Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

[lakelover]

I'm looking for an under $100 DVD player (I hope) and have looked around a bit. For various models of the major brands I've read reviews on websites such as BestBuy, Circuit City, CNET, Amazon and various other review sites.

It seems that brand doesn't necessarily equate to quality any more. I've read about a high number of units failing within the first year in almost every brand's economy model. Yet, both of my sons have bought bottom of the line DVD players; one has lasted about 5 years so far and the other is at least 2 years old. Those models aren't available any more. And in 2 to 5 years, you have to wonder how many times a company has been sold or changed suppliers whose machines they put their moniker on.

I know in reading reviews that usually it's the complainers that vent, but I was surprised at the high number of problems.

Has anyone here bought a cheap unit that they have been satisfied with in the last year or so?

Thanks.

 

[zach103]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

i bought those cheap surround sound systems from best buy.. their around 100. and i have 2. one of them the remote broke so i just got a new one.. but both units are still running strong. and the sound quality is good for less than a $100

 

[JB]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

I think I paid about $60 at Radio Shack for the one I have, It works fine and has for about 4 years, but. . . .

It won't play HD DVD or Blu-Ray. Now my descendants are giving me HD and Blu-Ray disks that I can't play.

Still watching for a Blu-Ray that fits my budget.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

Friend just bought a Philips in Canada for $59 so I'm sure they're much cheaper at the Bet Buy in US.

Know a few folks with these. Good product for price.

Benefits (software upgradeable, multiple country code support - will play North America, and other country DVDs) has an ability to play DivX (standard .AVI video file on disk will play) and does progressive scanning or DVD upscaling meaning it takes normal DVD and enhances the quality for display on HD TVs. (Not Blu-Ray 1080p quality, but simulates it) Very good.

I have a Sony, works fantastic, with no problems in the past 2 years and can be had around similar prices.

I've bought the basic Wally World DVD players in the past 2-3 years. 2 of the 3 have already moved on to the electronic graveyard.

 

[wuttja]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

Consumer Reports recommends these two models as "Best for most consumers":
? Pioneer DV-400V , $100
? Panasonic DVD-S53 , $90

I've been using a Sony for several years that has had no problems and I also have a Panasonic DVD-RW that works great as well.

Might also want to check Craigslist for people selling regular definition DVD players after they buy Blu-ray.

 

[eavega]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

I have two of the Target CyberHome cheap-o compact DVD players ($30), one in my bedroom, one in the playroom. They've lasted three years and still going.

I also purchased a Toshiba upconverting DVD player which has given me nothing but problems (have to reset it every couple of weeks, then set up all the HD settings again).

My take is that DVD players have become a commodity item, with only a few folks manufacturing them and everyone slapping their names on them.

My advice to you (and to anyone) is not to waste your money on Blu-Ray DVDs or players. They are still too expensive, both the media and the players. There are other digital formats that will catch on faster than Blu-Ray (Divx, for example) because of their portability (Divx will play on your computer, on a Divx-enabled DVD player, or on a properly programmed media player) among other reasons. There is a reason Toshiba/Microsoft gave up on HD-DVD. Although the quality of Blu-ray is superior to an upconverted DVD, is it really going to be worth paying double for movie you only watch a couple of times? Blu-Ray is a transitional technology at best.

-Eric

 

[Expidia]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

Funny you should ask this question as I still have the receipt from Target on my desk from a 9/12/08 purchase. A Trutech for $29.99

I have 3 of these $30 units now. Other two are a Polaroid and a Coby.

You can't beat these. If you only get a few years out of one who cares. The next one you buy to replace it a few years from now will probably have even more features. May even be a Bluray for $29.99 by that time.

All of the above names are the same units only a different label depending on the store you purchase it from. The Polaroid was from Walmart.

When DVD 1st came out I bought Sony's first model for $1100!
It was huge. I had to replace it cause it did not play a lot of regional coded or burned DVD's. So I replaced it with a Sony Player/Recorder.

I have 7 DVD units now and probably a couple more in the closets.

Still the ones for $30 play all DVD's and have great "real smooth" slow motion (4 speeds). For the price they can't be beat. All of the higher priced units I own don't have very good slow motion.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

I have owned the Pioneer DV 400 for about a year now and we play a ton of DVD's....it has been flawless. I use hdmi connections to my Pioneer home theatre amp/receiver and get great picture quality.

 

[SunTrackerPB21]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

" DVD Player under $ 100"

Whatever they re selling at COSTCO...cant beat their return policy.

 

[SunTrackerPB21]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11281220&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341|2593&N=4001380&Mo=3&pos=4&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=2593&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10605-Cat2341&topnav=

 

[lakelover]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

Thanks for all this good advice and opinions. I'm not one to care about all the latest rage in technology, in fact I usually wait until stuff has been around quite a while before I buy and get it cheaper, after the bugs have been worked out. I'm just interested in a watchable picture and sound that I can hear.

Heck, I'd still be using VHS and being very satisfied with it if it were still around. In fact, I liked VCR's better because I used mine a lot for recording broadcast TV shows to watch later on my schedule, not theirs.

Anyway, lots of leads here, thanks a lot everyone!

 

[eavega]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

I liked VCR's better because I used mine a lot for recording broadcast TV shows to watch later on my schedule, not theirs.

Get you a DVR. Just like a VCR, except it has smarts for recording shows when they actually run, and knowing the difference between first-run and reruns. All cable providers and satellite TV providers have them. I have no idea what day and time shows come on anymore. I just go to my DVR menu and see what has been recorded. If you really have something you want to record and keep from TV, get yourself a DVD recorder. They are not much more than a regular DVD player, but have video inputs and record like a VCR.

-Eric

 

[240sx4u]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

Search on the OPPO line of DVD players. They are a direct seller and I have heard nothing but stellar things. I have three buddies with them who are true a/v freaks and they absolutely love them. They aren't badly priced either.

Evan

 

[lakelover]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

Get you a DVR. Just like a VCR, except it has smarts for recording shows when they actually run, and knowing the difference between first-run and reruns. All cable providers and satellite TV providers have them. I have no idea what day and time shows come on anymore. I just go to my DVR menu and see what has been recorded. If you really have something you want to record and keep from TV, get yourself a DVD recorder. They are not much more than a regular DVD player, but have video inputs and record like a VCR.

-Eric

A DVD recorder is something I might consider...but get this, I don't even have cable! I did upgrade to a digital TV last year when lightning struck my house and fried my TV & stereo system. So I enjoy digital programming off the air with a roof antenna. By going digital, we gained 13 channels, all free. However in Feb. '09, we'll lose our 6 analog channels. Thanks for the idea.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

About two years ago, I bought the cheapest thing WalMart had - $28. Don't remember what brand it was, but it was major recognizable name.
Anywho, no frills, but it's still working just fine.

 

[wuttja]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

DVD Recorders can also be used like a DVR using re-writable discs. There is a DVD-RAM media that allows you to start watching the show from the beginning even while it is still recording. It's not quite as slick as a DVR like TiVO (which works with your over-the-air antenna & requires a subscription fee) but it's pretty much the same as a VCR but with a better picture. The best part is you can find them for around $100-$150 and there is no monthly or lifetime subscription fee to use it.

 

[DJ]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

"Cheap-O" is what cheap gets.

Save up and buy a good one.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Recommendations on Cheap-o DVD Player Models

I ended up ordering a Philips DVP5982 for $70 with free shipping from Amazon. The reviews were mostly good overall, so I went for it.

I also considered the $30 units from Wal Mart, but again, was put off by the large percentage of complaints about them....noisy motors, skipping, DOA etc. If it was just for me, I might have tried one anyway, but it's a birthday gift for my wife and I don't want to get in trouble for majorly cheaping out! But she'll understand the economy model. She's in her last year of graduate school switching careers from nursing to teaching...looking at the loan balances is scary, so even this is a splurge. Our previous player just up and died and we've been without one for a few months now, but she really misses watching a movie on a Saturday night.

I'll keep my fingers crossed on the Philips, but I'm not too worried.

Thanks for all your help, this thread really made the choice easier!