642 is the one. Review on Philips DVP-642

I already have a very powerful music system bought 1.5 years back. Plays MP3, VCD and the likes. Now I don't want to trash it so soon, but definitely want to play DVDs. So I decide to go in for one of those slim ones. When it comes to features such as playing home video, and scratched CDs, the big home theatres don't fall upto the mark.

There are so many companies selling DVD players in India. Sony, LG, Samsung, Onida, AKAI, OSCAR? and not to forget the Chinese vendors. All claim theirs is the slimmest, and plays anything.

For the normal buyer, it is very difficult to find out which model is the right one. Price is definitely a factor. But looking at the fact that all branded ones are available within the band of 4,000 to 9,000; things get a little difficult.

In terms of features, what is it that you should be looking for?

• 5.1 audio (this surround configuration is definitely better than the good old two track stereo)

  
  




• it can play so many formats. Of course it will play audio CD, VCD, MP3. not to forget DVDs

  
  




• does it have an optical port ? Good to have, but does your TV have one? If not, then don't let this feature bother your decision

  
  




• Does the DVD player have SVIDEO? Forget it, you don't need it that much

  
  




• component video output (the interlace, and progressive scan stuff). Does it have 100 type or 50-60 type? Most TVs don't have this capability, and out of the ones that do have, most have 50-60 Hz type video component capability. Just turn your TV, and look behind at the available sockets (some TVs might have some sockets at front too). If your TV supports component video, you will be able to find a set of sockets for video in a non yellow color (the singular video plug is yellow). If you see too many sockets, use good lighting, and try to read (all the sockets are labeled). Basically if your TV does not have component video, and you don't plan to buy such a TV in next one year, don't look for that feature in the player. That will save you some dough.

  
  




• Does it really play scratched DVDs? When the vendor gives you a demo on a scratched CD, don't believe him. Those are usually artificially inflicted scratches. They'd scratch 20 CDs, that would go bad, not run in their player. They'd keep scratching more CDs until finally they chance upon the one that would have visible scratches, and still runs in their player. Now what I am about to tell you is hilarious. I went to this Philips shop, who had model 542 or 625(I don't remember exactly). I took along a scratchy CD from home. When he was finished with his demo, I asked him to insert my CD. And it did not run. He showed me his demo scratched CD, and bet that it would play. He inserted it in player and it played. I took his demo CD out, rubbed it a little on the table, and put it back in his player. IT stopped working!

  
  

Here's something for the advanced user:

• Does it play JPEGs? If yes, can it stretch it in a decent manner to fit on screen?

  
  




• What if you use your digicam to create JPG files and also some movies (MPG files). Can you just press it on a CD, insert it into your DVD player to play?

  
  




• If you download some DIVX from the web and press on a data CD. Will it run on the DVD player? We are talking about a DIVX file pressed on a 650mb data CD. NO DVD writer involved.

  
  

My friends, as of today (2 Dec 2004), there's only one model that has it all. And that's Philips 642.

Scratched CDs: The good part is, that I tried the same with DVD 642, and it could still play the CD. The movie appeared a little jerky, but the player was able to detect CD, and play movie!

There are hundreds of electronics shops that claim to be Philips dealers.

You most probably won't find this model with them. They will claim that they never heard of it, or is out of stock. You will get it only at exclusive Philips showrooms (such as Philips Arena Connaught place). I am not marketing for this product. But it is a must see before you decide on which one to buy.

Other vendors such as LG and Samsung would sure come with their versions with equal or better capabilities. But as of now, 642 is the best. By the way, SONY may never come up with an equivalent because they are against the idea of pressing downloaded content on CDs.

So am I. But I want MPG and DIVX playing capability because I create so many of MPEGs and DIVXs myself from my SONY handycam. And so do my friends who would like to share their home videos with me.

Happy viewing