Am I the only one disappointed with the MVP?

[daphatty]

I hate to admit it but I ran out and bought the MVP after discovering GB-PVR. The thought of playing all these great videos and music filles on my Crappy 19" TV was very appealing. So imagine my disappointment when none of them worked to my satisfaction. No DVD playing capabilities really killed it for me. I have several non-US region DVDs that I love to watch but alas I'd have to find another way.

My solution was purchasing a new HDTV with a DVI input. Granted, this is the exception to the norm (I was planning on buying one anyway) but I'd still like to use an MVP type device for the 19" which has now been moved into the bedroom. Has anyone heard about another MVP like device without the limitations? Or perhaps an MVP2?

[jorm]

you can convert the dvd to mpeg (region does not matter if you are ripping it). And then you can play it, possibly even using the latest version convert it to xvid and play them that way.

[daphatty]

Quote[/b] (jorm @ Mar. 19 2005,12:31)]you can convert the dvd to mpeg (region does not matter if you are ripping it). And then you can play it, possibly even using the latest version convert it to xvid and play them that way.

Agreed, I could do that, and I certainly did try. But at the end of the day I felt that was too much hassle. Converting a DVD isn't necessarily a quick process. Mass market features are what separate good products from a great products. The lack of DVD playback is why the MVP, unfortunately, is only a good product, not a great one.

[Paulp33]

Sounds like you need a hybrid DVD/network media player. I think you have a few types available in the US. Without some hacking no pure media player is going to play DVDs due to copyright laws (streaming counts as broadcasting).

[yuss]

I have several non-US DVDs (mostly PAL), after going through the conversion to mpeg route I finally gave up and bought a multi-region DVD player for not much money (~$70) the Yamakawa 288. With a quick software settings fix, it works like a charm.

I love my MVP it has a few shortcomings but you cannot really blame it for a feature that it was never meant to have and not advertised to have.

[colin]

cyberhome 300 in Walmrt for less than $40 - will play any DVD you through at it once you put in the handset hack.

Just look through videohelp.com in its DVD hacks section for a player in your local store and see if its multi-region.

Cheers,
Colin.

[jquinlan]

The MVP my have it shortcomings when it comes to file format, but no device, except the expensive Microsoft Media Extenders, give you the full 10 feet experience as GB-PVR with an MVP can give you.

[gblinckmann]

Not to mention the price difference between the MVP's and the MCE Extenders.... Even the MCE Extenders don't have DVD drives in them.

This may be a stupid question, but why not just have a DVD drive, too? Given $200US, I can have a MediaMVP, a DVD drive, and a VCR, with GB-PVR.

That's what I have hooked up to my 20" TV in my bedroom. Would it be cool to have a MediaMVP combined into the DVD/VCR combo? Sure! But it doesn't exist...

[user7_global]

Very interesting devices coming up:
http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/502/lg...19_running

Perhaps GB-PVR should support UPnP cause many streaming clients will do.

[mikey]

The problem with UPnP is you'd only get the video files and no GB-PVR user interface, so you wouldn't be able to schedule recordings etc. You'd only be able to watching existing recordings.