Panasonic S97S vs. Denon 1910

[David LoPan]

Both are comparably priced, both have digial video outs and both have gotten excellent reviews, allthough I can't seem to find an S97S in stock.

 

[av-man]

All the more reason to buy the 1910.

 

[Luke]

If I were you, I would definitely take a chance on the Denon.
I bought a S47 recently which uses the same converters as the S97 and I'm not impressed at all by the sound. Picture is OK. Simply a product that complies to its price tag. Not more not less. The S97 is just that, with extra features like Faroudja chip (big deal!), DTS and Dolbys decoders.
To make it short, not that Panasonic is not bad but surely not the best in this price range.
I would choose the Denon....definitely.

Luke

 

[Luke]

Oh by the way.
The S97 is a dicontinued product and replaced by th S77.
Same thing minus the Dolby Pro-Logic chip.

Luke

 

[dillweed]

Hands down go with the S97 it is not even in the same league with the 1910. The new firmware update has picture quality that rivals the denon 3910. Hope you can find one.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all

 

[tedmjr2]

Oppo Digital - OPDV971H

I had a similar dilemna on deciding which "quality" DVD player to buy until reviewing the Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity DVD Benchmark (see link).

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all#PanasonicDVD-S97 (HDMI)

I bought the OPDV971H last month and it's a great performer for the $199 price. The benchmark review rates its DVI output only second to the $3k+ Denon 5910.

This player should satisfy you for awhile before buying a high definition DVD player in the next year or two.

 

[dillweed]

If you are not set on either one you can go with the Oppo Digital - OPDV971H. It has been getting rave review on its pic quality.

 

[av-man]

Hands down go with the S97 it is not even in the same league with the 1910. The new firmware update has picture quality that rivals the denon 3910. Hope you can find one.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all

Man, I'm going to have a hard time choking that down. The 3910 is a $1500 msrp. and S97 is a $250-300 machine. Do you have a 3910 or have you tested one? I haven't installed either one but knowing the quality Denon puts into their players I'll be suprised if the Panasonic is very close.

 

[korgoth]

ive seen that posted before, which made me believe the s97 was surperior to the denon 1910..

id definately go with that.


actually id proobly go with the Oppo Digital - OPDV971H for 200 bucks.. an even better deal, and looks like a very nice player.

personally i dont really need that nice of a dvd player now.. i can wait until the blueray comes out. its only a year away

 

[av-man]

The oppo digital unit is not HDCP compliant so the ratings on the DVI output mean nothing if you are using a fairly new monitor. I'll look again but if I remember right the component output from this unit was average at best.

 

[dillweed]

Man, I'm going to have a hard time choking that down. The 3910 is a $1500 msrp. and S97 is a $250-300 machine. Do you have a 3910 or have you tested one? I haven't installed either one but knowing the quality Denon puts into their players I'll be suprised if the Panasonic is very close.

Yes I did have one for a few weeks before I heard about the s97. No I did not do any personal testing on the machine. The link I originally provided ( http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-...ch&articles=all ) tests many dvd players picture quality and I far as I know are a reputable reviewer. They are pointed to as an authority on many forums. Take a look for yourself they even explain in detail how they test the players.

 

[av-man]

The Oppo's component out only supports 480i, no prgressive. The 1910 is progressive scan through component and DVI which is HDCP compliant.

 

[av-man]

Dillweed,
I did look at the site you provided. The S97 is an exeptional machine for its price. It is not however, in my opinion, in the same class as the 3910. The S97 showed a long list of test failures in video for both the component out and HDMI with 2-2 and 3-2 flags.
I'm no expert on test #'s. I simply connect them and the one that looks the best looks the best.
I was not trying to pick a fight. I just wanted to know if your info was first hand or from a review.

 

[dillweed]

Dillweed,
I did look at the site you provided. The S97 is an exeptional machine for its price. It is not however, in my opinion, in the same class as the 3910. The S97 showed a long list of test failures in video for both the component out and HDMI with 2-2 and 3-2 flags.
I'm no expert on test #'s. I simply connect them and the one that looks the best looks the best.
I was not trying to pick a fight. I just wanted to know if your info was first hand or from a review.

AV-man - I agree with you the S97 is not in the same class as the 3910. If I didn't have good DAC's on my receiver I probably would have kept the 3910.

My original comment was "The S97 with new firmware update has picture quality that rivals the denon 3910." People can think I am crazy but I saw the results for myself. Others might disagree that’s fine with me I am just trying to save some people some money by pointing out what I and others have found out. I didn't take your words as fightin words and am sorry if the tone of my reply was harsh.

 

[av-man]

Dillweed,
Thats the best test you can give it. What looks the best to you is the best machine for you.
Wow I just made it to "Seasoned Member"

 

[David LoPan]

If you are not set on either one you can go with the Oppo Digital - OPDV971H. It has been getting rave review on its pic quality.

I've heard the Oppo has a few bugs though.

 

[tedmjr2]

The oppo digital unit is not HDCP compliant so the ratings on the DVI output mean nothing if you are using a fairly new monitor. I'll look again but if I remember right the component output from this unit was average at best.

I'm using the Oppo Digital OPDV971H DVI output with a Panasonic TH-50PHD7UY DVI input so it actually does support HDCP compliant displays. Even Oppo Digiital's website states this fact. In this case, not being HDCP compliant means it also supports the older non-HDCP compliant TVs.

Why then be concerned with the Oppo's average-at-best component output when the newer TVs have the digital inputs? The DVI output ratings have great value for those planning to purchase new TVs and future components already with digital in/outputs. Only if you have at best the analog component inputs on your TV, I wouldn't even bother considering the Oppo DVD player.

BTW, I wouldn't have purchased the Oppo last month if the bugs hadn't been fixed. A firmware update was released May 5. Looks like their DVD player purchased after April 27 already has the firmware update to address previous known bugs.

 

[av-man]

tedmjr2
I stand corrected in the FAQ page they do adress HDCP and you are right the unit does support HDCP. A good reason not to put to much faith in reviews.
Looks like a pretty good player.