I have a Toshiba that plays avi files and it has stopped working so i went to bestbuy and looked to see if they had anymore. Well I am not sure exactly if the ones I looked at do. Most say DVIX on them. Here is the ones i looked at with links Philips - DVD Player with HD Upconversion Model: DVP5990/37 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...01844&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1199495403415 Insignia® - DVD Player with HD Upconversion Model: NS-UPDVD http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...37898&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1194054059178 Toshiba - DVD Player Model: SD-6100 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...08605&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1199496320531 Toshiba - Progressive-Scan DVD Player Model: SD-4100 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...72251&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1199494949271 Sony - DVD Player with MP3 and JPEG Playback Model: DVP-NS57P/B http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...40851&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1168044400512
its a bit hit or miss but.... most players that say divx will play xvid, 3ivx and h.264/avc as well - these are all mpeg4 video codecs. most .avi files these days are encoded in an mpeg4 codec such as those listed above. to summerise, most players that say 'divx' will play most types of .avi file.... i unfortunately bought a cheap one off play.com - and i indeed got what i paid for.... lol
I can say for certain that the Toshiba SD6100 plays avi files. I have one and bought it for just that reason. Don't know where you are but I did see one listed online for $58 (US) with free shipping and no tax. It does the upconvert thing if you have a HDMI cable. I have not tried the upconvert as I do not have an HD tv. Different AVI files may use several different encoders. You might find some that may not play. I would look into divx conversion software in that case. Converting the avi to divx should work if needed. I have not run into the need for this myself. I found the divx people were giving away full version software several months ago. Maybe they still are or will again in the future. Look here: http://www.divx.com/
Do note that Philips makes the cheapest, flimsiest players out there with nearly useless toy remotes. There are also very few picture adjustments to be had.