My 30" HDTV doesn't have HDMI, so I'm not concerned with up-conversion yet.

I will only be using Component Video connections.

Looking for recommendations on inexpensive dvd players under $100. They're all relatively cheap, but I expect picture quality to vary.

Sony DVP-NS57P/B $60.00

Toshiba SD-4000 $50.00

Samsung DVD-HD845 $80

Panasonic DVD-S53K $90.00

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Oppo 970HD can do 1080i via component with hacked firmware. It uses Mediatek and support DVD-A/SACD, USB, DivX for $119 refurbed.

LG DVB-418 can do 1080i via component also with LG531 firmware. It uses FLI-2301 (DCDi/Faroudja) chipset.

The players you listed can only do 480p via component. Of these listed, I would go with Sony DVP-NS57P/B for good 480p component output. Next would be Panny DVD-S53K which supports 1080p via HDMI once you upgrade your TV. Panny uses their own chipset and has good MPEG decoder. It can do 480p component well also.

Philips 5982/37 uses Mediatek which is a good chipset and can do 480p component and 1080p HDMI. It's $60-70 at Best Buy/Costco/Sams Club, etc. It allows region free, DivX, and USB support.

Sony 77 can do 1080p HDMI and 480p component. It uses Mediatek also. It is not region free but should have better 480p component due to better DAC than Philips.

Thanks Huey!

I'm leaning toward the Sony, just because of the price difference...but...

Regarding the Oppo 970HD: Since my TV is only a 30" HDTV (Insignia, CRT, 1080i native resolution), do you think the conversion (post-hack) would result in a real noticeable improvement, or just barely noticeable?

Thanks Huey!

I'm leaning toward the Sony, just because of the price difference...but...

Regarding the Oppo 970HD: Since my TV is only a 30" HDTV (Insignia, CRT, 1080i native resolution), do you think the conversion (post-hack) would result in a real noticeable improvement, or just barely noticeable?
Yes, you will notice the differece and you will never go back to 480p again.

In that price range, I doubt that brand matters.

A couple years ago, an budget-label DVD player was released which displayed Sony in the onscreen display. They included the wrong firmware! It just goes to show that there's no difference between a premium-brand and budget-brand at the low end, they all use the same parts inside.

some of the older samsung dvd players with hdmi or dvi outputs can be hacked as well to output hd resolutions thru component as well. u prob can get most of them under 100 bucks but i dont know any of the model numbers off hand though

I recently bought a RCA DRC247 for 34 dollars. It uses a all in one mediatek chip and PQ is great on my Sony 36xs955. It also has the parent guardian which is nice. The only negative that I can say is that it will not pass DTS via optical or coaxial. Not a problem for personally but other then that it is a great player and you will not have to spend a lot of cash.

Well, I purchased the Sony DVP-NS57P. I'm disappointed with the picture quality. It's significantly worse than the quality achieved by the Panasonic mini-home-theater system it's replacing (it crapped out after 4 years of heavy use).

I don't want to #$%&-around with dvd players like this Sony. Unless there a place on the web where I can see what players have mediatek chipsets(?) -assuming they're superior than this Sony?

I might just have to get serious about finding an upconverter via component after-all...

Well, I purchased the Sony DVP-NS57P. I'm disappointed with the picture quality. It's significantly worse than the quality achieved by the Panasonic mini-home-theater system it's replacing (it crapped out after 4 years of heavy use).

I don't want to #$%&-around with dvd players like this Sony. Unless there a place on the web where I can see what players have mediatek chipsets(?) -assuming they're superior than this Sony?

I might just have to get serious about finding an upconverter via component after-all...

Try searching here: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi

-Bill

Well, I purchased the Sony DVP-NS57P. I'm disappointed with the picture quality. It's significantly worse than the quality achieved by the Panasonic mini-home-theater system it's replacing (it crapped out after 4 years of heavy use).

I don't want to #$%&-around with dvd players like this Sony. Unless there a place on the web where I can see what players have mediatek chipsets(?) -assuming they're superior than this Sony?

I might just have to get serious about finding an upconverter via component after-all...Just get a refurb Oppo 970HD....I did it and it was a good purchase. I really can't tell that mine was "refurbed" at all and suspect they are just trying to unload old stock to make way for the 980H. Check Ebay for "oppodigital" as the seller..

Yep, that's pretty much my conclusion as well. Oppo Digital it is...

Just ordered the refurbished 970HD on Ebay.

Now, hopefully some jackball will give me $50 for the Sony on Craigslist.

I got the Oppo 970HD.

Updated firmware to allow 1080i over component.

I am very happy with this. I will be recommending it to my friends.

Don't forget to add the LGA-511 to your list-like the 418 it can be hacked to upscale to either 720P or 1080I through componet.