Yamada DVX-6100 MPEG4 Multi-region DVD Player

Satisfyingly slim and equipped with a well laid out remote control, first impressions are certainly very good and you'll probably feel comfortable using the machine without needing to resort to the manual. This is good news as the supplied instructions, while adequate, don't exactly go overboard in providing you with information.

DVD playback is gratifyingly sharp and crisp. The DVX-6100 copes exceedingly well, even with darker scenes that can sometimes prove a stumbling block for poorly designed DVD decoders. Blacks are satisfyingly deep, underscored by a full range of greys with no visible interference.

DVD sound is good, although you may experience some initial problems if the SCART connection to your TV doesn't include audio from the centre (speech) channel of the surround sound image. This, however, can be easily fixed using the audio setup to provide a mixed stereo output.

One of the great advantages of the DVX-6100 is its ability to play back MPEG-4 and XviD material. MPEG4 and XviD format material is becoming increasingly common on the Web due to its ability to store high-quality video in very small files. Both are therefore perfect for storing and sharing lengthy material such as home videos on CD.

Using the DVX-6100 to listen to MP3 files and view JPEG images is a piece of cake. The interface for finding files on a CD-ROM is simple and easy-to-use, although the requirement to stop listening to one MP3 before being able to navigate to another stored elsewhere on the CD does slightly spoil the experience.

Overall the DVX-6100 is a capable DVD-player that'll give you a good array of extra facilities without breaking the bank. The ability to watch MPEG-4 and XviD movies without being stuck in front of your computer is a real bonus and if you're happy to live with a few flaws you'll be very satisfied indeed with the machine. In addition, if you have a CD-burner you'll be able to take advantage of firmware updates, available via the company's website, and keep the machine up-to-date with future developments. --Adi Himpson

For this high data volume the DVX-6100 features a Chip set for very high 2000Kbit/sec data transfer rate.

With the built-in AC3-Decoder with 5.1 channel output you can plug in a surround sound system and get the perfect home cinema in your living room.

Of course the DVX-6100 also offers all prevalent functions like parental control, different camera angles, different menu languages, slow motion, programming and repeat. The user friendly on screen menu is assessable with the remote control. The DVX-6100 offers S-Video, composite, Scart and coaxial digital output.