very close to buying: is PioneerDV444 still one of the best?

[buzzinhornets]

I researched this a while ago, and found that the 444 is best cause it plays so many different types of disks... that was a while ago, mind you... I'm finally ready to shell out the bucks... is the 444 still one of the best? or is there soemthing new from pioneer or panasonic to look at?

[vcd4me]

I have the PIONER DV-434 and have had it since it came out and I LOVE it

If your going to be making vcd or svcd then another good brand to buy that will play everything is the APEX.

I also have APEX 3201($50). People around here say it plays anything. Some APEX machines even play higher bit rates than the PIONEER
Read this post and look what I learned. There is also some other usefull info that I wrote in that thread about APEX. here the link
http://forum.vcdhelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=89685&highlight=

Here is another point about APEX the are so cheap that if you want to buy a new dvd player in a few years, I'm sure you'll find another feature on a player that you might want and you won't feel so bad about purchasing a new unit, Say like the ability to play DivX. Take me for example I wish my PIONEER unit would play Mp3's, and had no problem spending $50 for a mp3 player,oh a mean dvd, mp3,vcd,cd... well you get the point.

Just passing on some info
VCD4ME

[Valnar]

Yes, the Pioneer's are the best. Now, the DV-444 doesn't have the best progressive scan output (de-interlacing). Those usually cost a lot more, however, overall, they make the best players. Especially since they play anything you throw at it.

Robert

[agzz]

the pionners a good players.
But i fealt when i was buying that some of the pionners have a really cheep feeling over them and themecanic construction (with the front panel buttons moaslty) is not so good and dont gives the right feel.
so i bought a hitach instead and im really happy with that dicision.

but i think that if you get the 444 youll be happy with it.