DVD player for less than $300

[spikeso]

Hi,
I am pretty much an A/V novice, but I consider myself an informed consumer.

I need to get a DVD player for less than $300. My TV is not nice enough to really warrant spending more. It is a 32" TV. At some later time, I may upgrade the TV, but until then, I think I'll be satisfied with a cheap DVD player.

I have read on other threads that the Pioneer 563A is a very good cheap model. I may end up getting that. Are there other single disc players I should consider? Also I was wondering if there are good multi disc (5 or 6 disc carousel) players that I should consider. Does anyone have any recommendations?

TIA. I really enjoy these forums.
Neal

 

[Shinerman]

I have the Panasonic DVD F85 which is a 5 disc model. I think it's been replaced by the F87, but I still see F85s for sale. I have been very happy with it. It will play in random mode which is cool for parties. The picture and audio are very good and I have not had any problems at all. The player plays just about every format out there. It will play DVD-A but not SACD.

I paid about $130 for it at Circuit City. Darn good deal for what you get.

Shinerman

 

[spikeso]

Thanks Shinerman. I will check it out. Were there other 5 disc models that you considered? Are there any that I should stay away from? Are there any brands I should stay away from?

Also, do you have an opinion on which format between DVD-A and SACD will become most prevalent?

TIA,
Neal

 

[JVC]

I second the Pioneer DV 563A. You will love that it's a universal player. Great picture and amazing sound (to me, anyway).

Shinerman..........
Does your Panny play the dvd-a disc's HiRes tracks? I ask because a friend has the Panny dvd burner w/80gig HD. It will play dvd-a discs, but ONLY in stereo. It won't play the HiRes 5.1 surround tracks...........

 

[spikeso]

Thanks JVC. I am going to try both. I think it would be convenient to have a 5 disc player, but I don't want to sacrifice significant performance.

 

[Shinerman]

I second the Pioneer DV 563A. You will love that it's a universal player. Great picture and amazing sound (to me, anyway).

Shinerman..........
Does your Panny play the dvd-a disc's HiRes tracks? I ask because a friend has the Panny dvd burner w/80gig HD. It will play dvd-a discs, but ONLY in stereo. It won't play the HiRes 5.1 surround tracks...........

Yep, it does. Any DVD player will play a DVD-A, but you need a DVD-A player to get the hi-rez tracks.

Shinerman.

 

[Shinerman]

Thanks Shinerman. I will check it out. Were there other 5 disc models that you considered? Are there any that I should stay away from? Are there any brands I should stay away from?

Also, do you have an opinion on which format between DVD-A and SACD will become most prevalent?

TIA,
Neal

The Pani is the only one I considered because it is the only one with random shuffle mode. A wife requirement.


WHich format will become most prevalent. That's the million dollar question. There are huge discussions on this very subject. Who knows.

Shinerman

 

[nm2285]

I own the Harman Kardon DVD101. The reason I bought it: I wanted a DVD player for flexibility but I did not want to sacrifice sound. The HK really does a great job with music-better than anything else I've heard in the price range (and yes I compared it to the Pioneer 563...HK sounds better but the Pioneer is the universal player).

Something else I love about my HK is its solidity. Its about twice the weight of many dvd players in this price range.

Look at the Marantz on accessories4less.com...I have never tried it but I'm sure its nice. Great price.

Good Luck!