Been checking things out...

[khaosworks]

Looks like I found a winner.

What do you guys think of the Sampo DVE-612(N)? Pretty cheap depending on where you shop, it's region-free (or region-free hackable), and plays just about anything, according to this review.

Comments

[cellio]

$125? Whose dollars?

We have a different Sampo region-free player (bought about a year ago). We've had no problems with it, but did notice a second-order issue: we haven't been able to find a universal remote that knows how to talk to it. (We found only one that listed Sampo in its brand list, and it won't talk to this player.) Just in case you care...

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

Prices in US unless specified. I'd better get used to thinking in US dollars.

As for the universal remote glitch - thanks for the heads up. I don't think it'll be an issue. I'm one of those who wrestles daily with three remotes just to watch a DVD and has a checklist similar to the Apollo spacecraft's for starting up my dad's home theatre system.

[pbristow.livejournal.com]

Wow! Yes, that's certainly a capable and well-thought-out piece of kit, based on teh info given there. No RGB-output, but it looks like you won't need it anyway (they don't mention any problems with getting NTSC signals off PAL discs, and they look they should know to check for that...)

As ever, though, try to verify the info from other sources. I mean, this isn't just international politics you know. This stuff really *matters*! =;o>

The feature I'm looking for next

[hoo.livejournal.com]

Any idea if this DVD player will allow you to skip the pre-menu commercials and garbage that gets you 'X REMOTE' on my current box?

That's the feature I'm looking for for my next DVD player.