I am basically looking for features like:
plays just about every format imaginable: CDR, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, SDVD, MP3, VCD, bla bla.
i guess progressive scan is a good idea too, but i don't have any kind of kickass TV (hope to change that later in the year).
tricolor output, optical output, etc etc.
firmware upgradeable sounds like a good idea too

anyways, i can get a decent deal on a Philips DVD 724, which does the above, and is fairly basic otherwise.
I'm not looking for anything that is like a "reference player", but just wanted to know if there were and DVD-afficianados out there who had some suggestions on features i may not be considering before i pull the trigger.
THX INFO!