Koss compact "does everything" hackable DVD player at Target $49.95

[Kwad Guy]

Just picked up a couple of the Koss compact DVD players at Target
for $49.95/each. These are part of the "Hip" series of weird colors,
but the ones on closeout are the relatively sane blue ones. (ONLY the
blue ones are on closeout). These play DVD/SVCD/VCD/MP3/etc. There is
also a firmware update hack available (see nerd-out.com) that removes
Macrovision and makes it region free. You won't do better than this
for $50...

Kwad

 

[huesmann]

Sounds good.

 

[randypj]

Thanks Kwad Guy. I didn't even know there was such....til your post. I'm just too un-hip.
--Randy

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Sounds good.

these have A/C adapters? and thanks Kwad Guy!

 

[The_Dude8]

does the dvd player contain a lcd screen?

 

[austonia]

anybody got a link? my girlfriend's kids could use one of these. thanks

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: austonia
anybody got a link? my girlfriend's kids could use one of these. thanks

Here's a pic:

http://www.geocities.com/sushix777/koss1.jpg

(not linked for a reason; drag and drop instead)

 

[Nyconx]

cant find a hack anybody have the model number?

 

[Kwad Guy]

These are compact, but not actually "portable" players. They come with an
AC adaptor because they ONLY run off the adaptor (no battery option).

The hacked firmware can be found here.

Note that the firmware is located in a yahoo "group", so you'll have to join the group before
you can access the firmware.

There is no screen. This is just a player.

Kwad

 

[Hummercash]

can you order these online or by phone? cuz there are no Targets in CT

.//chris

 

[manly]

What's the usual price, and any general impressions of build quality? I don't mind dropping $50 on a hackable DVD player, but if it's gonna falls apart in a year then I could spend the money elsewhere.

 

[Hummercash]

Is THIS the dvd player? Cuz in one of the reviews it says this player has a hard time w/ VCD. Have you tested it with VCD and SVCD? How is the quality?


.//chris

 

[UndefinedError0x1B]

can't seem to find this @ my local target or online....
can someone confirm this?

(or maybe my local target is just too ghetto)

 

[Kwad Guy]

Yup, that link to the Amazon player is the one. But the one Target has on
clearance is blue, not silver. I have used one of these with SVCD and had
no problems at all. I use DVD2SVCD to make my SVCDs. I don't know about
the guy who had the problems he mentioned in the Amazon reviews, but he
might have been using a poorly made SVCD...who knows?

Kwad

 

[UndefinedError0x1B]

that's great! I GOTTA go get one of these now... I just hope it's not crazy ugly aqua blue or soemthing
btw, do you think it'll work good w/ those "3 for $10" VCDs you buy @ Chinatown?

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0

Originally posted by: austonia
anybody got a link? my girlfriend's kids could use one of these. thanks

Here's a pic:

http://www.geocities.com/sushix777/koss1.jpg

(not linked for a reason; drag and drop instead)

You've exceeded your quota.

 

[slycat]

Originally posted by: Hummercash
Is THIS the dvd player? Cuz in one of the reviews it says this player has a hard time w/ VCD. Have you tested it with VCD and SVCD? How is the quality?


.//chris

vcd related playing problems...large pixels are evident in all players and varies with the cd(media) itself and its age.
as long as it plays means it works...occasional large pixels or artifacts are just a part of "vcd" crappiness...
not really the player's fault.

-sly

 

[Kroggy]

How widespread is this deal? Any ideas?

I notice they haven't had that player listed on target.com - planning to go to my local target after work to check for one, but I'm wondering what areas they've been spotted in

-Cris

 

[Nyconx]

Normal price on these players is 100. I just got back from the germantown WI target and they didnt have any left. I talked to the guy working and asked specifically about the blue one he at first looked where they are on the shelf but i was like its supossed to be on clearence and he was like yeah your right then took me to the clearance area but none were left.

Good luck to anyone who finds one. The guy did mention that they were put on clearance a couple weeks ago so dont think many stores have these still around.

 

[music]

My Target only has the pink ones for $99.99.

 

[Bongos]

I got one of the blues ones awhile back. These things are like little swiss army knives. They play everything - even slideshows of your JPG's. Flashed to region free / VCR friendly. Worked great, then started skipping so I returned it. They also have themal issues and need lots of air underneath. I would buy another one but not for $99 - because I don't think the product will give me years of troublefree service. But they are a blast to monkey around with and at $49 or even a little more (some people are getting them for $64) it would be fun to have another.

Funny thing that the blues ones - least hideous of the bunch are the only ones on clearance. At my Targets the blues are long gone and the purples and ones with designs on them are still $99. However, the Wild Hues series was a disaster for Target and I think the whole lot will go on clearance any day now. Keep your eyes peeled - they will disappear fast.

 

[allisolm]

In Tallahassee:

they were only down to $69.98

they were all gone .

 

[Anami]

Originally posted by: The_Dude8
does the dvd player contain a lcd screen?

Well, take a look at the link described, but go up one level, then look around. Look at this one:
http://www.geocities.com/sushix777/LCDmonitor.html

Most of these pages are from March, so these may not be around at Fry's anymore (and I don't live close, anyway!). But, what a cool little LCD!

 

[Kroggy]

Awesome! Found one at the 3rd Target store I called - it was marked $69.98 but rang up at $49.98.

To anyone in the Portland, OR area, there is about two more left at the Vancouver East store.

Thanks for the heads up Kwad!

-Cris

 

[dimwit]

How do these do with DVD-Rs?