Hello, I just dropped in after a long tine. I the search but couldn't get what I was looking for.
Is there "The DVD Player" just like ther is Foobar for MP3 and EAC for ripping? I'm planning to buy a reasonable priced but capable cheapo player so that my parents can watch the videos and the photos that I take from my kids. I don't want them to fiddle around w. a PC. I too need a player. Not a HD DVD recorder as I'm on a strict budget.
A player that plays most formats AND DivX, Xvid and Mpeg 4 would be the target. Any pointers are much appreciated and sorry if I'm in the wrong spot.
Thanx in advance

so your looking for software or hardware players or both?

Seeing you're from Germany, read this: http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/2005/dvd_pl...st_2005_1.shtml

My pick: Yamaha DVD-S557, e.g. from redcoon

Thanx guys for responding. I'm surprised the e-mail notification isn't working, so I'm a bit late here.
I use VLC and inter video Win DVD as a software based player. So far I have no experience w. hardware and for obvious reasons I don't even have a TV set.

In the last few hours I learned that there are players available that can be fed via a network. Only brands I stumbled upon was a "Kiss" model and an other one that I can't remember (Kenwood?). As I'm planning to store my videos on hard disc this would most likely represent a reasonable solutuon. But what do I know?
I'm sure you guys know more about that and what cheapo model could do this kind of job.
CiTay, your pick rocks. It looks very suitable to my ol' NAD Monitor set up. But I think I changed my mind and got more intersted in those network capable players.
As for the other end (my parents) I was thinking about s.th. real cheap that will do good w/o the science.
What about this one for my folks? http://cgi.ebay.de/DivX-Slimline-DVD-Playe...1QQcmdZViewItem

Where can I pose questions reg. ext. DVB T for a PC ? Here too I searched a lot but I could make good usage of an experts view on that issue. I need to record a TV Film in 12.1.05 and I'm a bit in a hurry. Not a good situation to make descisions.
I'm opting for some kind of ext. USB device that goes easy w. my notebook.
I guess I prefer a non PCI CIA devise w. an antenna that can be positioned in the best position.
Just in case you like good films. Here's the film I like to record. I watched it as a young kid. It was in black and white (maybe just the TV) and the trippy set up turned me really on.
http://www.wunschliste.de/links.pl?s=7993
Thanx again guys, your comments are much appretiated.

The forums on videohelp are pretty good.

Please don't buy that Noname-crap! Better get a Pioneer DV-380 then: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000...2417558-6959709

All right I'm taking your word Citay. I'll get this Pioneer for my pops I guess. They just need to play those DVDs I send them,...according to that shoot out article you linked to me the pioneer has very good playing capabilities (color, contrast etc.).

As for my needs I'll still have to do research on those network capable players. As I understood it, they're able to play your stuff from an other hard drive on an external device or from an other computer in your local network.

BTW ffooky, the video help forum is interesting. I signed in but I only can post after 24 hours.
Cheers

i just got kiss dp-1500 yesterday, was just a quick buy i guess, it has a lan hole, but i didnt test that yet.

so far:
- can't play dual-layer DVDs (homemade ones i mean),
- it has two annoying bright blue lights in front panel
- remote control is silly
- plays divx 3.11 (not that i care.)

(i did not upgrade the firmware yet)

if someone is a happy owner as well, i do wonder:

a- will it play ripped DVD folder (the entire structure) fine via lan?
b- can it be hacked to support a 3.5 HD somehow?

subquestion would be:

c- are there routers that will support direct connection of a usb or firewire HD?

Two biggest issues with DivX/XviD players is Q-pel and Packed Bitstream compatibility. Make sure to check for those.

I have a Siemssen SCO 5000 ND. It will play Qpel and XviD's 3 warp point GMC (almost perfectly with new firmware). It also supports mp4 and aac audio. Its a nice player although I wish they would update the firmware more regularly with some small fixes.

Look for players with either a MediaTek (e.g. http://www.waitec.com/trade/productview/269/21/) or Sigma (e.g. http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/lvd_2002.htm) chip inside (both examples are fairly cheap).

That's got a nice Zoran chip inside (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDname=&Search=Search&divx=1&dvdportable=&dvdchanger=&dvdtv=&chipset=Zoran+Vaddis+7&country=&orderby=Rating&hits=25&Submit2=Search) usually a tad more expansive.