Seeking opinions on Denon DVD 2910 (or 2900)

[HTnewbie]

I am in the market for a new DVD player to go into a new HT (finally replacing GoVideo DVD/VCR combo). I have been hestitant to spend big $s (500+) on a player given we may have some movement on HDDVD in the coming year. However, I'm planning to get the Samsung HLR6168W when it is introduced around mid-year. It has DVI/HDMI capabilities and I really want DVD player that can take advantage of the all digital path (the 6168 is supposed to do 1080p whenever that becomes a reality). Multi-channel music has not been an important consideration for me though I will use such disc if the player can handle them.

I was ready to buy V, Inc. Bravo D2. At $250 it is cheap enough so that I won't mind replacing it a year from now if HDDVD become a reality. I have read several glowing reviews of its DVI output (not a great audio player however). Unfortunately, V, Inc. says they are backordered on the D2 awaiting parts. ETA is late April/early May. So I am rethinking this.

The Denon DVD 2910 looks like an impressive universal player. "The Perfect Vision" and others have given it exceptional reviews. Audioholics review of the earlier 2900 was also impressive. It is being sold at Dakmart (thanks Buckeyefan for tip) as B stock at $530 with warranty (see details about Dakmart wty cvg elsewhere).

So, my dilema is what to do. I have a couple of options:

1) Wait until May, get D2 and then pick up a HDDVD when they become a reality and there is content.

2) Buy 2910 now and have a tough time rationalizing upgrade to HDDVD to wife when the time comes.

So how good is the 2910 for DVI/HDMI output to a DLP RPTV? Anyone with first hand experience with the 2910/2900?

Candidly, the wait for the D2 is not the issue given the new Samsung 68-series TVs won't be released until June at best. So it's really about the D2/upgrade path versus the 2910 now & possibly "forever".

 

[Mort Corey]

If got the 2900 and it's a very nice machine. I would not pay $500+ dollars for a B-stock of a discontinued product, warranty or no warranty....seems way to high. For the same money (about) the 2910 would be a better purchase IMO.

Mort

 

[egreen1976]

I am in almost the exact same boat. I would love to upgrade to the 2910, just becasue its time for a new toy and i just got a new denon receiver and some pardigms. But i dont want to spend the $500, only to be salivating over a HDDVD or Blue Ray player in 6 months. I hear that the 2910 is a GREAT player. I am a little leary on the HDDVD because of the format war HDDVD v. Blue Ray, and the fact that a very good player will probably be very expensive at first. I am also positive the audio quality won't match the 2910. So not knowing when I will upgrade I am VERY confused, and very much itching to pull the trigger on a 2910, any thoughts would be appreciated?

 

[Duffinator]

I am in almost the exact same boat. I would love to upgrade to the 2910, just becasue its time for a new toy and i just got a new denon receiver and some pardigms. But i dont want to spend the $500, only to be salivating over a HDDVD or Blue Ray player in 6 months. I hear that the 2910 is a GREAT player. I am a little leary on the HDDVD because of the format war HDDVD v. Blue Ray, and the fact that a very good player will probably be very expensive at first. I am also positive the audio quality won't match the 2910. So not knowing when I will upgrade I am VERY confused, and very much itching to pull the trigger on a 2910, any thoughts would be appreciated?

I've been considering the same thing. My thoughts are if you are buying it just for video and you already have a DVD player you are happy with I'd wait. But if you plan on using it a lot for CD, SACD, and DVD-A go for it. You can always use this for an audio player and just buy a DVD player without SACD and DVD-A later. This way you can get a less expensive HD/BD DVD player when they arrive. Not that they are going to be very affordable at first.

 

[HTnewbie]

Since I have to wait to get the video display I want (June most likely), I think I will see if V, Inc. brings more D2s to the market. For a stop gap video play this seems to be the best choice. If V doesn;t bring them back, then the 2910 will do.

 

[Audioholics]

We have a review of the DVD-2910 coming out very soon. The suite of tests we run these players through now really separates the men from the boys in an very observable way. I have never seen any reason to contact Bravo for their player as they were really just the first in line of a whole suite of $250 players with HDMI/DVI that now exist... At some point we'll need to run them up and see what's what for that price point.

 

[HTnewbie]

Clint:

I look forward to your review of the 2910. I am curious, how many of the HDMI/DVI players have you looked at (officially or unofficially)? Would you want to drop a list here ranking them by HDMI/DVI output?