Philips 642 Progressive Scan DVD Player $69.99 at BestBuy.com

[yukichigai]

I would just like to say that I was considering buying this until I heard about the PAL->NTSC cropping issue and the fact that you have to encode XviD files using a special format. I do want to play Divx/Xvid files on my TV, true. But I have a modded XBox, which can handle OGGs by the way.

This is a step in the right direction, and I hope people buy it so that Philips will continue making Divx-compatible players. But they seriously need to add in Ogg support. OGM Divx > AVI Divx. (The same total bitrate of combined audio and video takes up less space in an OGM, due to AVI's interleave and overhead issues)

 

[conehead433]

I was hoping that they would hook up with Sanyo and offer support for HD-BURN so I would be able to play my 1.4GB HD-BURN discs on it as well. In spite of Sanyo's declaration that they would offer this technology to DVD player manufacturers, I have yet to see one player that has it, including Sanyo's.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

I've had this player for several months now. And I love it. I don't d/l stuff off the internet. Some of the crap that's out there WILL stutter. All of the movies I have work great. I use this method for "backing-up".

 

[passivex]

For those looking for file-based subtitle support from this player, there's a new firmware (version 0531) that adds support for:

¨ Support external subtitles for DivX with the following fonts supported
- Latin 1, Latin 2 and Cyrillic (Refer to Instructions for use)
¨ Support DivX Video on Demand (VOD)
¨ Enhanced performance for DivX/MPEG-4 video files

I was overjoyed to find that file-bases subtitles are finally supported by the Philips DVP642 (as I have a big libary of foreign films that use file-based subtitles). However, I found that the new file-based support DOES NOT WORK WITH LONG FILE NAMES. You have to rename your subtitle files (.srt, .smi, .txt) to contain less than 11 characters. Now I have to reburn about 10 DVDs because the subtitle files were all longer than 11 characters therefore they are not recognized by the DVP642. So remember, rename your subtitle files. Hopefully Philips will fix this little bug in the next firmware. Despite this little setback, I LOVE my DVP642. Should probably go to CircuitCity to pick up another one since it now has a $20 rebate...you know, in case my first one craps out.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

I use Subrip to get the subtitles from the DVD. But, what format should the output format be set to, for the player to read it correctly?

 

[jbloggs]

So far I've only tried 1 Xvid and when I put the CD in, it loads, starts playing but the picture is heavly pixelated and has intense colors (mainly Red and Yellow). As soon as I go to the System Menu and then just exit out of the menu, the picture is then perfect (DVD quality). Has anybody had this problem or knows what is causing it? FYI: The player has the latest firmware 0531.

The spec of the Xvid is :
Format.......: XviD
Videobitrate.: 951 kb/sec
Audiobitrate.: 128 kb/sec VBR
Runtime......: 88 mins
Resolution...: 528*288

EDIT: One other thing, while there is a disc in the player, it makes a squeeky sound like if there was little mouse in the drive, its not load but its there, anybody else experience the same?

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
I would just like to say that I was considering buying this until I heard about the PAL->NTSC cropping issue[/i])

Can someone give me more info on this? That, and region free, would be the main reason I would buy this player. I don't download videos.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: passivex
For those looking for file-based subtitle support from this player, there's a new firmware (version 0531) that adds support for:<BR><BR>¨ Support external subtitles for DivX with the following fonts supported<BR>- Latin 1, Latin 2 and Cyrillic (Refer to Instructions for use)<BR>¨ Support DivX Video on Demand (VOD)<BR>¨ Enhanced performance for DivX/MPEG-4 video files<BR><BR>I was overjoyed to find that file-bases subtitles are finally supported by the Philips DVP642 (as I have a big libary of foreign films that use file-based subtitles). However, I found that the new file-based support DOES NOT WORK WITH LONG FILE NAMES. You have to rename your subtitle files (.srt, .smi, .txt) to contain less than 11 characters. Now I have to reburn about 10 DVDs because the subtitle files were all longer than 11 characters therefore they are not recognized by the DVP642. So remember, rename your subtitle files. Hopefully Philips will fix this little bug in the next firmware. Despite this little setback, I LOVE my DVP642. Should probably go to CircuitCity to pick up another one since it now has a $20 rebate...you know, in case my first one craps out.

wow, it works with .smi files? NOW THATS A HOT DEAL well my japanese is improving but i only understand 40~60% of it without subs

 

[yougotdeals]

I am sooooo tempted.....

 

[amdskip]

I just got one from Target, thanks!

 

[niko2x]

Originally posted by: passivex
For those looking for file-based subtitle support from this player, there's a new firmware (version 0531) that adds support for:<BR><BR>¨ Support external subtitles for DivX with the following fonts supported<BR>- Latin 1, Latin 2 and Cyrillic (Refer to Instructions for use)<BR>¨ Support DivX Video on Demand (VOD)<BR>¨ Enhanced performance for DivX/MPEG-4 video files<BR><BR>I was overjoyed to find that file-bases subtitles are finally supported by the Philips DVP642 (as I have a big libary of foreign films that use file-based subtitles). However, I found that the new file-based support DOES NOT WORK WITH LONG FILE NAMES. You have to rename your subtitle files (.srt, .smi, .txt) to contain less than 11 characters. Now I have to reburn about 10 DVDs because the subtitle files were all longer than 11 characters therefore they are not recognized by the DVP642. So remember, rename your subtitle files. Hopefully Philips will fix this little bug in the next firmware. Despite this little setback, I LOVE my DVP642. Should probably go to CircuitCity to pick up another one since it now has a $20 rebate...you know, in case my first one craps out.

hi all, plz excuse me for my n00b-ness, but i too have burning question about this machine. I bought this unit about a month ago and i'm fairly happy with it. the divx play-ability made a MAJOR impact in me buying this beast. the problem i have with this is that it doesn't support subtitles (i have a lot of asian movies with .srt files, with both .avi file and .srt file having the same file name) Either it doesn't support it, or i don't know how to get it to work.

i know that the lastest firmware is the 0531. how do i incorporate that into my machine? is it something i d/l and burn into a cd, then run it in my philips 642? or is it kinda like to region-free hack and just punch some buttons on the remote? look forward for an answer here and thx in advance!

 

[tizodq]

Originally posted by: niko2x

Originally posted by: passivex
For those looking for file-based subtitle support from this player, there's a new firmware (version 0531) that adds support for:<BR><BR>¨ Support external subtitles for DivX with the following fonts supported<BR>- Latin 1, Latin 2 and Cyrillic (Refer to Instructions for use)<BR>¨ Support DivX Video on Demand (VOD)<BR>¨ Enhanced performance for DivX/MPEG-4 video files<BR><BR>I was overjoyed to find that file-bases subtitles are finally supported by the Philips DVP642 (as I have a big libary of foreign films that use file-based subtitles). However, I found that the new file-based support DOES NOT WORK WITH LONG FILE NAMES. You have to rename your subtitle files (.srt, .smi, .txt) to contain less than 11 characters. Now I have to reburn about 10 DVDs because the subtitle files were all longer than 11 characters therefore they are not recognized by the DVP642. So remember, rename your subtitle files. Hopefully Philips will fix this little bug in the next firmware. Despite this little setback, I LOVE my DVP642. Should probably go to CircuitCity to pick up another one since it now has a $20 rebate...you know, in case my first one craps out.

hi all, plz excuse me for my n00b-ness, but i too have burning question about this machine. I bought this unit about a month ago and i'm fairly happy with it. the divx play-ability made a MAJOR impact in me buying this beast. the problem i have with this is that it doesn't support subtitles (i have a lot of asian movies with .srt files, with both .avi file and .srt file having the same file name) Either it doesn't support it, or i don't know how to get it to work.

i know that the lastest firmware is the 0531. how do i incorporate that into my machine? is it something i d/l and burn into a cd, then run it in my philips 642? or is it kinda like to region-free hack and just punch some buttons on the remote? look forward for an answer here and thx in advance!

this should be what you are looking for. just download the zip file and it explains how to upgrade in there



642 update

 

[KrayzieKMF]

Originally posted by: tizodq

Originally posted by: niko2x

Originally posted by: passivex
For those looking for file-based subtitle support from this player, there's a new firmware (version 0531) that adds support for:<BR><BR>¨ Support external subtitles for DivX with the following fonts supported<BR>- Latin 1, Latin 2 and Cyrillic (Refer to Instructions for use)<BR>¨ Support DivX Video on Demand (VOD)<BR>¨ Enhanced performance for DivX/MPEG-4 video files<BR><BR>I was overjoyed to find that file-bases subtitles are finally supported by the Philips DVP642 (as I have a big libary of foreign films that use file-based subtitles). However, I found that the new file-based support DOES NOT WORK WITH LONG FILE NAMES. You have to rename your subtitle files (.srt, .smi, .txt) to contain less than 11 characters. Now I have to reburn about 10 DVDs because the subtitle files were all longer than 11 characters therefore they are not recognized by the DVP642. So remember, rename your subtitle files. Hopefully Philips will fix this little bug in the next firmware. Despite this little setback, I LOVE my DVP642. Should probably go to CircuitCity to pick up another one since it now has a $20 rebate...you know, in case my first one craps out.

hi all, plz excuse me for my n00b-ness, but i too have burning question about this machine. I bought this unit about a month ago and i'm fairly happy with it. the divx play-ability made a MAJOR impact in me buying this beast. the problem i have with this is that it doesn't support subtitles (i have a lot of asian movies with .srt files, with both .avi file and .srt file having the same file name) Either it doesn't support it, or i don't know how to get it to work.

i know that the lastest firmware is the 0531. how do i incorporate that into my machine? is it something i d/l and burn into a cd, then run it in my philips 642? or is it kinda like to region-free hack and just punch some buttons on the remote? look forward for an answer here and thx in advance!

this should be what you are looking for. just download the zip file and it explains how to upgrade in there



642 update

Also make sure you check the model # on the bottom of your dvd player so you know which version of the firmware you need... Mine ended up being 642/37 instead of 642/17

 

[Milkyman]

Has anyone played 16:9 formatted divx files on their machine? When I do it black bars get added to the top and bottom and the video gets a flattened look. Is this fixed with updated firmware also?

 

[highwayxingfrog]

Got one when I moved back to school early Sept. Quite happy with it. It played everything we threw at it, plus it acts as an MP3 CD player when we have parties or poker games at our apartment.

Some complaints:
1) Remote has no shuffle function for MP3 playback
2) Does crop *some* DivX movies...specially animes, but overall still pretty nice
3) No eject button on remote...but that's a minor issue
4) Bought it at BestBuy Montclair for $75 =(

Overall, I'm very happy with it. It's not the best picture quality, but it does its job.

 

[Milkyman]

you can eject from the remote by holding the stop button down.

 

[KrayzieKMF]

hmm apparently my 642/37 already came with the most updated firmware.. lol wasted a cd-r

 

[bigpow]

It doesn't support AAC/WMV (90% anime)

 

[SoylentGreen]

Originally posted by: KrayzieKMF
hmm apparently my 642/37 already came with the most updated firmware.. lol wasted a cd-r

This is what CDRW's are created for.

Hahahahaha.

Originally posted by: bigpow
It doesn't support AAC/WMV (90% anime)

Travesty.

Originally posted by: highwayxingfrog
Got one when I moved back to school early Sept. Quite happy with it. It played everything we threw at it, plus it acts as an MP3 CD player when we have parties or poker games at our apartment.

Some complaints:
1) Remote has no shuffle function for MP3 playback
2) Does crop *some* DivX movies...specially animes, but overall still pretty nice
3) No eject button on remote...but that's a minor issue
4) Bought it at BestBuy Montclair for $75 =(

Overall, I'm very happy with it. It's not the best picture quality, but it does its job.

3) No eject button on remote...but that's a minor issue

HOLD DOWN THE STOP BUTTON AS YOU'VE BEEN TOLD! BESIDES, WHY DO YOU NEED REMOTE EJECT WHEN EJECTING NECESSITATES YOUR GOING TO THE PLAYER AND INSERTING ANOTHER DISK.

 

[JeffMD]

Well, most RAW anime is wmv, rarly acc is used though. Majority of subs is divx and xvid still though. (Though some dvd rips can end up using wmv, like KAA's.. but then thats about as illegal as it gets.. so no biggie).

Id buy this in a hearbeat but one of the reasons I really like having a specialy built compact movie box pc, is with a fast cpu, I can use FFDSHOW and apply post processing and sharpening filters to make any xvid/divx look even better.

 

[Dogbertt]

BTW It Crops ALL movies, not just divx. I put in a normal DVD anime and watched it on my PC. Not cropped. Watched it in the 642...about 1 inch all around was cropped. Big suck as that's where the manual subs where


But I still love it. It plays Widescreen Divx Very well.

 

[Wolfgang]

Does anyone have any experience playing Nero Recode 2 movies with this? I may spring for it if it does.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Milkyman
you can eject from the remote by holding the stop button down.

Not sure, but I have a macro on my universal remote (MX-700) that does the trick:

stop
stop
stop
stop
<one second delay>
stop

Guess you could do that with the Philips remote, using the stop button.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: KrayzieKMF
hmm apparently my 642/37 already came with the most updated firmware.. lol wasted a cd-r

I was curious if I could have used a CDRW disk. The instructions say use a CDR, but a CDRW might work. I figured it might be risky, so I burned a CDR instead.

 

[Dogbertt]

? lol CDRs are what 100 for 10bucks? So he wasted 10cents

BTW This does not Play OGMs. That sucks and converting an OGM is such a pain.