Opinion needed on DVD Player Purchase....

[Limeman]

Hi.
I have a cheap Toshiba DVD player I picked up at Costco 7 months ago. I don't have a DTV, just a regular Sony 36" flatscreen CRT that I'll be keeping for at least another year or so, so I am currently using component output. The pic on the Toshiba through my Sony CRT is acceptable, but the sound is just plain horrible. I am wondering if anyone can make a solid recomendation on a reasonably priced DVD player that has the best sound and component picture possible for $300 or less. HDMI upconvert would be nice as well - just in case I nab an LCD or Plasma at the end of the year.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers!

 

[Hi Ho]

It's unlikely that a new DVD player will improve the sound through your TV speakers, assuming that is what you're using.

If you want a truely excellent player with superb upconverting capabilities and amazing audio then I would consider the Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player. Not only does it upconvert standard DVD's amazingly well, it also plays HD-DVD's for when you upgrade your TV.

 

[Limeman]

Hi Ho,
Thanks for your reply. I'm actually running through a Harman kardon receiver and Definitive Technology ProCinema 800 sats/1000 center with an Orb Super Eight sub. I'll check into that Toshiba player, but it might be out of my price range. I have thought about the Oppo DVD player. The price is right, but have heard it's sound is rather flat? I've looked at the Harman Kardon DVD-47 ($229 at JR.com) and the Denon DVD-1930ci ($299), but am unsure of their perfomance through component. Can anyone speak on the oppo's sound, or the HK and Denon's image quality via component?
Thanks.

 

[billy p]

The oppo sounding flat? Where did you hear this! Pretty much most of todays dvd players will have the same sound via a digital connection(coax or fibre optic cable). I think the oppo dv 970 would serve you best now and again later with a hd tv.It may not be as good for sacd or dvd-a as some but very capable IMHO and costs $150.00.

 

[chas_w]

Are you talking about the sound on DVD's or playing CD's? Like Billy said, hooked properly to the HK with a digital cable the sound on DVDs should be fine with the Toshiba.

 

[mayho]

same boat

I just been bitten by the bug. I have a Phillips $60 dvd player. I want something that will serve my audio and video needs, one machine (changerl if possible). I've been shopping and find it hard to believe I need to spend $800 plus (Pioneer and Denon). What should I be looking at/for. What will improve the Audio/Video? Thanks Mayho.

 

[zumbo]

I know, I know. It's a Yamaha. I can't help it. I have great luck with their equipment. I know there are new brands out there with great reviews. But, I prefer proven quality. I am not going to buy a KIA because it costs less than a Toyota. I am going to get proven quality.

Single players with retail prices:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/dvd/singleplayer.html?CTID=5001800


Changers with retail prices:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/dvd/changer.html?CTID=5001700

 

[j_garcia]

The Denons have very good picture quality via component and they will be ready for you when you upgrade your display.

I've heard the Oppo 971 and it is anything but flat.

 

[stacker45]

I know, I know. It's a Yamaha. I can't help it. I have great luck with their equipment. I know there are new brands out there with great reviews. But, I prefer proven quality. I am not going to buy a KIA because it costs less than a Toyota. I am going to get proven quality.

Single players with retail prices:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/dvd/singleplayer.html?CTID=5001800


Changers with retail prices:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/dvd/changer.html?CTID=5001700

I have a Yamaha dvd-s2700 it has great sound via it's analog output and a great pictrue via it's HDMI output but it does have trouble playing burnt dvd's.Just do a search on this board and you'll see that other peoples have had the same problem.

 

[RainMan]

Yamaha DVD player's = garbage!

Don't even consider a Yamaha DVD player!!!!!
I have tried two differant 2700's ,and I gotta say I think there Laser's are made by Toy's are Us
Not only do they suck with Burn't DVD's ,but heaven forbid there might be a slight scuff on a rented DVD .
I mean I could hardy see anything on the DVD with an electron microscope , and my player was having issues with it . My Pioneer had no problem's with the same disk.
Yamaha Engineer's ,get your **** together!!!!!!!!!!!! idiot's

 

[zumbo]

Don't even consider a Yamaha DVD player!!!!!
I have tried two differant 2700's ,and I gotta say I think there Laser's are made by Toy's are Us
Not only do they suck with Burn't DVD's ,but heaven forbid there might be a slight scuff on a rented DVD .
I mean I could hardy see anything on the DVD with an electron microscope , and my player was having issues with it . My Pioneer had no problem's with the same disk.
Yamaha Engineer's ,get your **** together!!!!!!!!!!!! idiot's

Hmmm. That is odd. I find that Yamaha players are some of the best at playing scratched dvd's. I was soooo impressed with my cd player from years ago, that is the main reason I chose a Yamaha dvd player player(on it's 3rd or 4th year). Got my mother-in-law one too(2nd or 3rd year). Both are great.

 

[RainMan]

Sorry for ranting ,but I tested my Yamaha against my Pioneer,and the Pioneer win's hand's down reading scratched disc's and burn't .
I gotta say the Yamaha 2700 is very well built though ,which doesn't mean much if it can't read half the movies.
I will be buying a Pioneer next year after I see how these format issues go . I really find the Pioneer read's every thing you throw at it .
But I must admit ,the 2700 has a fantastic picture imo . I swear I see less noise on my 58" plasma when I changed to the Yami