New DVD player suggestions....

[shawn474]

I have recently begun to experience problems with my Panasonic progresive scan dvd player (not sure of the model number, but I paid about 200 dollars and got it well over five years ago). Considering a budget of 300 dollars, what is the best dvd player to get at this time? Is it worth it to wait for the blueray players and spend more money? I have heard a lot about the "up conversion players", the denons and the oppo dvd player, but what in that price range gives me the best sound and picture quality? I am running it with a sony str-da5es avr. As always, thanks for the input and advice.

[steveinaz]

Panasonic S77?

[Willow]

The oppo received great reviews for the price and their CS is said to be amazing. I was considering this player. I wanted something to play Divx on. But I found an upconverting divx playing toshiba last night open box for 89$ so I bought it.
I myself wouldn't buy blueray or any HDdvd player anytime soon, I want then to iron out the crap before I invest.

[PolkThug]

I always recommend Denon. I haven't seen the Oppo in action, yet.

[shack]

I always recommend Denon. I haven't seen the Oppo in action, yet.

Same here.

[shawn474]

Which model number of the Denon would you recommend? I've heard good things about the 2910, but it's a little out of my price range. Thanks again for all the advice.

[peteran]

If i was you, I would jump into the HD-dvd players. spent 200 more and you wouldn't have to upgrade later.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-q1RDCIu...p.asp?g=279850

I know the toshiba should be available soon.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

Yamaha S-657. Great value. Highest picture quality in this class and SACD - DVD-A compatible. Check some pro reviews in the web. ;)

[shack]

I have a DVD-1910 and like it a lot. The new DVD-1920 looks nice (and is now a true universal player with DVD-A and SACD - if that matters)

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/418.asp

[Nelson57]

Shawn, in your price range, I would recommend the Denon 1920.

[dipiazza]

Shawn,

Ive got the Denon DVD-910, it works great and you can get if refurb most likely for pretty cheap. alot less than 300. I think i paid 130 or something. but its a great DVDP for the money.

-Jake
(i'll be visiting you when SB is over)

[shawn474]

Jake,
Does the 910 support DVD-A and SACD? I would think that if I was to upgrade at this point, I would want one that supprots those formats. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Seems like the Denon is the overwhelming favorite.

Thanks again,
Shawn

[shack]

Jake,
Does the 910 support DVD-A and SACD? I would think that if I was to upgrade at this point, I would want one that supprots those formats. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Seems like the Denon is the overwhelming favorite.

Thanks again,
Shawn

No. If you want the Denon with SACD and DVD-A you will need to go with the DVD-1920.

[aaharvel]

Harman's 720p/1080i upscaling players, the DVD-37, or DVD-47 if you want SACD & dvd-a

[Ron-P]

My I suggest the soon to street Sony Blu-ray. Yeah, it'll be a bit out of your budget though.

Is it worth it to wait for the blueray players and spend more money?

I'd wait, within the next month the HD-DVD players will hit the stores and will be between $300 and $400. I plan on buying one as soon as they street.

[dipiazza]

True the 910 does not support dvda or sacd... kinda wish i had one that did. but its only like 100 bucks so what can you expect. heh.

Dont really know about the 1920, but it sounds great. quite universal.

-Jake

[aaharvel]

woah. Where's the ES moniker?
that looks SWEEEEEET!

[ViperZ]

Samsung DVD-HD950 (or DVD-HD941). I own 941 and it is awesome!

* DVD-Audio and SACD support (6-channel analog output in the back for this).
* Faroudja chipset.
* Upsampling to 720p and 1080i through component outputs (also has HDMI output).

Overall, great value for the money for sure.

[*Seby*-Polk-]

ohh great picture of that Sony Blu Ray player

[polksda]

You can get a refurbed Oppo from the company direct for $160 + $15 S&H. Carries same warranty as new units. Comes with both a DVI-DVI cable and a DVI-HDMI cable, which is nice. Yes, customer support is about the most responsive on the planet; almost legendary. They release new firmware every few weeks, not just bugfixes, but feature additions. Amazing really.

I picked one up to use for PAL and non-region-1 discs, since my Pioneer 79avi does not do PAL nor can be hacked.

With respect to Denon models, depending on your display you *MAY* encounter macroblocking problems. The denon models short of the $3,500 5910 have horrible macroblocking issues, although depending on your display you may or may not ever see them. On my Mits CRT RPTV it was readily apparent. I tried both the 2910 and 3910 and could not view material on either.

To see how the Oppo fared on scientific tests (with recent firmware it actually bests the $3,500 Denon 5910) see the link below:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...deInt=0&mpeg=0

That being said, the Secrets DVD benchmarks ONLY deal with scientific tests of the video performance. They test absolutely nothing having to do with audio, build quality, feature set, or ergonomics.

Still, for $175 delivered, it's hard to go wrong...

[This assumes you plan to use the DVI output, as it will not do upconversion to 720p or 1080i over component output.]

[wingnut4772]

Since your TV is a CRT display I would go with a used Denon 2910 or 1920 and hold out for a while for the HD players until the dust has settled. If you plan on getting a DLP set any time in the near future though, I would not recommend the Denon. Just too many macroblocking issues in my experience.

[shawn474]

Hey guys, just wanted to thak everyone for their replies. I am doing my research now and will let you know what I get and possibly give a layman's review. Thaks again.

Shawn