DVD player with both NTSC and PAL progressive scan output?

[zagortenej]

I guess, the subject line says it all: I am looking for a DVD payer that has both NTSC and PAL progrssive scan output. I just got back from Europe with some PAL DVD's but my player - although with NTSC progessive scan - does not support PAL progressive scan output, so the picture beamed through my video projector is of significantly reduced quality. Needless to say, I'd like to upgrade my DVD player.

Any good, solid, and not all too expensive models on the North American market? I live in Canada so getting it here would be most convenient, but, if need be, I wouldn't mind ordering it from the US. I am looking for the basic unit with quality progressive scan output for both NTSC and PAL formats; I don't care at all for other bells and whistles as I have other DVD players with those. I would be using the unit as a default player hooked up to my video projector only to watch bothe PAL and NTSC DVD's in progressive scan mode.

Any info, advice, suggestion is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Toaster]

I'm shocked to see no reply's to your query yet. I have 2 el-cheepo dvd players that support progressive scan, and both will output to NTSC or PAL and will auto-convert the source dvd to match the tv (ie: will play PAL in NTSC and vice versa)

One is a COBY brand, which are available at most larger electronics stores and chains... like walmart, fry's, foley's dept stores to name a few. This player should be in the $30-$40 price range.

The other is TERAPIN 2600, another cheaper player, this player is in the $50 to $70 range. If you catch a sale with rebate, you can get one for around $30 (like I did). It does the same, NTSC->PAL or vice versa, and will output progressive scan (480p) through the component connections.

I'm sure there are MANY others out there, but these are 2 that I personally own and have experience with.

GOOD LUCK.

[Eyedoctor2]

If you are looking for a "name brand" and willing to spend about $100:

The Samsung 841 will play divx and upconvert if you use European Firmware and a simple remote control hack.

More info: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=544422&page=1&highlight=samsung+745+divx

[zagortenej]

Thanks for the reply. In the meantime, I did a bit of googling of my own and so far Yamaha is the only manufacturer that clearly and explicitly states that their DVD units support both PAL and NTSC progressive scan output. RJ Tech is another brand that supposedly offers the same kind of output support, but I am not sure about the quality of their players as quite a few posts on this forum convey less than satisfactory experiences with the machines.

I might be wrong here, but you seem to suggest that any player that auto-converst PAL to NTSC by default has progressive scan output for both standards (am I wrong here?). My understanding, however, is that that is not necessarily the case, and that NTSC players mostly output progressive scan video for NTSC signal only and non-progressive for PAL signal. Thus most of them claim only 480p rather than both 480p and 576p (PAL progressive) capability. So it would seem that PAL-to-NTSC auto-conversion does not necessarily equal both PAL and NTSC progressive scan capability. But, again, I might be wrong here (am I?).

If the two players you mention do have the feature I am looking for, how would you rate their picture quality (compared to some pricier, better known brands)? I would be hooking up the unit to my video projector with about 70" image-size, so I need something with faily good video output.

[Eyedoctor2]

Using the modified firmware that is described in the link in my post above (which I fixed), the Samsung 841 gets turned into the Samsung 745.

You can read the details about the Samsung 745, which does provide progressive PAL output, at:

http://www.samsung.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecuk/product/product_detail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0490...VD-HD745%2fXEU

The Samsung 745/841 also adds upconversion of video signal over component (480p to 1080i) and DVD-Audio/ SACD playback.

I have been very happy with mine so far.

IMPORTANT: The conversion of the 841 to a 745 model is accomplished with modified firmware that can be downloaded as per info on the previous post. The conversion is reversible to the original firmware if necessary.

The 841 is now available at close out prices. Original MSRP was $249 but it can be found online (Amazon) and at some local Costco stores for less than $100.

[zagortenej]

Thanks for all the info Eyedoctor2. Samsung then seems like a good option for my purposes as it offers, once modified, both PAL and NTSC progressive-scan output. Can it, in a modified condition, also be made region-free as this is also something I'd need to playback my PAL DVD's?

I checked a couple of Canadian electronics on-line retailers but they only offer Samsung 850 (which to my understanding is an updated version of the 841 model). Any considerable differences between the two models? Also, are the modifications you describe for the 841 also applicable to the 850?

Thanks again.

[Eyedoctor2]

No, to my knowledge no firmware modifications are available for the 850.

The remote control hack described in the AVS forum post will make the 841 region free as well.

You may want to try Amazon Canada, as I am certain that it is available on Amazon US.

Computers4Sure also recently had a large stock, although I don't believe that their return policy is as liberal as Amazon's.

I think Ecost ships to Canada: http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=477095&store=ecost&source=ECOSTPG&adca...=email,ECOSTPG

[zagortenej]

Thanks again Eyedoctor2. Last night I picked up Samsung 841 here locally. I hooked it up to my video projector, followed all the instructions for making it region-free and upconversion-capable, and gave it an initial spin. My PAL DVD's definitely look better now and at 720P output I notice improvement in image with my NTSC DVD's too. The only thing so far is somewhat of a greenish hue in color (especially with 720P output). As well, at 720P output image is somewhat brighter and with less contrast. Is that your experience as well? Mind you, I have yet to calibrate my video projector for Samsung 841 and I'm hoping that after I do so the problem will be minimised or, ideally, go away. But overall I am so far pleased with an imporved image quality.

[Eyedoctor2]

Happy to hear it went well for you.

I am sure that calibration will fix your green issues. My HDTV (older Mitsubishi model) does not output 720p but does output 1080i, so I can't comment on the 720p image.

Overall when you consider PAL, Divx, upconversion over component, SACD, DVD Audio, and it's other features the 841 is a knockout deal for its price.

Glad I could help!