I need a good, sub-$100 DVD player (1 Viewer)

[Greg O' Connel]

Does such a thing exist?

I want a second player for my bedroom. It's going to be connected to a 13" mono TV, and probably only used for about an hour a day, or however long it takes me to fall asleep. I've found that watching movies is the best and only way to relax after a long day and fall asleep fast. Seriously, it works better than sleeping pills, at least for me.

Anyway, given that it is going to be used very little and connected to a 13" TV, the features that one normally looks for in shopping for a DVD player really aren't important. The only "feature" I'm looking for is a player that will read DVDs without problems and won't crap out after a few months.

Any suggestions?

 

[KeithH]

Greg, for a 13" mono TV, I could see wanting to buy as cheap a DVD player as possible, however you should set your sights a bit higher on the price scale. On that small set, I am not about to say that a more expensive player will absolutely offer a better picture, but you will get a more reliable player if you spend more. Avoid players from APEX, Mintek, and other sub-$100 players. Consider players in the $150-180 range from the major players like Sony, Toshiba, Pioneer, and Panasonic. A player that looks nice for the money is the Pioneer DV-440. Check it out on www.crutchfield.com .

 

[Rob Roth]

Buy used. There have to be a few million 2nd generation or newer DVD players floating around. I've got a spare Sony 560D (original retail $500) that has a full set of analog outs and all other features. Not a bad unit at the time...