DVD Player recommendations: Discuss DVD player recommendations here

[cswood]

Here's the deal. I've had a Zenith (DVB312) for the past 2 years, and though I'm thinking of upgrading, Zenith players have an "auto play" feature that skips past menus/previews and starts playing the movie as soon as you load a disc.

I can't live without this feature!

Otherwise I'd have bought the Philips DVP642 based on the good reviews and the fact it has optical out. I was wondering if there're any other companies that make players with a feature similar to auto play or if anyone could recommend a player south of $100 bucks that's better than the Philips DVP642 in the video/audio department.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by cswood

Otherwise I'd have bought the Philips DVP642 based on the good reviews and the fact it has optical out. I was wondering if there're any other companies that make players with a feature similar to auto play or if anyone could recommend a player south of $100 bucks that's better than the Philips DVP642 in the video/audio department.

I'm not familiar with the DVP642 and I presume by "optical out" you mean an optical digital audio (or toslink) output, correct? Tons of DVD players have optical digital audio outputs so I wouldn't worry too much about that BUT the "auto play" feature might be hard to find.

What is your budget and why do you wanna swap out the Zenith?

Peace...

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by AlexJS

I have a Tosh 32" HD-ready CRT set and the two seemed to get along pretty well, as ya might expect. I'm not wedded to Tosh - just want a good multidisc progressive player (with a digital coax audio) that will last a bit longer than two years.

What is your budget and now many discs must it hold?

Peace...

[cswood]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

...by "optical out" you mean an optical digital audio (or toslink) output, correct?

What is your budget and why do you wanna swap out the Zenith?

Yes, I meant optical digital output (I just call it "opt out" for short ) I've been looking for players under $100, but not that many playres in that price range that I've seen have it & have good video/audio reviews to go along with it.

Anyway, I'm looking to replace my Zenith because, like an idiot, when I was arranging my media I placed my VCR on top of it and didn't realize the underside gets very hot even when it's not on (I'd feel the top and it would feel as hot) so now my Zenith suddenly starts to pause/skip depending on what DVD's I'm playing. Upon realizing this I moved everything around and it doesn't skip as much, but it still skips enough to send me into fits of Hulk-rage. I figure I should have a new player lined up before it gets too annoying.

Back to auto play, I have also heard of "quick play" but don't know if it's the exact same thing as auto play or which companies have it on their players. Zenith doesn't even go out of it's way to advertise their auto play feature (which I'm sure they'd sell more players if they did, because everyone I know hates un-skipable previews almost as much as I do)

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by cswood

Yes, I meant optical digital output (I just call it "opt out" for short ) I've been looking for players under $100, but not that many playres in that price range that I've seen have it & have good video/audio reviews to go along with it.

Keeping the "auto play" feature out of it, I would suggest checking out any of these players:

Pioneer DV-588a (which is also reviewed here)
Toshiba SD-4960
Panasonic S47k

All three should be found online for under $100 and all offer toslink outputs. The DV-588 is new so it might be a while before it actually hits the sub-$100 price point (once it hits B&M stores like BestBuy it should be sub-$100). The Pioneer DV-578a is out now and can be found for < $100 online, I believe.

I don't know anything about the above mentioned Toshiba or Panasonic units. People have been raving about the Panasonic S97 but I think it's over the $100 price barrier.

At least, the above should be a starting point for ya.

Peace...

[Bananaslug79]

All right gentlemen and ladies, the time has come. My Panasonic player has gotten on my last nerve and it is time to trade up. I hate trying to find reviews online for anything electronic, because inevitiably I find something I like, scour the Internet for reviews and find that 90-95% love my choice, but then there are a few bad eggs that always reek of "Stay away from this [electronic device]!"

It makes me sad to look, so instead I turn to the great minds of DVDfilers and ask about two models I've been looking at:

Toshiba SD5980
Sony NS50P

Any opinions on these players (or better yet, other similar recommendations) is of course highly appreciated.

[Bananaslug79]

All right, how about this: Tom, what do you think of your Pioneer? I've been researching that model a little more closely and am very intrigued. However, the Toshiba I'm looking at also has HDMI, which may or may not be worth it (at least enough to free up a component input on my TV). Your thoughts?

[Vonner]

I need a new DVD player, one with HDMI preferable. It'll be used with a 56" DLP capable of displaying upto 1080p.

Hit me with what you got. Oh, I'd like to spend < $250.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Vonner

I need a new DVD player, one with HDMI preferable. It'll be used with a 56" DLP capable of displaying upto 1080p.

Hit me with what you got. Oh, I'd like to spend < $250.

Panasonic DVDS77S

http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audi...yer/dvds77.asp

After giving up on the Samsung HD850 & Sony DVPNS70H, I gave this new panny a try. Better picture quality than the Samsung & no Sync issues from the Sony. I recommend this player on the mere principle that you could calabrate a tv with no video options such as contrast,DNR etc.

It cost me $300 Canadian & comes with a Free HDMI cable.

[Vonner]

Originally Posted by Derb

Panasonic DVDS77S

Thanks, Derb. I was actually looking at a Panasonic DVDS97S which I assume is a newer model. It seems like a good option, but I read that it's built sort of flimsy.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by Vonner

Thanks, Derb. I was actually looking at a Panasonic DVDS97S which I assume is a newer model. It seems like a good option, but I read that it's built sort of flimsy.

Interesting. It is not built like their recorder players. My previous dvd player (Still Own) is a Panasonic DMR-E30. I could record on it, but I just used it as a stand alone dvd player. That player is built solid as a rock. This Panasonic DVDS77S has a build just like any other brand name dvd player in the $200 price range. I'd say it has a better build than the Samsung HD850 & on par with the Sony DVDNS70H player. Its not a slim-line player. I havn't seen the DVDS97S player. It is a newer model & if the price is right, I'd definitely give it a try.

Don't know what difference this makes, but under the screen set-up menu, you have the option to select what type of tv you have; CRT/Projector, LCD/Projector, DLP/Projector etc. as well as 16x9 of course.

[Shadowman82]

I own a Panasonic Player now and they tend to offer good DVD players but if my current player needs to be replaced I won't go with Panasonic simply because they support DVD-Audio only and not SA-CD . If one isn't interested in SA-CD however I'm sure this Panasonic player is a good deal .

[Mr. Brink]

Anyone know what current dvd players have a "zoom out" function that will correct overscan? I get pissed watching movies that should be 2.35:1 because they show up at 2:1 on my tv.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Mr. Brink

Anyone know what current dvd players have a "zoom out" function that will correct overscan? I get pissed watching movies that should be 2.35:1 because they show up at 2:1 on my tv.

I know the Toshiba DVD players have zoom capability. The Toshiba SD-5980 might be a good player to check out. It's an upconverting player with HDMI. If your display doesn't have a HDMI input, see if the Toshiba SD-4960 will have the zooming feature you want.

Peace...

[Taxi]

Looking at the manuals for those players, I'm pretty sure they only zoom in, not out.

I've never heard of a player zooming out. I think you may have an easier time trying to fix the overscan on your TV.

Some DVD players have a "widescreen" setting. Are you sure that yours is set correctly? This could cause this kind of distortion of the video image.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Taxi

Looking at the manuals for those players, I'm pretty sure they only zoom in, not out.

I've never heard of a player zooming out. I think you may have an easier time trying to fix the overscan on your TV.

I agree with you on the overscan stuff BUT I found this thread where Mur has screenshots basically demonstrating a "zoom out" on his Toshiba SD-4800 DVD player. Scroll down to see the screenshots

I don't know if this feature has been dropped in subsequent players. Mur posted a screenshot of an Avia overscan pattern.

Some DVD players have a "widescreen" setting. Are you sure that yours is set correctly? This could cause this kind of distortion of the video image.

Yep, this should be checked as well.

Peace...

[Taxi]

Well, I can't speak for the 4800, but the manuals for the two players listed above do not describe that kind of behavior. I would definitely check them out in the store before buying to make sure they do what you want.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Taxi

Well, I can't speak for the 4800, but the manuals for the two players listed above do not describe that kind of behavior. I would definitely check them out in the store before buying to make sure they do what you want.

Cool, thanks for looking at those manuals. I don't own a current Toshiba player so I don't know what the current ones can do. That thread with Mur is the reason I mentioned Toshiba, in the first place.

In any event, he's got plenty of info to start his research project.

Peace...

[Mr. Brink]

Thanks for all your input, guys. I'll look into these options.

[Madmatt]

Any current recommendations for a DVD player to go with an RCA HD65W20. I don't have DirectTV and I just run a set top antenna to get over the air HD. But I would like to get a 1080i image if possible. I'm not that concerned about anything besides DVD quality?

Thanks

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Madmatt

Any current recommendations for a DVD player to go with an RCA HD65W20. I don't have DirectTV and I just run a set top antenna to get over the air HD. But I would like to get a 1080i image if possible. I'm not that concerned about anything besides DVD quality?

The Oppo. 'nuff said.

EDIT: Actually, I take that back since your TV doesn't have HDMI or DVI inputs. So, I would check out the Pioneer DV-588a or the Toshiba SD-4960. Look online to get better pricing.

EDIT #2: What's your budget?

Peace...

[Madmatt]

Well, I'd like to stay around $100 if possible, but if the player is going to last, I can spend a bit more. I suppose I'm pretty much out of luck when the HD discs really take over.

The Pioneer looks nice, that's a hefty D/A converter. I'm taking a look to see if I can get it locally.

Thanks for the quick replies.

[MRSMITH]

Originally Posted by Madmatt

Any current recommendations for a DVD player to go with an RCA HD65W20. I don't have DirectTV and I just run a set top antenna to get over the air HD. But I would like to get a 1080i image if possible. I'm not that concerned about anything besides DVD quality?

Thanks

I've had this same excellent set for
years now, and I use a Momitsu V880
upconverting player at 1080i. The
resulting image on a high-quality
standard DVD is so close to 'native'
hi-def they're almost indistinguishable.
Unfortunately, even the V880 or even a
better $700 Denon upcon machine
won't help a lousy transfer. But, for
the money the V880 provides a
dazzling 1080i image on this 65-inch set.
The HD65W20 of course has only
component connection capability and
the V880 does the upcon this way as
well as DVI.

I've watched the new Toshiba HD-DVD
'native' with its attendant upcon
capabilities for a couple hours at the
local stores now, and it too does a
superb job of upconverting a standard
DVD. But since LG(includes Zenith) has
already confirmed to Reuters that they
will be offering a multi-format(standard
DVD/HD-DVD and Blu-Ray) DVD player
this Fall, I would not bother considering
paying anywhere near $500 for it(the
'native' hi-def disks are very little better
than upcons with this player. Why would
you buy separate HD-DVD and Blu-Ray
players? The Los Angeles Times today
had a big article on the Toshiba HD-DVD
player and their reporter had the very
same comments.

I don't think you can possible go wrong
with the V880 at this point.

Enjoy!

Milt R. Smith
mrsmith2002@yahoo.com

[BoSoxMole]

This might have been discussed before, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Is getting a DVD player that upconverts to HD that much better than a regular DVD player? I was using my 360 as a DVD player because I it's better quality than my DVD player, but I know that can be bad for the 360.

So, is it worth upgrading?

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by BoSoxMole

So, is it worth upgrading?

I think it's worth it, if you can find a good upconverting player. What kind of TV do you have now?

This would be a good thread to read.

Peace...

[EM3]

Ok this may sound stupid but does the Oppo upconvert through Component up to 1080i or is it restriced to a lower resolution?