Upgrading a problem-free player - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

jtorrance · 11-13-2001, 07:06 PM

After reading about glitches with Holy Grail and Heathers discs, both of which play fine in my Panasonic A-110, when I decide to buy a more advanced or feature laden player, what are the chances of these problems showing up? I know that perhaps I received error-free discs, but it seems like a viable question. Could it be player brands or firmware that cause these problems? My player is three years old and refused to play only one disc: OPERA. Any other problems have been with rentals or poorly packaged DVDs that have scratches.

Thanks for any info guys!

I almost posted this in Glitch, but it seems more appropriate here. Please move if necessary.

***1138*** · 11-13-2001, 07:32 PM

I think we're fine here.

As for your question, it's a godd one that I can't quite figure out. I have two Sony's, a DVP-S500D and a DVP-NS700P. The only problems I've ever encountered are the inability to fast forward and rewind Keeping the Faith on the 500, a playback problem with T2SE on the 500, and the Holy Grail subtitle problem on the 700. That's out of 250 odd discs. So, my impression would be that Sony players have very few problems.

But then I've seen things where people have more than a few problems with other Sony models. So maybe you can't just rely on brand.

Or maybe you can't rely on it for assured quality, but you can rely on it for assured lack of quality. Seems like Toshiba players tend to have a lot of incompatibilities.

So in the end, I'm not sure. But it des seem that with DVD, you do have to worry about more than just physical quality.

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1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

Templar · 11-13-2001, 07:51 PM

Not to make this into a Sony love-fest, but I had my DVP-530D for two years plus before I sold it, and I never had a single player related problem, there was a lot of BS about "lip-sync" problems and I noticed it happen once while watching Unforgiven.

Because my last player never failed to play a disk, when I recently bought my new HDTV, and I needed a progressive scan player, I chose a Sony, even though I could have gotten a JVC progressive player with MP3 playback ability for less. Not that JVC is a bad brand, it's just that I've never had a problem with Sony, and saw no reason to go out on a limb with another player.

***1138*** · 11-13-2001, 08:15 PM

I forgot to mention that I also have a Toshiba and it in fact has had multiple problems. I also have an Apex and it has had some issues while also being a realitvely low quality player.

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1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

ShaneMcFarland · 11-13-2001, 08:19 PM

All I know is, don't get the Sony 560D. I have taken that thing to the Sony Service Center (3) times for the exact same problem. I put a disk in, and it'll grind for 45 seconds then either say "Insert Disc!" or "C13!" (dirty disc). Of course, this happened with BRAND NEW DISCS. Now I usually have to beat the shit out of it, literally, to get it to play a movie.

I'm glad I'm buying a new Progressive Scanner soon... I'm going to beat the hell out of that POS Sony and leave it at the front door of the Sony Service Center. It's not like they can actually FIX their shitty products.

Sorry, had to rant.

***Wirehed*** · 11-13-2001, 08:47 PM

Pioneer players seem to be pretty good.

Marantz (although slightly more on the higher end) doesn't have many problems posted.

I have both a Pioneer 919 and a Marantz DV-18 and have had only one small problem out of close to 1000 discs.

In comparason sometimes I have problems watching a disc on my PS2.

***SeanL*** · 11-13-2001, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seamonkey:
Pioneer players seem to be pretty good.

I've not had ANY problems with my Pioneer DV-414....knock on wood.

------------------
Sean

My ever increasing DVD collection

I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country-General George S. Patton

Jellodyne · 11-14-2001, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ShaneMcFarland:
All I know is, don't get the Sony 560D. I have taken that thing to the Sony Service Center (3) times for the exact same problem. I put a disk in, and it'll grind for 45 seconds then either say "Insert Disc!" or "C13!"

That's not representative of my experiences with the 560D. In fact, I only had to take it to the Sony Service Center once for the C13 errors.

If you get those you've got a physical problem with your laser or optical pickup. Make sure they replace that assembly and you should be fine. Firmware ain't going to fix it.

- Jellodyne

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Where my money went

***chlngr1970*** · 11-14-2001, 04:52 PM

my Pioneer DVL 919 hasn't given me any problems out of the 250 some odd DVD's I have played in it. I second the Pioneer label...

j

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Co-Moderator
Software Forum
Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid, with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

tomdkat · 11-14-2001, 06:51 PM

I own TWO Pioneer players, the DVL-919 and the portable PDV-LC10. The PDV-LC10 AND the DVL-919 have BOTH stopped on the Simpsons DVD:
http://www.dvdfile.com/interactive/f...ML/000265.html

just like a few other players. Other than that, the DVL-919 has a problem with ONE copy of Galaxy Quest and the PDV-LC10 plays that one ok. I've run about 400 DVDs (counting titles I own, rented from Netflix and rented from Blockbuster) through the DVL-919 and the problems above have been the ONLY consistent problems I've had.

One thing about the DVL-919, at least, is it seems to be sensitive to "dirty" DVDs. So, if I watch a movie and it pixelates or something, that usually means there is dust or something on the disc. After I wipe it clean, it plays without problems.

I've given the Pioneer DV-333 as gifts to people and they have NOT had any problems with that unit. The ONLY problem I've heard related to the DV-333 has been this:
http://www.dvdfile.com/interactive/f...ML/001249.html

that and the Simpsons problem referenced above.

I've also given the Toshiba SD-1200 and the SD-2170 as gifts. BOTH of those players ahve performed well and have been glitch and problem free.

So, I recommend the Pioneer and Toshiba players (at least the entry level ones) as good, basic players that will perform well and be problem-free......

Peace....

***1138*** · 11-14-2001, 07:37 PM

So like I said, somebody has had problems with every major brand, making it tougher to figure out.

------------------
1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

jtorrance · 11-14-2001, 08:28 PM

Thanks for all the info, guys. I have been leaning towards a Pioneer unit myself. My main CD player is an old magazine-type Pioneer PDM-530 I've had for eleven years. That old rustbucket just won't quit. I love it!

Also, to reference Tom's links above, my Panasonic A-110 also plays The Simpsons and The Beyond perfectly. The Beyond wouldn't boot up my buddy's Proscan.

I'm betting a Pioneer or Sony would be my tonic probably around next summer. I'm also looking for a unit that can seamlessly handle the layer change. All things being equal, after ten years of LD's, that layer switch is small potatoes.

Tomdkat, what are the specs on your DVL-919 and the 333?

tomdkat · 11-14-2001, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jtorrance:
Tomdkat, what are the specs on your DVL-919 and the 333?

Pioneer DVL-919: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...22,275,00.html

Pioneer DV-343 (replacement for the discontinued DV-333): http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...22,602,00.html

Pioneer DV-333: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...22,112,00.html

I've been very happy with my Pioneer products...

Peace.....

11-13-2001, 07:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
jtorrance Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Refugee from the planet Alderaan.	Upgrading a problem-free player After reading about glitches with Holy Grail and Heathers discs, both of which play fine in my Panasonic A-110, when I decide to buy a more advanced or feature laden player, what are the chances of these problems showing up? I know that perhaps I received error-free discs, but it seems like a viable question. Could it be player brands or firmware that cause these problems? My player is three years old and refused to play only one disc: OPERA. Any other problems have been with rentals or poorly packaged DVDs that have scratches. Thanks for any info guys! I almost posted this in Glitch, but it seems more appropriate here. Please move if necessary.

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11-13-2001, 07:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	I think we're fine here. As for your question, it's a godd one that I can't quite figure out. I have two Sony's, a DVP-S500D and a DVP-NS700P. The only problems I've ever encountered are the inability to fast forward and rewind Keeping the Faith on the 500, a playback problem with T2SE on the 500, and the Holy Grail subtitle problem on the 700. That's out of 250 odd discs. So, my impression would be that Sony players have very few problems. But then I've seen things where people have more than a few problems with other Sony models. So maybe you can't just rely on brand. Or maybe you can't rely on it for assured quality, but you can rely on it for assured lack of quality. Seems like Toshiba players tend to have a lot of incompatibilities. So in the end, I'm not sure. But it des seem that with DVD, you do have to worry about more than just physical quality. ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

11-13-2001, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Templar Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bumblefark, PA	Not to make this into a Sony love-fest, but I had my DVP-530D for two years plus before I sold it, and I never had a single player related problem, there was a lot of BS about "lip-sync" problems and I noticed it happen once while watching Unforgiven. Because my last player never failed to play a disk, when I recently bought my new HDTV, and I needed a progressive scan player, I chose a Sony, even though I could have gotten a JVC progressive player with MP3 playback ability for less. Not that JVC is a bad brand, it's just that I've never had a problem with Sony, and saw no reason to go out on a limb with another player.

11-13-2001, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	I forgot to mention that I also have a Toshiba and it in fact has had multiple problems. I also have an Apex and it has had some issues while also being a realitvely low quality player. ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

11-13-2001, 08:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
ShaneMcFarland Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	All I know is, don't get the Sony 560D. I have taken that thing to the Sony Service Center (3) times for the exact same problem. I put a disk in, and it'll grind for 45 seconds then either say "Insert Disc!" or "C13!" (dirty disc). Of course, this happened with BRAND NEW DISCS. Now I usually have to beat the shit out of it, literally, to get it to play a movie. I'm glad I'm buying a new Progressive Scanner soon... I'm going to beat the hell out of that POS Sony and leave it at the front door of the Sony Service Center. It's not like they can actually FIX their shitty products. Sorry, had to rant.

11-13-2001, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	Pioneer players seem to be pretty good. Marantz (although slightly more on the higher end) doesn't have many problems posted. I have both a Pioneer 919 and a Marantz DV-18 and have had only one small problem out of close to 1000 discs. In comparason sometimes I have problems watching a disc on my PS2.

11-14-2001, 04:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	my Pioneer DVL 919 hasn't given me any problems out of the 250 some odd DVD's I have played in it. I second the Pioneer label... j ------------------ Co-Moderator Software Forum Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid, with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

11-14-2001, 06:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	I own TWO Pioneer players, the DVL-919 and the portable PDV-LC10. The PDV-LC10 AND the DVL-919 have BOTH stopped on the Simpsons DVD: http://www.dvdfile.com/interactive/f...ML/000265.html just like a few other players. Other than that, the DVL-919 has a problem with ONE copy of Galaxy Quest and the PDV-LC10 plays that one ok. I've run about 400 DVDs (counting titles I own, rented from Netflix and rented from Blockbuster) through the DVL-919 and the problems above have been the ONLY consistent problems I've had. One thing about the DVL-919, at least, is it seems to be sensitive to "dirty" DVDs. So, if I watch a movie and it pixelates or something, that usually means there is dust or something on the disc. After I wipe it clean, it plays without problems. I've given the Pioneer DV-333 as gifts to people and they have NOT had any problems with that unit. The ONLY problem I've heard related to the DV-333 has been this: http://www.dvdfile.com/interactive/f...ML/001249.html that and the Simpsons problem referenced above. I've also given the Toshiba SD-1200 and the SD-2170 as gifts. BOTH of those players ahve performed well and have been glitch and problem free. So, I recommend the Pioneer and Toshiba players (at least the entry level ones) as good, basic players that will perform well and be problem-free...... Peace....

11-14-2001, 07:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	So like I said, somebody has had problems with every major brand, making it tougher to figure out. ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.

11-14-2001, 08:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
jtorrance Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Refugee from the planet Alderaan.	Thanks for all the info, guys. I have been leaning towards a Pioneer unit myself. My main CD player is an old magazine-type Pioneer PDM-530 I've had for eleven years. That old rustbucket just won't quit. I love it! Also, to reference Tom's links above, my Panasonic A-110 also plays The Simpsons and The Beyond perfectly. The Beyond wouldn't boot up my buddy's Proscan. I'm betting a Pioneer or Sony would be my tonic probably around next summer. I'm also looking for a unit that can seamlessly handle the layer change. All things being equal, after ten years of LD's, that layer switch is small potatoes. Tomdkat, what are the specs on your DVL-919 and the 333?