Why can't I find a simple DVD player for under $30

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SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
My sweet phillips dvd player is on its last leg and I need to replace it. I bought the guy almost 4 years ago and it was nothing but heaven. Now I am having all sorts of problems with it and I need to replace it.

I bought the guy for $35 in store, I think at walmart. I have been looking for nearly 2 weeks and I have yet to find a decent player. I don't want anything crazy, but I would like it to be name brand (not too much to ask for in my opinion).

Did they stop making simple dvd players? Are they just keeping them pricey because they can? Why would I want to pay $40 dollars for a dvd player when I can find an upconverting for $50? Is that their plan?

I am just getting frustrated. I missed the woot deal a few days ago and it is just getting to the point that I am going to go to Walmart and pick up the cheapest and hope for the best. The last time I was there though it was some no name player for $33. What the hell is going on???
 
MrChad

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
:confused:

What are you looking for exactly? I see a number of options from Philips, Sony, JVC and other brands in the $35 - $50 range at Wal-Mart's website.
 
S

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: MrChad
:confused:

What are you looking for exactly? I see a number of options from Philips, Sony, JVC and other brands in the $35 - $50 range at Wal-Mart's website.
Click to expand...

I am just looking there right now. I was only really checking in store and never really thought to check the website.

My biggest problem is having to pay more for a dvd player 4 year later. I am just having a hard time paying 10-20 dollars more. I just don't see how the price went up like that. With all the blueray players and upconverting dvd players being the big thing, it just doesn't make sense to me.
This is especially true for the nonnamebrand ones. I had a shitty no name for a year or so in college that was only 19.99 and now I see them on the walmart site for $30. What happened?


Edit: Further clarification. I don't want to spend 35-50 bucks on a dvd player. I have a simple tv and a simple system. I don't need upconverting or a blueray because it wouldn't help me. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg especially because a few year earlier I got a great one for much cheaper. All and all, this is more of a rant than anything.
 
newnameman

newnameman

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,219
0
0
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: MrChad
:confused:

What are you looking for exactly? I see a number of options from Philips, Sony, JVC and other brands in the $35 - $50 range at Wal-Mart's website.
Click to expand...

I am just looking there right now. I was only really checking in store and never really thought to check the website.

My biggest problem is having to pay more for a dvd player 4 year later. I am just having a hard time paying 10-20 dollars more. I just don't see how the price went up like that. With all the blueray players and upconverting dvd players being the big thing, it just doesn't make sense to me. T

his is especially true for the nonnamebrand ones. I had a shitty no name for a year or so in college that was only 19.99 and now I see them on the walmart site for $30. What happened?
Click to expand...
Inflation happened.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,769
18,955
136
Er, you'll pay $30, but not $35?
I don't know that the market is quite as saturated with low-end DVD players as it was just a few years ago, but it seems like you're quibbling over a pretty small amount.
 
kalrith

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
6,628
7
81
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Was the one that isn't working now similar to this one?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10378916

$42 for an upconverting phillips?
Click to expand...

no it wasn't an upconverting and to be honest, I don't think I could really utilize an upconverting player. As far as I know, they are really only for new or hd tv's. My 40inch monstrosity probably would get nothing from it. right?
Click to expand...

If it's resolution is not higher 720x480 (480p), then it will get no benefit from an upconverting player. You'll actually have to turn off the upconverting feature because SDTVs can't accept HD signals. You might benefit from a progressive scan player, but I'm not sure if it would make a difference.
 
S

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: kalrith
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Was the one that isn't working now similar to this one?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10378916

$42 for an upconverting phillips?
Click to expand...

no it wasn't an upconverting and to be honest, I don't think I could really utilize an upconverting player. As far as I know, they are really only for new or hd tv's. My 40inch monstrosity probably would get nothing from it. right?
Click to expand...

If it's resolution is not higher 720x480 (480p), then it will get no benefit from an upconverting player. You'll actually have to turn off the upconverting feature because SDTVs can't accept HD signals. You might benefit from a progressive scan player, but I'm not sure if it would make a difference.
Click to expand...

that is what I thought. Progressive scan just run a little smoother if I am correct.
 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,205
45
91
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Was the one that isn't working now similar to this one?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog...do?product_id=10378916

$42 for an upconverting phillips?
Click to expand...

no it wasn't an upconverting and to be honest, I don't think I could really utilize an upconverting player. As far as I know, they are really only for new or hd tv's. My 40inch monstrosity probably would get nothing from it. right?
Click to expand...

With very few expections, DVD players will only do upconversion over HDMI, and it's only a useful feature if the TV is higher resolution than 480p and the DVD player does a better job of video conversion than the display itself.

That said, upconversion is just one feature of DVD players which have a lot of variation in how well they perform.

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity has tons of DVD player reviews and a large database of how well players performed on all their tests.
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/dvd-players.html

Much the same way I think a lot of consumers think of megapixels for digital cameras or resolution for display devices, whether or not a DVD player does upconversion isn't an indicator of quality.

It sounds like you just want the cheapest thing you can find though.
 
T

TidusZ

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2007
1,765
2
81
Originally posted by: newnameman
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: MrChad
:confused:

What are you looking for exactly? I see a number of options from Philips, Sony, JVC and other brands in the $35 - $50 range at Wal-Mart's website.
Click to expand...

I am just looking there right now. I was only really checking in store and never really thought to check the website.

My biggest problem is having to pay more for a dvd player 4 year later. I am just having a hard time paying 10-20 dollars more. I just don't see how the price went up like that. With all the blueray players and upconverting dvd players being the big thing, it just doesn't make sense to me. T

his is especially true for the nonnamebrand ones. I had a shitty no name for a year or so in college that was only 19.99 and now I see them on the walmart site for $30. What happened?
Click to expand...
Inflation happened.
Click to expand...

Definitely. E8400 June 2008 - $190 cdn. April 2009? - $205 cdn. My friend built a computer in the summer and pretty much all the hardware has gone up in price since, minus the video card.
 
J

Jinny

Senior member
Feb 16, 2000
896
0
76
i bought a pioneer dv-525 for my parent at salvation army for $7.50


granted it didn't come with a remote, but thats still cheaper than my lunch.
it has 6 buttons. power. next/previous, pause/stop and play.
 
S

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: TidusZ
Originally posted by: newnameman
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: MrChad
:confused:

What are you looking for exactly? I see a number of options from Philips, Sony, JVC and other brands in the $35 - $50 range at Wal-Mart's website.
Click to expand...

I am just looking there right now. I was only really checking in store and never really thought to check the website.

My biggest problem is having to pay more for a dvd player 4 year later. I am just having a hard time paying 10-20 dollars more. I just don't see how the price went up like that. With all the blueray players and upconverting dvd players being the big thing, it just doesn't make sense to me. T

his is especially true for the nonnamebrand ones. I had a shitty no name for a year or so in college that was only 19.99 and now I see them on the walmart site for $30. What happened?
Click to expand...
Inflation happened.
Click to expand...

Definitely. E8400 June 2008 - $190 cdn. April 2009? - $205 cdn. My friend built a computer in the summer and pretty much all the hardware has gone up in price since, minus the video card.
Click to expand...

ridiculous isn't it.
 
BoberFett

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: BoberFett
http://electronics.pricegrabbe.../st=sort/sortby=priceA
Click to expand...

Refurb, refurb, refurb. And not one from a reputable site. Bigadealz? can you really trust any site that uses the "z" as an "s" thing?


I realize I am splitting hairs here. I am just frustrated with the whole process.
Click to expand...

Right from my prior link:

http://www.buy.com/prod/coby-e...57388.html?dcaid=15890

404 Refurb not found

$29.90, free shipping.

What exactly do you want?
 
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