Time to update DVD Player

I currently have a Sony 300 DVD player, but within the last few months I have bought a 32" Sony Wega FV-1. I want to purchase a DVD player that has the componont jacks on them to fully take advantage of my new TV. Any recommendations? I really value your opinions, and be honest about any trouble you may have with your current players!

Regards, Jim

[Chromy]

Well, I have been impressed by my friends Pioneer, and my other friends Pannasonic 310 (320?).

My players are too old and too cheap to have components

The Pannasonic has an easier menu system to navigate through (I don't know about the new 120, probably the one that you want, unless you need the onboard DD decoder.) But the Pioneer is a very solid player.

Chromy

Just a thought, but I'm hearing quite a bit about new player releases. Panasonic has the two DVD Audio capable players this month and I hear quite a few more are coming. If you can wait a month or so. I have a Denon which is a great player but honestly a bit overpriced.

Ken

Last spring, I purchased a Pioneer 414 for $269 at Best Buy. Good price, component jacks, DTS audio. I'd highly recommend it.

Eric

I'm going to have to give a thumbsup to the Toshiba 2109. DD/DTS/COmponent/Blacker than black signal pass through etc.

Now - a lot of people will bring onthe fact that the downconversion in the Toshiba's isn't up to par. I've had no problems with it. And my long term plan is to pick up a Toshiba Theaterwide 40 so it made sense to stick with the same brands.

I've also owned the Panasonic 110 (for a month) and in my opinion, the Toshiba has faster menu access, setup is a breeze and all in all it's a pretty slick machine.

I think it can be had for 260 these days? I paid 320 but just because I wanted the bloody thing the day it came out.

Let us know what you end up doing ...

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Krishna Sriram
DVDFile.Com General Manager
manager@dvdfile.com

I'd recommend the Proscan, which is currently selling for $330. Over on the Home Theatre Forum, the unit gets sterling marks for its downconversion, layer changes, and lack of glitches. HTF Administrator Robert George, himself a Proscan owner, says that dollar-for-dollar, it may be today's best value in DVD players.

Take care, R.D.

Over on the Home
Theatre Forum

That may be so but over here at the ex-DDSociety forum, you'd be hard pressed to find an endorsement for a DIVX encrusted player. I can't rbing myself to do it. Sorry but I'm sure you can find an equivalent player in the price range.

DDSociety = Dead DIVX Society, BTW

DDS-017

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Krishna Sriram
DVDFile.Com General Manager
manager@dvdfile.com

Over on the Home
Theatre Forum

That may be so but over here at the ex-DDSociety forum, you'd be hard pressed to find an endorsement for a DIVX encrusted player. I can't rbing myself to do it. Sorry but I'm sure you can find an equivalent player in the price range.

DDSociety = Dead DIVX Society, BTW

DDS-017

Krish:

> That may be so but over here at the ex-DDSociety forum, you'd be hard pressed to find an endorsement for a
> DIVX encrusted player.

There's nothing "encrusted" about it. It's a solid, heavy, well-constructed unit with a handsome titanium finish, with the engineering effort concentrated on the image, not useless features like the built-in DD-decoder on my turkey Toshiba.

> I can't rbing myself to do it.

Well you're at it, why not recommend a Toshiba 3108? I have one of these units with Ford Pinto-type quality control at home, gathering dust. If you can find a sucker, umm buyer for it, I'd appreciated it.

Last October, I thought I was very clever for ignoring the Proscan, and getting an SD3108 instead. Expensive mistake - my $479 + $20 shipping got me a lemon with more design flaws than a 1957 Plymouth. Oh well, live and learn.

> Sorry but I'm sure you can find an equivalent player in the price range.

I don't believe that - I was on HTF just last night, and found this thread. Note Mr. George's comments on which of his players he prefers, the $330 Proscan or the $1000 Brand X unit.

Cheers, R.D.


[This message has been edited by R. J. Dunnill (edited 08-02-1999).]

I currently own a Toshiba 2008, and if the 4:3 downconversion has not been drastically improved on the 2109 Model (and from what I've seen, it has not been) then I have to state that it is an issue. On certain films (the recent Ghostbusters disc comes to mind) the downconversion is so bad that it's actuallY distracting. I should point out here that my monitor is a 55" RPTV, so the downconversion problems will tend to be more exaggerated on this set compared to say, a 32" Direct View.

I have auditioned the aforementioned Proscan and I have to admit that the downconversion is magnificent on the unit.

But, I, also, cannot live with that DIVX logo on the box. It's my opinion that had DIVX never existed many more of our favorite DVDs (especially titles from Disney) would now be available on DVD. And with the availability of those titles we would have an additional million or so DVD owners right now.

So, I'm not purchasing a Proscan.

Joseph


[This message has been edited by Joseph B (edited 08-02-1999).]

> I currently own a Toshiba 2008, and if the 4:3 downconversion has not been drastically improved
> on the 2109 Model (and from what I've seen, it has not been) then I have to state that it is an
> issue. On certain films (the recent Ghostbusters disc comes to mind) the downconversion is so bad
> that it's actuallY distracting. I should point out here that my monitor is a 55" RPTV, so the
> downconversion problems will tend to be more exaggerated on this set compared to say, a 32" Direct View.
> I have auditioned the aforementioned Proscan and I have to admit that the downconversion is magnificent
> on the unit.

I have a 55-inch screen, and I need the best performance I can get, otherwise my HT experience is
compromised.

> But, I, also, cannot live with that DIVX logo on the box.

Hell, my Divx system is a blast - I have 180 titles I got for 99 cents, including "Mulholland Falls",
"House of Yes", "The Thin Red Line", and "Halloween H20."

> It's my opinion that had DIVX never existed many more of our favorite DVDs (especially titles from Disney)
> would now be available on DVD. And with the availability of those titles we would have an additional
> million or so DVD owners right now.

I hear differently - the Divx controversy spurred interest in DVD, especially in the area of rentals. In
two years, DVD has grown into a mainstream product; this is much faster than its creators had anticipated.
Even before the demise of Divx, DVD sales were soaring to some 2-300,000 units a month. DVD is already
experiencing some of the fastest acceptance of any CE product - on what is this extra million units based?

Take care, R.D.

I respectfully disagree with Mr. George of the HTF. He compared the Pioneer DV-05 to a more expensive version of the Pioneer 414. I believe that this is wildly inaccurate. More importantly, I also disagree with his assessment of the Proscan vs. the DV-05.

I have owned a Sony, both Pioneers, and have first hand experience with both the Toshiba 2109 and the Proscan infested with DIVX. While I will agree that the Proscan does a fine job with down conversion and layer switching, I do not think that it in any way exceeds the DV-05. In fact, the Proscan is wildly outclassed by the Pioneer's features and performance. The Pioneer has a sharp image, seemless layer changes, ability to play multiple formats, performs well with audio CDs, and handles downconversion without any artifacts. I do not see these players comparable in any way. This is sort of like saying that the Toyota Corolla is like a Mercedes because they both drive from point A to point B.

My $.50 on the subject.

MERLIN

[Rick Lowery]

With all due respect, this forum was established from the DDSociety. Dead Divx Society.

We will not condone pro-divx posting at all.

Ever.

Thanks.

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Rick Lowery
DVDFile Forum Administrator
ForumAdmin@DVDFile.com