Buying Advice: DVD Player for Panasonic TH42PX20 Plasma

[bcquinn1]

Apologies to all if this question has already been answered elsewhere, and I'll apologize in advance for the length of this message. I'm looking for some advice on purchasing a DVD player that will be used with a specific Panasonic plasma TV - the TH42PX20, which is a 42" HDTV plasma. I'm asking for DVD player recommendations relative to that particular model because of all of the macroblocking issues I've read about relative to different players - which Panasonic plasmas apparently exacerbate...wish I'd known before buying!

So, hoping not to compound that issue, I have up to $1500 to spend on a universal disc / DVD player. I would like to be able to use HDMI or DVI out, as the Panasonic has an HDMI input. Audio and video performance are both very important to me, as this player will be used not only in my home theater setup, but also in my primary music system.

My leading contenders at this point are the Denon 3910 and the Pioneer DV59AVi. I have read wonderful things about both players; across all of the reviews I've read, the Denon seems to have a slight edge. However, it clearly has some macroblocking issues with particular displays (macroblocking is a fault that I am sensitive to, and dislike), and it seems that my plasma will be a good candidate for revealing (at a minimum) or even worsening that fault.

I would really appreciate any recommendations experienced users might have. If any of you have specific experience with my display, I would be eager to hear which DVD players you've had more or less success with. I'm relatively brand agnostic, so very open to suggestions beyond the two player options I've already identified.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Luke]

I would go for the Pioneer DV-59AVI . This is on own "to buy" list!
If you want to read comparisons against a better Denon , the DVD-5900, here are two links.

http://ultimateavmag.com/dvdplayers/904pioneer/

http://ultimateavmag.com/dvdplayers/904denon/

At the end of the Denon review, the author have this remark when comparing both's sound.

""When I switched over to the Pioneer DV-59AVi, there was no getting around it: the Pioneer simply sounded clearer, had a much stronger bottom end (I'd matched the players' output levels as closely as possible), and, overall, simply produced more of what I expect to hear from hi-rez audio. The same turned out to be true with SACD, whether I used bass management (which, remember, results in a conversion of SACD from DSD to PCM) or switched to Source Direct. Still, I suspect that many audiophiles will find the Denon's sweet, smooth sound more appealing than the up-front, brighter Pioneer.""

Luke

 

[Takeereasy]

Have you considered the Yamaha DVD-S2500 Universal Player? It seems to be a solid unit and is $750 US. To be honest though it looks like the Pioneer would be the way to go for you, I read alot of reviews that had concerns about the Denon 3910's Macroblocking issues.

 

[tedmjr2]

I had a similar dilemna on deciding which "quality" DVD player to buy (eyeing Pioneer DV-59AVi, Panasonic DVD-S97, Yamaha DVD-S2500 and Denon DVD-3910) until reviewing the Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity DVD Benchmark (see link).

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all#PanasonicDVD-S97 (HDMI)

I saved $100s and bought the $199 Oppo Digital OPDV971H last month and surprisingly it's a great performer! Multi-channel Audio-DVD is uncommon at this price range. The benchmark review rates its DVI picture output only second to the $3k+ Denon DVD-5910.

This player should satisfy you for awhile before buying a high definition DVD player in the next year or two. Why spend extra $100s now when you'll eventually be updgrading to a high definition DVD player to take advantage of your HDTV? I'm enjoying its use with my HDTV plasma (Panasonic TH-50PHD7UY).