DVD Player Choice - Need Advice?

[pivar]

I am going to purchase a DVD player soon, is world multi zone an important feature, what do people think of the wintel brand, it has automatic world zone selection. Does the Toshiba SD1300 have multizone and is it really necessary? Thanks

[dvd_rulez]

Multizone = YES

:D

[miklos koncsek]

To Pivar,

Yes, multi-zone is the way to go. Only thing you have to watch out for really from here on is knowing where to buy the cheapest DVD's. I paid $60 for one DVD from the UK and then realized it would've been available right here in R4 just a couple of months later, for about $20 less, so be careful. Also, ensure your telly is NTSC capable...

About the Wintel brand player you speak of, I have never heard of it and personally I won't go near anything that is of a relatively unknown brand, or something that is less than $500. A lot of people have recommended one of the 'big three' brands, namely Toshiba, Sony and Pioneer. These models are sometimes available to purchase with multi-zone capability already fitted, for about $100 extra. Sorry I can't be of more help to you here...

I can help you with the cheapest places to purchase DVD's that are other than R4. You only really need to buy from R1 or R2 as the other regions are simply more restricted title-wise than R4.(but don't quote me on that!)

My favourite for R1 (I don't shop anywhere else for R1) is
DVDBoxOffice.com (http://www.DVDBoxOffice.com) as they offer FREE shipping worldwide and the currency is Canadian. There is also another Canadian retailer that's pretty cheap, being ABSound (http://www.absound.ca). They're considerably cheaper if you buy in bulk, just don't order too much at once as there could be troubles with customs and import duty.

As for R2, the cheapest place is Under 18 (http://www.Under18.org.uk) but beware as UK$$$'s are about 3 times our Oz dollar! The only really good reason to buy from the UK is that their TV system is also PAL, but remember it's always expensive buying from this region. Anyway hope this extra info helped...

Miklos.

[chris denyer]

:) Hi, miklos seems to have covered it pretty well, go multizone,and be careful, i know people who,trying to save a few bucks , have purchased el cheapo players and have had nothing but trouble.Try out a few, compare features and prices and good luck.
cheers
Chris:o

[Taz]

I would urge you to avoid Wintel players.

I had a Wintel 3001 and sent it back. It had numerous problems.

The remote control didn't work properly - I had to be sitting within 2 feet of the player for it to work.

Also the player always defaulted to NTSC mode on startup - ie: a black and white display, which was really annoying.

Finally, the actual DVD drive was really noisy when playing disks.

Avoid.

[linton]

I've got the wintel 3000 and havn't had a problem yet!!

Takes every format I can throw at it, menus are easy, Pictures are sharp and vibrant, built in decoder, switches zones automaticaly, all in all, I couldn't be happier. All for $499


Best player in its price range I say!!!

p.s And its and australian company

[danielross]

If your in Sydney go to Campsie Hi-Fi or other related Leading Edge Stores.

I got my mutlizoned Pioneer DV344 from here. I dont recall hte price, maybe $549.. Had no dramas with the player, and my previous player bout 18months old also a pioneer is excellent - so you can definitely trust their products

[iluvdts]

Without a shadow of a doubt!! http://www.auctionpix.co.uk/free_uploads/fabtan/tosh.jpg

I have had my TOSHIBA for over 2 years now and it has been nothing short of outstanding!!

[wannabe]

Have your experienced any problems with RCE dvds with your toshiba?

I am thinking of getting the SD1300 but am worried about the reported problems with RCE dvds..

[red]

I have had my AKAI ADV-1000 (pioneer built so the receiver remote works it as well - yay. One remote) for over a year....multi region, about $600 then, never missed a beat.
Handles everything I throw at it..and is DTS etc.....very happy.

As pointed out, ensure your TV is NTSC compatible or having Region 1 discs is a waste of time and money.

Terry