Arcam DV137

[dlgreen561]

Has anybody had a chance to demo the new arcam unit? I've been told that this unit has a better picture than the top of the line FMJ29 that has apparently one of the best pictures in the business. Some have said that the Zoran chip is not as good as the Realta used in the denon 5910. Others have said that regardless of the chip inside the unit, the arcam comes out on top. the dv137 uses the new zoran 888 that might be the answer. Either way, any input would be appreciated.

[gregeas]

I ordered the DV137 last week and am waiting for it to arrive. I will be using it with a Panasonic AE900 projector, Arcam Diva separates, and Paradigm Studio Reference speakers. I'm mainly an audio guy and am counting on the 137 to deliver. I also hope that scaling to the projector's native resolution will be beneficial. I'll post imprssions when I get everything set up.

PS: What is your source for the information about the 137?

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by gregeas

I ordered the DV137 last week and am waiting for it to arrive. I will be using it with a Panasonic AE900 projector, Arcam Diva separates, and Paradigm Studio Reference speakers. I'm mainly an audio guy and am counting on the 137 to deliver. I also hope that scaling to the projector's native resolution will be beneficial. I'll post imprssions when I get everything set up.

PS: What is your source for the information about the 137?

When did your dealer tell you it would arrive?

[gregeas]

He said it was "shipping" but hasn't given me a date. I'll ping him tomorrow.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by gregeas

He said it was "shipping" but hasn't given me a date. I'll ping him tomorrow.

Let me know please, I am trying to get a feel for when I can expect one.

[gregeas]

I just heard that the DV137 will be shipping "by the end of the month" in limited quantities.

Can't wait for this thing to arrive. I do feel it will tide me over until the HD format war gets sorted. I live in NYC and have access to a broad array of HD cable programming, and I'm more of an audio guy, so I'm not dying for a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD machine. I'm also very selective about what movies I bother to watch, it will be a while before the selection is decent in the new formats.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by dlgreen561

Has anybody had a chance to demo the new arcam unit? I've been told that this unit has a better picture than the top of the line FMJ29 that has apparently one of the best pictures in the business. Some have said that the Zoran chip is not as good as the Realta used in the denon 5910. Others have said that regardless of the chip inside the unit, the arcam comes out on top. the dv137 uses the new zoran 888 that might be the answer. Either way, any input would be appreciated.

Although it is using the Zoran V888 chipset for decoding and processing, it has a Anchor Bay Technology's ABT1010 upscaling chipset. Should be a killer when it is released.

Here is a link to the DV317 Product Brochure.

[rmlowz]

Hello,

What is the MSRP of this unit?

rmlowz

[Espo77]

I read here that the MSRP would be $2200.00 but that has not been confirmed.

[longshot]

I've had my DVD 79 for two years and no regrets. I wish Arcam would release a Blu-Ray player.

[bob53]

I'm sure Arcam will wait to determine who will win the war before picking a format... They will make the next gen player but right now it is unclear what that will be.

At this point speculation if it is as good as the denon 5910 is just that... The only people who have seen it are likely pro-Arcam and so I'll reserve judgment until people like Kris Deering evaluate it.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Although it is using the Zoran V888 chipset for decoding and processing, it has a Anchor Bay Technology's ABT1010 upscaling chipset. Should be a killer when it is released.

Here is a link to the DV317 Product Brochure.

Is the ABT1010 a benefit for component or digital connection?

[vox8940]

Is this Arcam's first "universal" player that includes both DVD-Audio and SACD?

[The Rang]

Yes, it is.

Though I'm happy they are making the effort I'm surprised they bothered at this stage of the game with SACD (and DVD-A for that matter) seemingly, and sadly, fading.

But then again, the few people who would buck up for a player like this (me) are probably the same people who want SACD.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by soldonandy

Is the ABT1010 a benefit for component or digital connection?

The ABT1010 can be used for both analog and digital signal, but it will likely be distributed to only the HDMI output in adherence to HDCP.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Although it is using the Zoran V888 chipset for decoding and processing, it has a Anchor Bay Technology's ABT1010 upscaling chipset. Should be a killer when it is released.

Here is a link to the DV317 Product Brochure.

Do we really know anything about the Zoran V888? What does it mean "although it is using the Zoran V888"?

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by soldonandy

Do we really know anything about the Zoran V888? What does it mean "although it is using the Zoran V888"?

Zoran has never made a good upscaling chipset. So, although it may be a good decoder, its de-interlacing and upscaling ability are far less than any other chipset in the market. So, the "although" is meant to emphasize the point that Arcam is using a much superior de-interlacer/scaler for the video reproduction.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Zoran has never made a good upscaling chipset. So, although it may be a good decoder, its de-interlacing and upscaling ability are far less than any other chipset in the market. So, the "although" is meant to emphasize the point that Arcam is using a much superior de-interlacer/scaler for the video reproduction.

And this knowledge is based on what? If you derive all your opinions from one source, the Secrets Benchmark, then I understand why you would feel that way. Assuming that I am correct and your opinion is solely based on what you read on the Secrets website, I think you will see that despite the fact that Zoran is not considered to be the "best", the Arcam DV79 along with other Zoran DVD players are capable of doing fairly well according to their standards. When you say "far less" this concerns me, how may different chips are you aware of other than Faroudja, Silicon and Zoran? Is it possible that the Zoran V888 has improved upon its' supposed shortcomings and has eclipsed the likes of faroudja and silicon chipsets? I don't think anyone knows the answer yet. One thing that we do know, however, is that Arcam DVD players hold up well video wise to all but the closest laboratory scrutiny and audio wise, they smoke most DVD players. From my experience with Arcam, they take pride in being one step ahead of the game and when they went from Silicon to Zoran, it was for a calculated reason other than cost cutting and unfortunately it didn't stack up well in the laboratory but was well received everywhere else. I doubt that for their last hurrah before HD takes over, they are not going to run out a $2,000 DVD player that isn't ahead of the game on all fronts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Zoran V888 is the latest and greatest in many respects and coupled with ABT processing, you will find yourself with a very competent DVD player.

[nicholas]

Details are now on the US distributors web site:

http://www.aslgroup.com/arcam/index.htm

[gostan]

Does this one ouput 480i. It is not clearly stated in the product literature?

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by soldonandy

I wouldn't be surprised if the Zoran V888 is the latest and greatest in many respects and coupled with ABT processing, you will find yourself with a very competent DVD player.

I can't substantiation any claims in regard to the Zoran Vidas 888, but in previous experiences with the Zoran line, it is a good decoder (especially when you consider the large library of media support) but it is not a good de-interlacer when compared to other alternatives on the market due to bad 3:2 and 2:2 flagging and CUE errors (V787 reintroduced the CUE error, as it was reduced in the Zoran V series). Which is why Arcam decided to mate it with one the new ABT de-interlacer/scaling chipsets.

I am not saying this is a bad mistake, as Arcam is using the strength of each chip wisely. The Zoran will handle all raw data decoding (HD-JPEG, DivX, MP3, MPEG-2, and so forth) while leaving the fine detail work to the superior chipset (ABT1010).

[zeropoint]

I think the ABT1010 is only a scaler, so the Zoran Vaddis 888 will presumably be doing the deinterlacing. I think even DVDO mate the 1010 with a SiL504 in their VP30 to perform the deinterlacing duties.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

I can't substantiation any claims in regard to the Zoran Vidas 888, but in previous experiences with the Zoran line, it is a good decoder (especially when you consider the large library of media support) but it is not a good de-interlacer when compared to other alternatives on the market due to bad 3:2 and 2:2 flagging and CUE errors (V787 reintroduced the CUE error, as it was reduced in the Zoran V series). Which is why Arcam decided to mate it with one the new ABT de-interlacer/scaling chipsets.

I am not saying this is a bad mistake, as Arcam is using the strength of each chip wisely. The Zoran will handle all raw data decoding (HD-JPEG, DivX, MP3, MPEG-2, and so forth) while leaving the fine detail work to the superior chipset (ABT1010).

Exactly. The knee jerk reaction is to assume that Zoran will fare similarly if you are interested in lab results but the reality is probably closer to what I said previously. This DVD player I believe is 17 pounds and judging from the data sheet, it looks like they covered all their bases, I wouldn't be surprised if this was one hell of a player for Arcams' last hurrah. Laboratory testing aside, all their DVD players have been pretty nice if your priorities are real world viewing and discriminating sound.

[Kevin C Brown]

"Real world viewing" ... I will also personally wait until the Secrets results are out. I want a good player, but I will not purchase a player if its video results are judged to be worse by Secrets than what I have now.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown

"Real world viewing" ... I will also personally wait until the Secrets results are out. I want a good player, but I will not purchase a player if its video results are judged to be worse by Secrets than what I have now.

Don't wait too long, this may the last round of higher end DVD players from the likes of Denon and Arcam before HD gets into full swing. If you are serious about spending some coin on a DVD player at this point, it is now or never. Besides, if you are waiting for Secrets to declare the Arcam the "best" it is not going to happen. I have owned 4 Arcams and they all were musically superb, well built and boasted pleasing pictures. This player should be yet more refined.

[Kevin C Brown]

If you are serious about spending some coin on a DVD player at this point, it is now or never.

I bet not. I am betting HD-DVD and Blu-ray will take *years* (if at all) before titles and hardware become as prevalent as DVD. And personally, I wll not buy into either HD-DVD or Blu-ray until there is a next generation universal player than can play both new formats as well as what current universal players play. Plus, we already know that more upscale universal players are coming from Parasound and NAD just to name 2 more.

The Arcam doesn't have to be the "best", btw. It just has to have better (or at least very close) HDMI video quality to the Pio 59AVi.

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown

I bet not. I am betting HD-DVD and Blu-ray will take *years* (if at all) before titles and hardware become as prevalent as DVD. And personally, I wll not buy into either HD-DVD or Blu-ray until there is a next generation universal player than can play both new formats as well as what current universal players play. Plus, we already know that more upscale universal players are coming from Parasound and NAD just to name 2 more.

The Arcam doesn't have to be the "best", btw. It just has to have better (or at least very close) HDMI video quality to the Pio 59AVi.

I hope you are right because I will be investing in this Arcam. As far is it qualifying as the "best", it all depends on what you are looking for. If this Arcam improves upon Arcam's last round of players, it should be outstanding. I think the specs say it should be 18 pounds which is a nice step up from even the fmj line, hopefully those extra pounds represent substance.

[Kevin C Brown]

I have my fingers crossed too.

Just curious as to current Arcam players: do they have a remaining time function?

For example, I tried out a Marantz 9600 but I couldn't live with it because it only had elapsed track time and elapsed total time. No way to tell the total time of the disc or how much time remains.

Pio has elapsed track time, remaining track time, and remaining total time.

??

[soldonandy]

Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown

I have my fingers crossed too.

Just curious as to current Arcam players: do they have a remaining time function?

For example, I tried out a Marantz 9600 but I couldn't live with it because it only had elapsed track time and elapsed total time. No way to tell the total time of the disc or how much time remains.

Pio has elapsed track time, remaining track time, and remaining total time.

??

Yes, as far as I know. I am hoping it has a disc memory feature after the disc is removed. I ordered a 137, should be here end of June.

[The Rang]

Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown

I have my fingers crossed too.

Just curious as to current Arcam players: do they have a remaining time function?


??

My Arcam CD player does show remaining track time and disc time via the P.Mode button on the remote.

The same remote (CR-314) is used for their DVD players. In fact the P.Mode button is grouped with other DVD functions such as angle, subtitle etc.

Based on this I think it's safe to assume their DVD players will also show remaining and elapsed times.