[jdachik]

This pairing was asked about in another forum by another poster, but got no response, so I thought I'd try here. I'm currently using a Samsung DVD/VCR combo (DVDV3500) as my DVD player on the X1 - feeding it component to VGA. I've been pretty pleased but, like everyone, wonder if I can do a little better. I've been reading up on the Yamakawa 288 player:

http://www.yamakawadirect.com/288_detail.shtml


I wonder if the player itself is going to be a step up over the Samsung and if using the VGA output of the 288 with an SVGA cable to the X1 (no adapter) will be an improvement as well. I guess I'm going from one cheap player to another, so maybe it won't matter, but the 288 has been getting some rave reviews (it appears to be highly adjustable) here so I thought I'd ask anyway.


Also I wonder if I should be concerned about sync issues with the X1 and 288. When I first got the X1 I tried to hook it to my Panny DVD recorder (DMR-E30), and it had trouble locking on (FW 4.1, sync threshold checked). The Samsung has not had any issues with sync.


Thanks guys.

 

[Jim McC]

I never got an answer about this combo either. It's hard to believe nobody is using this combo. I was also considering the Toshiba 3960.

 

[SpeedyHTPC]

I think you'll be pretty pleased just by switching that Samsung to Svideo to the X1 and feed it 480i. That includes that Toshiba 3960. I have a Toshi 3902.


I have a Panny RP-82, Norcent DP-501M, Tohisba 3902..no sync issues for me. Try fw 4.3 with the sync threshhold checked.

 

[jdachik]

I have the S-video of my Panny DMR-E30 going to the X1, and initially I couldn't tell a difference between that and the Samsung component, but have grown to prefer the Samsung as I think the colors are better. I don't think I have the most sensitive of eyes when it comes to this sort of thing, so it probably has to be a fairly drastic difference in PQ for me to notice. But I thought if I could get a decent improvement for little extra money, why not? Yamakawa claims this is the best selling player in Europe and, like I said, it has a few pretty good mentions here. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not to shell out the bucks.

 

[suade907]

If you can run it off a pc. I have a progressive sony dvd player and hooked it to the X1 with the vga to componant cable it didn't look so hot. but when I hooked it to the pc via VGA, Whoa look out. Night and day difference. It looks damn good now.

 

[jdachik]

Well, I just ordered the 288 from Ecost ($56 w/shipping, $46 after $10 rebate), and a 25 ft VGA cable. I guess we'll see what the final verdict is sometime next week. And now I can order (or ask for Xmas) the 21 disc Laurel and Hardy Collection from the UK (almost none of the films are available on DVD here in the states, and those that are are apparently of a much inferior quality). I'll update you guys with my opinions when I get everything hooked up. Now I just hope I don't run into any sync issues with the X1.

 

[jdachik]

So, next question:


I really don't know much about differences in resolution and this question will make that evident. The 288 can output NTSC as PAL and vice versa from any DVD. So, since PAL is 576i or 576p, compared to NTSC 480i or 480p, will the picture likely be better running everything in PAL? The X1 FAQ says PAL will generally look sharper in 4:3 mode, but doesn't mention 16:9 differences (and I usually run in 16:9 from the DVD player as elsewhere in the FAQ it states that the DVD player will provide the most information in the signal in 16:9). So, I believe that sources that are originally PAL will look sharper, but what about DVD's converted in the player from NTSC to PAL? I'm giving myself a headache...