[clrv]

I just purchased a Denon 1910 to replace a Yamaha that I have had for a long time. It is a few years old but it was the top of the line from Yammy. I hooked up the Denon, played with the settings and sat down to watch the movie. Like some have posted I was not real pleased with the picture. My question is. Is a good dvd player using components better than a ok player using DVI? If yes/no what player would you all suggest for around $500 to $600. I have a DLP Projector.

 

[santellavision]

On a DLP PJ. DVI will almost always have better PQ. Because of the completely digital signal path. (No D-to-A & A-to-D conversions as in the component connections).


For instance, the inexpensive Bravo D1 threw up a better picture than both my more expensive Panny RP91 and RP82. Better color, better resolution, less noise etc. The 82 had better de-interlacing on some bad disks, but overall, I preferred the DVI digital connection of the cheaper player over both those highly regarded players.


Then after getting the Denon 5900 with DVI, it was even a bigger step up in PQ. So, I would suggest looking at a new Pioneer 59i or possibly a closeout on a Denon 5900.

 

[clrv]

I will check out the 5900 thanks

 

[clrv]

Any one else?

 

[BillP]

For a lot less money than the 5900, go with the Denon 2910 if you are only interested in video, and the 3910 if you are interested in video and audio. The PQ with the 2910/3910 is reportedly at least as good as the 5900 (with less MB problems - none at 720p), although the audio from the 5900 is reportedly a little better (but at quite a lot more $$).

 

[clrv]

Does any one know where I can get the 2910 and not have to pay retail.

 

[Bob Pariseau]

Whether you will truly see an improvement upgrading from your older, high quality Component player to a newer, modest quality DVI player is really tough to say.


Keep in mind that part of the answer is what's going on differently in your DISPLAY when fed data over the two different inputs.


As far as a new purchase is concerned, the digital video outputs (HDMI or DVI) bypass the analog video output stage -- the Digital to Analog Converters or DACs in the player. Generally speaking, more expensive players include better quality DACs. Since the HDMI or DVI outputs don't use that portion of the player, it is conceivable that you could get a cheaper player that still puts out a very high quality signal over the digital outputs. But odds are that a less expensive player has cut corners in other ways as well -- ways that might damage the signal going out the HDMI or DVI output. Bad de-interlace processing or scaling in the player would be the usual suspects.


Simply put, use of a modern player via HDMI or DVI to a digital display is CAPABLE of producing a better image, but by no means guaranteed. It is capable of doing so because extra digital to analog and analog to digital conversion steps are not needed and because filtering systems that soften color data, or even gray scale data, that are commonly used in analog video processing may very well not be duplicated in the digital signal path. That is, the real signal bandwidth (sharpness and resolution) may very well be greater.


But whether you will see a meaningful difference on your equipment depends on too many details to give a definitive answer.

--Bob

 

[clrv]

Bob, thank you for the info. I think I will just go ahead and order the 2910 and do a comparison. Not a step that I want to take but I think that will be the only way that I can get piece of mind.

 

[GreggPenn]

Quote:

Originally posted by santellavision On a DLP PJ. DVI will almost always have better PQ. Because of the completely digital signal path. (No D-to-A & A-to-D conversions as in the component connections). . . . Then after getting the Denon 5900 with DVI, it was even a bigger step up in PQ. So, I would suggest looking at a new Pioneer 59i or possibly a closeout on a Denon 5900.

I agree with Bob and santellavision. Since part of the electronics of a DVD are not used to output a digital signal, less money is required to get output from HDMI/DVI ports looking good. This is, after all, how the DVD images are stored. However, I'm sure there are some high-end component units that could still equal or outperform lower-cost HDMI/DVI players.


This is supported by the Secrets Benchmark . A few of the units on this rating chart have digital output -- but all of them are not at the top of the ratings. OTOH, these ratings don't communicate how good the picture actually is. But they strongly imply it.


gp