How long have you guys had your DVD player for?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Just two curious questions--how long have you had it, and has it broken down at any point within that time? Mine hasn't yet, but it's still quite new. But it seems a lot of them have shorter lifespans than a VCR (from what I gather).

Has anyone had a DVD player for 2 years or more and it's still kicking?

[Vigo Sprax]

My first DVD player, which is in reality a DVD-ROM drive, I got a little over 3 years ago. Since then I've picked up standalone Sharp (Now my mom's) and a PS2, not to mention the several I've given away as presents. All of them are still working fine & dandy, I've never really heard of DVD players breaking down. My first standalone was actually a Philips Magnavox, but that didn't work correctly so it got exchanged the next day for the Sharp. I had wanted a DVD player since they originally came out but I didn't have the $$$.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Hm. Must be that those people complaining are the ones who get the Konkas and Apexes or the DVD player industry. Though I've heard more positive things about APEX than Konka...

[The Mad Hatter]

Mine was actually in my computer, which I've had since early 1999. It was a real pain to have to sit up in my computer chair to watch movies.

Now I'm using my PS2, which is admittedly a bit low-end. It's tempermental, too... even if there's the _tiniest_ smudge on a DVD, it'll skip or refuse to read it.

[Vigo Sprax]

As far as PS2s are concerned, I've heard both bad and good comments. My PS2 plays everything perfect, just as good as my normal stand alone that I had. I've never had it skip or refuse to play a DVD ever, and its in the vertical position too (Which is supposed to make it worse).

APEX are sooooo cheap, but for the low price you get a lot of extras. I don't really hear anything about DVDs breaking as much as them being incompatible with newer DVDs.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I'm not an expert on this, so correct me if I'm wrong:

Some companies seem to have been making their Region 1 DVDs not able to play on all-region DVD players. Now, I've heard that to get around this they could simply switch the player to region 1 mode. OTOH, companies must know this, too. So is it true? Are some of the newer DVDs made not to be compatible with all- region players?

[Clayface]

I've had my computer DVD-ROM drive for several years, and not had any problem with it. I've also had a PS2 since the end of last year, and have not had any problems. But, my PS2 does have a high sensitivity level when it comes to smudges - I've had DVDs with very minor smudges that wouldn't play in my PS2 that played just fine in my DVD-ROM. But, a simple cleaning of the disk fixed any playing problems I've had with the PS2.

[Brian Cruz]

I bought my first DVD player in March 1998. The Panasonic A110. It still works, though I've since given it to my sister.

[Vigo Sprax]

Originally posted by Leaping Larry Jojo
Are some of the newer DVDs made not to be compatible with all- region players?

This is true, I know Columbia is one of the companies doing this with their newer releases. If the DVD player does have a region 1 option then I imagine that would be an easy way to bypass it. I'm sure those who sell/hack DVD players for multi-region have already discovered a way to get around it anyways.

[Trent Lane]

We've had ours for about two and a half years, and it's been fantastic...

[James Harvey]

Not me. Got mine Christmas and I've been spending every penny on DVDs new and old.