[tomdkat]

Slow down... the Denon DVD players tend to have a good amount of video settings so you will need to "play around" with them. As for the "softness", have you performed a video calibration using Video Essentials or Avia? If not, do that first. That WILL NOT eliminate the softness but might adjust it some make the picture not as soft as it is now.

Also, keep in mind the various video modes can have different effects on the video so you will need to get an understanding of how those modes work, etc.

As for the SVCD support, can't help you there. When you get the Pioneer, take a SVCD WITH YOU to the store and try it out there BEFORE you buy it That way, you will know for sure.

I've seen Chromy's Denon DVD-2900 and the picture was not as "soft" as his HTPC's picture (at least not to me) and I thought it was vibrant and beautiful.

Peace...