Page 1 of Mico, Wharfedale, LG, or something completely different?

Well my Yelo is definitely going back. So which machine do I play Russian Roulette with next? My short list comprises:

Wharfedale 750s (tried and tested?)
Mico A-980 (asking for trouble?)
LG 3200 (best picture?)
LG 3350 (best picture? + mp3 + decoder)

I want a player that;

1. Has excellent AV performance
2. Is / can be multi-region (automatic and manual)
3. Has RGB output
4. Plays R1 discs as regular PAL
5. Has digital audio out (not bothered about an integrated decoder)
6. Costs less than £250

Please let me know your mind on any of these machines, or any other players that meet the above requirements. I am not particularly bothered about CD-R / VCD / MP3 etc. I just want great AV (macrovision defeat would be nice though :-)

LG, or Goldstar as was (come on you MUST have an elderly relative with a Goldstar `wireless`...) don`t make their macines multi-region and I think hacks are like cheap petrol...rare (sorry to spell out the gag).

The Wharfey 750 was hackable, had DTS/DD out (no decoder) and generally was well received.
I know nowt about the Mico but I think I`ve seen question marks about it in this forum.
Your best bet would be fork out a few dollars more to get a Hitachi 505 at £299 (see any messages from The Iron Duke) He would laugh if I told you the Encore DV450 has virtually all of your requirements (bar the Macro) and it sounds great coupled with a Yammy DSPA5. But then I`m just biased...
Failing that post a note to Wharfey 750s owners and ask them for their opinions...

Incidentally the Alba 103 has had good reviews and is cheap at Toys R Us/Argos...

Both of the LGs can be bought with Multi-Region mods within my price range. The Hitachi 505 is a bit too pricey for me and I think it only has auto region select (manual select could turn out to be very useful in the near future). I have read a couple of glowing reviews for the Hitachi, but equally I have also read a couple of very average reviews (and why is Ironduke ditching his player so soon if it rocks like a such hard grey thing?).

How is the Encore for smooth playback and picture quality? Total DVD only gave it 2/5 for performance and 58% overall. But then What DVD gave it five stars and `Best in Test`.

The Alba has also had some very poor reviews too, saying that the picture quality is s***e. Almost as bad in fact as my Yelo!

I hope (hope) It`ll arrive on Thursay, although I see www.unbeatable.co.uk state their delivery is usually within 14 days of the order date!!!!
I`ll let you know as soon as I get it if its any good.
DONT ORDER ANYTHING TILL THEN.

Mico Rocks? Maybe. Anyway its cheap.
Hitachi 505 is for the rich and pretentious.
Wharfedale - s*** thats an oldun & dont do MP3.

> Wharfedale - s*** thats an oldun & dont do MP3

It`s been updated slightly and so it does now. Plus you get it on 28 days approval with Tesco.

I would be very interesting in hearing about you Mico. Although it is very hard to resist the temptation to buy something/anything now.

(and why is Ironduke ditching his player so soon if it rocks like a such hard grey thing?).

Because I want the top of the range Hitachi model!!!!!!!!!!!

Sad I know but if it improves on the 505 the it must Rock 2x:P

Although as I stated if the company doesnt give me a reasonable part exchange I will gladly stick with my 505 for a long time to come!

HITACHI 505 ROCKS!

Carrot!!!!!!!!!!!!

The warfdale(S) does do MP3!

HITACHI 505 ROCKS!

wharfedale kicks ass carrot!!!

better than a flakey yelo....

Anyone got the full specs. Tescos certainly havent.

Try this out first time buyers:
http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums/thread.asp?Forum=211&Thread=5310

Carrot

"wharfedale kicks ass carrot!!!"

Yes but can it play DVD`s:P

HITACHI 505 ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!