I’m buying my first DVD player at the end of this month. I’ve looked over some of my options, and tried to do some net research about DVD players, but a lot of the techy stuff went right over my head. I did a quick search in GQ, because I’m sure these questions have come up before, but I didn’t find anything with the answers I needed. Of course, “DVD” brought up way too many returns for me to wade through them all.
So on with my questions.
I would like to buy some import DVD’s (I found some stuff on DVD overseas that is not available in North America). My research showed that there are DVD players available which allow you to switch the region code using the remote control, but didn’t go into specifics, like specifically which players have this capability, are they available in Canada (most things from the US are, but you never know) and how much more will one with this capability cost me. Would it be worth it? Does anyone here have any experience with trying to play import DVD’s? Is this something that would be an advertised feature?
I’m a little fuzzy on the whole VCD/SVCD thing. I read a whole overview of it, and walked away shaking my head. I still don’t know if I want this capability. How likely is it that I will require such a thing?
What should I be looking for in a good DVD player? Are they all pretty much created equal? What are these things that are listed in the ads? DTS and Dolby digital output. HDCD playback. Component video output. I have no idea what any of these terms refer to. Do I want them? Are they standard? Will I have a big advantage if I get one with CD-R/CD-RW playback?
I’m confused - obviously. Comments and answers welcome.
The DVD faq http://www.theshoppingmatrix.com/dvd/faq.asp
I like mine. It’s a dual tray Toshiba 3109. Virtually all current models being sold will play CDs. VCD (video CD) quality is worse than a good video tape. Most (not all) can play VCD/SVCDs but this ability is irrelevant for 99.99% of users in the US.
Re features you should be able to get a good unit with pretty much all the relevant higher end audio options for around 275 to 375 if multi-speaker home theatre setups are your cup of tea. For standard use most units in the 150 - 225 price range will do perfectly fine. I’m a little leery of the real cheap 100 - 125 units simply because of possible component quality isses.
re CDR CDRW VCD and SVCD compatibility from the DVD faq
[2.4.3] Is CD-R compatible with DVD-ROM?
[2.4.4] Is CD-RW compatible with DVD?
[2.4.5] Is Video CD compatible with DVD?
[2.4.6] Is Super Video CD compatible with DVD?
Re non-North American coded import discs
[1.10] What are “regional codes,” “country codes,” or “zone locks”?
was especially helpful! After reading the overview of VCD’s, I couldn’t see when I might need it, but since they were making such a big deal of it in the ads, I thought I might be missing something.
I actually came across both of the sites you linked to while I was researching DVD players. It was the DVD faq that mentioned that code switchable machines were available, but I still don’t know how to tell which ones are and which ones aren’t. I’ll keep scouting around the site. Maybe I missed something.
FTR, I don’t have a big home theatre set up. I assume that I won’t need most of the little extra hook-ups that are advertised. New TV, but nothing fancy, hooked up to another new but not fancy VCR, both hooked up to an ancient stereo with decent sound. Most of the above covered in small and sticky fingerprints.
Sounds to me like you’re looking for something along the lines of the Apex AD-xxx family. The Apex appears to be from a Taiwanese manufacturer and it is sold by Circuit City as a sort of house-brand. Sadly, the secret menu which allows for disabling Macrovision has been removed from more recent models, but they may still be able to change regional settings. Better make sure though geek channels first; Circuit City ain’t telling.
The Apex models play virtually any audio/visual format you can slap onto a disc, including .wavs, MP2, VCD (or is VCD just another term for MP2? I forget.), and, most spectacularly, MP3s burnt straight onto a recordable disc. They are also incredibly cheap–I’m talking like a hundred bucks. I’m told the newer versions have an on-screen GUI for music file management.
I’ve noticed some rare problems with rewinding and sound synchronization, but I hear the newer models have fixed those bugs. I’m not sure about reliability, but of the four people I know including myself who own one, none have broken. Two of them are in near-constant use and have been for over a year. Picture quality is, in my opinion, excellent.
It’s the best toy I’ve bought lately, excepting of course the Pussy Snorkel.
There aren’t any Circuit Cities in my area, possibly not in my country, however, I will check around for the Apex brand. Thanks for the review of the player.
Sadly, I have no geek channels to check, unless the sdmb counts.
I also know who to check with if I’m in sudden need of a Pussy Snorkel.
When I was searching for a DVD player last December (I got the Sony 360D; I like it), I looked at the Apex models since Anniz’s DVD collection is mostly Region 2 (she has an all-region player in Sweden; they’re more common there for obvious reasons).
The Apex system is basically a glorified DVD-ROM drive. I have a DVD-ROM drive on my PC; why would I want to buy another one?
That’s why I bought a Sony. Your milage (or kilometers, as it were) may vary.
Multi-region DVD players are tricky. They usually cost a bit more (say, $100 or so) than “single region” DVD players. The exception would be the old hackable Apex DVD players and players by another company called Raite, IIRC.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many of these multi-region players are multi-region because they simply do not check for a region code. This can be troublesome since some newer DVDs require a region check and will not work if the DVD player doesn’t do it. Which means that some newer American movies won’t work in (older) multi-region DVD players (I don’t know if there are multi-region players now that will get around this). You might want to search the AnimeOnDVD forums for multi-region player info. They’re interested in that kind of thing for some reason.
Personally, I think VCDs are cool. 'Course I’m also into a lot of Chinese movies, and the Chinese love the VCD format (which, incidentally, is MPEG and not MP2). Almost all Sonys play them (something to do with dual lasers, one for CD one for DVD, IIRC), though some other players may not. The ones that do brag about it, as I’m sure you’ll notice if you haven’t already.
Other features. You definitely want digital sound output, though this shouldn’t be an issue since only the absolute cheapest (in terms of price and quality) have only analog audio out.
You’ll also want Dolby Digital surround sound decoding (unless you already have a stereo receiver, wich does this), as DD is standard on all DVDs. DTS is another surround sound format (according to some, it sounds better, though even many audiophiles can’t tell the difference), but isn’t used all that widely so I wouldn’t worry much if your DVD player doesn’t have it.
Component video output is useful if you have or will buy a really fancy schmancy TV. Component video output is a newish technology that delivers the clearest picture currently available. ATM, only the most expensive TVs use this technology, however. In other words, don’t sweat it.
Well, I have the feeling I may have raised as many questions as I’ve attempted to answer (if not more), so let me know if you have any other questions.
The VCD capability is helpful if you ever want to watch an AVI or MPG movie from your computer on your TV. The AVI and MPG can be converted to a VCD, then burned onto a CD.
This is quite the popular thing to do in the whole pirating movie movement. In fact, it’s funny KKBattousai mentions China and DVDs.
If you ever walk the downtown streets of Beijing, you’ll find proprietors on a random street corner selling these very items - pirated DVDs and CDs.
They can be purchased very cheap, relative to the actual retail value (usually $3 for a DVD and $1 for a CD). They are recorded in the VCD format and will work in your VCD supported DVD player.
I would imagine this method of sale is practiced throughout hot tourist spots around the world. Tijauna, Mexico is another location that comes to mind.
Anyhow, I’m not sure how relavant this information is to you, but it’s just something I wanted to add to the fray.
I am also in the market for a DVD player. I live in a one-bedroom condo, so I don’t want to blast my neighbors. I have an RCA 27" television that is about 2 years old. I have a tabletop stereo system that I use for playing CD’s and listening to the radio. I have also done research on the internet, but the technical terms hurt my head. My question is, do I really have to hook up my DVD player to a multichannel stereo system in order to get decent sound or does the DVD player work like a VCR (hook it up to the cable and connect to the TV)? I’m not much of an audiophile and I don’t want to get rid of my VCR yet. I would like to spend about $200.00 for a DVD player–not too expensive so that I can spend big bucks for a HDTV in the not too distant future. Thanks for your input.
Yep, DVD players don’t require a receiver/amplifier between them and the TV. If you aren’t concerned with sound separation or volume, then your TV speaker works just fine. You will notice a substantial drop in peak volume however. But, if like you say, you aren’t looking to rattle the windows then it should work just fine for you.
Just make sure your TV and DVD player have compatible ports, such as RCA audio.
As you get higher in price the technology starts getting more proprietary however, and it is harder to find compatability without having to shell out for all of the various other components.
It sounds like you can do like I do, I have the video portion running directly into my TV, and the audio running into my beat-up '80’s era cheapo stereo system (running into the “tape/aux” input jacks as it predates CD technology). The sound is still surprisingly excellent.
I think I’ve decided to forget the import DVDs for now. I want a machine that is code switchable (not multi-region), and I just don’t think I’ll be able to find what I’m looking for without a LOT of extra work and ordering a specially modified player (or modifying kit) from out of the country.
I don’t think I’ll be in a situation where I need VCD or SVCD. If it comes with it, fine, but it’s not a must-have feature.
I don’t have a fancy set-up at home, so I imagine most of the other features on the players would be a waste as well.
You don’t have to buy an expensive, modified player to have region switching…
From what I’ve noticed, most of the ultra cheap players from China have region switching…
I bought the cheapest player I could find last christmas from wal-mart… Oritron 100
It has a hidden menu to switch regions and will automatically output NTSC/PAL depending on what the DVD is encoded in. It also has a hidden menu for VCD, although I’ve really no need for it… but it does work…
The only problem you’ll have with other region discs that are in PAL is that you won’t be able to view them on your regular NTSC TV… you’ll need a multi-system or PAL TV…
Or you can play them on your computer DVD-ROM if that’s region free…
I won’t go into major details, but there are different types of video signals in various countries. In North America we use NTSC, which is the poorest of the 3 systems. Most of the world uses PAL (some use SECAM, but don’t worry about it). As PAL is better than NTSC, TVs made for NTSC will not take a pal signal… However, many newer PAL TVs will accept a NTSC signal. If you have NTSC equipment, you will need the following to play PAL movies.
A DVD player/VCR that can output in PAL
A TV that will play that PAL signal OR something to convert the PAL signal to NTSC before it reaches the TV.
If you’re really keen to get import DVDs, you’re best bet will be to get a small multi system TV… a 14-15 inch one isn’t too expensive… it’ll automatically play whatever signal is sent to it… like I said earlier, my DVD player (Oritron 100) automatically plays whatever signal the DVD is encoded in.
Per your brave and radical stance on stepping outside the boundaries of the oppressive “labor for goods and services” capitalist infra-structure I just had to check out your web page link amateurvisionary, and well… it speaks for itself.
Welcome to SDMB AV. You’ll have an ummm… interesting time here.
If you want a DVD player that converts PAL->NTSC->PAL and is region free, check out these guys. I’ve gone the multi-system TV route, but at $220, it looks like this baby could be a bargain.
