I'm looking for the best image from an upconverting player(to 720p) under $100.
I need it to: 1) play DD and DTS. 2) Display 4:3 DVD's properly without stretching image. Do I have any choices other than the Pan. S52? It will be used with the Mits. HD1000 720p projector, if that matters. I'll consider a refurb if it's better than the S52. And I don't want to mess with the Bravo D1. Thanks.

I don't think the Panny S52S pillarbox 4:3 content. Only Bravo D1 can pillarbox 4:3 for under $100 with 720p via DVI->HDMI.

LG DVB-418 is Faroudja (DCDi) for $80 refurb. shipped from Epay and has very good 720p via HDMI. It does not pillarbox however.

Oppo 970HD refurbs may be close enough for $110 and pillarbox with good 720p HDMI. It also passes DD/DTS via SPDIF. I twould be a good choice for HD1000u but costs more than $100 ($150 new).

Thanks Huey. I'll have to check the S52 thread for info on the 4:3 thing. And I refuse to buy from Ebay.

I've got an hd1000U and and very unimpressed with it's ability to upscale 480 from dvd and SD TV. Has anyone tested the samsung upconverting dvd player that was running for about 50 bucks? I'll try and find a model number. I'm not real worried about 4:3 because I only watch widescreen dvd's. But you're saying that if it can't pillarbox then it will only stretch 4:3? I've tried running the dvd's through my htpc and filtering the heck out of them but just can't make something from nothing. Does anyone have an hd1000U and is using an upconverting dvd player that can comment on picture quality over component?

Samsung HD755 is no good as it does not pass pluge or blacker than black. In general I'm less impressed with Samsung's DVD newer HDMI players. Their older ones like HD941 are decent though (has Faroudja DCDi FLI-2310 deinterlacer and Zoran MPEG decoder).

I heard Panny S52S does pillarbox so this make it a very good player for <$100 since Panny MPEG decoder is very good and deinterlacer is adequate (similar to Mediatek which is what Oppo 970 uses--refurb is $110).

Epay is not bad if the seller has good reviews (>95%).

Check out the new Toshiba SD-7990 that has Faroudja FLI-2310 and Zoran MPEG decoder and 1080p HDMI for $125 at One_Call.

Huey, that site shows it at $149.

http://www.one_call.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=34035 (get rid of the underline to go to site) for $125 shipped.

I'm looking for the best image from an upconverting player(to 720p) under $100.
I need it to: 1) play DD and DTS. 2) Display 4:3 DVD's properly without stretching image. Do I have any choices other than the Pan. S52? It will be used with the Mits. HD1000 720p projector, if that matters. I'll consider a refurb if it's better than the S52. And I don't want to mess with the Bravo D1. Thanks.


On the right week, the sony 75H can be had at BB or CC for 109 plus tax. That's close. This week is the $117 week. Starting Sunday my guess is that it will be down to 109 again. You can order online and pickup in store or order online and have free delivery. May posters in this forum and the Sony e2000 RPTV thread give the player thumbs up. I'm purchasing one tomorrow from Costco (model is 71H there). It's 130 but with HDMI cable included and Costco's great return policy.

I've tried Toshiba upconverting HDMI DVD player from Costco ($70 with HDMI cable) and it was not a great one (Picture quality is below average) + it was freezing on my home made DVDs. Then I exchanged it to Sony 71H (HDMI cable included) and let me tell -- this must the best DVD player I've ever had:
1) Picture quality is as close as it can get to HD (I have Pioneer 5070)
2) Sound is amazing
3) player remembers last position on up to 5 disks used previously.
4) Quality of playing on my home made DVD was amazing. No problems whatsoever.

Highly recommend it.

I've tried Toshiba upconverting HDMI DVD player from Costco ($70 with HDMI cable) and it was not a great one (Picture quality is below average) + it was freezing on my home made DVDs. Then I exchanged it to Sony 71H (HDMI cable included) and let me tell -- this must the best DVD player I've ever had:
1) Picture quality is as close as it can get to HD (I have Pioneer 5070)
2) Sound is amazing
3) player remembers last position on up to 5 disks used previously.
4) Quality of playing on my home made DVD was amazing. No problems whatsoever.

Highly recommend it.


"Sony 71H"???
I assume that you mean the 75H?

I'm looking for comments on the Toshiba Sd-7990. Can't seem to find any reviews after searching several times. Anybody bought this unit? I would appreciate any feedback.

Check out the new Toshiba SD-7990 that has Faroudja FLI-2310 and Zoran MPEG decoder and 1080p HDMI for $125 at One_Call.

Hey Huey - how did you find out the SD-7990 has this Faroudja chip? I wish I could find out what deinterlacer chip my Toshiba Aquos 32" HDTV has - the typical specs on the mfg. web site don't go into this much detail -- do you just call them and ask?

That SD-7990 sounds like a really nice player if the price will come down a little more. I can't find it for $125 either...

Thanks for the info... KR

Ok I bought the Panni S52 and it's not to bad I just havent had anything to compare it to. B/B has the sammy HD860 for $79 here and thinking of taking the Panny back for it. Anyone know how this Sammy compares to the Panny? It is hooked up to Mit's 57732
BTW the Panny will do 4X3? THe panny is very flexible as far as settings are concerned.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0aNpPTTU94c/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?print=Y&g=54400&tab=detailed_info&i=052SD7990 clearly states DCDi

One call has it for $119.95 currently for SD-7990.

[QUOTE=Huey****** clearly states DCDi

One call has it for $119.95 currently for SD-7990.[/QUOTE]


You am the man, Huey.

I had not looked at the Crutchfield site - they are good guys for customer service, but typically too expensive (IMHO) over other trustworthy web dealers.

Crutchfield states "DCDi Faroudja Technology: This award winning video processing technology eliminates jagged images to produce clear, natural images."

Well, I just ordered the SD-7990 from 1-Call for $119, and they are a good vendor, I bought my big Yamaha A/V amp from them a couple of years ago.

Thanks again for the help -- KR