DVD Player recommendations

[PhilC]

Any recommendations on a reasonably priced DVD player.

I've seen a couple of recommendations including the Panasonic S77, Denon 1720 and Yamaha C750 and have not decided on a single or multi changer.
I am also more concerned with video than audio at this point.

Thanks for your ideas.


Current System
Mitsubishi 62" DLP
Yamaha 2500 receiver
Axiom speakers

 

[wilkenboy]

You will probably want to add the Pioneer 588 and the Oppo player to that list. Both have received pretty decent consumer reviews and are reasonably priced.

~Josh

 

[supervij]

I have the Pioneer 588A and just want to mention that the video side of things is okay. It won't pass blacker than black and has pretty slow response and load times, but other than that, it's a pretty good player -- it plays all formats, and does a nice job with it. The audio won't knock you out, but hi-res and regular CD sound very nice indeed. For a hundred bucks, you really can't go wrong with the 588A.

cheers,
supervij

 

[captain_tinker]

Speaking of the 588A...

Speaking of the 588A, I saw that at the local HiFi store the other day. I am looking to replace my old pathetic RCA DRC212 that has stopped reading any re-writeable DVD. It still plays everything else, but for some reason can no longer read the RW's. Anyway, I am basically looking for something that will play my burned DVD's, mp3's, jpg's, regular movies on DVD, and if there are any other fun additions, so be it. I like the idea that it can do SACD, and DVD-A, however I don't own any of those discs - yet.
I am planning on getting a Marantz SR-5600, and some Paradigm Titan's to go with it. I would like to make sure that if I get a DVD player that it will match well and sound nice in our living room. I am basically getting started. I have not actually bought anything yet. I have an old RCA 27 inch tube TV, that I doubt we will be replacing anytime soon. It does have an S-Video in though.
Anyway, would the 588A be a good player to use with this receiver and these speakers?

 

[infinightdream]

pioneer dv-585k

Hi to all,
i have recently purchased dvd player from local dealer - pioneer dv-585k.
it is one of the best top-rated models in terms of performance anc capability as read in http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=6393
however it is region specific i.e. "3" as I am located in India, Bombay.
I would like to know if anybody has information on unlocking it to become multi-region.

regards to all,
many thanks in advance.

infinightdream.

 

[kay]

I have the 585 and it's supposed to be region 2, but I've played region 1 material without any issues. Have you actually tried playing something from another region? Otherwise you can find the unlock codes on the internet but they require that you use a Palm device to generate the IR sequences (you can't just use the remote).

 

[infinightdream]

Oh!, thanks for the reply Kay.
I'll check a region 1 dvd disc to play on this and see if that works.
Well, if it indeed does play apprpriately, then my woes are over, but if it doesn't then is there any other way to get around that issue beside the palm idea?
However, Kay... if you can also suggest an entry-level avreceiver to compliment pioneer dv-585k? and then i'll hope to go in for good 5.1 surround sound system.

AV Receivers:
Yamaha RX-V3XX series?
Denon AV-17XX series?
Pioneer VSX-515?

 

[kay]

The only thing I've found on the Internet is the Palm-based trick, but I know you can upload a new firmware from a CD. I think that is also a possibility. How to find one though, I have no idea

As for the receiver question, I am hardly an authority, but I am quite happy with my Denon 2105 driving moderately efficient speakers (90dB/w@1m) in a largish room. Around the time I bought it, I listened to the Pioneer VSX814, Yamaha RX-V350 & 450, and felt that all of them lacked power and would only be suitable for those small "cube" speakers and fairly quiet volumes. I was about to buy a Yamaha RX-V750 when I found a really good deal on my Denon, so I went for the AVR-2105 instead.

Do you know yet what speakers you will be using? If the room is very small, and the speakers are very efficient, then one of these cheaper receivers will probably cut it. Otherwise, I would say rather spend the extra bucks on something that will last you for many years. The Yammy RX-V757 is great value and has tons of features, I believe the new Denon AVR-2106 just got a bunch of very good reviews. The Pioneer VSX-1015 has a large following on this site too. I really think it's worth it spending a bit more and getting one of the lower mid-range receivers rather than the entry-level stuff.

One final suggestion: aim to spend at least 50% of your budget on the speakers. That's what makes the biggest difference in any system, other than the room you're listening in.

 

[infinightdream]

thanks Kay

A bunchful of thanks for the advise Kay.
You've been helpful.

Oh yes, I put a region 1 movie dvd disc into my pioneer dv585 and it played wonderfully.

However, my main motive is to have affordable buget-level 5.1 surround sound speaker syster as my room's not that large though!

Cheers!

 

[kay]

For small-budget 5.1, I don't think you can beat the Logitech Z5500. Look at the review here:

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/LogitechZ-5500Speakers01.php

The nice thing about that system is that you won't need a receiver - the control module includes a Dolby/DTS decoder, just hook them up to your Pioneer and you'll be styling. The sub can get really loud too, I've heard it at a nearby computer store.

Otherwise you might want to consider the all-in-one packages from Yamaha or Denon, there's a Yamaha package they sell locally very cheaply. It includes a RX-V450 receiver and a NS-P120 6.1 speaker set. I don't know if you can get it where you are but for movies either of those will do quite nicely.

The upside of going with a real receiver and not a Logitech-style all-on-one setup is that it will make it easier to upgrade in future.