[Xerin]

With Blu Ray/HD-DVD around the corner, I don't want to spend a lot of money on a DVD player that I will just end up replacing. What do you recommend for a good quality interim player that will be used mostly for movies rather than music? A DVI/HDMI out would be great, but I can live with component if it saves a good chunk of change.

 

[BillP]

Zenith 318 or Denon 1910, if you're not interested in a universal player.

 

[Xerin]

Thanks, I might go with the Denon in that case.

 

[Mr2Spyder]

I just bought a 5 disc Panasonic F87 player for $59.99.

 

[Xerin]

I've been doing some reading on the 1910, and it seems there are some major concerns regarding the potential for green tint, MB, and slow layering. I don't mind that it's missing the higher end audio specs, but I do want reliable PQ.


Any other recommendations for a decent budget player that will get me by until Blu Ray/HD-DVD? Do you need 720p upconverting if your hdtv already does that (is this the case for the Sammy 5085)?

 

[BillP]

An upconverting player over DVI/HDMI will outperform a regular progressive scan player on your DLP by keeping the signal digital throughout (rather than having to send an analog signal to the DLP over component cables). Regarding the 1910, there are negative threads on every single player available, so you have to take them with a grain of salt. Some have written they preferred the 1910 over the other lower-priced upscaling players in terms of PQ. The other possiblitites are Bravo D2 and Momitsu. I personally would never buy them due to poor reliability issues (although all brands can break down, it is easier to deal with a problem if you deal with a local store - if the Bravo or Momitsu break down, you're without it for at least a month, and probably have to pay for the shipping). There will also be a new upscaling Sony and Panny coming out soon.

 

[Q of BanditZ]

Zenith 318, Panny s97, HK 31, Pioneer 563 and 578, Sony 975.

 

[ZZtop]

Bang for Buck, hmmm, it would have to the Bravo D2 for 249$.

3 page Audio Revolution Review of the D2


The quality of the video upscaling through the DVI is extremely good. The component video output quality has been upgraded from the D1 model to try to match the DVI quality level on the D2 as on the older D1 , component video quality was not as good as the DVI was.


But the extra special magic is something only a small handful of dvd players do, and it allows you to tailor the video settings to your displays exact vertical and horizontal resolution and also its exact vertical and horizontal frequencies. Thats like getting some of the features of a really expensive scaler. What this little piece magic accomplishes is to allow the video to be fed into your display much more cleanly. It reduces extra conversions and data loss on the image sent , and basically allows your display to show as good a quality as its capable of.


It makes for an incredibly clear picture on my Pioneer 503 50 inch plasmsa and is proving very, very hard to step up from and a great deal more costly too.


Some of the detail from the V INC website:

______________________________________________________

DVI enabled digital output from your DVD/CD to your digital display for a stunning home theater experience.


480p/1080i/720p custom scaling MPEG-4 media player adds brightness and contrast control with improved analog video output.


Selectable scaling of high definition resolutions of 480p, 720p and 1080i.


Multitude of playbacks including DVD video, superbit™ DVD, VCD, SVCD, CD-R/RW, MP3-CD’s, MPEG-4 AVI Movies or Videos and JPEG picture CD’s.


Progressive scan conversion with 3:2 pull down for film-based content making it possible to double the vertical resolution of the picture allowing for smoother transitions of moving images.


Component Video output that provides a flicker-free image for improved film-based and video-based content on a DVD.


Slick new design to compliment any home theater collection.


Remote control included.

Link to D2 on V INC site

____________________________________________________

I own a D1 and its been great. It has little to no edge enhancement and no black macroblocking or white/black crush issues.


While mine is still running just fine, ther ewere some mechanical issues with the D1 that have been ironed out in the D2 version.


The pricepoint is very low for what you get, ergo, bank for the buck.


I am supposedly having to jump all the way up to a Denon 2910 at 650$ to find any appreciable improvement. I picked up a 2910 but have not had tested it head to head with the D1 yet as my plasma is out for a tune up.

 

[Xerin]

Thanks all...I'm especially interested in the D2. On paper, it sounds great. As long as it isn't plagued with the problems that the 1910 seems to have, I'll probably go with it until Blu Ray hits next year.


I don't have a Costco membership, and the Vinc website has a 3 week waiting period. Any idea where else I can find the D2 for sale?

 

[Daniel Eddy]

Quote:

I don't have a Costco membership, and the Vinc website has a 3 week waiting period. Any idea where else I can find the D2 for sale?

If you happen to have a Sam's Club membership, you can find it on their website for $170.68.

 

[Xerin]

Thanks, I might get a membership just to buy the D2.

 

[Earz]

Quote:

Originally posted by Xerin Thanks all...I'm especially interested in the D2. On paper, it sounds great. As long as it isn't plagued with the problems that the 1910 seems to have, I'll probably go with it until Blu Ray hits next year. I don't have a Costco membership, and the Vinc website has a 3 week waiting period. Any idea where else I can find the D2 for sale?

Assuming hd dvd players do actually come out next year, how many years before there are actually say 50 titles that you might be interested in.


I would guess at least 4 years.


I guess if the new hd players are backward compatible, this will not be a big deal.


Anyone know for sure if hd dvd players are supposed to be backward compatible?




Greg

 

[Xerin]

I know Blu Ray is backwards compatible...probably true for HD-DVD as well.


You're right that it will take a while for content to catch up. And that's fine with me...I want to get a decent DVD player that will last 2-3 years, then I can upgrade to Blu Ray. Looks like the D2 may be just the thing, since I don't care much about multichannel music right now.

 

[BillP]

Just cross your fingers that the D2 will last you 2-3 years (Bravo's are not known for their reliability).

 

[ZZtop]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillP Just cross your fingers that the D2 will last you 2-3 years (Bravo's are not known for their reliability).

When you says Bravos are you referring to both the D1 and the D2? I was under the impression the D2 ironed out the issues with the D1 in reliability.

 

[Honu]

I had thought about this and still got a Denon 2900. I still love music and I have a ton of DVDs and will still be renting regular old DVDs I am sure for some time to come

Music wise the 2900 seems hard to beat for a universal player


when BR hits it will take a while for content to come out also I want to enjoy the best pic I can get now and for the next few years till BR players work the bugs out and come down a bit in price


if anything I might go the other way and pick up a cheap BR or if the PS3 comes out before the bulk of them are out (end of 2005) I might just use that for a year and then get a decent BR player in 2006 or 2007


while everyone is waiting for this to come out what will you watch on it ??

I am sure there will be some titles but I wont bet on it (and as mentioned all my old DVDs wont magically become BR)

game titles I can see there being a ton

also if BR vid cams are out there might be more reason

 

[umr]

I am beginning to get the impression that neither may win in the end. This all seems very similar to CD, DVD-A, SACD and MP3's. MP3 appears to be winning not the high resolution formats. The general public may have a very dificult time differentiating these things. What the heck is Blu Ray to the average Joe. Maybe a type of animal or new sunglasses. When he gets HD-DVD or Blu Ray will the movies be available and if they are can he see a difference on his TV. I tend to doubt it. Between the format confusion, lack of movies on the format, poorly setup equipment in most peoples homes and a general lack of interest in a better format than DVD it is likely to be a bust.


I would invest in a quality DVD player and wait for the dust to settle on an HD disk format. Hopefully, it will be more successful than D-Theater has been. I am afraid it may end up between D-Theater and Laser Disk in the end.

 

[BillP]

Quote:

Originally posted by ZZtop When you says Bravos are you referring to both the D1 and the D2? I was under the impression the D2 ironed out the issues with the D1 in reliability.

I am referring to both. Although the D2 seems better than the D1 in terms of reliability, there are still many threads with D2 problems. Plus, the D1 seemed prone to break down after 6-8 months, so it is still too early to tell long-term reliability with the D2. I personally would stay away from them until they prove themselves more reliable in the long term, but that's just me.

 

[ZZtop]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillP I am referring to both. Although the D2 seems better than the D1 in terms of reliability, there are still many threads with D2 problems. Plus, the D1 seemed prone to break down after 6-8 months, so it is still too early to tell long-term reliability with the D2. I personally would stay away from them until they prove themselves more reliable in the long term, but that's just me.

I have not seen any D2 posts about problems yet but that may be the case. I am on here enough I should run across one sooner or later.


My D1 is humming right along, and proving both hard and expensive to upgrade from.


I read somewhere Sam's is selling the D2 for quite but under 200$, if thats the case its even more of a bang for the buck than I originally thought.