Best Layer Change Player? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

bagheera · 09-11-2000, 05:36 PM

I recently purchased a nice audio setup for my home theater and I'm waiting for delivery of my new HDTV, now I just need a better DVD player.

My biggest peeve, however, are layer changes. I currently have a Philips/Magnavox that I am very happy with other than the fact that it's layer changes are about .3 seconds long. Are there any players out there that have near-invisible if not invisible layer changes?

My reference on testing this has been Contact
(it's in the scene where she recieves the FAX, this layer change is pretty long on most players).

So to sum, I am looking for a sub-$1000 player (I already dropped 90% of my home theatre budget on audio and tv) with non-existent layer changes. Any options?

(if they don't exist, why not? It seems the technology would be similar to ESP which is widely available on CD players)

Taxi · 09-11-2000, 06:35 PM

I think the Sony's usually get pretty good marks for layer changes, however I don't own one so I can't say for sure.

I know that my Toshi 3107 does take a second or so to do the Contact layer switch, as it does for most switches. It is annoying.

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Taxi
DVDFile Administrator
taxi@dvdfile.com

Wesly Moore · 09-11-2000, 06:47 PM

I have a Toshiba 3108, and I have noticed that layer changes (when I can spot them, which I can't always do without really looking for them) vary in length from disc to disc. The one in Contact is noticeable, but not objectionable. The one in The Matrix (which is supposed to be a bear for a lot of players, even losing a snippet of dialogue on some) is negotiated flawlessly. The disc's authoring can help to minimize the layer change's noticeability if the change is carefully placed--the one in Deep Impact stands out like the proverbial sore thumb.

I was a big laserdisc fan, though, and the layer changes to me are far less annoying than LD side breaks.

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Wesly Moore
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weslymoore@aol.com

They mostly come at night. Mostly.

Dr. Evil · 09-11-2000, 07:10 PM

I've had several players, including a 3108, and the layer-change champ of them all is the Proscan. On every disc I tried it on, it was seamless.

FYI I saw a Sony demo'd with The Matrix at a boutique, and the layer change was quite apparent.

RD

clortho · 09-13-2000, 12:07 AM

I have a Sony c650-d player, and the layer changes are usually very short. I notice them, but if I'm watching a movie with the family, they never seem to notice it.

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

09-11-2000, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
bagheera Supporting Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Houston, TX, USA	Best Layer Change Player? I recently purchased a nice audio setup for my home theater and I'm waiting for delivery of my new HDTV, now I just need a better DVD player. My biggest peeve, however, are layer changes. I currently have a Philips/Magnavox that I am very happy with other than the fact that it's layer changes are about .3 seconds long. Are there any players out there that have near-invisible if not invisible layer changes? My reference on testing this has been Contact (it's in the scene where she recieves the FAX, this layer change is pretty long on most players). So to sum, I am looking for a sub-$1000 player (I already dropped 90% of my home theatre budget on audio and tv) with non-existent layer changes. Any options? (if they don't exist, why not? It seems the technology would be similar to ESP which is widely available on CD players)

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09-11-2000, 06:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Taxi Admin Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	I think the Sony's usually get pretty good marks for layer changes, however I don't own one so I can't say for sure. I know that my Toshi 3107 does take a second or so to do the Contact layer switch, as it does for most switches. It is annoying. ------------------ Taxi DVDFile Administrator taxi@dvdfile.com

09-11-2000, 06:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wesly Moore Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA	I have a Toshiba 3108, and I have noticed that layer changes (when I can spot them, which I can't always do without really looking for them) vary in length from disc to disc. The one in Contact is noticeable, but not objectionable. The one in The Matrix (which is supposed to be a bear for a lot of players, even losing a snippet of dialogue on some) is negotiated flawlessly. The disc's authoring can help to minimize the layer change's noticeability if the change is carefully placed--the one in Deep Impact stands out like the proverbial sore thumb. I was a big laserdisc fan, though, and the layer changes to me are far less annoying than LD side breaks. ------------------ Wesly Moore ------------------ weslymoore@aol.com They mostly come at night. Mostly.

09-11-2000, 07:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dr. Evil Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Microsoft country	I've had several players, including a 3108, and the layer-change champ of them all is the Proscan. On every disc I tried it on, it was seamless. FYI I saw a Sony demo'd with The Matrix at a boutique, and the layer change was quite apparent. RD

09-13-2000, 12:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
clortho Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hemet, Ca	I have a Sony c650-d player, and the layer changes are usually very short. I notice them, but if I'm watching a movie with the family, they never seem to notice it. Clortho ------------------ I am the Keymaster clortho@hotmail.com