2005-12-13 Update

Of the four DVD players found a while ago the following has so far been ascertained. All are pretty fancy and play many media typres, VCD, CD, mp3 CD etc etc. Further:

• The sony works if you hand spin up the DVD to get it started. I.e. motor can spin the DVD and everything works but only if you help it to start up. Tossing this one.
• The super shiny Daewoo works fine. Sent to a wine store to assist in the creation of wine buying ambiance through playing of classical music.
• The Phillips seemed not to work but now works fine after having its various moving mechanisms exercised by hand. Stored for when a user asks for it.
• The other chunkier Daewoo, not yet tested.