Great DVD Players without the Faroudja FLI-2310 Chip

[tdeluce]

I currently have the Denon DVD-3910 which is
an awesome DVD player but I am getting a Samsung
1080p TV this week and many are reporting
macroblocking issues with this set. I am aware of
the defect of the FLI-230 and also its awesome
picture resolution.

But I want to upgrade to a DVD player without the FLI-230
and would greatly appreciate some recommendations
to research. Excellent 1080i upconversion over HMDI is
important. PQ is by far the most important but SQ is a very
close second priority.

 

[j_garcia]

There really isn't a perfect player out there, IMO. Unless you're looking to spend top dollar on the 5900 or 5910, I'd say your next best bet would be to look at a used 2900, which uses a Silicon Image deinterlacer, though no HDMI or upconversion.

 

[Duffinator]

I can't help you with the DVD player but I'd like to hear what you think of the new Samsung 1080P set when you get it. Since you will literally be one of the first members to have one I'm sure others would like to hear your thoughts as well.

 

[tdeluce]

I can't help you with the DVD player but I'd like to hear what you think of the new Samsung 1080P set when you get it. Since you will literally be one of the first members to have one I'm sure others would like to hear your thoughts as well.

You got it - should have it by Friday at the latest...

 

[tdeluce]

There really isn't a perfect player out there, IMO. Unless you're looking to spend top dollar on the 5900 or 5910, I'd say your next best bet would be to look at a used 2900, which uses a Silicon Image deinterlacer, though no HDMI or upconversion.

I was looking the Pioneer 59avi as a less expensive
alternative to the 5910 if I actually observe MB
on my Samsung. Does anyone here have experience
with this DVD player?

 

[tdeluce]

There really isn't a perfect player out there, IMO. Unless you're looking to spend top dollar on the 5900 or 5910, I'd say your next best bet would be to look at a used 2900, which uses a Silicon Image deinterlacer, though no HDMI or upconversion.

It seems like the 3910 could be considered a "better"
version of the 5900 but I can't justify almost $3k
on the 5910 when the technology typically makes
it into the $1k DVD player a year or so later...

And I don't believe there is "that" much of a difference
in PQ between the 3910/5900 and the 5910 - am I wrong?
__________________

 

[racquetman]

Toshiba SD-5970

This player does not use the Faroudja chip from what I have read. I have also read good things about its performance. Of course anyone can post anything on the internet, so I won't stake my reputation on either of these statements.

The Faroudja chip does a wonderful job with picture quality. Is a little bit of macroblocking really that annoying that you feel you need to upgrade? You'll probably not find anything significantly better at the moment.

The source material can also be the macroblocking culprit as well. High compression of material can cause this problem. I'm sure you're already aware of this though.

 

[tdeluce]

This player does not use the Faroudja chip from what I have read. I have also read good things about its performance. Of course anyone can post anything on the internet, so I won't stake my reputation on either of these statements.

The Faroudja chip does a wonderful job with picture quality. Is a little bit of macroblocking really that annoying that you feel you need to upgrade? You'll probably not find anything significantly better at the moment.

The source material can also be the macroblocking culprit as well. High compression of material can cause this problem. I'm sure you're already aware of this though.

I am going on reports from those who have seen the 3910
hooked up to the 68/78 series in stores. I want to
check it out myself first when I get the set but want
to do some research in the mean time just case the MB
problem is bad. I really like the PQ on the 3910 - it
is absolutely stunning. I currently have the JVC D-ILA nd
I see some MB but have learned to live with it due
to the PQ being so outstanding - Hopfully the 6168 will be
similar or less in MB level. Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

Never believe ANYTHING about what is seen in stores when it comes to displays. Those systems are basically never calibrated correctly.

 

[tdeluce]

Never believe ANYTHING about what is seen in stores when it comes to displays. Those systems are basically never calibrated correctly.

I agree - also the sources used tend to be split to hell and of very
poor quality...

 

[REWJR]

Samsung HD-950 dual DVI/HDMI and SACD/DVD-A

http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?eUser=&prod_id=DVD-HD950/XAA&selTab=Specifications

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=Samsung+DVD-HD950

There is also a JVC PRO SRDVD-100U -

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/press_res.jsp?tree=&model_id=MDL101546&itempath=&feature_id=08

 

[LOUMFSG]

I currently have the Denon DVD-3910 which is
an awesome DVD player but I am getting a Samsung
1080p TV this week and many are reporting
macroblocking issues with this set. I am aware of
the defect of the FLI-230 and also its awesome
picture resolution.

But I want to upgrade to a DVD player without the FLI-230
and would greatly appreciate some recommendations
to research. Excellent 1080i upconversion over HMDI is
important. PQ is by far the most important but SQ is a very
close second priority.

Question regarding the Faroudja chip and macroblocking - does the problem only occur when upconverting, or is there a problem even at 480p?

 

[WndrBr3d]

It's actually a problem with the encode.

MPEG in general hates encoding solid colors. The encode vectors used while encoding solid color scenes (animated scenes, black backgrounds, solid red) tend to look blocky when being viewed.

The 'problem' with the FLI-2300 chip (and its family) is that it's video processing, as a side effect, ENHANCES these 'macroblocks' (aka "BIG BLOCKS") making them more visible than before on certain types of displays.

I believe high end Denon players and some Onkyo have worked around this problem, but they have not released any technical information on how. My suspicion is that they accomplished this by kicking back the total amount of signal processing done by the FLI chip.

I use an Oppo player connected to my Mitsu 55" at 1080i, and I -rarely- notice any macroblocking.

Personally, I feel people blow this issue WAY out of proportion. But that’s just my opinion.