OK, here's the latest on the "affordable" Panasonic DVD players that are available:
DVD-RV22K: Sold at Costco for $99.99 before a $20 mail-in rebate. According to Costco, the rebate offer will be running through 3/31/2003.
DVD-RV32K: Sold at Best Buy, Circuit City and other retailers for $119.99 before a $20 mail-in rebate.
DVD-RV27K: Sold at your local Target store for $119.99. I can't confirm if there is a rebate on this model. Also, Panasonic doesn't have any information on it at their Web site. However, speculating a little bit, it could be the same as the DVD-RV22K - or, very similar. (Edit: The DVD-RV27 player sold by Target appears to be the same as the DVD-RV32 player. Both give you the capability to play .WMA audio in addition to .MP3 songs.)
Cables? You might want to avoid Montster cables as they could run you as much money as the DVD player itself. I was just reading over at the Home Theater Forum that Monster makes a $90 electrical cable for your clothes dryer. Yes, your
clothes dryer!
Here's some cable deals that I came across while I was out shopping for other goodies today:
6' Digital Optical cable by Philips/Magnavox: $16.95 @ Wal-Mart (Edit: Originally, I had stated $7.95 as the price, but that was wrong. The cable had been placed on the wrong rack @ W-M and a price scan revealed its true price.
)
6' Digital Optical cable by GE: $14.95 @ Target
6' Component Video cables by P/M: $17.99 @ Wal-Mart
6' Component Video cables by GE: $9.99 @ Target. Doesn't appear to be the "best" quality, but rather an "OK cable.
6' "S" video cable by GE: $5.99 @ Target
12' Component video cables (I don't recall the brand, but are of good quality): $19.99 @ Target
Most of these same cables will run you roughly twice the price that I posted if you buy them at places such as Best Buy and Circuit City. So, shop wisely for your cables also.