A very cheap -- $19 at Radio Shack after a $20 rebate -- DVD player we had in the bedroom the last few years understandably began jittering and such, so I went
to Circuit City in search of a replacement this weekend.
Couldn't find a $19 one, but did find a $39 DVD player by Phillips -- all packaging in French and Spanish -- that upconverts to progressive scan. Not that we need that since the bedroom TV is a small one that doesn't even have cable and will be of those analog sets that will be useless without a converter come February 09.
Anyhow, the DVD player works great; plays DVD-Rs without a hiccup and for $39, what's not to like?
Interestingly, basic 40- 50-inch HDTV's seem cheaper than ever as the electronic companies move on to more modern versions with refresh-rate technology and the like. But for under $1,000 there were several very dccent models and I was tempted to get one for the basement -- our only HDTV is a 27-inch model in the TV room upstairs. I know, I know. Are we barbarians? -- but that can wait. I was amazed to see a Toshiba DVD recorder for only $99.
The only real problem with low-end electronics is not usually the circuitry but the 'build quality.' That was certainly the case with my $19 DVD player (from a fine company called Desay). The tray would jam, the player made noises, and the mechanics were as cheap as its price.
Anyhow, just rambling here. But home theater is more affordable than ever.
Couldn't find a $19 one, but did find a $39 DVD player by Phillips -- all packaging in French and Spanish -- that upconverts to progressive scan. Not that we need that since the bedroom TV is a small one that doesn't even have cable and will be of those analog sets that will be useless without a converter come February 09.
Anyhow, the DVD player works great; plays DVD-Rs without a hiccup and for $39, what's not to like?
Interestingly, basic 40- 50-inch HDTV's seem cheaper than ever as the electronic companies move on to more modern versions with refresh-rate technology and the like. But for under $1,000 there were several very dccent models and I was tempted to get one for the basement -- our only HDTV is a 27-inch model in the TV room upstairs. I know, I know. Are we barbarians? -- but that can wait. I was amazed to see a Toshiba DVD recorder for only $99.
The only real problem with low-end electronics is not usually the circuitry but the 'build quality.' That was certainly the case with my $19 DVD player (from a fine company called Desay). The tray would jam, the player made noises, and the mechanics were as cheap as its price.
Anyhow, just rambling here. But home theater is more affordable than ever.
