Philips DVP2880 HDMI All-Region DVD Player: features and what it plays

The Philips DVP2880/F7 is a compact DVD player that connects to a TV through HDMI. It is designed for people who still own a collection of discs and want a simple way to play them on a modern screen. It plays DVDs and CDs, upscales picture quality and can read files from a USB drive. Here is what it does and what it doesn't.

HDMI and 1080p upscaling

The player connects to a TV with an HDMI cable, and an HDMI cable and an RCA cable are included. DVDs are standard-definition discs, with a resolution of 480p. The player's upscaling converts that image to 1080p so it fills a high-definition TV. Upscaling does not add detail that isn't on the disc, but it can give a cleaner, smoother picture than a TV does when it scales a lower-resolution signal itself.

The older RCA connection is useful for TVs or stereo systems without HDMI. Philips lists the player as suitable for a smart TV, a home stereo system and an RV.

All-region playback

DVDs are encoded with region codes, so a disc bought in one part of the world may refuse to play on a player from another. Philips describes this player as all-region, covering zones 1 to 6. That makes it handy for imported discs. Check the zone printed on any disc in your collection, as the listing doesn't mention zone 0 or other copy-protection variations.

Supported discs and USB

The listing names these formats: DVD, CD, SVCD, VCD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and MP3. A USB Media Link lets you plug in a USB device and play movies, music and photos from it. The exact list of supported file types should be checked in the manual, since the listing doesn't state one.

One point is stated clearly: this is a standard DVD player and not a Blu-ray player, so it cannot play Blu-ray discs.

Picture and sound features

A Screen Fit button adjusts the picture so it fills the whole screen, which is useful when discs and TVs have different aspect ratios. Philips lists a 10-bit/108 MHz video DAC, a digital-to-analogue converter, which handles converting the disc's digital video into the signal sent to the TV. A built-in Dolby decoder handles Dolby audio, so you can enjoy surround-encoded soundtracks through compatible equipment. The listing also describes an AV output for older connections.

Remote and ease of use

A remote control is included. The player is small, at about 2.3 lb (about 1 kg), and the listing describes it as simple to set up, including for older users who just want to connect it and press play. The listing doesn't give exact dimensions.

Who it suits

It suits anyone with a DVD or CD library, a family with children's films on disc, or someone setting up a spare room, caravan or RV with a small TV. It also suits those who want a separate disc player because their newer TV or computer no longer has a disc drive.

What to check before you buy

• TV connection: make sure your TV has a free HDMI port, or that you have the RCA inputs to match.
• Disc types: remember it cannot play Blu-ray discs.
• Disc condition: scratched or dirty discs can skip, so clean them gently with a soft cloth.
• USB files: check the manual for which file types and drive sizes are supported.
• Power: check the supply type in the manual if you plan to use it in an RV.
• What's in the box: the HDMI and RCA cables are listed, so confirm the remote and batteries on arrival.

The short version

• A compact Philips DVD player with HDMI and 1080p upscaling.
• All-region playback for zones 1 to 6.
• Plays DVD, CD, VCD, SVCD and MP3 discs; USB Media Link for files.
• Screen Fit, a Dolby decoder, a remote and HDMI and RCA cables.
• Not a Blu-ray player.

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