Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
DVD500 and DVD915.
There's also the Novatech offering for £43 inc vat
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or comparison
of model features anywhere.
The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
and is available various places from £40-£45. Any reasons not to go
for it?
Does it multi-region OK?
Thanks!

"Jonathan" wrote:


> Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
> Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
> DVD500 and DVD915.
> There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
> They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or comparison
> of model features anywhere.
> The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
> and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
> for it?
> Does it multi-region OK?
> Thanks!


Ebuyer.com have a number of customer reviews/comments, including region 
code instructions for the DK DVD-500.


higgy.

I nearly bought a DK500 yesterday but after some research I cancelled my 
order.

It seems there are a few technical problems that plague both the 339 and 500 
models.

The 339 cant handle divx/xvid files with a packed bitstream (if you try the 
movies apparently stutter).  You have to fix the videos first on your pc and 
make them suitable for the player.

The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play widescreen 
avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3 ratio (or a 
square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do with the widescreen 
picture signal switching.  The picture comes out looking squashed and the 
only way to correct it is to use the zoom fucntion on your tv.

Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you can 
read in more detail about the above.

PS The 339 handles widescreen divx/xvids with no problems apparently, so it 
seems pick the model which has the least annoying bug for you ;-)
"Jabbitt"  wrote in message 
news:KQARe.55952$kM5.14329@fe01.news.easynews.com...

>I nearly bought a DK500 yesterday but after some research I cancelled my 
>order.
>
> It seems there are a few technical problems that plague both the 339 and 
> 500 models.
>
> The 339 cant handle divx/xvid files with a packed bitstream (if you try 
> the movies apparently stutter).  You have to fix the videos first on your 
> pc and make them suitable for the player.
>
> The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play 
> widescreen avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3 
> ratio (or a square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do with 
> the widescreen picture signal switching.  The picture comes out looking 
> squashed and the only way to correct it is to use the zoom fucntion on 
> your tv.
>
> Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you can 
> read in more detail about the above.
> 

I nearly bought a DK500 yesterday but after some research I cancelled my 
order.

It seems there are a few technical problems that plague both the 339 and 500 
models.

The 339 cant handle divx/xvid files with a packed bitstream (if you try the 
movies apparently stutter).  You have to fix the videos first on your pc and 
make them suitable for the player.

The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play widescreen 
avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3 ratio (or a 
square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do with the widescreen 
picture signal switching.  The picture comes out looking squashed and the 
only way to correct it is to use the zoom fucntion on your tv.

Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you can 
read in more detail about the above.

PS The 339 handles widescreen divx/xvids with no problems apparently, so it 
seems pick the model which has the least annoying bug for you ;-)
"Jabbitt"  wrote in message 
news:KQARe.55952$kM5.14329@fe01.news.easynews.com...

>I nearly bought a DK500 yesterday but after some research I cancelled my 
>order.
>
> It seems there are a few technical problems that plague both the 339 and 
> 500 models.
>
> The 339 cant handle divx/xvid files with a packed bitstream (if you try 
> the movies apparently stutter).  You have to fix the videos first on your 
> pc and make them suitable for the player.
>
> The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play 
> widescreen avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3 
> ratio (or a square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do with 
> the widescreen picture signal switching.  The picture comes out looking 
> squashed and the only way to correct it is to use the zoom fucntion on 
> your tv.
>
> Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you can 
> read in more detail about the above.
> 

"Jabbitt" wrote: 


> I nearly bought a DK500 yesterday but after some research I cancelled
> my order.
> 
> It seems there are a few technical problems that plague both the 339
> and 500 models.
> 
> The 339 cant handle divx/xvid files with a packed bitstream (if you
> try the movies apparently stutter).  You have to fix the videos first
> on your pc and make them suitable for the player.
> 
> The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play
> widescreen avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3
> ratio (or a square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do
> with the widescreen picture signal switching.  The picture comes out
> looking squashed and the only way to correct it is to use the zoom
> fucntion on your tv. 
> 
> Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you
> can read in more detail about the above. 


From what I gather, quite a lot of players stuff up 16:9 for divx/xvid. 
Setting the player to 4:3LB (i.e. non-anamorphic) and the correct TV 
system for the file (i.e. NTSC or PAL) usually seems to solve it, in my 
experience.


higgy.

"Jabbitt" wrote: 


> I nearly bought a DK500 yesterday but after some research I cancelled
> my order.
> 
> It seems there are a few technical problems that plague both the 339
> and 500 models.
> 
> The 339 cant handle divx/xvid files with a packed bitstream (if you
> try the movies apparently stutter).  You have to fix the videos first
> on your pc and make them suitable for the player.
> 
> The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play
> widescreen avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3
> ratio (or a square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do
> with the widescreen picture signal switching.  The picture comes out
> looking squashed and the only way to correct it is to use the zoom
> fucntion on your tv. 
> 
> Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you
> can read in more detail about the above. 


From what I gather, quite a lot of players stuff up 16:9 for divx/xvid. 
Setting the player to 4:3LB (i.e. non-anamorphic) and the correct TV 
system for the file (i.e. NTSC or PAL) usually seems to solve it, in my 
experience.


higgy.

"Jonathan"  wrote in message
news:1125567228.468476.50420@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
DVD500 and DVD915.
There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or comparison
of model features anywhere.
The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
for it?
Does it multi-region OK?
Thanks!
I have the DK915 player - very happy with it. It handles everything I've
thrown at it with a good RGB widescreen picture and proper 5.1 sound output.
However in common with any player using the Mediatek MT1389x chips (there
are many) it stutters when playing packed-bitstream avi's - no problem
though you just use Mpeg4Modifier (free download) to unpack the bitstream
before burning it to disk.
Personally I've never understood why anyone packs the bitstream when
encoding a file - it does not make the file smaller or improve the quality,
so knowing some players struggle with them why do it?
Graham

Jonathan wrote:

> Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
> Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
> DVD500 and DVD915.
> There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
> They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or comparison
> of model features anywhere.
> The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
> and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
> for it?
> Does it multi-region OK?
> Thanks!


I have the dvd915. Tends to play anything i throw at it, does have a problem 
with RGB connection though, i get a green tinge on my screen, making it 
unusable.

Gaz

higgy wrote:

> Ebuyer.com have a number of customer reviews/comments, including region
> code instructions for the DK DVD-500.


Keep forgetting about ebuyer - it's Froogle and Kelkoo for me usually!

Jabbitt wrote:

> The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play widescreen
> avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3 ratio (or a
> square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do with the widescreen
> picture signal switching.  The picture comes out looking squashed and the
> only way to correct it is to use the zoom fucntion on your tv.
> Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you can
> read in more detail about the above.


Great! Good link - I looked for one but didn't see it.

Gaz wrote:

> I have the dvd915. Tends to play anything i throw at it, does have a problem
> with RGB connection though, i get a green tinge on my screen, making it
> unusable.


Now everyone can be The Hulk...

Jabbitt wrote:

> PS The 339 handles widescreen divx/xvids with no problems apparently, so it
> seems pick the model which has the least annoying bug for you ;-)


Great, thanks for all the posts. As I can live with pressing the "wide"
button, it seems that the DVD500 is the one to find itself on my dusty
shelf.

"Jonathan"  wrote in message
news:1125567228.468476.50420@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
DVD500 and DVD915.
There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or comparison
of model features anywhere.
The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
for it?
Does it multi-region OK?
Thanks!
I have the DK915 player - very happy with it. It handles everything I've
thrown at it with a good RGB widescreen picture and proper 5.1 sound output.
However in common with any player using the Mediatek MT1389x chips (there
are many) it stutters when playing packed-bitstream avi's - no problem
though you just use Mpeg4Modifier (free download) to unpack the bitstream
before burning it to disk.
Personally I've never understood why anyone packs the bitstream when
encoding a file - it does not make the file smaller or improve the quality,
so knowing some players struggle with them why do it?
Graham

Jonathan wrote:

> Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
> Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
> DVD500 and DVD915.
> There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
> They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or comparison
> of model features anywhere.
> The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
> and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
> for it?
> Does it multi-region OK?
> Thanks!


I have the dvd915. Tends to play anything i throw at it, does have a problem 
with RGB connection though, i get a green tinge on my screen, making it 
unusable.

Gaz

higgy wrote:

> Ebuyer.com have a number of customer reviews/comments, including region
> code instructions for the DK DVD-500.


Keep forgetting about ebuyer - it's Froogle and Kelkoo for me usually!

Jabbitt wrote:

> The 500 model can handle packed bitstream movies, but cannot play widescreen
> avi's properly.  Basically any video file that isn't a 4:3 ratio (or a
> square picture to the layman).  Apparently its all to do with the widescreen
> picture signal switching.  The picture comes out looking squashed and the
> only way to correct it is to use the zoom fucntion on your tv.
> Theres a UK support forum here http://www.dkdivx.co.uk/forum/ and you can
> read in more detail about the above.


Great! Good link - I looked for one but didn't see it.

Gaz wrote:

> I have the dvd915. Tends to play anything i throw at it, does have a problem
> with RGB connection though, i get a green tinge on my screen, making it
> unusable.


Now everyone can be The Hulk...

Jabbitt wrote:

> PS The 339 handles widescreen divx/xvids with no problems apparently, so it
> seems pick the model which has the least annoying bug for you ;-)


Great, thanks for all the posts. As I can live with pressing the "wide"
button, it seems that the DVD500 is the one to find itself on my dusty
shelf.

Thus spaketh GTS:

> "Jonathan"  wrote in message
> news:1125567228.468476.50420@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
> Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
> DVD500 and DVD915.
> There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
> They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or
> comparison
> of model features anywhere.
> The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
> and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
> for it?
> Does it multi-region OK?
> Thanks!
> I have the DK915 player - very happy with it. It handles everything
> I've thrown at it with a good RGB widescreen picture and proper 5.1
> sound output. However in common with any player using the Mediatek
> MT1389x chips (there are many) it stutters when playing
> packed-bitstream avi's - no problem though you just use Mpeg4Modifier
> (free download) to unpack the bitstream before burning it to disk.
> Personally I've never understood why anyone packs the bitstream when
> encoding a file - it does not make the file smaller or improve the
> quality, so knowing some players struggle with them why do it?
> Graham



All you need now is a newsreader that quotes previous text properly!

Thus spaketh GTS:

> "Jonathan"  wrote in message
> news:1125567228.468476.50420@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Need a new budget DVD/xvid player.
> Seem to be various versions of the DK Digital range, such as DVD339,
> DVD500 and DVD915.
> There's also the Novatech offering for 43 inc vat
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-DVDIVX
> They all seem to do what I want, but I can't find reviews or
> comparison
> of model features anywhere.
> The DVD-500 looks OK to me:
> http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?DK-DVDIVX
> and is available various places from 40-45. Any reasons not to go
> for it?
> Does it multi-region OK?
> Thanks!
> I have the DK915 player - very happy with it. It handles everything
> I've thrown at it with a good RGB widescreen picture and proper 5.1
> sound output. However in common with any player using the Mediatek
> MT1389x chips (there are many) it stutters when playing
> packed-bitstream avi's - no problem though you just use Mpeg4Modifier
> (free download) to unpack the bitstream before burning it to disk.
> Personally I've never understood why anyone packs the bitstream when
> encoding a file - it does not make the file smaller or improve the
> quality, so knowing some players struggle with them why do it?
> Graham



All you need now is a newsreader that quotes previous text properly!

{{{{{Welcome}}}}} wrote:

>
> All you need now is a newsreader that quotes previous text properly!


He's got one, Outlook Express, he's just got badly set up.
-- 
Adrian A

{{{{{Welcome}}}}} wrote:

>
> All you need now is a newsreader that quotes previous text properly!


He's got one, Outlook Express, he's just got badly set up.
-- 
Adrian A

"Adrian"  wrote in message
news:oMqdnTmZluDr3oXeRVnyrQ@brightview.com...

> {{{{{Welcome}}}}} wrote:
> >
> > All you need now is a newsreader that quotes previous text properly!
>
> He's got one, Outlook Express, he's just got badly set up.
> -- 
> Adrian A
>

Actually my settings are fine - namely indent message / original text on
reply for both plain text and HTML messages. It works fine - apart from
replying to the OPs first message. I have just tried it with various
messages and the indenting does work on all but the OPs message.
Graham

"Adrian"  wrote in message
news:oMqdnTmZluDr3oXeRVnyrQ@brightview.com...

> {{{{{Welcome}}}}} wrote:
> >
> > All you need now is a newsreader that quotes previous text properly!
>
> He's got one, Outlook Express, he's just got badly set up.
> -- 
> Adrian A
>

Actually my settings are fine - namely indent message / original text on
reply for both plain text and HTML messages. It works fine - apart from
replying to the OPs first message. I have just tried it with various
messages and the indenting does work on all but the OPs message.
Graham