Norcent DP300 DVD Player , Silver
Cheap, dependable, region-free . . . but used to be better
From what I understand, the original versions of this player had secret (\\"accidental\\") options to turn off the region-codes and the copy-protection; and you could switch the voltage in the back so you could take the player to the U.K. and Japan, etc . . .<br />But the newer versions usually don't have all of these features. For instance, I can turn off the region coding via a secret menu, but I can't turn off the copy-block. And the firmware that certain \\"DVD Upgraders\\" modified to force this player into being copy-block free (among other cool things) is not relevant to the chip placed in most of the newer versions of this player (mine included, regrettably). Another bad thing (which the \\"official\\" amazon.com editorial review now gets wrong, although it used to be correct)  is that this player no longer has an option to switch the voltage from U.S. to U.K. standards. This is really too bad, since it makes the PAL output function kinda pointless, in a way (well, unless you buy your own voltage adapter and you're taking the player with you to the U.K. to output to a PAL TV. . . in which case it's still a handy bonus). I bought this player because of the above benefits -- and because I'm moving to the U.K. next year, and maybe Australia after that, and I was hoping I could take this handy little player with me. The lack of a voltage switch in the back makes it tougher, though.<br />As far as I know, the region-free menu can still be found, although there are a variety of different codes you'll need to try to figure out which code will work with your player. I suggest giving this player a full google search, and include the words \\"region free\\" in your search, and you'll find a lot of cool stuff. And if you happen to have (or get) one of the slightly older models of this thing, then you'll have really great fun hacking/modifying the firmware and playing around with both the \\"hidden\\" and overt options.<br />All in all, though, this player has worked wonderfully for me and is nice and super-light-weight and I've never ahd a single problem with it. Great player at a great price. And the Mp3 play-back can be quirky but works pretty well (it can't display long ID3 tags, but it plays fine).<br />Buy this with free Amazon.com shipping and you won't find it anywhere else at a better price from a more reliable dealer. One last problem, though: I't been almost 3 motnhs since I bought this thing and I still haven't received the promised rebate. In fact, the rebate center says they never even got my rebate submission. But then, that's why dealers and suppliers love to offer rebates -- half the time customers either forget to turn them in our they forget that they did turn them in but never actually got sent the check  . . . and then when you complain the \\"rebate center\\" can simply deny they ever got it. But this isn't a problem with this awesome player -- it's just a problem with rebates in general (or maybe I'm just consistently unlucky when it comes to rebates?)d is nice and super-light-weight and I've never ahd a single problem with it. Great player at a great price. And the Mp3 play-back can be quirky but works pretty well (it can't display long ID3 tags, but it plays fine).<br />Buy this with free Amazon.com shipping and you won't find it anywhere else at a better price from a more reliable dealer. One last problem, though: I't been almost 3 motnhs since I bought this thing and I still haven't received the promised rebate. In fact, the rebate center says they never even got my rebate submission. But then, that's why dealers and suppliers love to offer rebates -- half the time customers either forget to turn them in our they forget that they did turn them in but never actually got sent the check  . . . and then when you complain the \\"rebate center\\" can simply deny they ever got it. But this isn't a problem with this awesome player -- it's just a problem with rebates in general (or maybe I'm just consistently unlucky when it comes to rebates?)