DVD Player recommendations: Discuss DVD player recommendations here - Page 4

***chlngr1970*** · 11-08-2003, 04:31 PM

Depending on Budget, and requirements, I wholehartedly recomend the Pioneer DV563A-S for 180 if you want SACD/DVD-A. If not, I am, as we speak, using a Pioneer DV 260 purchased from Wal Mart for about $80 US, and am Quite happy with it's performance

J

brttlt · 11-08-2003, 08:51 PM

Best DVD player to buy, with bells and whistles (progressive, DTS, CD-R...) for $175 - $200.
Which one do i buy and where have people seen the best prices?
Thanks

tomdkat · 11-08-2003, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

brttlt, what model of Panasonic TV did you get? Does it have DVI inputs?

Without knowing if you want DVI support, we can't recommend any players that support DVI.

I'm not sure if any really exist in the $200 price range, outside of maybe the Bravo D-1.

For $175 - $200, there's the Pioneer DV-563a which supports DVD-Video/DVD-Audio/SACD, many CD formats and DVD recordable formats, as chlngr1970 recommends. This has been a very popular player since it supports DVD-Audio/SACD for under $200.

If you don't want/need DVD-Audio or SACD, see if you can find a Panasonic DVD-XP30 or DVD-RP82 (which does support DVD-Audio). They've been discontinued but you might be able to find one online. They are _great_ players.

The Toshiba SD-4900 (which also supports DVD-Audio) might be worth checking out as well as the Toshiba SD-3950.

All of the above players will support Dolby Digital and dts and will all have coax and optical (toslink) audio outputs as well as component video outputs, etc.

Do you want any special features like "Zoom" or WMA (Windows Media Audio) or MP3 support? JPEG picture viewer?

EDIT: You can ignore the MSRPs on the above product pages as the street prices are much lower than the MSRP. So, in the case of the Toshiba SD-3950, the MSRP is $129 which means you can probably find it for under $100.

Peace...

brttlt · 11-09-2003, 05:57 AM

pk, I'm going to play dumb. What's the difference between DVI and the "component cables" Which is better? I'm more concerned about my movie viewing via DVD, not what comes over cable or Satelite!

tomdkat · 11-09-2003, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brttlt

pk, I'm going to play dumb. What's the difference between DVI and the "component cables" Which is better?

DVI is a Digital Video Interface which provides for a digital video connection between the DVD player and the display (HDTV, front projector, Plasma TV, etc). component video is an analog video connection which requires a "digital to analog" conversion before the image is displayed. If your Panasonic HDTV has a DVI input, you could get one of the progressive scan DVD players with a DVI output and enjoy DVDs upconverted to 720p or 1080i over the DVI connection. Some DVD players will also output these resolutions over component video connections but only a couple will do this (the LiteOn and the Momitsu will).

The main point here is, if we have a better understanding of which TV you will be connecting the player to and what features you want in your DVD player, we can make a better recommendation. If you read through this thread (even though its long) you can see how having this kind of info can impact our ability to make "accurate" or "pertinent" DVD player recommendations.

Peace...

brttlt · 11-09-2003, 04:11 PM

TomdKat:The TV I just bought is a Panasonic, 50" HDTV Widescreen with DLP,it's model # PT-50LC13.

On the DVD I would like the best possible picture, so do I go with "DVI".
I just bought the "component cables" but have yet to buy the DVD player.

tomdkat · 11-09-2003, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brttlt

TomdKat:The TV I just bought is a Panasonic, 50" HDTV Widescreen with DLP,it's model # PT-50LC13.

Thanks for posting this info. This TV is a LCD display which means I think you would benefit from a DVI connection much more than those with CRT-based Rear-Projection TVs. Can someone confirm this for me?

Quote:

On the DVD I would like the best possible picture, so do I go with "DVI".

I'm not a LCD expert but I'm inclined to answer "yes" to this question. Can you "bump" your DVD player budget up some so you can scope out DVD players with DVI outputs? The Samsung HD931 might be a DVD player worth checking out, along with the Bravo D-1, or Momitsu V880. All of those players are within the $300 price range and upconvert current DVD resolution to 720p or 1080i and have DVI outputs. If you can have a 100% pure digital connection between the DVD player and display, I would definitely recommend going that route.

Peace...

brttlt · 11-09-2003, 10:12 PM

anybody know anything about the following DVD players:
Denon DVD-900
or
Sony DVPNC665P

I've heard some good stuff about Denon and that 900 is running at $235 right now!

tomdkat · 11-09-2003, 11:26 PM

Denon DVD players tend to be very good, but I haven't heard much about the DVD-900. Given the price range you've indicated previously, you might want to shop around a bit more and refine your requirements (like do you want a DVI connection or not or do you want DVD-Audio or SACD support or not). Shopping by price can work but you might get a great deal on a player you might not really want.

Peace...

Filmfreakazoid · 11-10-2003, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Because we would want to know if a display supporting HDCP would be required to utilize the upconverted video output via DVI.

Peace...

Hello all, I've been on this board for a while, but I've rarely posted here. I have a question for tomdkat or anyone else regarding a few players...

I had a Panasonic RP56 that recently stop working on me, I have since bought the Panasonic S35. I don't know if the S35 is holding up with good picture quality (I could be wrong). I've been looking at the Samsung HD931, I will not be using the DVI input because I have a Hitachi 43 inch without DVI. So my question is...how does the Samsung hold up "picture" quality without the up converting, and is the Panasonic S35 a better player than the Samsung HD931?

tomdkat · 11-10-2003, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filmfreakazoid

I had a Panasonic RP56 that recently stop working on me, I have since bought the Panasonic S35. I don't know if the S35 is holding up with good picture quality (I could be wrong).

I've heard comments that the video performance of the Panasonic S35 and S55 (I think that's the model) isn't as good as the RP56, RP82 or XP30 since those players use Faroudja de-interlacers where the new "S-line" of Panasonics do not. I'm not sure what difference (if any) in video picture quality you've seen with the S35 vs the RP56. However, I've read a lot of negative comments about the S35. I've also read TONS of negative comments about Pioneer players that I love to death, but I don't let that stop me from buying Pioneer gear.

Quote:

I've been looking at the Samsung HD931, I will not be using the DVI input because I have a Hitachi 43 inch without DVI. So my question is...how does the Samsung hold up "picture" quality without the up converting, and is the Panasonic S35 a better player than the Samsung HD931?

Good question. I'm not sure how good the component video output is from this player. The Samsung HD931 is another one of the upscaling DVI supporting DVD players people bought for 720p or 1080i upscaled video output over a DVI connection. Taxi owns this player so he might be able to comment on the component video output of this player. If your TV doesn't have a DVI input, you might be better off going with a progressive scan DVD player with other features, like DVD-Audio or SACD support. The Samsung won't output 720p or 1080i over component video connections, but it might be hacked to allow this. By default, the Samsung outputs 720p and 1080i over DVI *and* with HDCP encryption, I think.

Why are you interested in the Samsung HD931 if you don't have DVI support in your display? Does the player have other features you're interested in?

Peace...

Filmfreakazoid · 11-10-2003, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

I've heard comments that the video performance of the Panasonic S35 and S55 (I think that's the model) isn't as good as the RP56, RP82 or XP30 since those players use Faroudja de-interlacers where the new "S-line" of Panasonics do not. I'm not sure what difference (if any) in video picture quality you've seen with the S35 vs the RP56. However, I've read a lot of negative comments about the S35. I've also read TONS of negative comments about Pioneer players that I love to death, but I don't let that stop me from buying Pioneer gear.

Good question. I'm not sure how good the component video output is from this player. The Samsung HD931 is another one of the upscaling DVI supporting DVD players people bought for 720p or 1080i upscaled video output over a DVI connection. Taxi owns this player so he might be able to comment on the component video output of this player. If your TV doesn't have a DVI input, you might be better off going with a progressive scan DVD player with other features, like DVD-Audio or SACD support. The Samsung won't output 720p or 1080i over component video connections, but it might be hacked to allow this. By default, the Samsung outputs 720p and 1080i over DVI *and* with HDCP encryption, I think.

Why are you interested in the Samsnug HD931 if you don't have DVI support in your display? Does the player have other features you're interested in?

Peace...

I was attracted to the Faroudja chip that's used in the Panasonic RP56, XP30 and I believe the Denon 1600.

Edit: I'm not sure the Faroudja technology is used for the DVI output only (does that make sense?)

Filmfreakazoid · 11-10-2003, 10:56 PM

Also...I'm using the Hitachi 43FWX20B widescreen T.V., it will convert to 1080i, but not 720p.

tomdkat · 11-10-2003, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filmfreakazoid

I was attracted to the Faroudja chip that's used in the Panasonic RP56, XP30 and I believe the Denon 1600.

Ah, gotcha....

Quote:

Edit: I'm not sure the Faroudja technology is used for the DVI output only (does that make sense?)

chipmac also mentioned this in this thread:

Why does one need a progressive scan player?

It doesn't make sense to me but I guess that's what the player does.

Maybe you can find a XP30 or Denon DVD-1600 on eBay for a good price or maybe pickup a refurb unit.

Peace...

tomdkat · 11-11-2003, 02:43 AM

So, it looks like brttlt is leaning toward the Pioneer DV-563a:

Please Bottom Line it For Me

I think this will "mate well" with his Panasonic LCD TV... Be sure to let us know how it works out for you!

Peace...

tomdkat · 11-11-2003, 11:26 PM

Here is a review at AVS Forum of the Samsung HD931:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=320481

The review is written by someone who owns this unit. Additionally, I found these threads:

Denon DVD-5900 vs Bravo D1:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=323276

Bravo D1 "vs" Samsung HD931:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=324326

Peace...

tomdkat · 11-11-2003, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

chipmac also mentioned this in this thread:

Why does one need a progressive scan player?

It doesn't make sense to me but I guess that's what the player does.

Well, I just found this thread on AVS Forum that counters the assertion that the Faroudja de-interlacing is NOT used with the component video output.

Quote:

Originally Posted by czarcone @ AVS Forum

And no, DCDi is NOT DISABLED when viewing component 480p. This is another erroneous assertion that I have seen in negative 931 reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Remember that with this player, DVI output and component 480p output are mutually exclusive - if one is turned on, the other will be turned off. So your simultaneous output options are:

- DVI (480p or 720p or 1080i) & component interlaced & S-video & composite. (DCDi is disabled for component/S/composite but since those outputs are interlaced, it's not needed there anyway).
- Component 480p. That's it - all other outputs are disabled. This makes sense because S-video and composite do not support progressive signals. As for why DVI is disabled, you'd have to ask Samsung.

Now I'm TOTALLY confused....

Peace....

11-24-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

So, it looks like brttlt is leaning toward the Pioneer DV-563a:

Please Bottom Line it For Me

I think this will "mate well" with his Panasonic LCD TV... Be sure to let us know how it works out for you!

Peace...

I was looking at this this morning because I'm probably going to replace my current player. So far it looks really good. I checked Audioreview and most everyone there says it looks and sounds great. And since it is coming recommended here as well, I think I might just grab one.

tomdkat · 11-24-2003, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bune duggy

And since it is coming recommended here as well, I think I might just grab one.

Considering the < $200 price point, it's at least worth trying out.

What player are you replacing?

Peace...

11-24-2003, 10:38 PM

a Toshiba 5700. It is a really good player and I've been really happy with all of my Toshiba's. I couldn't recommend the brand highly enough. it's just that this problem, coupled with the lack of SACD support means I'm going to have to go elsewhere.

wrathix · 11-26-2003, 03:54 PM

Put this is the wrong spot...fixing it now....

Hello all,
I just got a new Sony WEGA TV, Model number: KV-34HS510, with all the new bells and whistles DVI in, and Component in. My old TV had none of this, so my old dvd player the Panasonic DVD-RV30 worked just fine through the RCA's. I'm looking to upgrade the DVD player to a prgressive scan, or DVI model. I'd also like to spend under 200. ANy recomendations? Thanks

tomdkat · 11-26-2003, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathix

Hello all,
I just got a new Sony WEGA TV, Model number: KV-34HS510, with all the new bells and whistles DVI in, and Component in. My old TV had none of this, so my old dvd player the Panasonic DVD-RV30 worked just fine through the RCA's. I'm looking to upgrade the DVD player to a prgressive scan, or DVI model. I'd also like to spend under 200. Any recomendations? Thanks

Thanks for the info on the TV.

If you read through this thread, the discussion of the Samsung HD931 (if any), the Bravo D-1, or the Momitsu V880 would be of interest to you. All three of these players are in the $200 - $300 price range, all have DVI outputs, all are progressive scan DVD players, all upconvert current 480i DVDs to 720p or 1080i.

Here is a Samsung HD931 vs Bravo D-1 "shootout".

Here is another thread which compares the above named and the LiteON DVI capable progressive scan DVD player as well.

I think the Bravo D-1 is closer to your price range than the Samsung or the Momitsu, but I could be mistaken about the cost of the latter named players.

EDIT: Here's a tip for you. Go to the first page of this thread and use the "search this thread" feature to find "Samsung" or "Bravo" and you can see all of the posts discussing these players.

Good luck!

Peace...

wrathix · 11-26-2003, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the help, I did read through everything, though God knows how frequently technologies change and reviews are made obsolete.

Thanks again.

tomdkat · 11-26-2003, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathix

Thanks for the help, I did read through everything, though God knows how frequently technologies change and reviews are made obsolete.

Yeah, that's a very good point to raise. As soon as you purchase a player, it will almost become obsolete the next day.

Still, you don't _have_ to stick with the 'latest' technology unless it offers something you want. So, if you go with any of the DVI players I've named, you should be in good shape until something "new" comes out, like HD-DVD, and then you can re-assess at that time.

Good luck!

Peace...

halfkorean · 11-26-2003, 06:53 PM

anyone heard anything (good/bad) about this player? i think it's been out a while, but i couldn't find anything about it on these forums..
it's 7-disc progressive scan..
i'm looking for a cheap, sub-$100 progressive scan player, and this one looked interesting (it's $99 on costco.com, http://www.costco.com/product.asp?ca...5&log=&navtop=)..

thanks in advance!

11-08-2003, 04:31 PM	#151 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Depending on Budget, and requirements, I wholehartedly recomend the Pioneer DV563A-S for 180 if you want SACD/DVD-A. If not, I am, as we speak, using a Pioneer DV 260 purchased from Wal Mart for about $80 US, and am Quite happy with it's performance J __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

11-08-2003, 08:51 PM	#152 (permalink)
brttlt Actor Join Date: May 2003	Best DVD player to buy, with bells and whistles (progressive, DTS, CD-R...) for $175 - $200. Which one do i buy and where have people seen the best prices? Thanks __________________ "Knights, I bid you welcome to your new home. Let us ride to Camelot..."

11-09-2003, 05:57 AM	#154 (permalink)
brttlt Actor Join Date: May 2003	pk, I'm going to play dumb. What's the difference between DVI and the "component cables" Which is better? I'm more concerned about my movie viewing via DVD, not what comes over cable or Satelite! __________________ "Knights, I bid you welcome to your new home. Let us ride to Camelot..."

11-09-2003, 04:11 PM	#156 (permalink)
brttlt Actor Join Date: May 2003	TomdKat:The TV I just bought is a Panasonic, 50" HDTV Widescreen with DLP,it's model # PT-50LC13. On the DVD I would like the best possible picture, so do I go with "DVI". I just bought the "component cables" but have yet to buy the DVD player. __________________ "Knights, I bid you welcome to your new home. Let us ride to Camelot..."

11-09-2003, 10:12 PM	#158 (permalink)
brttlt Actor Join Date: May 2003	anybody know anything about the following DVD players: Denon DVD-900 or Sony DVPNC665P I've heard some good stuff about Denon and that 900 is running at $235 right now! __________________ "Knights, I bid you welcome to your new home. Let us ride to Camelot..."

11-09-2003, 11:26 PM	#159 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	Denon DVD players tend to be very good, but I haven't heard much about the DVD-900. Given the price range you've indicated previously, you might want to shop around a bit more and refine your requirements (like do you want a DVI connection or not or do you want DVD-Audio or SACD support or not). Shopping by price can work but you might get a great deal on a player you might not really want. Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

11-10-2003, 10:56 PM	#163 (permalink)
Filmfreakazoid Actor Join Date: Mar 2003	Also...I'm using the Hitachi 43FWX20B widescreen T.V., it will convert to 1080i, but not 720p.

11-11-2003, 02:43 AM	#165 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	So, it looks like brttlt is leaning toward the Pioneer DV-563a: Please Bottom Line it For Me I think this will "mate well" with his Panasonic LCD TV... Be sure to let us know how it works out for you! Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

11-11-2003, 11:26 PM	#166 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	Here is a review at AVS Forum of the Samsung HD931: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=320481 The review is written by someone who owns this unit. Additionally, I found these threads: Denon DVD-5900 vs Bravo D1: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=323276 Bravo D1 "vs" Samsung HD931: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=324326 Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

11-24-2003, 10:38 PM	#170 (permalink)
bune duggy	a Toshiba 5700. It is a really good player and I've been really happy with all of my Toshiba's. I couldn't recommend the brand highly enough. it's just that this problem, coupled with the lack of SACD support means I'm going to have to go elsewhere.

11-26-2003, 03:54 PM	#171 (permalink)
wrathix Supporting Actor Join Date: Nov 2003	Put this is the wrong spot...fixing it now.... Hello all, I just got a new Sony WEGA TV, Model number: KV-34HS510, with all the new bells and whistles DVI in, and Component in. My old TV had none of this, so my old dvd player the Panasonic DVD-RV30 worked just fine through the RCA's. I'm looking to upgrade the DVD player to a prgressive scan, or DVI model. I'd also like to spend under 200. ANy recomendations? Thanks

11-26-2003, 05:52 PM	#173 (permalink)
wrathix Supporting Actor Join Date: Nov 2003	Thanks for the help, I did read through everything, though God knows how frequently technologies change and reviews are made obsolete. Thanks again.

11-26-2003, 06:53 PM	#175 (permalink)
halfkorean Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fremont, CA	Jvc Xv-f80bk?? anyone heard anything (good/bad) about this player? i think it's been out a while, but i couldn't find anything about it on these forums.. it's 7-disc progressive scan.. i'm looking for a cheap, sub-$100 progressive scan player, and this one looked interesting (it's $99 on costco.com, http://www.costco.com/product.asp?ca...5&log=&navtop=).. thanks in advance!