Philips DVP5140K - DIVX Capability

DVD Player is not something new. Divx capability is not something new. The new thing is, I finally manage to convince myself to buy one he he. I have already aiming to get one ever since I heard that divx movies can be played in some dvd player.

I never got time to go shop and try it out myself until finally last weekend, I manage to see at some electronics shops and see the price...oops..its getting very cheap now. DVD Player with DIVX capability can be as cheap as SG$ 100.

There is a catch though, they only support DIVX 3.11/4/5. While the new model with DIVX ultra capability support DIVX 3.11/4/5/6. Of course the new model will have a different price.

So I noted down all the prices and the model that I am interested in the normal electronics shop i.e. Best Denki. Then in the weekend, I went to Sim Lim to buy it, surprisingly, the price is not much different, DVP5140K price is SG$169. while in Sim Lim, I only manage to get it at SG$155.

It is not really much different beside you have to pay cash in Sim Lim, and you can not use your credit card without incurrent additional charges. So I bought one and quickly go home. I can not wait to try it out.

Installation is very easy, so no need to mention anything since its just like a normal dvd player.

Here is what I can observe so far:
1. It can play divx very well (no skip).
2. You can use your DVD Writer to store the files (*Remember DVD is 4.2 GB, while CD is only 700 MB*) so if you use a DVD, you can store more files inside it.
3. Limit your file name up to 13 characters, otherwise you can not see it on the TV.
4. Subtitle works well but....with some catch.
There are some subtitle that can be shown as 2 lines, but there are some that will be cut off. I have not investigate, but it should be quite simple to create a small program to overcome this problem.
5. The remote control is very light, I almost think its a toy :P.

Other than that, I am a happy man. The normal DVD that I have works fine too. So this player is good. I am happy to have it.

So if your DVD Player is old or spoilt, and you are thinking to get a new one, get this player :).

cya.

Zen Vision M - 30 GB Black

Zen Vision M - This baby rocks :-). Here is my experience after playing with it about 2 weeks.

Zen Vision M made by Creative. Mind you, iPod is good, but Zen Vision M is very good too. The only thing that iPod good is marketing and packaging, otherwise for sounds, Zen Vision will definitely comparable with iPod.

In fact I prefer Zen Vision M more because it comes with
1. FM Tuner
2. It could play divx movie
3. Has a longer battery life than iPod.

Installation is a snap. Easy but not really fantastic, I think they need to streamline the installation so that new user will not feel unease with the screen. At least I notice the installation is so plain. Since this Zen Vision is for entertainment, at least they could put some animation or nice song during the installation and shows the status of the progress.

So creative needs to work harder on packaging. Apple does better than creative here.

Once the installation completed. I tested with some few songs and movie clips, I transfer some of songs to the player, and it immediately can play it. Sweeet.....But it is not really difficult to do that, since its just a drag and drop. so there is nothing new in here.

Next I am wondering how can i play it in the car? After researching for a while
Since I am using a rental car, the car came with only CD Player, so I have no choice other than to get an FM Transmitter.

So after testing with 5 brands: Here are the lists of the FM Transmitter that I have tried:
1. iDot Connect -> Does not work-> Forget it
2. Belkin tune cast II -> works -> Quality (3 star)
3. Monster --> works -> Quality (2.5 star)
4. DLO Transpod --> Works -> Quality (4 star) , then drop to 2 star *see explanation*.
Price: US$ 99.99
5. Macally FMTF -> works -> Quality (4 star). Price: US$49.99

DLO Transpod comes with a problem, it clash with the "mobile charger in the car".
Everytime I plug the car charger to the Zen, the engine of the car's coming to the radio.

Macally FMTF -> the best so far for me, with or without the Mobile Charger, the sounds is excellent. so I am a happy man now.

Additional Accessories that worth to be considered when you bought a Zen Vision M
Mobile Charger for Zen Vision
Bought it in ebay for US$ 4.99 --> works fine so I am happy with it

Wall Charger for Zen Vision
Bought it in ebay for US$ 4.99 --> works fine so I am happy with it


FM Transmitter: Macally FMTF (US$ 49.99).
--> Comes with a Desktop Charger for FM Transmitter
--> Comes with a Mobile charger for FM Transmitter
--> Comes with a Retractable Audio Cable






More Info: http://www.creative.com

cya.