LG LDA-511 HD Player

[rhm]

Has anyone purchased this player as yet? I'd like to know your experiences with it and how it might compare with the Philips or RJtech players. I've owned the Philips 642 before and was not too fond of it's menu system and remote. Upconverting to 1080i is not a priority but thought it might be nice for future use when I pickup my HD display later this year. I understand that the LG will not upconvert studio movies (copy protected) using component output but will it work using the HDMI output? Hows the playback quality for DIVX output?

As a added note, could someone explain to me what the difference and advantages of the "i" and "p" like in 1080i vs 1080p? From what I gather, the "p" version of the resolution is better than the "i" but why? I understand that lower resolutions like 720 and lower have "i" and "p" versions but the 1080 does not have a "p" version as yet but will be released later. Is it worth it to wait? Will it cost much more?

Thanks,
rhm

[pinetop]

I have the LG DVB-418, which is the model that the 511 replaced. The difference between the two is the 511 will play xd media cards. And the 418 has an actual dvd/cd tray.
I've had the unit for under 30 days, $79.99 at Circuit City, it was the display model. I have been pounding the thing, nonstop dvd playing. So far, dvix plays very good, vcd/svcd looks good, mp3 play great, on the Alexander dvd copy a dvd-r the animated menu pauses for a fraction of a second. I copied the menu at 35%, there may just be to much lost. My other players do not pause, but some have pixelated almost at the same spot. The dvix/xvid is full screen. Xvid playback has been great. I have watch about 10 Xvids so far.
I is for interlace
P is for Progressive

My tv set is interlace, so I can't comment of these selective resolution options.

[edDV]

Has anyone purchased this player as yet? I'd like to know your experiences with it and how it might compare with the Philips or RJtech players. I've owned the Philips 642 before and was not too fond of it's menu system and remote. Upconverting to 1080i is not a priority but thought it might be nice for future use when I pickup my HD display later this year. I understand that the LG will not upconvert studio movies (copy protected) using component output but will it work using the HDMI output? Hows the playback quality for DIVX output?

As a added note, could someone explain to me what the difference and advantages of the "i" and "p" like in 1080i vs 1080p? From what I gather, the "p" version of the resolution is better than the "i" but why? I understand that lower resolutions like 720 and lower have "i" and "p" versions but the 1080 does not have a "p" version as yet but will be released later. Is it worth it to wait? Will it cost much more?

Thanks,
rhm

This won't play any High Def format that I can see in specs. Every HDTV has an upscaler designed for that set's native resolution when playing 480p or 480i DVD (normal DVD).

Why buy this thing at all?

I'd buy it only if it performs well as a standard DVD player.

[pinetop]

edDV,

What do you mean by "high def format" ?

[edDV]

edDV,

What do you mean by "high def format" ?

Any source higher than DVD 720x480.

Xvid/wmv specs are vaugue on resolution.
"DivX playback (versions 3, 4, 5, Xvid and MS MPEG4)"

[pinetop]

You mean like Blue Ray or HD-DVD ?

[edDV]

That is future

Today we have wmv-HD, DivX-HD, H.264, various MPeg2 HD. I see no indication any are supported.

This one plays most
http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/archives/000556.php
http://www.iodata.com/usa/products/products.php?cat=HNP&sc=AVELK&ts=2&tsc=&sc=AVELK&pId=SRDVD-100U

[pinetop]

What dvd players play any of those formats ?
That you can actually buy ?

[rhm]

Actually I was originally considering the LG 530 which is pretty much the same as the 511 but without the upconverting and multimedia card reader for around $79.00 but have not been able to locate a dealer in our area that carries that model. Apparently it's a Canadian version while the 511 is a U.S. model similar to the Canadian LG 531 model for about $179. I didn't want to spend a ton of money now but I needed to get something that played DIVX and did a decent job of playing DVDs, the upconverting feature was just a bonus. (Rather save the money) Earlier I purchased the Philips and was not too happy with the overall performance and quality of the player. I checked out reviews on the PJ, IO, RJ and the OP but either the players were not available in the US or cost was prohibitive especially with shipping to Hawaii.

Circuit City just brought in the LG 511 and i'm trying it out now. Off the bat the first player did not eject the disc (uses a front loading system like the car stereo) enought so I had to shake the player to get the disc to pop out enough for me to remove. Returned and exchanged it for another one and it appears to be working fine. It's small and sleek and very stylish but the buttons are small if you ever need to use them. Liked the fact that the descriptions for my divx and mp3 files are long enough to be fully displayed. Haven't tried to use the upconverting option yet since Circuit City did not have the HDMI cables in stock. The LG can also play my mp3 files in random order which many players will not do. Divx output so far is great. Only thing that bothers me so far is the disc front loading system. Its a bit noisy loading and I just personally prefer a tray system.

The LG is not the ultimate player but for the $$$$ and the features it has, it's a nice little package. Since it's just been released, the $179 price tag is a bit high but i'm sure it'll drop quickly with the approaching holiday season.

rhm

[pinetop]

Off the bat the first player did not eject the disc (uses a front loading system like the car stereo) enought so I had to shake the player to get the disc to pop out enough for me to remove. Returned and exchanged it for another one and it appears to be working fine. It's small and sleek and very stylish but the buttons are small if you ever need to use them. Liked the fact that the descriptions for my divx and mp3 files are long enough to be fully displayed. Haven't tried to use the upconverting option yet since Circuit City did not have the HDMI cables in stock. The LG can also play my mp3 files in random order which many players will not do. Divx output so far is great. Only thing that bothers me so far is the disc front loading system. Its a bit noisy loading and I just personally prefer a tray system.
rhm

Sorry, to hear about your loading problems. Sadly, I thought that was going to be the case. The front loading looks cool, but is flawed. I also thinks it may scractch dvds, but I'm not sure. How about posting a review after you have had the player awhile ?

[MJ]

I have the 531 and it's great for DIVX, which is what I got it for. The video quality is very good and I like the fact that on HD Xvid files I have downloaded, I get 16x9 enhancement ( if the player is on 16x9 mode)...Something the Philips does not do.

Jeff

[lordmajax]

I agree with RHM. I have had this player for about a month now. I really like the design of the player. The first player I had made a deafening noise when I put in a unreadable disc. I exchanged it and my current 511 works fine. I do prefer a loading tray though. I'm not really that impressed with the remote either. It looks so cheap. Any recommendation for a new quiet dvd player?