My DVD player is starting to quit...

[agabriel]

Hello,
Well, when I put my HT together I purchased a Sony budget DVD player. The unit randomly shuts off these days, while I'm watching something. I enjoy watching movies, and I think its time to find a replacement. I would like help finding a DVD player that more or less does everything and perhaps a bit more, for under $300. I notice the Denon 1920, but it seems expensive. I'm leaning towards the Panasonic S97, it seems pretty cool. If anyone could either recomend one or share there story about the above model I would appreciate it.

Oh, what ever I get will be plugging into a Denon 3801 which goes to a HD Samsung tv, forget the model.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[3x10^8]

The Panasonic S97 is an excellent model with the HDMI and is still wayyy below the 300 mark. I'd go for that in lieu of anything else.

 

[mfabien]

I would go with HD DVD model HD-A1 even if it means $200 more...

You will be ready for HD DVD and believe me, the Picture quality is better than broadcasted HD. In the meantime, you will be able to upconvert your present DVDs to 720p or 1080i.

I saw a demo of the new Toshiba HD DVD and now know that I will be putting my new Sony 5 disc DVD changer aside as soon as Concert HD DVDs become available (though I love the 5 disc changer to sample music from one disc to the other and leave discs in the changer ready for resumes held in memory).

 

[agabriel]

Ya I was thinking about that... I think I would have alot of upgrading to do to get any benefit from HD DVD (i.e. replace 3801 & TV). The 3801 can only handle component video signal and I don't think it will be able to decode the new audio, although I could let the player decode the audio. The TV I have doesn't have hdmi (few years old), it does have dvi but for some reason it acts funky whenever I use it. When I looked into it no one had a good answer for me. If I reset the cable box (unplug it for awhile) and hook up DVI it will typically work for a day or two and stop. I have tried multiple cable boxs with no success, perhaps its copy protection thing? I was using a cable that came with a Dell LCD. I'm also going to try to do a large scale upgrade in around five years....

Do you still think the extra $200 is worth it? Do the HD DVD players do as good job with regular DVDs as the DVD player in my budget?

Do you guys think HD-DVD is going to take off? I'm leaning towards the format being dead before arrival for digital, downloadable movies. I think the iTunes business model is getting good? It seems the only excitement is for video games, perhaps I'm way off...

Anthony

 

[mfabien]

Ya I was thinking about that... I think I would have alot of upgrading to do to get any benefit from HD DVD (i.e. replace 3801 & TV). The 3801 can only handle component video signal and I don't think it will be able to decode the new audio, although I could let the player decode the audio.

Yes you let the player do the DAC. And it has audio management including crossover for low frequencies.

The TV I have doesn't have hdmi (few years old), it does have dvi but for some reason it acts funky whenever I use it. When I looked into it no one had a good answer for me. If I reset the cable box (unplug it for awhile) and hook up DVI it will typically work for a day or two and stop. I have tried multiple cable boxs with no success, perhaps its copy protection thing? I was using a cable that came with a Dell LCD. I'm also going to try to do a large scale upgrade in around five years....

Do you still think the extra $200 is worth it? Do the HD DVD players do as good job with regular DVDs as the DVD player in my budget?

Do you guys think HD-DVD is going to take off? I'm leaning towards the format being dead before arrival for digital, downloadable movies. I think the iTunes business model is getting good? It seems the only excitement is for video games, perhaps I'm way off...

Anthony

DVI inputs for HDTV have trouble with certain PVRs or STBs. One of the reason is that the HDCP associated with most DVI TV inputs are the 1.0 version which had errors.

And yes I think you should try the HD DVD model HD-A1 and just make sure the store you buy it from has a 30 day return policy. My bet is that a HDMI/DVI cable will work. But the return policy will come handy if the TV's DVI input cannot make a handshake with the DVD player.

I have seen HD DVD and the Video is very very good. The movies already announced are not more expensive than the present DVDs.

 

[agabriel]

Well, I ended up getting the Pioneer 588. Its a nice little unit, does a few things I'm not wild about but for the most part its a great player. DiVX is a pretty cool feature as well.

Anthony

 

[captain_tinker]

How about the Pioneer 588a?

I've also got a Pioneer 588a. So far it is a very nice unit. It has played just about everything I've tried putting in it. I haven't tested the DVD-A or SACD feature yet, since I don't own any, but the quality of the unit is way better than any I've owned to date. The one thing I don't like about it is it looks like a much cheaper quality player than it actually is, and is light as a feather. Don't let it fool you though, it works very well. Just my 2¢ worth.

-capT

 

[agabriel]

I purchased a set of Bang & Olufsen heads sets a year ago and they threw in a an SACD. I popped it in and it sound pretty good. The only note I have thus far with unit is if isn't a dvd it will be going to the receiver via the 6 port break out. The divx feature is cool as well, really like that .