Hi....I am looking for a black, DVD player, with an HDMI out that also has a built in Dolby Digital Decoder (would the HDMI out give a better picture, even though it is not a High-Def player?). I would prefer to have a 5 disc changer, but a single disc player would be fine. SACD would be a plus! I want it to hook up to my new Samsung 1080p Full HD LN40A750. I don't want a Sony or a Toshiba and can't afford a high-end one like a Yamaha or Denon. What would you suggest? Thanks.

Take a look at the new Philips DVP5990 (http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVP5990_37_US_CONSUMER/DVD-Player+DVP5990-37). It's not a changer, nor does it play SACD (look at Oppo for that), but it does meet your other requirements. The price is very reasonable too.

Thanks....It looks good, but it doesn't have a built-in Dolby Digital Decoder which I need......My A/V Receiver is only Dolby Digital ready.........By the way, what is Oppo?

Unless I am mistaken in my understanding, the specification that lists it as handling Dolby Digital would mean it can decode it. Otherwise, how would anyone playing a DD 5.1 encoded DVD be able to use the analog outputs? :confused:

Oppo (see forum sponsor logo above) is a manufacturer of DVD players, they're said to be of high quality (though at a definite increase in cost). Their players do DVDA & SACD.

Thanks....Just to let you know, unless it specifically states that it has a Dolby Digital Decoder, it only means that it will play a DVD in Dolby Digital as long as your receiver will decode it.

Thanks....It looks good, but it doesn't have a built-in Dolby Digital Decoder which I need......My A/V Receiver is only Dolby Digital ready.........By the way, what is Oppo?

Never heard of a DD READY reciever that does not decode. What brand and model number do you have?

frenchmon

It's a 13 year old top of the line (then) Harman Kardon AVR 80 Mark ll that came out right before Dolby Digital became the standard format

Oppo 980 and 983 has 7.1 analogue outs and HDMI. Toshiba HD-A35 and XA2 do also. On the cheap side, Coby DVD588 has 5.1 analogue and HDMI: http://http.vitalstreamcdn.com/cobyelectronics_vitalstream_com/specsheets/DVD588_SP.pdf

I'm sorry js......But if a DVD Player does not state that it has a built-in decoder, then it does not have one. My receiver is analog, but is digital ready. If I buy a DVD player without a decoder, I will not have 5.1 sound

Why would anyone buy the TV you have and keep around a receiver that doesnt even do DD5.1/DTS? There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever that anyone in 2008 should have any receiver not capable of doing no less then DD5.1/DTS.

If I can get an Onkyo receiver with HDMI 1.3 DD+/DD True HD/DTS-HD MA for $300, there is no reason why you cant get a DD5.1/DTS receiver for $50. There are literally hundreds of listings on ebay for more then qualified 5.1 receivers that will do just fine in 98% of houses/rooms.

Instead of investing time in finding a DVD player that has a built-in DD encoder, why dont you put a few bucks to the side and get a proper receiver?

The reason is because none of the receivers you mentioned will sound even 1/8th as good as the one I have now.

Ahha, in closer reading of the manual of the DVD player I mentioned, if the audio is decoded onboard, but sent as PCM over the coaxial connection it will be downmixed to 2 channel. DD 5.1 is only available if the receiver is capable of decoding and the player is set to the equivalent of passthrough. A good many DVD players are probably like this, so the 'decoder' bit is sort of a red herring, because they'll all decode (otherwise no audio at all for the analog 2 channel people), but not all will avoid downmixing.

A DVD player with analog 5.1 connections would probably be the best bet for compatibility, there's an Oppo with that. Provided of course the AVR has 5.1 analog inputs. I do agree with the sentiment that after 13 years it's probably time to move on to a modern digital receiver, especially if you ever plan on Blu-Ray.

Ok well then goodluck with your top of the line receiver from 13 yrs ago in today's age of 7.1 content is all I can say.

If you want the best sound then you can easily shell out $2000 or more for a top of the line receiver if the best sound is what your after. Most people here will tell you that unless your eyes and ears are so trained to tell the smallest of differences, you can get most of that same audio and video performance from receivers costing half or less then their flagship cousins.

Did you do any research on my 13 year old receiver before you posted? I think not. I can get 5.1 amazingly. 7.1 is not much of a difference at all. All I need is what I posted in my first post above.

Thanks js....That one is a possibility.....Just wanted to know which ones would be suggested in this forum, that's all.

Since the OP like higher end gear, he should go for the Oppo 983 with better video and equivalent audio of the Oppo 980 for $250 more.