Sony BDP-S390 won't play downloaded avi files  

It's a European model (I live in Europe) and it says on the box that it plays Xvid .avi, but none of the movies I've downloaded with the .avi extension play, instead giving a 'file is corrupt or incompatible' error.

Using VLC software on Windows, I converted one of the avi files to H.264 + mp3 (mp4), since the box also says it plays MPEG-4 AVC with mkv, mp4, m4v, m2ts and mts extensions

I only need something to play downloaded avi, DVDs and the occasional photo slideshow. The wifi and all that other rubbish (Sony Entertainment Network and the garbage free internet streams) wasn't important.

The fact that the unit doesn't play downloaded avi is a deal-breaker.
Before I take it back, can anyone help?

· Can I do something to the .avi files to make them play?
· If I buy a cheaper LG player, is it likely play downloaded avi files without issue, or will I probably still have the same problem as the Sony unit? EDIT: Is this something to do with the Sony not playing 'DivX' files, but instead only playing 'Xvid'? Does that mean I should look for a player that specifies 'DivX' on the box?

Thanks.
Edited by -Anti- - 1/4/13 at 8:26am