Inexpensive newer dvd players can play pal, ntsc, avi files, windows media format, all sorts of things. Older players typically cannot. We bought a Phillips 436 for $49 or so, and we've found very little it cannot play.. plus it's bios can be updated, just like you flash your computer's bios or hardware! And it plays much better then my older uber expensive multi disk player.

Way too many people take way too many things way too seriously.