--- Forwarded Message from Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 14:50:34 -0600
>From: Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7971.1 A cheap (really cheap) region-free pal/ntsc conversion DVD
(!)
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References:  <[log in to unmask]>

Our experience with the Cyberhome CH-DVD300:

We bought three.  Two were bad.  We returned them to the (local) vendor, 
and got replacements.  One of the replacements was bad.  We replaced that 
one.  In the subsequent two years, the three units surviving this 
consumer-Darwinist selection process have performed well and without 
problems.  So, we had to go through six machines to get three good ones, 
but those have worked for us.  I have read several accounts of the machines 
dying after a few months, but we have been lucky in that regard.  All of 
our problem units failed at startup or within one day.

These machines are small and light, which allows teachers to carry them to 
a classroom, and plug them into the TV/VCR, which every classroom on our 
campus has (few classrooms have DVD players permanently mounted).

On the down side, there is no status display of any kind on this unit.  All 
information must be seen via the television screen.  This is useless, if 
you can't get an image on the screen.  The price is certainly low, but 
there are alternatives that offer more features for more money, and may be 
a better value (if portability doesn't matter).

In addition to the Cyberhome CH-DVD300, we recently bought three Daewoo 
DV-6T955B DVD/VCRs from Ed Dente's recommended vendor, 
<http://www.220-electronics.com/>.  These machines combine a region-free, 
"PAL playback on NTSC monitor" DVD player (just like the Cyberhome) with an 
NTSC-only VCR.  These units have the usual display, showing useful 
information like an hours, minutes, seconds counter, and status indications 
like play, fast forward, rewind, etc.

At $140 plus shipping, this is about four times the price of the Cyberhome. 
However, I think it is a more useful choice for us, in all cases where 
portability doesn't matter.  We use the three Cyberhome units when teachers 
need to carry to a DVD player to DVD-free classrooms.

Derek

> You also might want to check out reviewer comments on Amazon before
> buying.  Reviews are very mixed.  Many people seem to have had problems
> with length of life and other technical problems.  Some really like the
> unit.  Could be due to quality control issues?



Derek Roff
Language Learning Center
Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: [log in to unmask]