Review by H. A. Emet for Philips DVP5140 Multiformat DVD Player with DivX, MP3, Windows Media Support
Rating:
This a GREAT and nice-looking DVD player. Lovely picture, terrific audio and many cool features.

Please be aware that Philips only makes one model of the DVP5140. It will play any NTSC/PAL DVD onto any PAL or NTSC TV. I know this beacuse I called them and asked before buying mine.

So – if you want to play DVDs from any region in any format on any TV, DO NOT BUY the “Multi Region Code Free DVD player” which costs $89.99. Simply search for “DVP5140″ and get the standard player which costs $57.95 on Amazon and is identical to the so-called multi-region DVP5140.

To make it region code free follow these instruction:

1. Turn on the unit

2. Open the loading tray

3. Press the “Setup” button on the remote

4. Navigate to the “Preferences” page using the right arrow key

6. Press the down arrow once to enter the Preference page

5. Enter 138931 on the remote

6. You will now see the current region code displayed

7. Use the Up/Down arrow keys to select the region required or “0″ for all regions

8. Press the “Play” button on the remote

Review by P. Hooker for Philips DVP5140 Multiformat DVD Player with DivX, MP3, Windows Media Support
Rating:
I raved about this player too when I first purchased it. It literally played EVERYTHING. It was cheap, and I used it quite a bit, so when it stopped reading any discs after about a year I wasn’t all that upset. With all the features, and for the price, if I had to buy a new one every year, then so be it…a small price to pay for the ability to watch all my multi region DVDs and avi files on my TV.

I originally bought it at Wal Mart, who I discovered no longer carried it (now I understand why), so I looked online and found out it was available at Target. I rushed out, bought the replacement, got home, set it up, punched in the code, and was back in business…for two whole days, after which it once again would fail to read any disc.

A fluke I thought…a defective machine is sure to get by occasionally. No problem, I pack it up and take it back to Target who graciously exchange it for another one. I get the replacement’s replacement home, get it all set up, pop in a movie, and I am once again back in business…for two whole weeks, after which it once again would fail to read anything.

At this point I am starting to get upset. I look in the manual and get the number for technical support. I call, tell them about my problems, and let them know the complete history of what has happened up to this point. “Have you tried unplugging it, and plugging it back in again?” they ask, knowing the answer before the question even leaves their lips.

I explain to them that yes, I tried this…on BOTH machines…and that it failed to resolve the problem. “Well why don’t you try it again?” they ask, convinced that somehow through sheer force of will, their presense on the phone would somehow change the outcome.

I begrudgingly do so, knowing it will do no good, knowing that I am just wasting my time, knowing that every condecending remark from their so called technician is bringing me closer and closer to baldness as I rip out my hair in frustration.

Loading…loading…loading………………NO DISC.

“Well, there must be some internal problem with the machine. I can give you the address for our warranty department where you can send it for a free product exchange.”

I once again explain to them that I only bought the machine two weeks ago, and ask them why I would PAY to send it back to them, when I could just as easily return it to the store and exchange it for a different brand. I explain that if THEY would pay the shipping costs, I would be happy to send it to them for repair or replacement, provided they can figure out what the problem is and get it fixed. After all, I had been a loyal customer to them; I have now had THREE of these machines come down with similar problems within a relatively short span of time, and that while I might enjoy the options and features of this model, these features do me little good if I can’t get the machine to read a disc.

“I understand that sir, but if you don’t want……..”

“I like this model; I would like to keep it, but I would also like it to work.”

“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t believe there is anything else I can do to help you…..click”

And Philips loses a customer for life. And so, while I agree the features of this model are great, the quality of it is complete crap. You might as well pay the extra money for a better quality product. In the long run you’ll be much better off.

Review by Jonathan Clark for Philips DVP5140 Multiformat DVD Player with DivX, MP3, Windows Media Support
Rating:
I cannot fit all the good things I want to say about this product in only one review. I bought this due to the massive amounts of re-encoding required for converting DIVX and XVID movies to standalone-DVD format. It would take hours on end.

With this player you can copy the clips themselves to a blank CD-R or DVD-R and it works fine. I don’t know why people report so many problems with this player – It’s played every single disc I’ve thrown at it. Multi brands too, both -R, -RW, +R, and +RW. It also plays CD-R/RW discs with the DIVX/XVID/WM files burned to them.

This player is the last one I’ll ever get. I’ve just purchased one for my parents too, since I’ve enjoyed mine so much. Try it – You won’t be sorry.