Home > Consumer Reviews > Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player

At first, I was anxious to order this Philips DVP642 DVD player due to recommendation of "Reviewer: FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-" (Buenos Aires, Argentina)", who plays DVD's from all around the world on this miracle machine. Than, I red manual that says that it converts video from PAL to NTSC only using VCDs. NO DVDs! The "-Writer and Computer Geek-" is misleading people in the USA because South America is not using NTSC system but PAL. His TV is PAL system with which this DVD unit works as described. This review is not relevant to the people in the USA who have TV with NTSC system. I do not know if the ability of the DVD player DVP642 to convert PAL DVDs to NTSC output signal would change by upgrading firmware from Philips Website, and if the upgrade would be even possible. (http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productSelector.html and type DVP642) The firmware is for DVD DVP642/17 and DVP642/37, not for plain DVP642. It is possible that firmware would upgrade the player to the one that is able to play PAL DVDs on NTFS TV, but this is only POSSIBILITY and I didn't try it.

I got this player shipped to a friend in the US who then brought it over to India. It played perfectly well for the first few minutes, I played a VCD, a CD with 6 DivX movies, and an MP3 CD.

But just after a few mins of operation, white (foul-smelling) smoke came off the bottom of the unit. However, the music was playing when the smoke was coming out. I rushed to switch the thing off, allowed it to cool down and the smoke ejection to subside.

I plugged it in again after it was cooled off, played well for a few mins again, but then it just shut off.

I've contacted Philips customer care about this; will update here when I receive any replies.

*Update*: I received a replacement -- the Indian model , DVP642K. It's played well, it plays DVDs, DivXs, VCDs, MP3s fine. However, it didn't play the audio for some DivXs.

I bought the DVD 727 last year. Little did I know that it had only a 90 day warranty. Now the tray won't open. Customer support said to remove the power cord and it will reset. It didn't. But a google search suggested light taps on the machine. That works, but is a terrible solution, for what happens when it no longer opens with a DVD inside? Poor workmanship on the unit. Always check the warranty before buying.

This unit plays divx 3.x through 5.x, svcd,vcd,mp3,cd,mpeg1 and mpeg2,dvdr/w+, but be forewarned it DOES NOT PLAY dvdr/w- discs.
You would think that PHILIPS with their technology and reputation would go this far in bragging about their product being able to play anything you throw at it but will not support dvdr/w- discs. I contacted customer/service help deptartment and technical department. Not only is there not a firmware to make this unit capable of playing dvdr/w- discs but PHILIPS WILL NOT support this format in the future for this unit if the format is decided to go to dvdr/w-.
Owners of DVDR/W- MOVIES... I suggest you get a back up dvd player APEX AD2600 $50 if you can still get your hands on one this model was discontinued,this unit supports everything but divx(mpeg4) movies, .mov and .avi formatted movies. My advice get you a dvd player capable of supporting dvdr/w+ and dvdr/w- discs. Consumers have no idea which standard will stay or go
and getting one that supports + formats only is taking a risk.

Never had a more un reliable unit in my life..Died after 1st movie..It looked good at first, threw out shipping box figuring it was a winner, now I am the loser. Stuck with a unit that does not work..out the money and up the creek with a piece of s**t I am greatly disappointed with performance and reliablility of unit..out $64 buck =and now have a unit thatlasted for one movie...be for warned! As for Amazon...suggest you shop local where there is customer friendly support, I don't even have an address to send this unit back to...Yes I am upset!
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