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Originally posted by snipsnapsappy
Tom says he thinks the Panasonic with the Faroudja is not that much better than his Pioneer player.
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This is basically accurate. I've got a Panasonic DVD-XP30 and a Pioneer DV-656a right now and both are connected to my Toshiba 57HX81. I DO give the video performance edge to the Panasonic as it DOES produce a sharper and clearer picture. However, I didn't find the picture quality to be absolutely "night and day" different. I conducted an "an hoc" test where I used my dad as a guinea pig. I put on the chapter of Star Wars Episode II when Senator Palpatine is talking with Yoda and Mace Windu and others in that room with the red walls. I played that scene on the XP30 and on the DV-656a. My dad could not tell the difference between the two. He was sitting about 12' - 13' away from the screen (my normal viewing distance).
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I am guessing that the 45A and the 47A have better picture than his model, or am I wrong?
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I'm not really sure if the DV-656a and the DV-45a have the "exact" same video performance or not. The DV-47ai scored MUCH BETTER than the DV-45a in the last Secrets shootout.
The Denon DVD-1600 is based on the Panasonic DVD-RP82, with some tweaks here and there. The XP30 does NOT have the chroma upsampling error (nor does the Denon DVD-1600) and I think I'm able to see it in Fifth Element in one scene, but I was actually doing video comparisons and looking for the error.
If video quality is of the utmost importance to you, try the Denon DVD-1600 for $250. That's a great price and if you get at a place with a good return policy, that's even better.
One other option is to wait 2 or 3 months and see what players hit the streets this Summer. There might be a new player that will suit your needs better than current offerings.
Even though
I thought my Pioneer DV-656a's video performance was just about on par with the Panasonic XP-30's, that's not to say someone else might notice MORE of a picture quality difference.
If you get these players from a place with a good return policy, conduct your own video comparison and keep the player(s) that suit you the best.
Good luck!
Peace...