Philips DVP5992 & PAL DVDs

[kinemax]

I just bought a 5992 for its multi-region capability and for use with Panasonic plasma PZ85U. The player has many interesting features but it's noisy and somewhat slow (eg in starting up, loading, ...); its remote is also not very responsive (eg sometimes one would have to push some buttons couple of times). More importantly, its rendering of PAL discs is noticeably inferior to that of my old Malata non-upconverting players (both the N996 as well as the el-cheapo 393A): the 5992's video image is grainy and/or simmering.

[jman98]

You might find Oppo DVD players (http://www.oppodigital.com) more suited to the task of being region free and playing PAL discs than Philips. Many here have praised the Oppo's ability to convert PAL to NTSC output.

Those old Malata players were cheap. I never bought one, but I know what you are talking about. That's pretty bad that those old players outperformed your 5992. I don't remember the exact model number, but one of the current Philips DVD players has gotten some very bad reviews here recently. I'm not sure, but the 5992 may end up being one of those troublesome models like the infamous DVP-642 where the quality control is suspect.

[victoriabears]

Cannot agree about the 5992 at all.

I sold my Oppo to realise some money as it was not superior to my eyes on my 46 inch Sony Bravia "W" series.

I would take your Philips back and get another one, sounds faulty to me.

I also suspect your TV is playing its part in the picture quality department, what type of connect are you using.

We have just finished watching a 1974 TV series (When the boat comes in), on PAL DVD and it was very good.

[kinemax]

I discover that I did not use the same "Picture" setting on my TV in my Malata vs. 5992 comparison. With same "Cinema mode" setting, the players' PAL rendering quality are almost indistinguishable.
FWIW, the 5992 is connected to the TV using HDMI whereas the 393A is connected to the TV via Component cable.

[vatkat234]

Cannot agree about the 5992 at all.

I sold my Oppo to realise some money as it was not superior to my eyes on my 46 inch Sony Bravia "W" series.

I would take your Philips back and get another one, sounds faulty to me.

I also suspect your TV is playing its part in the picture quality department, what type of connect are you using.

We have just finished watching a 1974 TV series (When the boat comes in), on PAL DVD and it was very good.

What model OPPO DVD player did you have?

Also are you in the U.K.? If you are Philips and PAL DVD should be fine, but for people that live in NTSC land I think that Philips down converts PAL to NTSC and then upconverts to 1080. There is a hack firmware I think that will make the Philips a true PAL DVD player.

I heard that Philips does do a good job playing PAL to NTSC.

[victoriabears]

981hd and am in canada