NeoDigits NeuNeo HVD2085 1080p DVD Player Review

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/NeuNeo1080pDVD1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 72px" alt=[NeuNeoDVDplayer] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/NeuNeoDVDplayer_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>It was only a matter of time until a company released a fully "unlocked" player that upconverted DVDs to 1080p. Just think of the marketing angles: "Why wait for high definition DVD when you can have it now!" or "Who needs Blu-ray Disc when you can get 1080p from your home movie collection!" What has people so excited about the NeuNeo player (pronounced "New-Neo") is the fact that it outputs 480p/720p/1080i/1080p from its component and HDMI outputs (latest firmware required). How do they do it? Well, I assume they run very quickly from anyone representing the MPAA since this violates the DVD spec. In any case, feel free to get them while they're hot - if 1080p output over component is something you've secretly asked Santa for this year and you don't mind some odd quirks and questionable video performance.

[Read the Review]

 

[brian32672]

Quite suprising, since I noticed very few of these problems. This is my second player from them.
I did have the firmware upgrade on both units (other unit was 2081).
I also have at the moment a extra Sony and a JVC player, that IMO do not come close to the 2085. (Also including the ton of other players I have had, likes of Pioneer, more JVC & Sony, Denon, Panasonic, GoVideo, Sylvania, GE, Philips, Samsung, etc..)
I still think they (2085) are pricey - and after that review, I would say that should drop 100.00 off the price.

However I will note. I do not put the player in 16:9 mode. I keep it at standard. When I do put it in 16:9 mode I see that it softens the image what looks like to compensate for jaggies. This will also not allow for a blacker than black to really work well.

One thing I notice on this player, is that it has absolutley no heat issues. I have watched up to 6 movies back to back. And it is nothing other than ambient temps plus 1 or 2 degree. I also get much better reaction times from beginnig (putting disc in) to play. And faster swithching.

For me, I do not use the component. I use the HDMI and the VGA outputs. I use the VGA out so I can watch/listen to my 600+ cataloged MP3's on DVD. I use it with a computer monitor for this. Basically so I can see the names of the songs/groups before I change the song.

Its a shame it scored poorly, but hey there has to be someone at the bottom.

EDIT:: BY no means will I sell mine
(maybe I got lucky (twice with them), I will wait for the new formats to mature a bit until I change 'again'.)

EDIT#2:: Oh BTW, I believe you 100% Clint - But it is the exact opposite of this review.
http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?ID=447
In this review the 'reviewer' raves on its performance....

 

[fredatty]

I was a little distressed when Clint posted his review knowing that my new HVD2085 was under the Christmas tree. I was tempted not to open it and just send it back. I kept it and connected it to my Panny HD Industrial Plasma through component and am pleased. I am not an expert but it does appear to make some qualitative difference in PQ. It is slower to respond than my previous DVD player, but not enough to be problematic.

 

[WndrBr3d]

Wow, this review really blew me out of the water.

I recall near the end of last year there were QUITE a few NeuNeo backers who were very vocal about this unit 'performing better than the Oppo'. There was this unspoken debate over which bargain player was able to belly up to the bar on video quality and features.

I actually wrote NeuNeo asking if any reputable review sites had reviewed their unit so I could make my decision based on facts, and not their marketing.

Very interesting to see how it faired in the DVD torture test. Thanks again Clint!

 

[brian32672]

EDIT#2:: Oh BTW, I believe you 100% Clint - But it is the exact opposite of this review.
http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?ID=447
In this review the 'reviewer' raves on its performance....

OOPS, my mistake. I gave the wrong review - that was for the 208
Here is the review of the 2085 - http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?id=583
Granted, that is not much of review. The 208 and 108 reviews were better.
I will also note: the same place did say that the 108 did suck (well they did not use that exact word)

 

[dbalavac]

HVD2085-Component 1080i with a CRT RPTV

I am really interested in this unit. However, I have not read a review of this units video quality when used with a CRT RPTV at 1080i. I currently own a Panasonic DVD XP-30 and really want to know if the HVD2085 will give me a better picture at 1080i than my XP-30 at 480p. Will it make my DVDs look close to HDTV quality? My TV is the Pioneer SD-643HD5 64" model. With the XP-30 it looks incredible.

Thanks,
Derek

 

[racquetman]

If you need another review to back up Clint's findings (which you shouldn't), browse this review:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=125#NeodigitsNeuNeo HVD 2085 High Definition (HVD) DVD Player (HDMI)

If you remotely consider yourself a videophile, I think these 2 reviews should be more than enough to steer you away from this player. There is really no excuse for a DVD player to fail some of these tests. In my opinion, this is a player trying to get by on gimicks and completely overlooking basic video performance.

 

[dbalavac]

If you need another review to back up Clint's findings (which you shouldn't), browse this review:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=125#NeodigitsNeuNeo HVD 2085 High Definition (HVD) DVD Player (HDMI)

If you remotely consider yourself a videophile, I think these 2 reviews should be more than enough to steer you away from this player. There is really no excuse for a DVD player to fail some of these tests. In my opinion, this is a player trying to get by on gimicks and completely overlooking basic video performance.

Well, I do consider myself a videophile, but my underlying question was regarding the Component Video Upconversion to 1080i when coupled with a CRT type TV. Isn't the Secrets Benchmark review rating based on De-Interlacing, not Interlaced? I did see the issues in the article, but I wanted an objective opinion based simply on how the picture looks compared to 480p component video.

 

[racquetman]

Well, I do consider myself a videophile, but my underlying question was regarding the Component Video Upconversion to 1080i when coupled with a CRT type TV. Isn't the Secrets Benchmark review rating based on De-Interlacing, not Interlaced? I did see the issues in the article, but I wanted an objective opinion based simply on how the picture looks compared to 480p component video.

I wasn't addressing you directly (if I was I would have put your quote in my reply). I was just making a general comment to anyone looking at buying this player.

I can't answer your question, but if you want your questions answered then I would suggest finding a dealer that will allow you to return the player if you aren't happy with the performance (i.e. someone with a good return policy). If you truly are a videophile, then your best bet is to answer your own question (don't rely on someone else's opinion - their standards may not be up to your own).

 

[Audioholics]

Well, I do consider myself a videophile, but my underlying question was regarding the Component Video Upconversion to 1080i when coupled with a CRT type TV. Isn't the Secrets Benchmark review rating based on De-Interlacing, not Interlaced? I did see the issues in the article, but I wanted an objective opinion based simply on how the picture looks compared to 480p component video.

Most of the negatives involved deinterlacing, lack of noise reduction, zero bad edit detection, and general awkwardness of the remote. If you use this player in 1080i mode you may get very satisfactory results with an analogue 1080i HDTV display.