What DVD player to choose?

[FSUguy]

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best DVD player to choose out of the following models ONLY, because I can get them for pretty cheap. I plan to use this mainly for DVD upconverting to my Toshiba 50" (720p, but accepts 1080i) rear projection LCD. The video and audio will be running though HDMI to my Yamaha rx-v1800. While we are on the topic is there any difference between upconverting and upscaling? Thanks.....models are as follows:

1) Panasonic DVD-S53(K)
2) Sony DVPNS77H/B
3) Pioneer DV-400V-K
4) Denon DVD1930CI
5) PIONEER ELITE DV-46AV

 

[mudrummer99]

Just a suggestion, but if you are looking at getting a standalone Bluray, let it do the upconverting for your standard dvd's. This will save you a little cash and let you pick up a couple more BD's

Mike

 

[FSUguy]

Just a suggestion, but if you are looking at getting a standalone Bluray, let it do the upconverting for your standard dvd's. This will save you a little cash and let you pick up a couple more BD's

Mike

Yea, from what I have been reading I might be looking at going with the PS3, but it also is going to cost a lot more than an upconvert DVD player right now. I would def not get both, but if I do decide to go with just an upconvert DVD player, which of the above should I choose?

Thanks

 

[allargon]

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best DVD player to choose out of the following models ONLY, because I can get them for pretty cheap. I plan to use this mainly for DVD upconverting to my Toshiba 50" (720p, but accepts 1080i) rear projection LCD. The video and audio will be running though HDMI to my Yamaha rx-v1800. While we are on the topic is there any difference between upconverting and upscaling? Thanks.....models are as follows:

1) Panasonic DVD-S53(K)
2) Sony DVPNS77H/B
3) Pioneer DV-400V-K
4) Denon DVD1930CI
5) PIONEER ELITE DV-46AV

Having tried the Panasonic DVD-S53 before buying my Toshiba A20, I will give a resounding, "No" on that one. All of the sub $150 models at Best Buy lack in picture quality. If you don't want to get a Blu-Ray player or an Oppo, get a Toshiba HD DVD player--in this order (for PQ) XA2, A35, A20, A30, XA1, A1, A2, A3. Most people say the XA2 is the best upconverter (in the mass market pricing arena) there is. However, it's not that easy to find under $250 (used). You should be able to find an A20/A30 for $100 or less on E-bay.

I haven't tested any of the Blu-Ray players. Posts on the web suggest that the Toshiba HD DVD players do a better job of upconverting than the PS3 and other Blu-Ray players. Again, I haven't tested any, so I am simply posting what I read.

The Panny S53 and the Toshiba's are flakey with certain DVD+R's depending on how they are authored. My A20 and Panny S53 would not play my DVD+R's created by my Magnavox MRV700 DVD recorder. I had similar issues with all of the (at the time of last spring) ~$100 DVD upscalers at Best Buy. This includes LG, Samsung and Philips.

 

[Alex2507]

I have a Denon 1920 that I really like because of it's ability to play DVD-A and SACD. I use the 6 channel audio outputs for that. I haven't used it to upconvert anything as it only does that through HDMI and my TV doesn't have that but I understand that the Denons are nobody's weak sister in the video department. Another thing that I like about it is the fact that if I stop a DVD it starts right where I left off. I'm not sure if the other players do that. The remote also has a button to open the tray.

I know you were ONLY asking about the models listed yet I can't help but add that if I had NO interest in DVD-A I wouldn't spend a nickel on anything other than a Blu-ray player. I'm curious how much you can get one of those 1930's for and where. Let us know what you decide on.

Alex

 

[bandphan]

pio elite

 

[Alex2507]

pio elite

I googled this puppy and found some reviews on cNet. 1 of the 4 reviews was done by a VERY unhappy camper. He also mentions AVS Forums if that means anything. Here is a link to the reviews if it helps.

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/pioneer-elite-dv-46av/4852-6463_7-32162987.html?tag=uoall

 

[PENG]

Having tried the Panasonic DVD-S53 before buying my Toshiba A20, I will give a resounding, "No" on that one. All of the sub $150 models at Best Buy lack in picture quality. If you don't want to get a Blu-Ray player or an Oppo, get a Toshiba HD DVD player--in this order (for PQ) XA2, A35, A20, A30, XA1, A1, A2, A3.

I think it is a good idea. My Toshiba HD-A30 ($149.99) upconverts regular DVD better than my Denon 3910 (cost more than 10 times 3 yrs ago). The better PQ is immediately noticeable. Why buy a DVD player when you can buy a HD-A30, A35 or A3 ($99.99 or less right now) and get 7 free high definition movies? I am thinking of buying another one for the other room just to play regular DVDs.

 

[Alex2507]

I think it is a good idea. My Toshiba HD-A30 ($149.99) upconverts regular DVD better than my Denon 3910 (cost more than 10 times 3 yrs ago). The better PQ is immediately noticeable.

That is a huge statement. For someone like me the question now becomes, is there a Blu-ray player that upconverts that well?

 

[PENG]

That is a huge statement. For someone like me the question now becomes, is there a Blu-ray player that upconverts that well?

I should add that the Denon won in SQ. I am going to save the Denon for SACD, DVDA, and CD only. The A30 is now my de-facto DVD player. I am not sure if all Blu-ray players upconvert as good but I am sure some of them do, especially the expensive ones (naturally).

I am seriously considering buying an A3 that is going for $99 at FS and BB. Does anyone know for sure if Toshiba will still honor the 5 free HD DVD for purchases made before Feb 28?

 

[obscbyclouds]

That is a huge statement. For someone like me the question now becomes, is there a Blu-ray player that upconverts that well?

The PS3 does an excellent job upscaling. Every bit as good as my Oppo DV-981 IMO, which is no small feat. I don't own any other BR player, so I can't comment on those.

 

[mike c]

i have the pioneer DV600 (higher model than the current 400); the DV490 and DV 696 previous models than the current ones ...

they work good enough. but I've never used my ps3 or hd dvd player to upscale.

though i've always thought they booted up too slow. they are WAY faster than my Toshiba A35 which takes eons to boot and AFAIK does not resume where you last stopped.

 

[Midcow2]

Mike what Blu Ray ?

Mike I see by the title below your avitar that you are an Audioholic Ninja, so I would value your opinion.

I like good music and always have. I am in the process of upgrading my system. I just ordered the top of the line Marantz receiver (SR8002) and want upgrade to a good Blu Ray DVD player now that it is certain that HD is dead. I do not want a PS3 and the Panasonic DMP-DB30 is sold out everywhere! Do you have any suggestions ?

I also have a LCD Visio TV and Definitive Technology speakers.

Thanks for your opinions and comments.

 

[mike c]

Mike I see by the title below your avitar that you are an Audioholic Ninja, so I would value your opinion.

I like good music and always have. I am in the process of upgrading my system. I just ordered the top of the line Marantz receiver (SR8002) and want upgrade to a good Blu Ray DVD player now that it is certain that HD is dead. I do not want a PS3 and the Panasonic DMP-DB30 is sold out everywhere! Do you have any suggestions ?

I also have a LCD Visio TV and Definitive Technology speakers.

Thanks for your opinions and comments.

unfortunately, the title under my name only means that I talk a lot without a lot of sense

but seriously, right here, right now, if i were to buy another blu-ray player, it would still be a ps3. it's easier to update, has free apple tv features for the same price as any decent player out there. the only non-ps3 blu-ray player I buy will be a new model the manufacturers produce that has more features than the existing players.

 

[FSUguy]

Mike I see by the title below your avitar that you are an Audioholic Ninja, so I would value your opinion.

I like good music and always have. I am in the process of upgrading my system. I just ordered the top of the line Marantz receiver (SR8002) and want upgrade to a good Blu Ray DVD player now that it is certain that HD is dead. I do not want a PS3 and the Panasonic DMP-DB30 is sold out everywhere! Do you have any suggestions ?

I also have a LCD Visio TV and Definitive Technology speakers.

Thanks for your opinions and comments.

Well I don't claim to be an AV genius, but since working at Best Buy and researching TV's especially, I would first recommend buying a new TV and maybe put the Vizio into another room or sell it. Between your very nice receiver, speakers and now a Blu-ray, it sounds like you'll have a souped up convertible Ferrari with cloth seats (the Vizio). Even maybe look at a mid-level Sony or a 720p Pioneer for excellent PQ to compliment the rest of your system IMO.

unfortunately, the title under my name only means that I talk a lot without a lot of sense

but seriously, right here, right now, if i were to buy another blu-ray player, it would still be a ps3. it's easier to update, has free apple tv features for the same price as any decent player out there. the only non-ps3 blu-ray player I buy will be a new model the manufacturers produce that has more features than the existing players.

With the exception of the new 2.0 players, from the research I have done, I can definitely say the PS3 is the way to go for Blu-ray right now...let's look at the facts:

1) Only current updateable player through ethernet or Wi Fi (Sony will be releasing an update to make it have 2.0 specs and add on DTS-HD MA decoding)
2) It's a media server, which is freaking sweet if you have a wireless network, or even if you don't
3) the bluetooth is pretty cool too
4) one of the best upscalers on the market right now for SD DVDs
5) hard drive built in
6) fastest load and boot times of any player on the market, sub 2.0 players
7) PLUS you can play some pretty sweet games on it!!!

*only disadvantage I have seen is it doesn't bitstream the new codecs (DD TrueHD, DTS-HD MA...and apparently never will based on the hardware) over HDMI to a capable decoding receiver, rather is sends it as LPCM....but there is a big debate whether one sounds better than the other if there is ANY difference.

What free apple TV features are you referring too?

Thanks

 

[mike c]

What free apple TV features are you referring too?

Thanks

the media server feature of the PS3. because of that, I don't need to buy an apple tv or squeezebox.

 

[FSUguy]

the media server feature of the PS3. because of that, I don't need to buy an apple tv or squeezebox.

Oh, ok. I understand that, I didn't know if you were talking about something else. Thanks

 

[FSUguy]

I have a Denon 1920 that I really like because of it's ability to play DVD-A and SACD. I use the 6 channel audio outputs for that. I haven't used it to upconvert anything as it only does that through HDMI and my TV doesn't have that but I understand that the Denons are nobody's weak sister in the video department. Another thing that I like about it is the fact that if I stop a DVD it starts right where I left off. I'm not sure if the other players do that. The remote also has a button to open the tray.

I know you were ONLY asking about the models listed yet I can't help but add that if I had NO interest in DVD-A I wouldn't spend a nickel on anything other than a Blu-ray player. I'm curious how much you can get one of those 1930's for and where. Let us know what you decide on.

Alex

I ended up getting the Denon 1930CI, but have been less than impressed with its upscaling ability, even when compared to the Sony DVPNS77H/B, which seems too look better. I haven't really had the chance to demo it fully, but this is from my preliminary tests. Would you recommend getting rid of it in favor for a toshiba A-3 or A-30, which from my understanding have better chips for upscaling?

Thanks

 

[mfabien]

The very best for upconverting is the Oppo DV-983HD to be introduced March 10.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cd-dvd-player-product-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---a-secrets-dvd-benchmark-review.html

 

[mudrummer99]

I ended up getting the Denon 1930CI, but have been less than impressed with its upscaling ability, even when compared to the Sony DVPNS77H/B, which seems too look better. I haven't really had the chance to demo it fully, but this is from my preliminary tests. Would you recommend getting rid of it in favor for a toshiba A-3 or A-30, which from my understanding have better chips for upscaling?

Thanks

I just picked up the Pioneer Elite DV-48AV yesterday from a magnolia store (on an awesome employee price I might add). It rocks, the upscaling is the best I've seen, even compared to a PS3 that I am currently borrowing from a buddy. I don't think you could go wrong with this unit. When I went to pick up the player the Mag guy told me the new Denon's video upscaling is, and I quote, "so bad that being a disappointment would be an improvement". This is the reason I went with the Pio and it looks like it is definitely a wise investment so far.

Mike

PS. I had a thread asking the same question about the HD-DVD players, the overwhelmingly consistent response was that they are sluggish and very slow to respond which is the reason I went with the Pio