Page 1 of FIRST TIME ADVICE

hi all, I`m going to buy a DVD player for the first time but am seriously confused by the lack of independent advice regarding DVD players.

I have a budget of around £100, and have been looking at sites such as richer sounds and empire direct.

I have narrowed down the serach to one of three players, but i dont know which:
Toshiba sd 220 (region 2 is £99 from richer sounds), Pioneer dv 350 (only multi region from empiredirect for £106) and Wharfedale 750 (£69 from a certain retailer whose name i dont remember).

I need advice as to which one to go for.....the wharfedale used to be much more and the new cost would be easy to swallow, while the other two have had great reviews.

I am also confused as to why different websites give differing info regarding specs on the same player. E.g Richer Sounds say that Pioneer dv350 doesnt play VCD while empiredirect says that it does!! How do i know what i am going to get before buying the player?!!

Also would like to know if it is wise to buy a region 2 player for less and then use remote hack to convert to multiregion?

Finally, are there any players that i have missed out in this price range??

Thanks, and look forward to your replies!

Zak

I would go for the Tosh 220 multi-region. I`ve also heard that there now seems to be some sort of firmware upgrade available for this now (search and it`s on this site somewhere..) but don`t know exactly how this compares to the player bought as multi-region. `bigger` makes like Toshiba, Sony etc. don`t usually have hacks easily-available for their players - they usually require chipping at a cost.

Ste

I would recommend you steer clear of the Wharfedale 750 - it`s quite an old model, and there are better players available nowadays, even for £70 (the Alba 114 springs to mind).

Of the players you mention, the Pioneer 350 would be my choice. If you don`t necessarily want a branded player, save yourself £30 and try to get the Alba 114 from Argos - it`s superb (and multi-region out of the box).

"Also would like to know if it is wise to buy a region 2 player for less and then use remote hack to convert to multiregion?"

If you know for certain that the player has a hack, then yes. Otherwise, don`t risk it - it may not be possible to return the player if you buy it and find out it can`t be hacked.

Mike

Try the Acoustic Solutions 421 from Richer at £69 - it play everything with easy hacks see http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/full/Acoustic421.asp

There you go, that`s narrowed it down for you hasn`t it.....;-)

Ste

Yup sure has.....started with 3 and ended up with 4!!! Thanks thoguht guys.......also, does or doesnt the pioneer dv350 play vcds?? richer sounds says no, empire says yes.....also need a final verdict on which one to go for!!! more replies welcome...deadline in 3 days....a gift for someone!

Depends if you don`t mind not having a `big` name or wantone that`s won awards left, right and centre...(Tosh)..

Ste