Help me decide on DVD player (long post)

[Slickone]

I bought a Toshiba SD-1200 back around '99, then an APEX AD-1500 last year, because of the Apex's ability to convert PAL DVD's to NTSC, it's region-free, RCE-immune, and Macrovision-free hack, and it's ability to play MP3. But since lately I've seen prog. scan, mp3 DVD players for $100 or less, I want to upgrade from the SD-1200, and maybe get rid of the Apex as well, as I'd like to only have one player. But if it would require getting a much more expensive model, I'll keep the Apex. I was hoping to stay away from silver, but that may not be possible to get the other features. Also I eventually want DVD-Audio support, but if not this time, waiting until the next DVD player purchase for it is OK.

Here's what I'm looking at:

Panasonic DVD-S35K
BB (CC silver only): $79.99 + tax after $20 MIR. Amazon: $89.99 - $20 MIR (free ship) = $70 excellent playback per dvdhelp.com reviews
-Prog scan
-Good DVD+-R,R/W support per dvdhelp
-MP3 long filename support per dvdhelp (why dont specs on panasonic.com list this?)
-MP3 ID tag support per dvdhelp (why dont specs on panasonic.com list this?)
-Super high-speed scan (up to 200x)
-Position memory up to 5 discs
-4:3 shrink function with letter-box zoom and shift
-No 3:2 pulldown
-No region hack 'yet' (or macrovision)
-No PAL/NTSC conversion?

No PAL/NTSC conversion?
Will there likely be a region hack?
What is "4:3 shrink function with letter-box zoom and shift"? Does it work well?
Why no 3:2 pulldown?

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Panasonic DVD-S55S (silver only)
Amazon: $115
-DVD Audio

Any other differences in this and DVD-S35?
Why are the same 4 reviews on dvdhelp.com for this model also in the reviews for the S35?

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Panasonic DVD-F65
BB/CC: $130
-5 disc

Any other differences in this and DVD-S35?
Good DVDR/W support?
No MP3 ID tag?
No MP3 long filename support?
One person on dvdhelp reviews said PAL->NTSC conversion. Nothing else mentions it. Does it?
(Not enough reviews to know for sure on these features.)

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Philips DVD 726 (silver only)
BB: $80, Amazon: $80
-Prog scan, 3:2 pulldown
-dvdhelp review says excellent playback
-Good DVD+-R/W support per dvdhelp reviews
-PAL/NTSC conversion
-Region free hack via remote control. Also plays RCE DVDs in region free mode.
-Plays raw MPG's on CD
-Can play JPG's and MP3's at same time.
-Disc Resume for last 5 discs played
-Doesn't support mp3 ID tag or long filenames per dvdhelp
-No hack for macrovision.

Is DVD PAL->NTSC good quality?
How likely will there be a firmware update to enable long file names?
How likely to get a macrovision hack (no big deal but the only thing it doesn't do that my Apex does)?

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Philips DVD 727 (silver only)
BB: $80, Amazon $85
-4x video upsampling
-dvdhelp review says plays VCD/SVCD/Raw MPEG/MP3/WMA files off of RECORDED DVD's and CD's

What is 4x video upsampling? Is it worth the extra $5 over the 726?
Any other differences in this and the 726?

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Are there any other name brand players with features like these for around the same price?
So far, looks like if I want a DVD-Audio player, I might have to also keep my Apex for region free & PAL->NTSC?

I did also looked at the LiteOn LVD-2001 and don't want it.

 

[Slickone]

bump

 

[Slickone]

^

 

[optoman]

Why don't you want the the Lite-on 2001? I think it can do everything and newegg has it for $139 shipped to your door.

I am also in the market for a new dvd player since my panasonic took a nose dive. I am thinking of the lite-on.

 

[ed21x]

I vote you get a cheap apex dvd player for less that $50. Region hackable, and CHEAP!

edit- nm, forgot to read the original post, you alredy have an apex

 

[EvilYoda]

why go from budget player to budget player? You'd think that you'd get sick of constantly upgrading...look at some nicer players, like the Denon 4800 or the Panny RP-91 (not necessarily that high, just saying), where you could get DVD-A already, and won't have to add/exchange another player in the future. Hell, you could go for the budget Pioneer (don't remember the model) and get DVD-A AND SACD.

Just a thought, since I'll be upgrading my DVD player to a more "elite" model in the near future, and I know that I'd rather rather spend a little more now than worry about another player within the next few months.

 

[spidey07]

any of the panasonic progressive models are very fine.

So is the denon 2800.

 

[Slickone]

But none of those (Pana RP91, Pioneer, Denon) have PAL-> NTSC or region hacks, do they?

 

[Slickone]

Hoping for more input.

 

[SpiderX]

My parents just picked up a lite-on and it plays everything, including divx, and xvids.