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Well, I've lived with my DV-5900M for a week now. I'm now going to weigh in on the player, and say this: Never, never, make judgments based on what others say or write. Judge for yourself (including my comments).
I'll start by saying this: It's the best audio dvd player I've owned, it's the best video dvd player I've owned, and it's the best changer I've owned. I've owned about 20 dvd players, and 5 different changers. None of this is without qualification, however, so now I'll chime in.
You first should understand two thing about my use: (1) I only use it from its interlaced outputs (fed into a Faroudja NR at 720p); and (2) I daisy chain a DV-5050M to it. The display device is a NEC XG135LC 8" CRT projector.
AUDIO
1. To my ear, it is completely the opposite of what one person had written about diminished output levels. The output levels are greater than with any previous dvd player in memory. The dynamic range is absolutely superb, with whispers maintaining clarity in the presence of soundtracks that might otherwise drown out such clarity. The center channel is now a bold voice springing from dark silence. The music on soundtracks has never sounded as fluid, dynamic, crisp and full.
In fact, this player has made me question several ingrained assumptions I had formed about transports in general, and dvd transports in particular. The assumption was this: As long as you are using the same cable, and the same electronics, one dvd player will sound substantially identical to the next.
Well, I was wrong. Most did before this one, but this sounds different--not vastly different, but a cut above in all respects. I have not yet listened to cd on it, but that's the next experiment.
VIDEO
1. Very good from its interlaced outputs, but absolutely stellar with the enhanced black level turned on. This was a surprise to me. I had toyed around with 0 IRE black level settings on past players (though with a 7" CRT projector), and while the picture was attractive, the darkness always smothered color and light. Here, the picture is head and shoulders better with the enhanced black level on, at least in my setting.
FUNCTIONALITY
1. I had read that it was an ergonomic disaster and slow; yes, it's slow, but much less than what I'd read. It does not take 42 seconds to switch discs. It takes, tops, 25 seconds (still pretty slow).
2. The menu system is as good as any other changer, better in many respects, and lacking in a few. It suffers because you have to go through about 6 or 7 commands to get to the list of titles which most of us select from, although there may be quicker ways to do it than I've yet discovered. The disc title entry system is better than any other changer (that's even before the netnamer software is ready, let alone the Entre Hub), because of the remote keyboard.
I am very pleased with this changer. It's a pity I can't take full advantage of its progressive outputs, but that's a small price to pay, in my view. The build quality is the best I've seen in a dvd changer, and the opportunity for software upgrades will probably keep me married to it for some time to come.
Nick
I'll start by saying this: It's the best audio dvd player I've owned, it's the best video dvd player I've owned, and it's the best changer I've owned. I've owned about 20 dvd players, and 5 different changers. None of this is without qualification, however, so now I'll chime in.
You first should understand two thing about my use: (1) I only use it from its interlaced outputs (fed into a Faroudja NR at 720p); and (2) I daisy chain a DV-5050M to it. The display device is a NEC XG135LC 8" CRT projector.
AUDIO
1. To my ear, it is completely the opposite of what one person had written about diminished output levels. The output levels are greater than with any previous dvd player in memory. The dynamic range is absolutely superb, with whispers maintaining clarity in the presence of soundtracks that might otherwise drown out such clarity. The center channel is now a bold voice springing from dark silence. The music on soundtracks has never sounded as fluid, dynamic, crisp and full.
In fact, this player has made me question several ingrained assumptions I had formed about transports in general, and dvd transports in particular. The assumption was this: As long as you are using the same cable, and the same electronics, one dvd player will sound substantially identical to the next.
Well, I was wrong. Most did before this one, but this sounds different--not vastly different, but a cut above in all respects. I have not yet listened to cd on it, but that's the next experiment.
VIDEO
1. Very good from its interlaced outputs, but absolutely stellar with the enhanced black level turned on. This was a surprise to me. I had toyed around with 0 IRE black level settings on past players (though with a 7" CRT projector), and while the picture was attractive, the darkness always smothered color and light. Here, the picture is head and shoulders better with the enhanced black level on, at least in my setting.
FUNCTIONALITY
1. I had read that it was an ergonomic disaster and slow; yes, it's slow, but much less than what I'd read. It does not take 42 seconds to switch discs. It takes, tops, 25 seconds (still pretty slow).
2. The menu system is as good as any other changer, better in many respects, and lacking in a few. It suffers because you have to go through about 6 or 7 commands to get to the list of titles which most of us select from, although there may be quicker ways to do it than I've yet discovered. The disc title entry system is better than any other changer (that's even before the netnamer software is ready, let alone the Entre Hub), because of the remote keyboard.
I am very pleased with this changer. It's a pity I can't take full advantage of its progressive outputs, but that's a small price to pay, in my view. The build quality is the best I've seen in a dvd changer, and the opportunity for software upgrades will probably keep me married to it for some time to come.
Nick
