I have a 55" Mits 55807 RPTV that does an excellent job of displaying 480p native (unlike most televisions). Recently my Panasonic RP-56 Progressive Scan DVD has started acting flaky; it doesn't always play the disc (both DVD+Rs and pressed discs). I get this with DVDs that used to play fine in the past. I even tried a cleaner disk but it didn't help.

So I need a DVD player that does a good job at displaying 480p over component. I initially was lead to believe that just about all progressive scan DVD players would be good at that these days and bought a Philips DVP-5982, but it looks horrible compared the RP56. I confirmed I've got it outputting 480p, but the Philips is still showing lots of jagginess I didn't get with my Panny. So I am looking for recommendations on a current model DVD player that does 480p (over component). The cheaper the better of course! I don't mind spending a little extra to get something better, but not for features I won't use (like 1080i/p upconverting, etc.). If there are models I should avoid, feel free to let me know that as well! Thanks...

I am currently using a Denon 3930CI. I have it hooked up to my 61" DLP via component and the PQ is outstanding. Even thought the 3930CI has HDMI and a top notch scaler in it, I use component and output at 480p. It delivers an incredible picture. The audio is also top notch.

If it's too much $$$ for you, why not try the Denon 1940CI. It has the same Faroudja DCDi chip in it as your Panasonic RP-56 and I'm sure it has better audio than your RP-56.

Thanks for your input, but both those Denons are more than I wanted to spend on a SD DVD player. I bought the RP56 5-6 years ago (or maybe more) for less than $200. I'm considering at the Oppo DV-980H, but was wondering if there were cheaper alternatives that do just as good as job with the 480p output -- like maybe the Pioneer DV-400-K, Sony DVP-NS77, Sony DVP-NS700, or even the Sony DVP-NS57. Anyone have experience with these players?

Wow, a step back in time. You might want to look at a used player. From what I remember, Panasonic RP82, XP30, XP50 and Denon 1600 were great especially with video-based content. Denon 2900 & 2200 were great with film-based content. Those should be fairly affordable on the used market.

Wow, a step back in time. You might want to look at a used player. From what I remember, Panasonic RP82, XP30, XP50 and Denon 1600 were great especially with video-based content. Denon 2900 & 2200 were great with film-based content. Those should be fairly affordable on the used market.

This site is good for test reports of older gear, with the emphasis on 480p performance: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi. It doesn't look like it's being updated anymore and a lot of recent models are missing.

-Bill

I was thinking the same thing after looking at Shootout results (see http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi). I guess the RP-56 was kind of special. I'll watch eBay and Craigslist for a good deal on a used one, but in the meantime I might pick up a Sony DVP-NS77 (or equivalent current model) locally and see how it compares to my Philips and ailing Panasonic.

Thanks Bill...found that link again myself while doing some searches. That's the website that originally convinced me to buy the RP56 in the first place. :)

After doing some digging, I discovered there is a firmware upgrade for my RP56 (see http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=3607922&highlight=RP-56#post3607922) so I'm going to give that a try. Maybe it will fix the flakiness.

FYI, the new firmware didn't seem to help. I did start a new thread (see http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1029950) about the issue I'm having with my RP56.

I got a H/K DVD-48 from their eBay store for $105, and it puts out a great 480p picture, and can also upscale to 1080p if you need that, plus it is a universal player for DVD-A and SACD if you want that. On top of that is plays both NTSC and PAL. The H/K refurbs get the same warranty as new - 1 year. H/K players are known for their superior audio output, if that matters to you. Otherwise, the Oppos are probably the best pure PQ right now, at least until the new Toshiba neo-HD players come out, hopefully next year or even later this year.

I'd go used. Start looking for a Denon 2900 or 2910.

if you just want 480p, the new sony 700h is a great player. No hickups with backups, 5 disk resume memory and quite fast.

Goatse,
So does the Sony 700h produce a really good, clean picture at 480p? I see you commented about it being noisy in another thread. Based on it the preceeding models it replaced, I would expect the 700h to not have as good of a picture as my RP56.

It's sad the manufacturers are focusing upconverting rather than producing DVD players that actually produce a good, clean picture at 480p (which is really the limit of derived information on a DVD).

At 480p it does give out a great pic, even at 480i. Actually playing around with the settings I've fixed the grainy pic. DVD player sends out a overtly sharp picture and I had to turn down the sharpness on the tv to compensate, now it looks pretty great. Too much sharpness was magnifying the film grain. Its not perfect but I'd say its better than the A2 and close to the ps3. I'd avoid 1080p on the dvd player though, 1080i looks better having my tv interlace it.

The HD-XA2 produces an excellent 480p image over component and can still be had for not too much money.