What's the BEST VALUE today in a "do-it-all" DVD player?

[Tour2ma]

Within these parameters:
1.) Progressive scan a must (for future monitor upgrade).
2.) DVD - CD - SACD - LMNOP... oops sorry... must handle whatever format is out there today except MP3 (it's optional).
3.) No internal SSP (got that covered in my AVP).
4.) Multi-disc preferred, but not a must. If you want to recommend one of each, great.
5.) Under $1000 - the less, the better :) , but it's a value question.
6.) 'Value’ = performance/ price (but, I don't expect you to do the calc's for me).

All options are welcome regardless of brand, e.g., Technics. Sometimes there’s a pearl in a pile of s**t, e.g., RS’s little Optimus speaker.

If you have had a bad experience with a brand, whether recommended by another or not, please state that as well. Don't want sparks to fly, but would rather have some than miss the input.

If you think a do-it-all, is NOT the way go, that input is welcome as well. I own both single, and multi-disc CD players, but they’re not SACD capable. I’m looking to simplify and economically cover all the bases, if I can. To do so, I am willing to accept some performance compromise, but would obviously like to minimize it. I know I can always upgrade to separate players later.

My current player is a one-year-old, Sony DVP-NC600 (five-disc carousel, DVD-CD-Video CD player). My old CD players are a Denon DCD-1500 and a Sony carousel.

My probable timing is April this year for my next purchase (have to let my credit card cool off a while). If there's something coming down the road, model and/or format wise that would make it worth waiting longer, please state that as well.

I didn’t specify outputs because it appears all have at least one optical and component these days, but if a player is noteworthy for extras here, please mention them.

Thanks for your input…

EDIT: Corrected AC3 to MP3...

[shack]

Sometimes I wonder how much do we really want one little box to do. DVD HD-DVD, Progressive, Interlaced, CD, HDCD, SACD, DVD-A, MP3, WMA, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW. All similar but yet a little different. I have to believe that there are compromises to be made in order to do it all...maybe too many. Sometimes we make things too complicated trying to make it simple. I like the idea of going out to find the best DVD player for my budget...or the best CD player. I guess they can be the same but maybe not.

Kind of like a wanting a car that can hold a bunch of people, lots of cargo, have leather seats, pull a trailer, get good gas mileage, cheap on insurance, nobody steals them, you never get pulled over, very versitile, rides like a car but has utility like a van and anybody can drive one. So what you have is a Minivan. Does lots of things well....But it aint no PORSCHE!!!!

[Tour2ma]

Granted... so your suggestion is???

[shack]

If it were my money today I would purchase a Panasonic RP-82 DVD-V, DVD-A single disc player for those two formats (I could care less about DVD-A - I prefer SACD - However this is a good DVD player for both interlaced and progressive). Street price of around $220 if you can find one. In your time frame maybe the "Rumored" RP-85 which may come out in March/April would be the choice assuming it is as good as the RP-82. If you want a multidisc DVD player the Panaonic RP-72 may be a good choice.

For a multidisc CD changer I would first look for a Sony SCD-C555ES. CD/SACD Changer - very good redbook capabilities for a changer and SACD is excellent. Very good build quality. MSRP $800 but can be had for around $500. Or a slight step down to the Sony SCD-C222ES CD/SACD changer. Close to 555 but not quite the build quality and the redbook playback just a little weaker. Still very good. SACD is still excellent. It can be had for around $350. Sony builds a good CD player and the ES line is solid with a 5 year warranty.

JMO...it's free and worth every penny.

[begbie]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
... must handle whatever format is out there today except AC3 ....

I think you would want this feature (ac3) because it is now referred to as Dolby Digital ! ;)

[Tour2ma]

Good point, I, of course, meant MP3....

Damn, can't even claim digit dyslexia on that one...
STOOOOOPID

[weavercr]

pioneer DV-45A

[Soccerplyr]

I have the Pan DVDCP72 and can't be happier. I have an analogue tv and the picture improved quite a bit over the phillips I had before

[mantis]

The Pioneer Elite dv45a is a great value player that plays just about everything under the sun.
It's the one man

[weavercr]

Mantis Got a question for you? Doesnt Panasonic make the transport for the pioneer?

[gacole2000]

RP82- $265US Hurry!

http://www.audioexpress.ca/video_dvd.html

Enjoy- Greg

[Jargan04]

If you have the money go with a Onkyo DV-SP800. It does everything; SACD,DVD AUDIO, DVD VIDEO, CD, MP3. It has 7 channel outpouts. They go for about $800-$900 on the net. All in all they are even better then the $3500 Denon DVD-9000 that I friend of mine bought.

[faster100]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3316

$397.00 buy now price, these retail for hundreds more don't they, seems like a good deal... i want one now :)

[weiser]

Panasonic RP82 at audioexpress sold out!
Any other links for this player in Canada or U.S.?

[gacole2000]

They went fast! They are supposed to get more next week, but who knows? Also, there are a couple on ebay (overpriced, but if you keep a close eye, you can find them reasonable).

Good luck- Greg

[weiser]

I e-mailed them back about getting more next week and they replied that they are sold out at source and that they would consider my order cancelled. Oh well! Keep looking!

[freid]

Originally posted by mantis
The Pioneer Elite dv45a is a great value player that plays just about everything under the sun.
It's the one man

hey Mantis, I am also in the market for a "reasonably priced" good DVD player. Have you heard the CD audio reproduction from the Pioneer Elite dv45a and can advise on its quality? Also can you advise on the dv47ai as well?

Any help is greatly appreciated.