I've got 3 questions so here goes:

1) I have a Yamakawa DVD-288k-vga and the audio just suddenly stopped working. There was no physical damage to the player - it has been sitting quietly on it's shelf. Some configuration option may have been changed, so I went through all the options and I can't see anything that would make there be no sound. I've tested it with just plain stereo, shifting speaker connections, audio CD vs. DVD.. nothing seems to work. Suggestions?

2) Assuming I can't fix the Yamakawa, I'd like to get an upscaling DVD player since I've heard that prices/performance have come way down (since I got my Yamakawa in ~2004). So I'm looking in the < $200 range.. lower is better.

I currently have a BenQ PB6200 projector & a stereo system that requires individual analog for each 5.1 channel. I think that I will stick with this setup until HD/Blueray shakes out, the plasma/LCD/DLP/LcOS war apexs, etc. ie: At least one more new bulb on the projector or 3-4 years... also probably about the lifetime of a DVD player in any case.

I looked at the Emergency Upscaling Recommendation System, and the Neo Neo 208 has become the NeoDigits 2085 then the NeoDigits H4000. Does anyone know if it is any good? I've heard rumors of bad hardware & support from NeoDigits.
The Samsung 841 & Zenith 318 appears dead and gone. The Momitsu 880N doesn't have 5.1 analog sound out, nor does it's more-in-my budget cousin the V880-DX

So my requirements are:
region free or firmware updatable to be region free
5.1 analog coax audio outs
upscaling over RGB/HD-15 out preferably or if not then component

3) Or should I just use the scaling on my projector? According to reviews it is supposed to be fairly good with 480p input and I'm certainly used to it at this point. In that case I'd like a recommendation for a solid, reliable DVD player in the $50-$100 range. It would still need 5.1 analog audio outs.

Thanks!

Unless you can fix the Yamakawa yourself or find someone who will fix it for a supply of their favorite beverage, you might as well replace it. Because 1) Fixing stuff is expensive. 2) Turn around time is too long 3) Finding commerical shop that will work on the Yamakawa will be difficult. They're not main stream stuff.

I had a several years old Yamaha receiver fixed a few months ago. It cost about $180 (what they go for on ebay), 2 trips to the shop and 6 weeks turn around. I really hate that our society has become a "throw it away and buy a new one" but it's gotten to point it's not worth the hassle.

OH! Try to recycle your old equipment. Even if you have to pay for the privilege. There's toxic material in electronics that's best to keep out of the landfills.