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Originally posted by sergiohm
Eric,
Unfortunately your argument does not hold. The Pioneer DV-578A-S has a MSRP of $149.99 (I saw it in Best Buy for $119.99). It offers built-in DD/DTS, plays everything under the sun (including DVD-A/SACD) and offers progressive scanning. |
Ok, yeah. That's a very fair point.
However, subjectively speaking, I've seen a wide body of opinion that described a player that has a very spotty track record. In other words, it's does everything OK, but not great. You're not going to confuse the PQ on that unit to even the Zenith 318, to say nothing about the Denon 1910 and 2910. It just isn't even close. Audio also has a somewhat spotty track record.
It's a great entry level unit. That's all it is, but thanks for mentioning it.
I can't tell if Pioneer has discontinued this unit or not. If they have, I think that's rather telling. But yes, this player is an easy example of how affordable high rez audio is for entry level and I think if I took it, plugged in to even a $200 Sony HTIB (most of these are ready with multichannel inputs now) even at that, most people would appreciate the difference. High rez can be had inexpensively and decently enough. Hardcore audiophiles notwithstanding.
It's just not being marketed well enough at all. And Denon's attitude is part of the industry's overall problem in this regard.
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Compare it to the Denon 1910 for MSRP $249.99! The only thing Denon offers feature wise is HDMI and the built-in scaler. |
That's much better, more sophisticated technology. That extra $100 really goes a long way.
Remember, we're talking about people going out expressly to buy a DVD player. Not a high rez audio player, not a CD player, etc. etc.
I gurantee you if you have a shootout between the 578 at its best. vs. the 1910 at its best, this wouldn't even be close. The 1910 isn't perfect, but it's a solid, dedicated video unit that does its job very well, especially at that price level.
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For the guy who strolls through BB or CC, which one do you think he would pick? Does this person really care that much about picture quality ? |
If this thing's marketed properly, Joe Six Pack will see the PQ difference in an A/B shootout of an HDMI upconverted Denon 1910 and the Pioneer 578. At that point, he may decide that the Pioneer 578 gives him more bang for his buck and go that way. I can't really blame him.
Most of us around here are video and audiophiles enough, we'd probably chose the 1910. Joe Six Pack may not. And I can understand why.
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Folks like these probably do not even have an HDMI/DVI input on their TV anyway. Not to mention that Samsung offers the Samsung DVD-HD841 which not only has DVD-A/SACD but also HDMI and the scaler. |
Yeah, but the 841 is a nightmare. Very spotty track record. I don't think Samsung knows how to make a good DVD player. This simply is not a strong suit for them.
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(Not to mention the Sony DVP-NS775V which at $129 offers SACD). |
Yup, this is a good unit.
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Now I'm not in any way saying the 1910 does not offer a better picture than either of the players above, but considering the market I do not think it mattes and I think Denon is making a bad move and that executive i.m.h.o should be looking for another job |
You know my bias on this. I'm a high rez disciple and I shall proclaim the Good News from the rooftops!
But, again, if we're just talking about a DVD player concentrating on that specific function and marketplace, I can see where he's coming from. I gurantee the Denon 1910's PQ knocks out any of the units you named here hands down. And that's what it's primary purpose and function is for.
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(I can already read in S&V cons, Denon 1910 - does not offer SACD/DVD-A) |
If it did, it would be a $400 player, give or take, and that would knock it out of the entry level. That 1910 is STACKED for video at this price level. I think it's arguably the best under $300 player out there and the one to beat right now. Yes, better than the Zenith, if we're talking about upconversion over DVI/HDMI. The 1910 may be a giant killer, if were just talking about video and price.
Street price on the 1910? I can get it around the same price as the Zenith 318. Think about that vs. any of those other units you named.
FWIW, if I were selling electronics right now, say at Circuit City, and I had both these units on hand, I'd do everything in my power to sell BOTH of them to Joe Six Pack. I'd give him every possible legal discount known to mankind, so for under $500, and maybe even under $400, which I know can be done, he has kick ass video AND high rez audio!
