Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

DVD upgrade soon or wait for DVD HD?

622 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by zoro, Apr 30, 2003

Agrajag

Discussion Starter · Apr 29, 2003

Okay, I finally have the TV I want (a 58" Pioneer Elite 630HD) and my mid-level Sony DVD player wasn't progressive so I just quickly grabbed what Tweeter had on hand, a crappy Sony 715. It's progressive and has disc recall memory but that's about all the good I can say about it.

I'm starting to look at ~$1000 players (I don't care even a little about SACD, or other audio formats. If I want to play better audio I'll get a better audio-specific device to replace my 300 CD player). However, I really want two things.

First, I want a DVI interface. I have two free DVI connections on this TV and it'd be great to be able to free up the component connections so that I can run other devices directly to them instead of having them switched at the receiver.

Second, I got to thinking that if, for the first time, I'm going to invest this sort of money into a DVD player, I'd really like to get some decent mileage out of it. I got 4 years out of the previous one without incident. But I keep worrying that I'm going to spend the $1,000 now and then have the industry announce HD DVD machines in 2003 or early 2004.

Is this push coming or is it much further off?

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

Man-Fai Wong

· #2 · Apr 29, 2003

Don't worry about true HD-DVD. That's still a long ways off before it actually comes to market w/ real products and real discs. My semi-conservative guess is probably another 4-5 years (and probably longer if you'll wait for a decent selection of titles, say 500+). The studios are not gonna want to kill their DVD cash cow so quickly, even if the hardware makers can actually bring real players to market by middle of next year, which is the earliest possible time (and very unrealistic at that). The studios, not the technology itself, are the real obstacles to any new video format.

As for actually choosing a player now, you also might not need to spend that much for what you want since you don't care about SACD (and DVD-A?). In fact, since DVI is what you want, the upcoming Samsung HD931 might be just the ticket for you, and it's expected to run only around $300-350. Should be coming real soon now, so look out for reviews of it around these parts by the time summer begins.

_Man_

Save

santellavision

· #3 · Apr 29, 2003

Agrajag,

Check out the new Bravo D1. It's available now and has DVI. It's image over DVI at 720p & 1080i upscaled is state-of-the-art. Best part is it's only $200! Check out the many threads on it. It'll also upscale it's output to Non-HDCP equipped displays . The 931 will not.

Save

Agrajag

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 29, 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Man-Fai Wong
In fact, since DVI is what you want, the upcoming Samsung HD931 might be just the ticket for you, and it's expected to run only around $300-350. Should be coming real soon now, so look out for reviews of it around these parts by the time summer begins.

Which chipset will it use? I keep getting input to insist on the .... er, SI chip is it? Sorry, very new to all the chipsets. Gemini (entry), Faroujda (mid), SI (high end).

Quote:

Check out the new Bravo D1. It's available now and has DVI. It's image over DVI at 720p & 1080i upscaled is state-of-the-art. Best part is it's only $200! Check out the many threads on it. It'll also upscale it's output to Non-HDCP equipped displays . The 931 will not.

What are the negatives of the Bravo D1? Chroma bug? Which chipset? Obviously something went if it's only $200. Does it have disc recall? (remember where I was on 5-10 swapped discs?)

My Pioneer Elite has two DVI/HDCP connectors so it appears the Samsung will provide the same support on that. So it really comes down to delivered quality. The one thing I see very quickly is audio concerns and disc concerns on the Bravo. I will not stand for DVD's crashing or poor audio (doesn't have to be great but it does have to work).

See less See more

Save

santellavision

· #5 · Apr 29, 2003

Every piece of equipment will have some quirks and incompatiblities. Can you say Denon? But I have the D1 and have not experienced any audio or video problems at all. Not one crashed disk or trouble with DD or DTS. The image out of the DVI is much improved over component.

This player is sort of a 'Hot-Rod'. In the design, they just built it to do one thing, great upscaled video out of the DVI output. It's not a changer, No DVD-A or SACD and no disc recall. Even the component outs are so-so (no money wasted on expensive D-A parts) Just the best direct digital output possible thru DVI.

It uses the brand new Sigma Design EM8400 chip, which does not have the chroma bug and No added EE.

Sigma Designs Chip info

Save

smddoc

· #6 · Apr 29, 2003

is there anyway to convert the DVI connection to a VGA on the Bravo

Save

santellavision

· #7 · Apr 29, 2003

smddoc,

That would defeat the purpose. The benefit of DVI is keep the signal all digital from the disk, through the cable to the projector. If you convert to VGA, you don't get the all digital signal path.

Save

Roto

· #8 · Apr 30, 2003

Even when we finally start seeing HD-DVD players, I wouldn't expect them to take over anytime soon. If they put players on the market now, it would still take a long time to get a decent selection of movies, and they wouldn't be in high demand compared to the current DVDs. I think when HD-DVD does come out, it will start off as a niche product like SACD and DVD-A. It will take some time for enough people to have HD compatible displays and the prices to go down on players and discs.

Save

zoro

· #9 · Apr 30, 2003

I saw MICROSOFT coming out with 2 HIGH DEF dvds?

Save

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month