyone noticed that at new rental places they are now using demagnetisers on the tape's security tags instead of passing it to you after the alarm 'gates'? Uh, McFly, don't they realise that that may demagnetise the tapes? this will only lead to further crappiness of the tapes.

remember beta?
and laserdisks?

ya, those were the days.

--craig