Need some input for DVD player

[Pauly]

Dont need HD or Blu Ray just yet, just want to upgrade what i have now. Will probably play more music than anything, but i do need DVI/Comp outputs since my TV isnt HDMI with all the media playbacks ie divx, mp3 etc.. my amp does DTS and Dolby decoding so thats not a must but most players seem to come with that nowadays. Throw some suggestions at me. 100 - 200.00 price range. i found a marantz but not ready to fire off the visa digits just yet.

Thanks

Pauly

[haimoc]

I think a used Denon 2910 would be in your range.

[billbillw]

I'd get a brand new Oppo 980H. Just use an HDMI>DVI converter. That's probably the best for under $200.

That's if you want new.

Used, there are many choices, but the better ones (Denon) still run more than $200 most of the time.

FYI: Most of the previous generation Denon (3910/2910) have a problem with macroblocking on some displays. Do your research if you go that direction.

EDIT: The new Toshiba XD-E500 is getting good reviews as well, but mainly for video quality. Not sure about audio.

[Pauly]

didnt even know they converters for hdmi/dvi

[mmadden28]

HDMI and DVI can be converted (although I'm not sure if that's true for the latest audio/video hdmi 1.3 specs.

Anyway, check this out. Pioneer 48AV, Its a DVD player with 1080p upconverting, and since it smostly for Music??? It also plays DVD-A and SACD (and will do those viw hdmi (1.2 or higher) or analog outputs

Its here (http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/486974189/pioneer-dv-48av?s_c=site_search)at Vanns for $99 shipped, Brand new, and full warranty. beat that.

[billbillw]

didnt even know they converters for hdmi/dvi

Yes, HDMI and DVI are pin-pin compatible. HDMI adds additional color spaces, which generally do not matter for DVD playback.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419

Just figure out what you need to connect to the TV (male or female) and get the right one. I suspect you need #2029

[millerman 3732]

This one has been getting alot of buzz here and over at AVS.

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review/5531/toshiba-xd-e500-review

[ajanzalone]

This one has been getting alot of buzz here and over at AVS.

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review/5531/toshiba-xd-e500-review

According to the link, unless I missed it, it does not play DVDA or SACD?

--------------- from the review-------------------
"This model also plays back CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, MP3 & WMA-encoded discs plus the JPEG Viewer " -------------------

Tony

[millerman 3732]

According to the link, unless I missed it, it does not play DVDA or SACD?

--------------- from the review-------------------
"This model also plays back CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, MP3 & WMA-encoded discs plus the JPEG Viewer " -------------------

Tony

The OP doesn't mention needing DVD-A or SACD, not to say he doesn't though.

[ajanzalone]

Anyway, check this out. Pioneer 48AV, Its a DVD player with 1080p upconverting, and since it smostly for Music??? It also plays DVD-A and SACD (and will do those viw hdmi (1.2 or higher) or analog outputs

Its here (http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/486974189/pioneer-dv-48av?s_c=site_search)at Vanns for $99 shipped, Brand new, and full warranty. beat that.


pioneer-dv-48av:
Anyone know how this compares to the OPPO unit, as afar as Audio quality?

Tony

[Sherardp]

if 200 is max, youre right in the range for a sony s300 or panny bd30 blu ray player. With that budget you may as well go blu and be done with it.

[mmadden28]

Yes, HDMI and DVI are pin-pin compatible. HDMI adds additional color spaces, which generally do not matter for DVD playback.



note--Except DVI won't carry the audio (only the Video)
:)

[Pauly]

hmmm interesting, the Pioneer DV-48AV specs looks right up my ally.

[skykeys]

I've posted a few similar comments on this topic recently on a couple of other threads, so I won't go into a lot of detail here.

I have the Oppo 980H, and I really like it, for both audio and DVD video. If you appreciate SACD and DVD-A disks (in addition to CDs and DVD movies), and don't want to pay for an overpriced unit (Denon, others), this is a great choice. It's a highly flexible universal player. I recommend it.

If you want the details, check out these other threads:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71992
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71943
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71997


Regards.

[Pauly]

yeah im still researching. so far its the oppo and the p elite. couple more days to decide.

[skykeys]

Just had to post this info. I have the hybrid SACD Steely Dan Gaucho disk, probably my second favorite Steely Dan album next to Katy Lied. Anyway, my old Denon player would never read the SACD layer on this disk for some reason; it always went to plain CD. It didn't have this problem with any other SACD disk. I hadn't tried Gaucho on my new Oppo yet - I had kind of forgotten about the issue. So today, I put it on, and the Oppo read the SACD layer no problem, and played it in gorgeous 5.1 surround. The SACD version of the album sounds SO much better than the basic CD format. I'm truly very happy with my Oppo 980H.

On a side note: It's a shame that none of the other Steely Dan albums (to my knowledge) have been made into SACD, or DVD-A for that matter. I can at least use my Yamaha receiver's surround sound processing to simulate surround on the other Steely Dan disks, and that sounds better than flat 2-channel stereo, but it's not the same as the real deal: SACD or DVD-A.

[TouchOfEvil]

So how do the elite and oppo sound? Anyone heard both to tell a few details about em?

[skykeys]

ToE, I have not heard the Elite, so I can't compare, so I can only comment on what I think of the Oppo: It sounds and works great and I highly recommend it.

The reason for this particular reply is to add that Oppo has apparently previewed a prototype of their new Blu-ray player, that will do everything their current DVD players do (SACD, DVD-A, and regular DVDs,) in addition to Blu-ray. From a "point in time" perspective, I am glad I got the 980H because I have been without a DVD or CD player since July. But, if the timing/situation was different, I might have waited for this new unit. I may end up getting it anyway when the time comes for me to take the Blu-ray plunge.

[TouchOfEvil]

ToE, I have not heard the Elite, so I can't compare, so I can only comment on what I think of the Oppo: It sounds and works great and I highly recommend it.

The reason for this particular reply is to add that Oppo has apparently previewed a prototype of their new Blu-ray player, that will do everything their current DVD players do (SACD, DVD-A, and regular DVDs,) in addition to Blu-ray. From a "point in time" perspective, I am glad I got the 980H because I have been without a DVD or CD player since July. But, if the timing/situation was different, I might have waited for this new unit. I may end up getting it anyway when the time comes for me to take the Blu-ray plunge.

Thanks for the response. I have a pioneer dvd player in my LR setup and it's showing it's age. About 6-7 years old and i'm gonna have to replace it soon. So just trying to see how the two sound since i am considering both....might buy both and keep the one i like the most.

[lakesailor]

I think a used Denon 2910 would be in your range.

Good call. Failing that get an Oppo.

[Pauly]

ordered the Pioneer 48AV. Has everything i want for now. couldnt say no for under 100 bucks shipped. will be here in 7-10 days. will post my review on it upon seeing hearing.

Pauly