I'm looking for the latest Home DVD player that will play the most video file extensions.... all the divx/xvid, even the .mp4 videos I see out there now, even would want it to play a video with a mpg/mpeg file extension on it, whatever, heck the more extensions the better, but at least play much more that what I can do now .

I currently have the nice new Samsung BD-UP5000 that plays BD & HD and Standard DVD formats very fine, but it won't play anything else I give it, and I have an older Samsung VR357 which plays all standard DVD's just fine, and it also will play specific divx video files I burn to CD or DVD, but it won't play any .MP4 video extensions, or won't play any .mpg/mpeg extension videos.

In other words I'd like to get an extra DVD player that will play the most video formats I burn to a CD/DVD for it to play. Whether its $50 or $200 doesn't matter to me, what matters most is that practically whatever type of video I download or create myself, and burn them all to a CD/DVD - that the unit will play it. (sure upscaling is nice too)

I searched the web for days trying to find the best answer, I did read many posts but they were dated years ago, and so this is 2009 now and I wanted to ask the question again.

thank you

Look up the DIVX test CD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1105354&highlight=divx+test) results for the various players. Oppo generally wins, but no one player will ever do it all. DVD players for example will not play HD files.

Thanks for that,
And so comparing the three most likely Oppo units listed from THIS (http://divxtest.surdvd.com/form/divxtest2_list.php?lang=eng) link,
DV-971H, DV-980H, DV-981HD
When I hit the bottom Compare button with those three checkmarked, they all seem to do the same thing as far as what video formats they play - I can't see one having an advantage over the other in that area. Do you agree? Any Comments?
Yes I noticed the 981 uses Faroudja, but I'm after the most video formats here of which for that I think they are all about the same?
~I can't find anyone who has a DV-971H
~I see I can get the DV-980H for about $169 from amazon
~The DV-981HD is about $229
Maybe I could do better price for any of them if I get amazon used ones..

Thanks for that,
And so comparing the three most likely Oppo units listed from THIS (http://divxtest.surdvd.com/form/divxtest2_list.php?lang=eng) link,
DV-971H, DV-980H, DV-981HD
When I hit the bottom Compare button with those three checkmarked, they all seem to do the same thing as far as what video formats they play - I can't see one having an advantage over the other in that area. Do you agree? Any Comments?
Yes I noticed the 981 uses Faroudja, but I'm after the most video formats here of which for that I think they are all about the same?
~I can't find anyone who has a DV-971H
~I see I can get the DV-980H for about $169 from amazon
~The DV-981HD is about $229
Maybe I could do better price for any of them if I get amazon used ones..
You can buy either of those used on eBay.

The 983 is a much better SD video processor, but any of them will play much the same files.

phillip 5990 or PS3 or HTPC

You can buy either of those used on eBay.

The 983 is a much better SD video processor, but any of them will play much the same files.

I can't find the 983 to buy anywhere. It's like vultures scoffed them all up in every nook and cranny on the internet, But, as I said though if I want quality I can use my BD-UP5000 HD/BD house dvd player for its excellent HQV video processor etc, but you see the only downside of fancy is that it won't play any internet/computer videos that are divx or mpg or avi or mp4 videos, so besides what my BD-UP5000 does, I want an extra simple home dvd player to play all the other greatest amount other type video formats that I can burn to CD/DVD and play on a home dvd player.

Huey, tell me about why you mentioned the Philips 5990. I see it's only $79 new at amazon and that's nice. DivXTest-com doesn't list it though. Will it play any divx, any mpg, or any avi, or mp4 videos?

edit,
I see the Philips has a usb which is nice, and so does the oppo 980 - boy that is a nice feature!
Does the Philips 5990 play more video formats than the Oppo 980? I wish that test link had the Philips 5990 listed so I could see that answer myself.

Maybe it's worth taking a look at the Venice v36 which can do a lot more besides. It handles MPEG-1, MPEG-2(VOD,ISO,IFO),MPEG-4(Divx3.1/4.0/5.0 or higer), WMV,ASF,TP,TS, and more..

I see the Philips has a usb which is nice, and so does the oppo 980 - boy that is a nice feature!
Does the Philips 5990 play more video formats than the Oppo 980? I wish that test link had the Philips 5990 listed so I could see that answer myself.

Unfortunately, it's not always a simple as just supporting a specific container or codec. For example, DIVX and MPEG-4 can come with a variety of different resolutions, bit rates and audio codecs, subtitles and even menus. This is why the DIVX Test results are helpful. No DVD player will support HD resolutions, and all will have some limitations on resolution and bit rate.

It's also true that cheaper players like the Phillips may support a variety of containers and codecs, but the upscaling and deinterlacing pretty much sucks. If you will be viewing on a larger screen, this can be important. If the Oppo supports the formats you need, and the price is OK, it would be hard to beat the image quality you'll get from one.

rdgrimes, I understand your replies and very much appreciate them.
Yes I do appreciate quality, and the extra $50 for the Oppo 980 comparatively to the Phillips is not an issue. I like the USB idea for sure, and the 981 doesn't have USB, and you like the 983 with its Anchor Bay, but there are none available?

If the Oppo 980 can play as many formats as the Phillips then I will get the Oppo. I will think on it for a week to glean the right choice. Maybe a 983 will show up. Why in the world arent there any 983 available even at amazon, or any internet place, even used! ..were they that popular that they have all been snatched up?

zeropoint, the v36 is an interesting piece, but since I have quite a custom computer setup that is unlimited in what it can do as a video processing center in every way, and for home viewing I use the Samsung BD-UP5000 with its LN-T5781F LCD, and so this extra spare dvd player I'm posting about wanting is more or less just a spare for the moments I want to fool with internet type video formats (as is, without converting) and not be limited as I am now to just HD/BD or standard DVD vob formats.

Huey, again still wondering what formats can the Philips 5990 play that the Oppo 980 can't ...thanks

thanks for all the replies

oh ps
Can the Oppo (or Philips) play a standard .avi or mpg file ...I mean like if I burned a couple of .avi or .mpg extension video files to a CD/DVD, will it be able to list and play them? I've been assuming yes...

oh ps
Can the Oppo (or Philips) play a standard .avi or mpg file ...I mean like if I burned a couple of .avi or .mpg extension video files to a CD/DVD, will it be able to list and play them? I've been assuming yes...

AVI is only a container, it depends on the audio and video codec. Yes to MPEG.