Hi Andysher,
For another £40 then you can have SC-HT500 which over the M1 has a bit more powerful amp, dvd-r, dvd-audio, nicer and very slim machine, but still no DPLII and it can't play jpegs.
link
http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/50-panasonic-sc-ht500-multi-region-dvd-player.html
But even better is the SC-HT310 cost £367, you get DPLII, can play jpegs, dvd-r, slightly more power, sub level control.
link
http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/50-panasonic-sc-dt310-multi-region-dvd-player.html
Just also want to mentioned if you were spending more, £430, then you can get the fabulous SC-HT900. Has 4 wonderful aluminum lookalike free standing slim speakers, which can also be wall mounted, 5-dvd changer, dvd-a, ntsc prog-scan component input, sub level control, DPLII, jpegs
link
http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/50-panasonic-sc-ht900-multi-region-dvd-player.html
Panasonic is probably the best all-in-one brand at the moment in the budget up to £500 level.
However, there are other brands out there for really good prices with happy member-owners here. Also don't trust the av mags reviews too much, as you will notice a difference of opinions between mags and members here. E.g. Pioneer's new 313 got a lukewarm review from what-hifi but many here are very happy indeed, and the previous 303 was very successful.
Pioneer dcs-313 cost only £260 (promo price) and it has not so nice speakers design, but has DPLII, scart, s-video, , sub level control, can play dvd-r, dvd-rw, jpegs and the rest of features are lik M1.
link
http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/50-pioneer-dcs-313-multi-region-dvd-player.html
JVC is coming strong and the TH-A35R £260 and has jpegs, dvd-r, mult brand tv remote, scart, DPLII.
link
http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/50-jvc-th-a35r-multi-region-dvd-player.html
Again all of the prices and products include multi-region and delivery. Common features are e.g. MP3 ability, scart and 10bit/54Mhz DA Video Converter.
Happy hunting and btw techtronics are at the moment quite a bit cheaper than other online retailers but there are members her that hasn't got very good service or faultfree products, but there are also members that are happy with the product and service.
You can find opinions if you search on techtronics. Also more opinions at
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk on the retailers section.
Wasabi,