A DVD player to finish my HT.

[learner]

I am looking for some advice guys. I recently started building a little HT for me and the wife. I have been on a strict budget because she is not into as much as I am. My purchases so far have bee an Hitachi 51" F510, Athena Micra 6 speaker system, and just today I ordered my Pioneer VSX-815 receiver.

Now I thought that was the end, limit, I'm finished. But now her parents wanted an idea for a Christmas gift for us so I was thinking of a DVD player. I have Wal-Mart Sanyo DVD/VCR but now that I can upgrade I would like to move it to the bedroom and add yet another peice to my HT.

My budget is still pretty strict I'm afraid. I am looking at something under $400 more like under $350. If you guys could consult me a little I would greatly appreciate the input. Should I buy one with multiple DVD's or shopuld I go with a single? Is there a big difference in quality of sound and video?

I would really appreciate some advice and opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd take a look at the Panasonic S97 (see the review in this forum), or the Denon 1920, which is $350 MSRP so it may be pushing it.

 

[southeastnavy]

Consider an upscaling DVD Player...

Sony makes an upscaling DVD Player that retails for $150. (See post in Yamaha RX-V2600 discussion for details on difference between deinterlacing, upconversion and upscaling) Bottom line is that upscaling is the best. They'll be able to get you the DVD Player and the HDMI cable for less than $300 and you'll get phenominal results. BTW, checked out the Hitachi TV and it seems like a good deal. How much did you pay for it?

 

[learner]

Sony makes an upscaling DVD Player that retails for $150. (See post in Yamaha RX-V2600 discussion for details on difference between deinterlacing, upconversion and upscaling) Bottom line is that upscaling is the best. They'll be able to get you the DVD Player and the HDMI cable for less than $300 and you'll get phenominal results. BTW, checked out the Hitachi TV and it seems like a good deal. How much did you pay for it?

I bought the Hitachi from a local Sears on the day after Thanksgiving sale for $899, paid $957 tax and all. I cant tell you about it yet it comes in on the 12/23. I ahve been cutting pennies where I can on this. I found the Pioneer for $230.60 shipped, gets here after Xmas.

What do you mean upscaling? I have to buy extra cables? I am really ignorant about all of this stuff. Thanks.

 

[learner]

I'd take a look at the Panasonic S97 (see the review in this forum), or the Denon 1920, which is $350 MSRP so it may be pushing it.

The Panny sounds pretty good. I really dont understand a lot of the technical aspects on this stuff. I am relying a great deal on you guys. I checked a few prices on some of these.

Denon DVD-1920 $307.54
Harman Kardon DVD 31 $240.98
Panasonic-S97 $249.98

These prices include shipping. Do any require special cables or anything? If you were buying with the equipment I already have, which would you buy?

Sorry to ask so much I just dont really know much except that I want the best I can get for my budget.

 

[j_garcia]

Sony's players have good quality, but I can't say they are at the top of my list for picture quality. They used to make some of the best interlaced players, but progressive doesn't seem to be their forte.

I've owned 3 Panasonics so far (including my 1st gen A300U) and I was quite pleased with all of them as well. They all held up well and had great picture quality, which is why I'd recommend the S97. In the Secrets of Home Theater Progressive tests, the S97 scored a 91, which is not setting the standard, but is very good.

With the Denons, the least expensive ones are marginal, but the mid to upper level ones are excellent in terms of picture quality, most scoring well in the Secrets tests also. It may be a small detail, but most of the Denons (all the ones I've owned) have nearly no visible layer change.

 

[Tritonman]

Sony released the DVP-CX995V 400 disc upconversion player. Supposedly it has gotten good reviews and upconverts via HDMI. I believe it can be had for around $260 online. It also plays mp3's, jpegs etc.

 

[learner]

Sony's players have good quality, but I can't say they are at the top of my list for picture quality. They used to make some of the best interlaced players, but progressive doesn't seem to be their forte.

I've owned 3 Panasonics so far (including my 1st gen A300U) and I was quite pleased with all of them as well. They all held up well and had great picture quality, which is why I'd recommend the S97. In the Secrets of Home Theater Progressive tests, the S97 scored a 91, which is not setting the standard, but is very good.

With the Denons, the least expensive ones are marginal, but the mid to upper level ones are excellent in terms of picture quality, most scoring well in the Secrets tests also. It may be a small detail, but most of the Denons (all the ones I've owned) have nearly no visible layer change.

What you say makes a lot of sense. I can see where a Denon in my price range might not be as good as the Panasonic. Plus I have been reading some really good things about the S97. I guess I have this misconception that Panasonic is cheap stuff. That comes from not really knowing about Electronics and stuff all that much. I believe if I was to buy one right now it would be the S97. I am not done researching yet but you have been very helpful.

Thank You !!

 

[bigbassdave]

If youre looking at upscaling players do some homework on them first. They are not automatically better just because they up-convert. I own one of the Samsung models which upconverts to 720p or 1080i via DVI output and the thing just plain stinks when it comes to picture quality. I keep it around as my SACD/DVD audio player but the picture is as grainy as you can get. It gets worse the higher you upconvert the signal. From what the people here have told me some of the upscaling players do a fine job but I can tell you from experience that mine does not. So anyway, just do some research into what ever player you decide to get. Good luck

 

[learner]

Thanks bigbassdave.

This is more confusing than my other purchases were. Now right now I am really leaning toward the S97. My nephew just came over and I was showing him my research and he asked why I was even getting another DVD player since I already own one. Mine is a Sanyo VCR/DVD from Wal-mart. He said it was progressive and that one of these wont make much difference. Is that right?

I dont know a lot about this but if it wasnt going to make much of a difference then why would you upgrade. The S97 would make a noticeable difference when I hook this all up right?

Thanks everyone.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, there's always the Oppo 971 as far as upscaling players, which currently owns top spot on the list of progressive players tested, besting even the $3K+ Denon 5910...for just $199!! (it got a 98 vs 97). There's an AH review here. There were a few cons, but for that level of picture quality, I'm sure the cons are outweighed by the pros. It appears that it does DVD-A, but not sure about SACD.

The first gen upconverting player from Samsung had some serious issues. The newer versions are better, but still not top notch.

 

[chicagomd]

I own the Oppo and think it is fantastic. I had my set ISF callibrated and the guy said he was very impressed with the image quality of the player.

Although he might have been blowing smoke because I hadn't paid him yet...

 

[learner]

Well guys I thought I would tell you that I decided on the Denon for a couple of reasons. First I wanted to try one for just their reputation alone. Second I decided on the Denon because it had both DVD-A and SACD.

Now to just get my HDMI cable ordered from Blue Jeans Cable and wait for all this new equipment to come in. Of course I may have to start a whole new thread when it comes to hooking this all up. LOL

Thank you all !!

 

[scotty11]

good choice

i just hooked my new Denon up yesterday and the picture quality is excellent.

if you want to play SACD's you will need analog cables besides the HDMI
also a good buy from BJ cable.

scott