Help me find the right DVD player!

[AnitaPeterson]

Hi there, folks,

My Samsung HD860 is dying, and, to be honest, I was never pleased with its quality... I am looking for a good replacement for it.

I have a specific list of requirements, and was wondering if the combined Anandtech experience might be useful in identifying a proper device.

Here's the situation:

- I have a large number of films DVD-/+R discs, which I want to be able to play flawlessly.
- I have original and recorded DVDs from various regions of the world (R1, R2, R3, R5).
- I have many DVDs with mp3s on them.
- I have quite a few DVDs with .avi files (divx, xvid etc.)

Furthermore, there are the following considerations:
- The player must be able to decode DTS
- It must have a good upconversion to 1080i/p via HDMI (the Samsung wasn't stellar in that regard, either)
- It must be region-free or be easily hackable to be region-free (no expensive modifications)
- It must have an optical digital output, not just coaxial (no more inputs available on my receiver)
- It should play as many video and audio formats as possible.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[vi edit]

Philips DVP642 should cover your req's.

http://www.hometechanswers.com...vd/philips_dvp642.html

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Thanks - already looked at it - but it doesn't have a) HDMI, b) upconversion or c) DTS playback...

 

[vi edit]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1218010258625

+

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks/toshiba-xd-e500/9593

 

[AnitaPeterson]

excellent... now I need to see who carries it within Canada