Pioneer 578a vs. Panasonic S97

[Johnny Canuck]

Hello folks..

need an opinion from those familiar with these two DVD players.

I can get a Panasonic S97 for $200 US ($235 Canadian) or a Pioneer 578a for $149 Canadian.

Looks to me like the Panny is a better machine but no SACD. Is the Pioneer that much less in quality as it does have SACD?

What would you buy? I don't want to spend lots on a Universal player just yet.

Thanks!!!!

JC

[JVC]

I'd get the 578a. For the money, you can't go wrong. I have the 563a (earlier version).
It's a great little machine. I've had a bad experience with Panasonic, so I, personally, stay away from them.
Good luck!

[Johnny Canuck]

Thanks JVC!!

Funny, JVC and Panasonic are the same company are they not?? :)

[Duffinator]

Thanks JVC!!

Funny, JVC and Panasonic are the same company are they not?? :)Matsush*ta is the parent company of Panasonic. I do not believe they own Victor Company of Japan (JVC).

[Lincoln]

Panasonic, Technics and Quasar are the same company (Matsu****a). JVC is not part of them.

[Johnny Canuck]

Maybe it's different in Canada. I have been told JVC products have the same insides as Panasonic. Almost like a Mazda Tribute is the same as a Ford Escape.

[Lincoln]

It's not uncommon for companies in this industry to license their products to other companies but JVC is not part of Panasonic even if they have some sharing going on. Look at LCD panels and VCRs...there are hundreds of brands of both but very few manufacturers of the important parts (Glass/screens and transports).

[Ilovemovies]

Hello , We are in Ontario and were just looking at the model Pioneer DVD-578A DVD/Audio/SACD DVD player , Futrue shop has it on sale for 149.99

The only thing is this particular model doesn't mention playing DVD+ in its stats and most of our back up DVD's are in plus's

[Johnny Canuck]

Ilovemovies......ordered my Pioneer 578a from another shop in town. I paid $10 more, but it's worth it to pay a little more and know i won't have to deal with Future Shop/Best Buy for service issues. And it makes me feel a little better supporting the little guys. it should be here this week. I have recently bought my first DVD Audio disc, Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" and didn't know what the hell i was waiting for as i have had a DVD -A player with my Panasonic F85 for 2 years now. The Pioneer should be even better!!

[Ilovemovies]

Sounds good!! Do you find it hard to find the SACD's where you are located?
I checked out future shop and they have a fairly good selection of disks

We ended up buying a sony DVPNs775V today because this model will play all our back up disks +/- we pick it up tomorrow or Wednesday

Like you I'm looking forward to hearing my first audio disk on one of these types of players, Now I just have to buy an SACD,

[JVC]

Ilovemovies.........
The Pioneer doesn't advertise it, but it does play the +R's. My 563a does, and I've read before that 578a's do too.
Just to make sure, take one to the store with you, and get the salesman to try it out for you............. :)

[Johnny Canuck]

The selection is not great. I have seen DVD Audio and SACD discs at ony two stores here: Future Shop, and A & B Sound. There is not alot out there as far as popular music goes. lots of older classics. Then again though, with most of the crap out there right now, i wouldn't buy it on ANY format (ie. Britney Spears , and most of the modern pop) . I have seen more on DVD A I will say. I know the Metallica "Black album" is out there on DVD A. Pink Floyd DSOTM will be my next purchase on SACD. I have seen it for $18.98. I am praying for a "Wall" Album!

Either way, the Pioneer 578a is so cheap, it apparantly has excellent video and audio even on regular CD, you can't go wrong. And the most important thing to me now is it's a single player as I hate my 5 disc carousel with my panasonic. Always confused what CD is where..the Panny will make a good bedroom DVD player.

hmmm...that gives me an idea....5 disc carousel, throw in 5 really sappy CD's...great WAF!!! and a great way to get the wife to approve an upgrade!

[Ilovemovies]

our CD player is a 5 disk carousel as well, and I don't like it either. Like you I can't remember what I have put in to play...

My music tastes is everything from JAZZ, to folk, rock, a little rap ,

I especially love David Gray, but I doubt very much you would find his music on SACD format , dont think he is that popular, I'd like to see "The Wall" put out also,

We have the concert "The Wall" on VHS but it is from Satelite, and the quality is not very good, this was done in Berlin, where they made a gigantic blow up doll of the "teacher" and the pig, the march of the hamers in the background...

I wish i could find that on DVD , it would be awsome to watch on our 106 in screne

[Johnny Canuck]

106" screen. WOW!

[Ilovemovies]

laugh, Well we do prefer the big cinema experience, without having to pay for the big theatre price,

The last movie I saw at the theatre was "White noise" with Michael Keaton, with the popcorn and drink and price of ticket, it cost me almost 30 bucks, (Canadian prices)plus we had to put up with a bunch of teenagers talking throughout the whole movie (pet peeve) of mine...NEVER go to the movies on a Friday night!

so we thought lets check out these LCDs and screnes , once we saw them we were sold.... Now we can have the cinema experience at home with good ole Orval Redenbacker popcorn a cold pint, or pepsi , shut the door , let the answering machine pick up the phone calls....

kings and queens of our own castle :-)

[NorthernPaladin]

Hey Johnny Canuck, where can I get Pansonic S97 for 235 C$
This supposed to be one of the best upconverting DVD players under $500.
Thanks
NP

[Mega2000]

i as also interested in getting into the SACD/DVD-A arena.

what do you guys think about the Samsung DVD-HD841? it plays both formats, and also plays DVD+/- R/RW too and a DVI output

i saw one on ebay for $120

[Johnny Canuck]

Northern Paladin...

a couple months back someone was selling one here for that price...one week old, used...sorry to get you excited.

[Duffinator]

i as also interested in getting into the SACD/DVD-A arena.

what do you guys think about the Samsung DVD-HD841? it plays both formats, and also plays DVD+/- R/RW too and a DVI output

i saw one on ebay for $120Costco in California has them for $99.

[Mega2000]

damn, I live in CA and i don't have a membership to costco, do you have to have a business still to get a membership?

does the Samsung HD841 up convert?

[Mega2000]

i went to costco and they didnt have any but i got a refurbished one on ebay for under $90 w/ shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5766579572&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

a nice little buy for a universal player. now i just need some multichannel cables and some SACDs and DVD-As to play