VF Reader Tips

Buying a DVD player:

• Recommended models: read about specific models that have been recommended by VF readers and which ones didn't live up to expectations.
• Getting the best price: Though prices are often better online, many consumers prefer to buy a DVD player at a traditional bricks-and-mortar retailer to whom they can easily return the player if there are problems. Some VF readers have found that retail merchants such as Sears will match an internet price if you bring in a printed copy of an incomplete vendor "checkout page" for the same model showing price, model number and shipping costs.
• Connectors and Cables: Most TVs can be connected to a DVD player using just the cables that come in the box with the player. If you are unsure of whether you need any additional cables or connectors to attach your DVD player to your TV, especially if you intend to connect both a VCR and DVD player to the same set, take a Polaroid or a digital photo of the back of your television and VCR and bring them with you to the store or to Radio Shack. If you have an older TV, you may need to purchase an RF modulator (approx. $20-25) to be able to hook up your DVD player. Read more about connections in ConsumerReview's DVD buyer's guide.
• Optional S-Video cable: This cable supposedly improves picture quality, but our readers have tried it with mixed results. Some have not noticed enough of a difference to merit paying $30 or so for this cable, but others did.
• Optional Digital audio cable: If your home entertainment system has surround sound, one VF reader reports that a digital audio cable between the DVD and the surround sound does improve sound quality over the standard stereo cables.
• Return Policies: Make sure you are familiar with a store's or online vendor's return policy. If there are problems with your player, or if it doesn't program the way you want it to, you'll want to be able to return or exchange it.
• International VFers take note! Just as there are two types of VHS - NTSC in U.S. and PAL in Europe - There are several types of DVD encoding. Make sure that any DVD player that you get can play American DVDs (region 1 encoding). Read and article about DVD encoding here.

Using a DVD player for your workouts:

• Cheat sheets of what titles and chapters are on the DVDs you're programming save a lot of time. Sometimes the listing on the DVD is incorrect. You can sometimes get these "cheat sheets" or chapter breakdowns from the instructor's Web site. There are dozens of them available in our Reader Forum. See the DVD chaptering index.
• Write out or type up your favorite combinations with their chapter numbers so you'll remember them next time. Many programmable DVD players erase the program when they are shut off, or will only hold one program at a time.
• If you don't have the DVD seated correctly in the holder, the DVD player won't be able to read it.
• Some DVD players have a CD only mode. You need to make sure this is off before you try to play your DVD.

Do you have additional tips to share? Email them to wendy@videofitness.com.

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