Nexus DVX-777 - Divx, USB, Multicard - $85 at NAPF

[Fidyll]

Hi all, this is my first post.

I'm looking for an inexpensive DVD player that will handle AVIs created with a Canon A610 digital camera. Saw this unit yesterday at NAPF Summer Hill in Sydney. I didn't spend much time checking out its features thinking I'd find everything I needed to know on the web. I was wrong!

NAPF don't list it on their web site. They only show model N228 (http://www.napf.com.au/scripts/WebObjects.exe/NAPF.woa/84/wo/OQFP8QN0DnQD2Py6IDv6nI2sd5i/4.0.4.33.0.0) which sells for $59

I couldn't find a working web address for the manufacturers but one did exist back in March 2005 which claimed to offer German engineeering, European Design and Chinese prices. web.archive.org/web/20050313004229/www.nexus-china.com/start.html (http://web.archive.org/web/20050313004229/www.nexus-china.com/start.html)

I was told that NAPF have a NO REFUNDS policy which doesn't inspire much confidence, particularly with a manufacturer and model without any track record (or not one that I can find at any rate).

Anyone know anything about this unit?

[andw]

If they are AVI files created by a digital camera, they may not work.
The .avi file extension is a heavily used file extension and can refer to a large variety of actual codecs used within it.
The best thing to do would be to take a disc with some samples on down to the store and try them in it.
I would not buy it unless they will let you try them if they have that policy.
You can also download a program called "Gspot" which will tell you what codec is used inside your avi file.

[jokiin]

couldn't find a working web address for the manufacturers but one did exist back in March 2005 which claimed to offer German engineeering, European Design and Chinese prices

And all this from a Hong Kong trading company that has vanished into thin air, and to top it off you would consider buying it from someone with a no refunds policy, I think you should be able to read bewteen the lines, do we really need to spell it out for you:D

[Fidyll]

... do we really need to spell it out for you:D

... well, to be frank, no.

I think I made it clear that there were real areas of concern with this deal and so I don't see a need for these to be reinforced to me.

My reason for posting was to inform others who are more knowledgeable than myself on this topic. Someone might have first hand knowledge and may be able to put a more positive light on this unit. It could, perhaps, be sold under another brand and by another retailer with a more liberal refund policy.

If posts of this kind are not encouraged these questions may never be raised and the state of knowledge would not be advanced ... but I do agree that at the present stage there is not a great deal to recommend this unit.

Thanks, Andw, for the tip about Gspot. Yes, I had intended to try a CD with the camera .AVIs. I am downloading the DivXTestCDv2.0 CD at the moment and also intend trying it out in the store.

Will get back to you with the results and for further advice if needed.

[jokiin]

Not aware of this unit being sold under any other name or model, be aware that the Divx Test CD 2.0 is a good guide but you will find things that won't play on that disc with any player, if you have some of your own files that you have created suggest giving those a try also:)

[bac]

I'm looking for an inexpensive DVD player that will handle AVIs created with a Canon A610 digital camera.

Canon cameras use M-JPEG format for video. I don't think you'll be able to find many (any?) players at any price point that will play this format.

[Fidyll]

Canon cameras use M-JPEG format for video. I don't think you'll be able to find many (any?) players at any price point that will play this format.

Thanks for this info Bac. After downloading the the DivXTestCDv2.0 I've come to realise just how naive I was to think that playing AVI files on a DVD player would be uncomplicated. I just didn't appreciate how many video standards (if you can call them that) exist and therefore how difficult it would be to build equipment to achieve compatibility with these.

I did go back to NAPF to evaluate the DXC-777 using DivXTestCDv2.0 and briefly here are my thoughts about it:

NEXUS DXC-777 (not DVX-777 as previously stated).
(Full test results submiited to http://www.divxtest.com

- Max 8 character filename display
- Slow & "clunky" navigation through the file directory display, perhaps caused by delays in reading the folder contents from disk.
- Poorly highlighted folders and files in the directory display make it difficult to be certain which are selected
- Plays SD MPEG1, MPEG2, M$ MPEG4 with no problems.
- Plays SD MPEG4 ASP (XviD, DivX4, DivX5, DivX6, 3ivX, Nero Digital ASP) but caused a system crash when they finished playing and the disk had to be ejected to reset the system each time.
- Limited testing performed for AVI files. All the variants tested either would not play or when they completed playing, caused similar system crashes as described above for MPEG4 ASP.
- Low quality Remote Control Unit but not at the end of the scale.
- Permanent Blue light emitted from the Disk loader (I seem to remember reading about this "feature" causing some annoyance with some other branded DVD player/s.

About the seller: NAPF Summer Hill, Sydney

- Money-back Guarrantee not provided.
- Initially welcomed in-store testing but this turned to grudging acceptance followed by unco-operativeness and finally outright refusal to permit comparison testing against an LG DN100H (This player Looks Good, at least what I have seen so far does).

I wouldn't like to have any after-sales issues with NAPF based on their pre-sales attitudes. I certainly won't be having any, though!

[andw]

Fidyll, this may be an option if you don't mind the fan noise....
A modified XBox with XBMC will probably handle the format.
If you want you could send me a small sample file (that you camera produces) to test if it will play on it.
I have seen them going on ebay cheaply second hand (with 6 month waranty) fairly cheaply.
Probably not for everyone, as they have a fan so can be a bit noisier than a plain old dvd/divx player, and somewhat ugly unless you can hide it away a bit, but very versatile, and now that the 360 is out, well priced.
Through in a remote, and away you go.

[jokiin]

The results on that player sound worse than I would have expected, top it off with their customer service and it certainly doesn't sound too good, good luck to them if they think they can survive in the market with bad products and what sounds like poor attitude:|

[bac]

Fidyll, this may be an option if you don't mind the fan noise....
A modified XBox with XBMC will probably handle the format.

Just tested it - and it does.

[Fidyll]

Fidyll, this may be an option if you don't mind the fan noise....
A modified XBox with XBMC will probably handle the format.


Andw, Thanks for this suggestion and also to Bac for confirming it as a practical option for playing M-JPEG motion files produced by Canon digital cameras. Sounds like it is definitely something worth considering!

I was beginning to resign myself to getting either a Philips DVP5965K or a LG DN100H and re-encoding the M-JPEGs.

Thanks :)

[Fidyll]

Just tested it - and it does.

Bac, would an unmodded XBOX also play these M-JPEGS? If not what would be the best XBOX version and mod combination to look for?

Thanks

[andw]

Bac, would an unmodded XBOX also play these M-JPEGS? If not what would be the best XBOX version and mod combination to look for?

Thanks
I'm no bac, but no, you need XBMC to play them.
I just ordered one of these http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&item=250023592045&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1 You can see that he says with Media Centre.

I emailed him, and he is using a Duo-X2 mod chip.
This is my 2nd xbox, waiting for it to arrive, but gives you some idea what to look for if you want one already done etc.

[bac]

I'm no bac, but no, you need XBMC to play them.
I just ordered one of these http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&item=250023592045&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1 You can see that he says with Media Centre.

I emailed him, and he is using a Duo-X2 mod chip.
This is my 2nd xbox, waiting for it to arrive, but gives you some idea what to look for if you want one already done etc.
Not a bad price for a hard modded Xbox. However, if you're comfortable with opening the case on both your PC and your Xbox, you could grab an unmodded Xbox for around $120 and soft mod it yourself.

[Fidyll]

I have opened a new thread (http://phorums.com.au/showthread.php?t=194276) in the DVD Stuff & Home Entertainment Equipment forum to continue discussion about the Xbox with Media Centre.

I thought the discussion here had reached a point which required a new thread and that forum seemed more appropriate to the topic.