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recs for an under $200 temporary DVD player

1340 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  cineprorocks, 
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Having an older Sony DVD player from about 6 or 7 years ago, there's no progressive scan, and it doesn't play most of the DVD's that I burn on my computer. I have better luck with dvd-r's but there are still problems.


So, since I would like to upgrade to a universal HD player (whenever those come out), I'd like to purchase a lower priced player to "hold" me over until the player I really want comes out. I don't care about an HDMI out, but would like a digital audio out and component video out.


Does anyone have any recommendations for me?


thanks in advance...
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the pioneer 588a is a good overall player does dvd-a and sacd also. about $120 retail if you can find one.

a hddvd/bluray combo player would be nice if LG or someone would come out with one in the next year
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QUADHD
the pioneer 588a is a good overall player does dvd-a and sacd also. about $120 retail if you can find one.

a hddvd/bluray combo player would be nice if LG or someone would come out with one in the next year
thanks for the suggestion, I located a thread about that player that was very informative. I'm not sure I understand why upscaling is so important - but I'd like to have my dvd player just "pass through" the video signal to the receiver and then tv in it's native format and then have my Sony xbr convert it there.


Also, if you have this player, does it play dvd-r and +r without any problems?


Also, in researching your suggestion, what do ou thin about the Yamaha DV-S5750 Progressive-Scan DVD Player?


thanks for the response!
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Try this one for an inexpensive hold over. It does good upconversion. I have it and like it. You have 30 days to return it if YOU don't. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134703785411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stosh
thanks for the suggestion, I located a thread about that player that was very informative. I'm not sure I understand why upscaling is so important - but I'd like to have my dvd player just "pass through" the video signal to the receiver and then tv in it's native format and then have my Sony xbr convert it there.


Also, if you have this player, does it play dvd-r and +r without any problems?


Also, in researching your suggestion, what do ou thin about the Yamaha DV-S5750 Progressive-Scan DVD Player?


thanks for the response!


I just got the Pioneer 2 days ago and could not be happier with it. It plays dvd-r and +r without any problems. This little player plays absolutely everything. The picture is superb after some adjustments in the menu of the player. Personally, I think my Philips LCD does a great job "upconverting". I honestly cannot tell the difference between the 588a (480p) and my LG upconversion player (480p/720p/1080i). The only advantage of my LG is that it looks a bit sharper when I "stretch" a movie vertically, which I don't ever do when watching a movie. But otherwise, I really don't see the big deal w/ upconversion players. I would definitely go with the 588a.
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I have the Pioneer DV-588A, Samsung DVD-HD950, and Samsung DVD-HD841. The Pioneer DV-588A video performance is clearly the worst of the three and the HD950 the best of the three. I like the Samsung EZView feature and the fact those players upconvert to 720p over component with a simple remote hack. If you don't want a universal DVD player, there are other options that are better than these three at less than $200. The Oppo DV971H for one, assuming your display isn't terribly affected by the Faroudja FLI-23xx macroblocking enhancement problem.


Chris
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stosh,


So, what is your display device? If its HD, then I'd go with the Oppo 971H. Read the first page of the Oppo FAQ and you will see that, for $150-200, you will get the best player in the industry for the price.


I have a Samsung HLP 5674, paired with the Oppo, is one of the best combos out there. I've had my Oppo since Dec. 2004, and I'm still amazed at the PQ.


Their CS is unbeatable and regular firmware updates prove it!


Best Wishes,

Dave
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DavidHir
You might want to consider the Sony H75 - I've read a lot of positive things about this player.
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thanks for all the suggestions.



GoSpurs99,


My display is a Sony 50xbr800. It's got a DVI input, but I'm currently using component cables. I'm also using a SA HD DVR which when I got it, I purchased a HDMI -> DVI cable, but i couldn't justify the almost $100 cost of the cable for a picture improvement that I couldn't detect. In purchasing a new DVD player, I'm not against trying the HDMI cable again, only this time I'm not buying the $100 one. How do you have yours hooked up - Component or HDMI?
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stosh,


I am using the DVI for my connection.


The Oppo comes with a free cable of your choice, HDMI>DVI, or DVI (BTW, very good quality!).


Also, you might try to connect your SA HD (8300?) via a digital cable from:

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm


I bought my HDMI cable from them, excellent quality and inexpensive:)


Hope this helps!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stosh
thanks for all the suggestions.



GoSpurs99,


My display is a Sony 50xbr800. It's got a DVI input, but I'm currently using component cables. I'm also using a SA HD DVR which when I got it, I purchased a HDMI -> DVI cable, but i couldn't justify the almost $100 cost of the cable for a picture improvement that I couldn't detect. In purchasing a new DVD player, I'm not against trying the HDMI cable again, only this time I'm not buying the $100 one. How do you have yours hooked up - Component or HDMI?
I have the same exact TV with an SA-8000HD DVR. I have the Sony DVP-NC85H/B DVD player connected via HDMI -> DVI cable purchased from monoprice.com (site sponsor), and use component for the DVR. I previously connected the DVR using a DVI cable, but had to switch to component after I got the DVD player. Non-HD channels appear clearer to me when using component rather than DVI.


The DVP-NC85H is a 5-disc carousel that plays DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD+R DL, SVCD, VCD, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and JPEG formats, although I have only used it for DVDs, VCDs & CDs. The DVP-NS75H is the single disc version. See this thread for more info on these players.


alinski..
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Try Monoprice.com for cables. Their link is above, one of the sponsors. Lowest prices I've seen and the 10 ft. HDMI to DVI cable I bought from them works great.
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I ordered the Oppo from Amazon, and then got cold feet and cancelled it. How would I know if my display is affected by the macroblocking bug? (other than the obvious?)


alinski, no personal offense to you for your suggestion, but aside from my TV, I've purchased quite a lot of Sony products and have been disappointed with them. It seems to me that the Sony name isn't what it used to be. The DVD player I have now is a Sony, and while it works great and official DVD releases work fine, DVD's I burn almost never work, and CD's I burn don't work either. I'm having trouble forgiving them for putting that level of copy protection on their DVD player.


So, what am left with? I was trying to look at Bill's rec, but the link doesn't seem to work. I didn't think this would be so confusing. Should I just go to Target and buy the first DVD player I see for under $200 and put myself out of my misery?
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I do not think that there is a way to find out whether you will macroblocking problems without actually trying it. I suggest that you get the OPPO player, and if you have problems, return it. I am not sure about the return policy of Amazon; if that is a problem, you can buy it directly from OPPO at www.oppodigital.com .
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Here's the link again, works for me. You really should just go to Best Buy and try this one. Call before you go as I got the last one at my local store or you can order it online. BTW, no macroblocking. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134703785411


Insigniaâ„¢ Progressive-Scan DVD Player with HDMI Output (upscaler also)


Model: NS-VDVD1
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Bill,


thanks for the link. My misake on the other one - I tried to paste it into my browser as it appears in the post and that's why it didn't work.


Anyway, are you able to play dvd -/+r and cd-r's on it? I think I'll gather up my unplayable ones that I have, and take them with me over to BB and see if they work.


After reading the post in this forum on upscaling, I think that using the HDMI or DVI video out on the DVD directly to the display, may be a good thing. I just want to avoid too many conversions from digital to analog and then back again. It has to result in signal degregation, doesn't it? My thought is that I want to display the signal in the same format as the original source.


Hey, GoSpurs99, sorry about your team.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stosh
alinski, no personal offense to you for your suggestion, but aside from my TV, I've purchased quite a lot of Sony products and have been disappointed with them. It seems to me that the Sony name isn't what it used to be. The DVD player I have now is a Sony, and while it works great and official DVD releases work fine, DVD's I burn almost never work, and CD's I burn don't work either. I'm having trouble forgiving them for putting that level of copy protection on their DVD player.


So, what am left with? I was trying to look at Bill's rec, but the link doesn't seem to work. I didn't think this would be so confusing. Should I just go to Target and buy the first DVD player I see for under $200 and put myself out of my misery?


No offense taken =)


Your best bet may be to go to a local store, browse and pick-up a player. Try and see if it plays all the formats you need and if the pq is good. At least you don't have to pay for shipping if you need to return it.


alinski..
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If you want something really good for the price, pick up a used Panny RP82 or XP30/XP50 or Denon 1600 from eBay. There is an RP82 up there now:

Panasonic DVD-RP82 on eBay
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stosh
Bill,


thanks for the link. My misake on the other one - I tried to paste it into my browser as it appears in the post and that's why it didn't work.


Anyway, are you able to play dvd -/+r and cd-r's on it? I think I'll gather up my unplayable ones that I have, and take them with me over to BB and see if they work.


After reading the post in this forum on upscaling, I think that using the HDMI or DVI video out on the DVD directly to the display, may be a good thing. I just want to avoid too many conversions from digital to analog and then back again. It has to result in signal degregation, doesn't it? My thought is that I want to display the signal in the same format as the original source.


Hey, GoSpurs99, sorry about your team.
Seems to play everything I throw at it. It does great upconversion over the HDMI and you can set the resolution to match your set. There is a thread on it now. Try it, you'll like it.
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Sylvania DVL1000f made by Funai. I just unpacked and played it last night watching SEA BISCUIT through the hdmi port. Unbelievable picture -- colors and sharpness. Will not pass DTS signal though. Image extraordinary for about $100
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