Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player
by Philips
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List Price: Our Price: $42.00 You Save: $37.99 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Customer Review: Very Pleased with Features
Summary: 5 Stars
As a college sophomore, I like to enjoy watching my shows and movies with my suitemates. However, as most of our videos are in DivX or similar formats, we were stuck watching them on the computer.
The Philips DVP642 changed all that. Initially, I placed an order with Amazon.com, but after waiting 4 days and as it was still not in stock, I switched over to Circuitcity.com.
The unit arrived 2 days later. So far, I have tested DivX, Xvid, and SVCD formats on DVD+R amd CD-R disks and have been very pleased with the results. However, some versions of Xvid encoded media files have problems. For example, my Family Guy DVD Ripped Xvid back up copies would play for 8-30 seconds, then skip to the next track. This drove me nuts.
Secondly, while I did not find the remote to be too cheap as others have complained, I also would have appreciated a better layout and a stronger signal to the DVD player.
I have tried the all-region "hack" [7,8,9 ok 0] to of no avail. However, the [5,6,9 ok] worked fine. This may be due to a difference in firmware versions. I also don't know why the "hack" is needed, as the Philips DVP642 is advertised to a be a region-free player in the first place. I have not had any problems so far with regional dvds [regions 1 and 3 tested].
Overall, the Philips DVP642 is an excellent player for the budget-minded consumer who enjoys a sleek, compact, and extremely compatible player. For the price, the DVP642 has few faults and the constant firmware updates are a welcome addition to ensure the extended life of the product.
Update 9/06/04:
Noticed that the DVP642 crops video files. I never noticed it before since everything I played was widescreen, but when I began playing my anime full screen TV shows, I noticed that the top and bottom sections were cut off [ie no subs!]. I will search the forums for a solution [there must be one] and hopefully update soon.
Update 9/16/04 - Player not good for Anime fans.
Small change of heart: a big thumbs down to the automatic cropping feature of the Philips DVP642. While most people may not notice this--it becomes very apparent to those who are anime fans. If the show is not in widescreen format, subtitles are cut off by the DVP642. Unless Philips releases a firmware update that will fix this issue or unless anime fansubbers start placing subtitles higher, this is a pretty big deal for people who buy this unit to play their anime fansubbed shows.
Philips has been hiding their firmware update page, I know at least I had a really hard time finding it. For your convenience, here it is:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp642_17/
Update 9/25/04:
Regarding the skipping issue I experienced with my Family Guy Xvid encoded back-ups I noted above, I had the same experience with DivX 5.11 encoded files. I am not sure if it is a problem with my burner or if the DVP642 just acts screwy when there are over 30 files per disc.
Yesterday, my suitemate watched the movie Old School which was encoded in Xvid and there were no problems at all. To my credit, I had also burned those Family Guy episodes three times as well. I will try burning the Family Guy episodes on regular CD-R instead of cramming them all on DVD+R and see if it makes any difference. If it does make a difference, that kinda sucks since it means I have to walk ALL ten feet over to the DVD player and open the disc tray to switch discs every 4 episodes ;-).
Customer Review: good basic machine
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great DVD player. I have used DVD players from Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba, Aphex (no longer around, thank goodness - cheap junk), and JVC. I have used models from cheap consumer types to multi-thousand dollar professional units over a period of six years. This is the model I recommend to most people who want a simple, flexible, reliable machine, without tons of fancy features that nobody will use.
I personally know of six units purchased over the last two years (about half from Amazon), and all worked right out of the box and continue to work today. This player will play most file types in common use, unless there is some exotic variation in the file (too common with today's digital playground). Standard DVD, VCDs, SVCDs, Video DVD-Rs, data CDs and DVDs with various flavors of MPEG audio and Video files and JPEG stills have played easily on mine. I haven't found any format listed in the manual that doesn't play as stated.
It is limited to 8x fast forward or reverse and 3x zoom on regular DVDs. I haven't tried these features on other file formats, but I don't think it is the same for all. It would be nice if these numbers were bigger, but I find that a very small complaint. It functions well, responds to the remote well, and I have never had it damage a disc (Aphex player trashed one of my favorites). Since I have found few remotes I really like, I can't complain about that. They almost always have buttons that are too small, the wrong color, the wrong placement, and goofy shapes (apparently, they do not teach ergonomics in industrial design schools). However, that said, this remote is no worse than any others I have used, and better than most.
I can't say whether the maintenance hack described on the Net will work to make this player region free, but I know that a similar hack does work on the new Philips 5140. This machine is designed to use downloaded firmware upgrades, but I don't think that feature is being supported at the moment.
I realy like the A-B repeat feature for music concerts and videos where I want to repeat a single song or segment several times. You set the A point at the start of the part you want to repeat, and set the B (same button pressed over again) at the end, then let it go. Works very well, cancels easily.
Overall I like this player very much. I give it 5 stars because the minor nitpicks I have do not rate a full star off. It is probably a 4.5 in truth, but we can't give half stars. Unless you have unrealistic expectations, I think you will be pleased.This is a great machine for the price.
One caveat - if you buy electronics from some of the big "lowest price" retailers, beware. I have been told by an ex-management empolyee at the most notorious of these (recently failed in Germany - you know who I mean), that even though the model numbers might be the same, this retailer allows (requires?) the use of substandard parts in the units to achieve that famous low cost. You might not get the same quality you will at some other place, like Amazon, for example, even on the very same model. Not all manufacturers give in to that pressure, but some do. One more reason to avoid that place and shop Amazon, where you are treated right and get great service. (No, I am not an employee or paid spokesperson. I just like to reward those who do it right and spread the word. Amazon rocks!)
Customer Review: Perfect cost and quality match. Better than I hoped for.
Summary: 5 Stars
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. GECustomer Review: Finally! A DVD player that REALLY plays all discs!!
Summary: 5 Stars
(***UPDATE: A year later and it is still working. Other reviewers state that this is not the case for them, and I'm sorry that is so. It really is a great little DVD player.)
I had a DVD player that wouldn't play burned DVDs, nor would it play mp3s, so I bought this after reading the rave reviews.
This unit works so well (and fast!) that I want to buy one for each member of my family. No other unit works as well as this one for under $100.
>>>> Something other than what all the other reviewers are saying:
- Plays my Verbatim DVD-R 8x, Memorex CD-R 52x, Maxell CD-R 40x discs, Princo, TYuden and a no-name brand DVD-R (all white with a small white star at spindle.) Note: The discs I have were burned on Sony DRU-530A and DRU-810 burners with MANY hours on them.
- Remote must be pointed AT the unit in order for it to "see it." Pro: keeps interference with other Philips unit to a minimum. Con: you have to point it at the unit, so if you are used to the really sensitive / receptive remotes this might bug you.
- Loads DVDs and CDs quite fast (compared to my JVC, Toshiba and no-name brand.)
- It would be nice of Philips to have a screen saver for when you play mp3s. Menu may burn into TV / monitor if you don't turn off the TV.
- They did, however, design the "Philips DVD" idle screen (for when the mp3s are not playing) so that it doesn't burn into your TV / monitor.
- Being a single disc unit, this thing goes from "OFF" to playing a DVD in under 20 seconds. Nice for those of us that have carousel DVD/CD players, which take years to turn on and open.
- (other than having to point the remote virtually AT the unit) the response time for the command is pretty fast. I didn't notice any lag time.
- Buttons (on the unit and the remote) feel sturdy and should last the life of the player.
- Thankfully, the front panel doesn't light up like a Christmas tree - a player for those of us that don't care to read by the glow of a bunch of unnecessary lights and indicators on the unit, but would rather just have it play the disc.
- Great diagrams / drawings in the manual. Anyone could hook it up according to the pictures and easy to follow instructions.
- mp3s load in a respectable amount of time. Not lightening quick, but doesn't take all day either. It's just right.
- Comes with one remote, two batteries, one set of RCA cables, and is packed in a non-Styrofoam box. The box is built to be shipped, and is a better design than others I have come across. What I'm saying is, the box has some room designed into it for getting crushed during shipping; whereas the Styrofoam-type boxes usually just transfer the damage to the unit. In short: good shipping box for those worried about a piece of electronics getting shipped.
- The instructions are in English, French and Spanish
Customer Review: THIS THING ROCKS!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I first posted my review in January 2005, now it is February 2006 and time to put in an update. My DVP642 is more than a year old now is still going strong. I have one and I got one for mom. In addition, at least four of my coworkers each have a DVP642 and I have yet to hear one complaint from them. I will probably pick another one up soon for the bedroom by either ordering from Amazon or just stopping by Wal-Mart.
PROS:
--your bang for the buck is high
--Philips is a good name brand
--component video outputs
--composite outputs ("RCA jacks")
--progressive scan
--plays most AVIs and MPGs burned to blank CDs and DVDs (including -R, +R, and RW DVDs)
--plays MP3s
--plays both NTSC and PAL discs (I have several Region 2 PAL DVDs, so I need this feature)
--can be set to "region free" easily (open the tray, press 7 8 9 OK 0 on the remote...voila!). Please note some people are saying the newer versions of this model (newer firmware) disallow changing to region free mode, though, but I have not confirmed that (I'll update this if and when I find out if this is true).
CONS:
--limited controls on the device itself to play/stop a movie
--so-so controls on the rather small remote
--no dedicated eject button on remote (however, holding STOP in for a few seconds does the eject as well as closing the tray remotely)
--silver color only (which clashes with my black black TV, black VCR, and charcoal gray DIRECTV box). Why did the manufacturers start making EVERYTHNG silver?!
--video file movies burned to disc only recognize the FIRST ELEVEN characters of the filename (so when burning to disc, take this into account when naming the files). Someone else reported it only uses the first eight characters, but on mine it's eleven characters based on the old DOS 8.3 naming convention (8 + 3 = 11).
Despite the cons, I still give this unit 5 stars for its price range and the fact it comes from Philips, a name I trust (along with Magnavox). In a nutshell: this DVD player ROCKS! This is a name brand, progressive scan player for about 60 bucks that *also* plays computer video files directly.
I definitely recommend this player for its price range, but if you are looking for a high end player with more features, then look for a player in a higher category. And if you want a differnt DVD player that will also play computer video files, then you can find a list here:
http://www.divx.com/products/hw/browse.php?c=1