Posted: 1/23/2004 6:15:56 PM EDT
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So many of the little fuckers out there. I got my kick ass (for me) surround sound system. Now I need a DVD Player for it. My TV is non-flat screen non HDTV so I don't need the best video output. I just need a cranking 5.1 surround sound audio output(already have a receiver that does optical and digital coax) I am happy with my TV and when I replace it I will get another DVD player (theory being DVD players will be better and cheaper then and I can buy the top of the line 2-3 years from now) Any ideas? Thanks! Details. Sony trinitron 32" TV S-Video in. Onkyo 760 surround sound system with receiver. Budget under $150 |
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I just picked up a Pioneer DV563A at best buy for $179. The reason I'm suggesting spending the extra dough is that with this one you can play DVD Audio and SACD with it. DVD Audio and SACD is a 5.1 (basically 6) channel audio format (yes tracks are spaced between each channel of the surround system with much more clarity and isolation) with much better sampling rates equalling killer sound. Make sure your audio system will support a decoder in or whatever. It also plays CD-Rs and RWs. The Picture quality is great...it will do progressive scan (480p), your Sony might be able to handle that...mine does (I have the XBR 36"). For DVD A and SACD (super audio compact disk) you have to buy new CDs, but like I wrote previously, it makes standard cds sound like sun-baked tapes. Just a consideration since you want to get the most use out of your audio system. Some seriously Quality DVD Audios are Fleetwood Mac Rumors, and Hotel California (for classics) and SACD has great ones like Dark Side of The Moon and many of Sony Musicians. |
| Honestly I don't think there is a whole lot of difference. Make sure it has an optical plug since your receive does. One thing you might wanna check out is to see if it will play CDR/CDRW's in case you wanna play MP3's. I wouldnt spend a lot on one unless you were gonna jump up to a HDTV monitor. |
| There can be a difference. If you really want to go bare bones you could get one that doesn't have a 5.1 decoder. It would simply need digital out for your reciever to decode. I personally don't have good luck with JVC, but panasonic, sony, pioneer (slow to scroll through tracks but very stable), I've had good luck with. There are plenty of good one's out there these days in your price range and most will suit your purposes. |
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Since you already have a 5.1 receiver with digital input, all you need is a basic DVD player with digital audio output. (all but the cheapest have an optical or coax S/PDIF output, with optical being slightly more common). The audio is digital so there is no difference between "cheap" and "expensive" players, it either works or it doesn't. As far as video is concerned, since you don't have an HDTV you don't even need progressive scan (though it wouldn't hurt, in case you do get an HDTV sooner than you think). The deciding factor will probably be how compatible the player is. (if you have friends or family with DVD recorders, it's important to check that your player can read all the various DVD+/-R(W) formats). Or if you are into foreign films, you'll want a player that can ignore region codes. I've had good and bad experiences with several brands. (DVD authoring is part of my business). Currently I'm using a Samsung DVD/VHS combo player (it looks cheesy, but the DVD playback is surprisingly robust). I have a mid-range Toshiba player that is in theory a lot better, but the component outputs have very desaturated chroma; I'm not sure if that is just my unit or the whole line of players. |
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... Take a serious look at Progressive Scan DVD players. ... A progressive-scan DVD player converts the interlaced (480i) video from DVD into progressive (480p) format for connection to a progressive-scan display (31.5 kHz or higher). ... Progressive players work with all standard DVD titles, but look best with film source. [u]The result is a significant increase in perceived vertical resolution for a more detailed and film-like picture.[/u] Since computers use progressive-scan monitors, DVD PCs are by definition progressive-scan players. |
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Totally agree there isn't much difference in the low end DVD players however reccommend you see what is on sale then do a web search on specifications. What you would be looking for on the sound is signal to noise ratio and frequency response particularly the low end if using a subwoofer. Separation is not that much of an issue for DVD. I suggest this since you have an Onkyo which is good shit for sure. Match the specifications best you can to your stereo. You may find any will work depending on your speaker frequency response rating. If your Onkyo has surround sound, then your choice of DVD should shift to a better one with Dolby 5.1 surround sound capability to maximize your stereo listening experience. The DVD's with imulated suround sound, very similar to the old imulated quadraphonic stereos that rotates channels, work fair on a surround system but almost take the separation away on a stereo exclusive system. I normally wouldn't post all this stuff but since you have an Onkyo I figure you understand specifications. Tj BTW, most retail sales people have no earthly idea what a specification is or means. In this case, I ask to see the owners manual for the floor demo. |
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I had a JVC that wouldn't play a couple of DVDs correctly. One of them was Black Hawk Down. I talked to JVC about it directly by phone, and they said it was a problem with that DVD model's firmware and that they had no fix. The Sony I exchanged for has been fine. DrMark |
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There _is_ a difference between super-cheap (sub$100) and reasonably priced DVD players. If seen a bunch of players just stall for seconds, which is kind of annoying when you're trying to watch a movie. A few of those take forever to recognize a disk, some have really slow reaction times. Also, consider the formats. There are el cheapo models out there that play _only_ store-bought Region 1 DVDs, nothing else, and badly at that. DVD-R, VCD, DVD-RW, SVCD, DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 are a must. And of course, the thing has to be region-code free, i.e. you can play DVDs no matter where you bought them, here in the US/Canada or abroad. Sound...what good is a DVD player without good sound? DTS, Dolby Digital, Virtual, or might as well stick with your old super 8 projector ;) Expect to spend about $400 for something semi-decent. |
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I read an article somewhere that the higher quality DVD players actually had some problems playing older DVDs. I would find it highly unlikely that you would find a cheap DVD player that did not have dolby digital and/or DTS. For instance the Panasonic S25S DVD player costs around $80.00. It has gotten great reviews. It is a progressive scan model. It plays DVD-RAM, DVD, VCD, DVD-R, WMA, MP3, CDRW, CDR, and CD discs. It has dolby digital and DTS. It has 5.1 and optical audio outputs as well as S-video and composite video outputs. Best of all you can buy it from Circuit City at that price. I am sure you could find many other similar products. I have a Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi. To be honest it is overkill and I dont see a great difference for the price I paid compared to good cheaper ones. Now for over $500.00 you can get a decent DVD recorder |
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Quoted: ... Amateurs! ... I'm tellin' ya, if you have an HDTV, "ready" even, set you'll notice a big difference with [b]PROGRESSIVE SCAN DVD PLAYERS[/b], worth the few extra bux. ... Now gitt, and do yer homework! Um, I told you I don't have HDTV. But anyway. Good discussion guys. Thanks! |
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Winston_Wolf: ... Amateurs! Damn right I'm an amateur WW! [:D] That's why I agree with the other cheap bastadges above. I buy the cheapest Sony, Panasonic, or Pioneer I can find & use 'em till they phuk-up. Then I buy the next $89 one (you know - the one that was $499 when I bought the first one=). |
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I got a Panasonic progressive scan 5 disc changer for about $150 after rebate, early last year. It's OK, but has a confusing and complicated remote. It's my second dvd player, the first being a Toshiba that also had a difficult remote. Maybe it's just me, and I'm not comfortable with a remote that does so much, but I think there has to be a way to design a remote that's straight forward and easy to use. Also, the panasonic only plays original discs, which really bummed me after I got a new puter last summer and burned my first movie, only to find out it wouldn't play on my machine. A year-old progressive scan, 5 disc carousel and it won't play dvd-r's. |
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Quoted: ... I'm tellin' ya, if you have an HDTV, "ready" even, set you'll notice a big difference with [b]PROGRESSIVE SCAN DVD PLAYERS[/b], worth the few extra bux. Yep! That's why I got progressive scan player, even though I don't have a HDTV-ready TV, [b]yet[/b]! Plus, progressive scan players aren't even that much more than basic units anymore. |
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As for sound quality, I don't have any wish to be insulting, but within your budget, your equipment probably won't resolve any differences in sound quality between a cheap DVD player and an expensive one. So don't sweat it. I'm at the far opposite end of the scale. My home theater is composed of components that, when they sold brand new at full retail, represent enough money to buy a new Cadillac DeVille at today's prices. About 45K. My actual investment is about 5K. The used market ROCKS! I spent more on my entertainment system than I did on car insurance last year. CJ |