Customer Reviews

Philips DVP5140 Multiformat DVD Player with DivX, MP3, Windows Media Support

5 star:		(182)
4 star:		(111)
3 star:		(34)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(47)

 

 

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

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

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.

Unlike other temperamental machines that I have owned this one plays everything. You can save money over the higher priced version of this machine by making it region free by following these instructions:

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
Probably can't beat it for the money

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.

Yes, this unit really can play PAL DVDs from any region on an NTSC TV. I didn't think that was possible at this price point. And of course, it plays NTSC DVDs just fine as well. It has all of the features you'd expect to find on a DVD player, and has a fine picture.

Don't believe the other reviews complaining about how it doesn't do something it should, or does something it shouldn't. These people didn't read the manual. The functions on the remote are somewhat non-standard, and the means of accessing certain features isn't obvious. You MUST read the manual. For example, the fast-forward and chapter skip are on different buttons, unlike most DVD players I've used.

I'm not giving this player five stars because of the build quality. The player itself is of rather low quality, but the remote control sets new standards for "cheap Chinese junk." Without the batteries, it's a wonder it doesn't float out of your hand. So while the unit works well, I'm not sure that it's going to give me years of use.

This player has a lot of well-implemented features for a good price. This Machine is Ultimately a Region Free DVD Player. Yes it can Play Region 1,2,3,4,5,6 PAL or NTSC on any TV. Great Buy " Great Job " North Star Electronics". Just pop in your european disc and it will paly right there on your screen no codes to enter no nothing. :

1) This player CAN play DTS discs via a DTS-capable receiver on the COAX digital output.

2) Region Free DVD Player, Can Play PAL or NTSC Region 1,2,3,4,5,6 right on your TV!

3)1've only had the player a couple of weeks, but I really like it so far. I'm not a Audio/Video-phile, but the picture and sound quality is good on my 42" LCD HDTV once I turned on the Progressive Scan feature and hooked it up with a component cable. I also found start-up times and loading times to be good.

Good Luck

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For the price this really is a good deal, considering the variety of discs it plays. So far it has played all of my DVD-r and -rw discs, though the manual claims otherwise.

I have about 20 DivX discs most of them contain 10 plus titles on them, one title on one disc claimed improper codec so the audio was still heard but no video. The rest played flawlessly. There is even a title that freezes when I play it on my PC but NOT on this player. An on screen counter display shows time remaining and time in, and its small and suttle. Of course you can remove it just as easy. The manual claims it supports WMA but not WMV, I haven't tried either.

PAL/NTSC capable, your T.V. does not have to be a PAL T.V.(or vice versa) to work, all that is taken care of internally. I own two PAL/region 2 discs and again no problems playing either.(refer to H.A. Emet's review for directions to make region free)

Now for some reason it is very important that certain individuals have to have an eject button on their remote. As if some godly power is going to swap the disc for them as well. These individuals have given bad reviews based on their assumption that this player lacks such an option. As well as the lack of a fast forward or reverse. The remote is cheesy don't get me wrong, but if they had read their manuals it clearly states the existence of both options. If opening and closing the tray from your lazyboy is that important to you just hold the stop button for a few seconds and presto! Now you can get up and swap the disc, or have fido do it for you! As far as FFW and REV during playback, the left cursor (arrows surrounding the "OK" button) or right cursor perform these functions. Every press of the button changes the speed.

Another issue I've noticed, is people are confused when they get to the code entering portion of H.A.Emet's directions for making it region free. There is no PLACE to enter the digits, JUST DO IT! Some complain the tray opens too slow, or it takes to long to load a disc. There is a "lag" when you press open, but that only occurs when you first power up. And I'm only talking a few seconds if that. This seems to be a Philips "thing" since my other Philips player is just as slow.

I'm not going to address the picture quality or sound since numorous other reviews have already covered those. But I will say I own three players and a recorder, there isn't too much differences in sound and picture between them. Also this unit does not support s-video, only cheesy CVBS cables(yellow, red and white) or component video, I.E. Y Pb Pr (color stream for you Toshiba fans).

The unit measures 17 1/8" long by 9" deep by 1 1/2" tall(including the feet)

2/12/08
After trying other remotes I discovered it's the player that has issues with distance not the remote. Though the remote is still cheesy. A lot of people have had bad luck with play back after a short period of time. Luckly I have not. I also don't use this player as my primary one. Another thing I've noticed is some of my DVD-R's experince slight hesitation in the frame rate when the movement on screen is fast. But again this player doesn't claim to support DVD-R. I highly recommend you read P.Hooker's review before you purchase this player!

A good work horse; I have only one minor agitation with the Philips DVP5140, the tray is slow to open, but I can live with that. I made the purchase to replace a high end multi-disc Sony DVD player, that had too many bells and whistles for mom to feel comfortable using.

If there was one thing I would add if the price would remain the same, it would be an S-Video Output connection.

The DVP5140, is a simple straight forward unit that gives a good picture, and plays a lot of formats. I had no problems playing NTSC/PAL DVD's right out of the box. It's a good product for the price. I may add one for the playroom.

E. Taylor

Recently I have bought divx format items on Ebay which I was told would play on computer dvd. Some of these came from overseas. I took my discs to a computer store, and had to try several before I found one that was compatible. Even then i could not get the video aspect working properly on all my discs. Buying a new computer was an expensive option.

In the end after research I bought this machine, and fortunately my divx discs work very well. I was even able to set the machine so that it works without interfering with my existing video dvd set up because it does not need to connect to the tv using your antenna.

If you want to play your computer dvd's or divx, I recommend this machine. Can you think of a cheaper alternative, under $50? Also, the remote from my other Philips dvd player works on this machine which is cool.