Philips DVD727 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Super Player (so far)
A week ago, I purchased this DVD player with the idea of \\"re-zoning\\" it to allow it to play DVDs from all over the World. In addition to that requirement, my new DVD player should offer progressive-scanning, components outputs, etc, and last but not least, a beautiful design.  Price was also a consideration.  The Philips 727 met all my requirements, including the price at $70.00.  I performed the \\"re-zoning\\" in about 15 seconds with no problems.  Obviously, Multi-region DVD players advertised on the Web at inflated prices are just reap-offs.  In Europe, all DVD players are \\"zone-free,\\" or can be made so at the stores where you buy them.<br /><br />I am a rather \\"unsophisticated\\" user of a DVD player, as I only play commercial videos on it.  So, I cannot judge its behavior with the other types of input materials: VCD, SVCD, DVD+R, DVD+RW, red book CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 CD, JPEG picture CD.  I did test a CD out of curiosity and no problems there (however, my surround-sound system is not up to par with my HF system dedicated exclusively to my music).<br /><br />Please note that, although the Philips manual says the player can play videos in NTSC & PAL, since all TVs in the US use the NTSC color system, you cannot play PAL DVDs (unless you \\"hack\\" the player)<br /><br />Obviously, I cannot speak about the reliability of the player, since I have only used it for one week.  It does carry a manufacturer 90-day exchange, and a 1-year limited exchange warranty (one-way shipping at your own expense).  But, everything else is great: beautiful picture (why not? the laser reading mechanism is made by one or two companies which supply all the DVD manufacturers); the sound is much better than the sound which eventually comes out of my Philips HD, 34 in. TV (its speaker system is lousy); the remote is easy to use, and offers many options to assist in the viewing of a video.<br /><br />In conclusion, the Philips 727 is a hell of a bang for the buck, with all the latest features foundin much more expensive players.  And its looks are very sexy.<br /><br />Note added June 5, 2007.  The DVD player is still going strong...<br />Note added June 6, 2008.  Ditto.<br />Note added Oct 16, 2013.  De profundis.  It passed away 4 months ago! It was just 9 years old, and with a bright, promising future :0((