Player & Multiregion mods recommendations

[nickwall]

Hi

I'm thinking about getting a new player and moving my year old cheap and cheerful first time buyer one to the bedroom.

I don't think I need to spend more than about 250 quid on it, and am after some recommendations. The first two that have caught my eye are the Pioneer 444 and 545.

2 questions:

1) What are these 2 like - and any other recommendation?

2) Where should I get them? I've seen Upgrade Heaven, Techtronics and Leading Edge Concepts as internet retailers that do multi region mods (it HAS to be multiregion). Again, reviews of these places and any other recommendations?

Thanks guys. :)

[kcxdev]

The general concensus in the forums is steer clear of techtronics (loads of bad stories about them) and stick with a forum sponser - upgradeheaven. They do special offers for forum members as well, see the sticky in the bargain forum. I ordered a 444 off them a few weeks back for a friend and its an excellent player.

[nickwall]

Thanks for the above. Upgrade Heaven then - this forum's done my loads of favours over the last year, so I'll still with a sponsor (& discounts!:D ).

So, any machine advice then? I'm keen on the 545 - is it worth the extra over the 444? What about layer change - I've seen the thread on the possible problem on the 444?

And any alternatives? Sony, Toshiba?

Thanks.

[Justin]

Originally posted by nickwall
Hi

I'm thinking about getting a new player and moving my year old cheap and cheerful first time buyer one to the bedroom.

I don't think I need to spend more than about 250 quid on it, and am after some recommendations. The first two that have caught my eye are the Pioneer 444 and 545.

2 questions:

1) What are these 2 like - and any other recommendation?

2) Where should I get them? I've seen Upgrade Heaven, Techtronics and Leading Edge Concepts as internet retailers that do multi region mods (it HAS to be multiregion). Again, reviews of these places and any other recommendations?

Thanks guys. :)


Not quite on your thread, but thought might be of intrest?
from whom you mention tech & ourselves are the old type of "modders" - i.e people whom develop mods:) Many other firms now offer MR players, but usually buy them in modded, or use a solution bought from a third party - not all mods are the same....

[nickwall]

Thanks Justin. From the advice I've had and as you're a sponsor of the forums I'll almost certainly be buying from you (easy sale or what - unless anyone else offers me a better deal...!;) ). So all I'm looking for now is advice on the player to go with. I've seen the thread about layer change issues with the Pioneer 444 - any thoughts on this? Is the 545 worth the extra? Anything else to consider?

[Fatboydim]

Techtronics are a little slow at times but I have ordered four players from them over the years and have had no problems. Though I did send back my FX1 portable, but that was down to Sony and not them.

It's worth knowing that many retailers use Techtronics chips anyway... For example Sevenoaks Sound and Vision the high st retailer. They are also nearly always the cheapest.

However webelectricals.co.uk is where I recently purchased my Panny LA95. Ordered one day and recieved it the next. Not neccessarily the cheapest but the best service I have ever recieved... they even phoned me up to check the order and delivery instructions. Excellent.

[nickwall]

Originally posted by nickwall
Is the 545 worth the extra?

Thanks.

This is what I'm really interested in now, compared to the 444. Anyone comment on this? Please....?

[clayts]

From my discussions with DVD fans and retailers alike, the 545 edges it over the 444 in terms of CD playback. The 444 is more of a home movie purists' machine (ie does everything superbly for the ultimate DVD experience) but skimps a little in the CD audio department (and thus by default MP3s, etc).

The 545 has had good comments about its versatility as a brilliant DVD player PLUS an above average CD player too.

Hope this helps :)

[westy1507]

Gotta be the 545 definitely. Sensational pictures and fine fine sound-as good as my 737 without a doubt. Got a friend to buy one and he's been chirping ever since, the CD playback,as my good colleague Clayts says, is absolutely spot on.
Get one, you know you want to...

[Justin]

Originally posted by Fatboydim


It's worth knowing that many retailers use Techtronics chips anyway... For example Sevenoaks Sound and Vision the high st retailer. They are also nearly always the cheapest.


Its true that some Sevenoaks head office used Techtronics for mods in the past, but since September 2000 Sevenoaks have performed all mods inhouse on DVD themselves by purchasing the solutions from other vendors:) The stores are francises, and as such many of them use other vendors direct for some stock also.

Cheers

[nickwall]

Originally posted by clayts
From my discussions with DVD fans and retailers alike, the 545 edges it over the 444 in terms of CD playback. The 444 is more of a home movie purists' machine (ie does everything superbly for the ultimate DVD experience) but skimps a little in the CD audio department (and thus by default MP3s, etc).

The 545 has had good comments about its versatility as a brilliant DVD player PLUS an above average CD player too.

Hope this helps :)

That settles it in the 545's favour then.

Cheers for the info Clayts (and Westy). If I remember rightly, you're the 'Encore' man. I've got an Encore 450, this is to replace it (the Encore will go in the bedroom). Must say it's served me superbly - no problems at all, and it's played every 'problem' disk without a hiccup. But now time to move up....

So not having seen the Pioneer in action yet, I presume I'm going to be fairly impressed compared to my Encore?

[clayts]

Mate, you'll wonder how you ever coped with the '450 when you've seen the Pioneer's picture quality !

My '450 is still running great, but I'm looking for a replacement - it would have been the Sampo-built Sharp DV740H but that darned thing ain't got component out (thus scuppering my plans for a Toshiba TV) - so I'm still looking at alternatives. The 545 is sorely tempting, and I can keep the 450 for experimental purposes :)