Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Perfect cost and quality match. Better than I hoped for.
I was looking for a good moderate to low priced player, preferably low, and had quite a bit of difficulty finding what I wanted. I was seeing lots of contradicting reviews on lots of players. I had just ordered an onkyo HT system (love it), and for ease ultimately just decided to go with the onkyo DVP 701(DVD Player) from the same site I ordered the surround system. It was a little more than I wanted to pay, but I found real good reviews on it in several many places. After ordering, I found the real reviews on an audiophile forum. Major picture and color problems. Thanks guys. Watch out! I'm sure you can guess, but lots of reviews are generated by reps. Anyway, I canceled the order, and started to look again. I found a site called VideoHelp (DVD Player Compatibility List), and there they have listed worldwide and national ratings, comments, and specs for just about every player ever made past and present, no kidding. I looked at just about everything from over the past two decades. It's amazing, but when you look closely at these products, the majority have some real hidden or not so hidden problems. Just as many in the higher price ranges as well, so there are few easy purchases. Two products ultimately caught my eye after many hours of crosschecking research. One was a sony. I can't remember exactly what the model was, but it was out of production, and was available nowhere. Then of course there was the Philips DVP642. The sony was rated just above a 9, but did not have any of the modern features of the philips, and was more expensive. It did not have zoom for instance, or slow mo either If I remember right, but had the great picture quality I was primarily looking for. It is of course all moot because there were none posted even on ebay. Anyway, the DVP642 rated very high itself. 8.4 out of 206 ratings, with 226 owner comments, mostly all raving about it. 8.4 is extremely high, particularly for so many reviews. Almost nothing reaches a 9. Normaly the only ones that get that high have very few ratings, and can not be judged accurate. I decided to go with it, and I am exceedingly happy I did. I payed $67 shipped for the first one I purchased, and I just bought 2 more as Christmass presents at $64 a piece shipped. Shipments go in and out quick, so you might have to call more than 1 or 2 online dealers to get them while ther in stock. It has performed flawlessly, and has all the options I needed and many more. Check them out for yourself. The picture quality is wonderful. That was the most important thing for me, along with digital coaxial,toslink and analog audio outs. My older TV does not have Component video inputs, but that option with progressive scan and S video as well were a must as I will surely upgrade. Without component or S Video in's, I am of course not getting the best picture available, but even with just a compressed composite signal that does not allow for progressive scan mode to be active, the picture and color qualitys are excellent. Can't wait to upgrade, though I love my TV. To sum up, I could not be happier for such a small amount spent, and I am almost certain you will be as well. Merry Xmass and happy holidays to all. GE