Best DVD Player Out There

[Jimmykicker]

I am looking to buy a new DVD player and have looked at several models. The most important thing to me is video quality and something that plays ALL formats. So far, I haven't come up with anything too good...most likely the Pioneer 363 or 563a. Do I need to spend more to get better video quality? What better features am I going to get as far as video quality if I spend more than $200? I would appreciate any comments...

[tgm4883]

Not an expert, but I believe progressive scan is a must have for video quality, but only if you have a progressive scan tv, otherwise there will be no difference. Check the DVD Players link at the left of the page to find one that has the supported formats you want.

[Jimmykicker]

Gone through that thing many a time, but still don't know what differentiates the lower cost ones from the higher cost ones in the video quality area (if anything)...

[69Dartman]

I just got a 563a Pioneer and it's pretty sweet. Excellent video quality on normal TV, does Progresive, and plays DVD Audio and SACD. I bought mine for the audio capabilities but so far it's worked well on everything it supports.
It also plays a big disk of MP3's on a DVD-r disk just fine, better then my others if they can even play them. It can do JPGS and WMA files and seems to handle all of the different DVD recordable medias except dvd ram. It also plays SVCDS but it kinda strecthes them unless you play with the video output options, seemed to look OK when set to 16x9 for me.
If you don't care about the audio formats you might want to check out the LiteOn lvd 2001, it supports DIVX files plus all the other normal stuff most new players can do. I'm also getting one of those

[vance43211]

there is no best dvd player

the cheap ones play everything but you don't get the best video quality

the expensive one don't play that many different formats. if they play any at all


more details here

[MachineMan]

Go down to your local store browse the selection then come back and check the models you liked on this sites DVD Players list for potential issues. Don't believe everything that the store clerk says. The clerks in my area are retarded and just look to push the product.

I agree, if youe want quality progressive scan is a must even if your current TV can handle it. Chances are your next television will. A DV output would also be a plus if you upgrade to a HDTV.

[FulciLives]

You might want to check out the AVS FORUM group.
They have a HARDWARE DVD forum where they tend to discuss mostly EXPENSIVE but SUPER DUPER QUALITY stand alone DVD players. I'm talking the $500 to $2,000 range stuff.

Here is a link to the main site:

http://www.avsforum.com/

I used to hang out there alot reading the posts but haven't lately. It is a good forum site but if you don't make a lot of money you get sick of that kind of talk quickly such as bitching about how a $2,000 DVD player or HTPC sucks on a big huge PLAZMA/FONT PROJECTOR display and why can't they release HDTV DVD and how the JVC D-VHS THEATER format kicks ass over DVD in quality but still isn't good enough and blah blah blah

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[RayS]

Best is very subjective. I can't comment on Progressive scan.
I bought a Norcent DVD player for under $50 US at Wal-Mart and thought it was the bargain of the year. The stacks of these players have disappeared off of the shelves. It played just about everything I threw at it (exception was non-standard formats I burned on some experimental discs). Only minor issue was that the hardware/firmware version player I had would keep the zoom icon on the screen when in zoom mode. The player is great looking, played VCDs SVCDs. MP3s, Picture discs etc. etc. It also has a region hack accessible through the remote. The image looked great on my Sony 35" TV. (I don't own a Progressive scan)

That said, I sold it to my Daughter's boyfriend the next week and he is thrilled with it as his first DVD player. I opted instead for a Panasonic surround sound system with 5-disc DVD changer (SA-HT700). It also plays VCDs, SVCDs MP3s, Picture discs, etc etc. No regions hack that I'm aware off - but who cares in the States. I love being able to put up to 5 discs in at once and the audio quality is great. But it cost about 7 times more than the Norcent.
So which one is best?

[Jimmykicker]

Hmmm...all very interesting stuff...I've been reading all about it for a few days here. Considering all things, I will probably get a Pioneer 563a, but we'll see. I want the DVD Audio, but I don't want to spend a ton for it. Also, I am sure this player would qualify for at least mid-range video quality. I have also heard that pioneers are good for reading a wide variety of disks (and I'll be doing DVD ONLY, so no worrying about other formats). Anyway...

[Metaluna]

I used to hang out there alot reading the posts but haven't lately. It is a good forum site but if you don't make a lot of money you get sick of that kind of talk quickly such as bitching about how a $2,000 DVD player or HTPC sucks on a big huge PLAZMA/FONT PROJECTOR display and why can't they release HDTV DVD and how the JVC D-VHS THEATER format kicks ass over DVD in quality but still isn't good enough and blah blah blah

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Don't forget the "this $500 nitrogen-quenched oxygen-free power cord makes my stereo sound soooo much warmer and more musical" contingent.

[Jimmykicker]

Hmmm...I've always wanted a player with a DVI out, but it doesn't look like the latest models are too great (like the Bravo D1, etc). DVI looks like it has the best actual video quality (I can really tell the difference on my LCD display over analog sources). That said, maybe I'll just get a Pioneer 363 and wait another year or two for DVI's and DVD-A to become more mainstream...

[LanEvo7]

The new Lite-On looks pretty good.

[soundforbjt]

The new Lite-On looks pretty good.

What he said.....I'm getting one!

[orbital517]

I also wanted to know when people say that some DVD players have better "video quality" compared to others? Many cheapo players have progressive scan as do the expensive ones. What else can contribute to better "video quality" that everyone is talking about? Many cheapo DVD players now have DTS sound, Dolby Digital, progressive scan, etc....

What is the actual difference in video quality and what exactly makes the difference?

[BJ_M]

I used to hang out there alot reading the posts but haven't lately. It is a good forum site but if you don't make a lot of money you get sick of that kind of talk quickly such as bitching about how a $2,000 DVD player or HTPC sucks on a big huge PLAZMA/FONT PROJECTOR display and why can't they release HDTV DVD and how the JVC D-VHS THEATER format kicks ass over DVD in quality but still isn't good enough and blah blah blah

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Don't forget the "this $500 nitrogen-quenched oxygen-free power cord makes my stereo sound soooo much warmer and more musical" contingent.

you didnt go for the $3000 cable ? you got to get the good stuff next time instead of that cheap $500 junk ac cable ....

http://www.mayaudio.com/mayaudio/detail.asp?ItemID=3744&MCatID=2&MCat=GutWire&SCat=Power%20Cables

[Dubber]

To answer Orbital's Q:

Video as well as audio quality will depend on quality of electronic componets, chips and also the program algorithm for decoding digital source (DVD, CD, VCD etc.).

[orbital517]

To answer Orbital's Q:

Video as well as audio quality will depend on quality of electronic componets, chips and also the program algorithm for decoding digital source (DVD, CD, VCD etc.).

Thanks for the info

[FulciLives]

you didnt go for the $3000 cable ? you got to get the good stuff next time instead of that cheap $500 junk ac cable ....

http://www.mayaudio.com/mayaudio/detail.asp?ItemID=3744&MCatID=2&MCat=GutWire&SCat=Power%20Cables

My WORD that is ******* sick man

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[vance43211]

the best dvd player out


is the one on your pc

it play everything

if you want better video

you can upgrade your video card (preferrably one with dvi out)

better sound .Get a better sound card

buy a cheap small desktop computer

upgrade with the above componets

hook it up to your tv


and you still will save about $1600.00 more than i did with my pioneer dv-09 ($2200.00) which barely plays burnt dvds, some vcds, and nothing else extra


it does have great video quality, however

[Jimmykicker]

vance43211 Posted: Aug 13, 2003 22:17

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the best dvd player out


is the one on your pc

it play everything

if you want better video

you can upgrade your video card (preferrably one with dvi out)

better sound .Get a better sound card

buy a cheap small desktop computer

upgrade with the above componets

hook it up to your tv


and you still will save about $1600.00 more than i did with my pioneer dv-09 ($2200.00) which barely plays burnt dvds, some vcds, and nothing else extra


it does have great video quality, however

I would have to say this would be a great option, but the setup is a little bit confusing. I haven't actually tried it, but my comp has a DVI out and 5.1 channel audio, so it could be done. I have heard, though, that connecting the DVI-out from video card to DVI-in on TV is usually incompatible. How do you get around this? Is the video card compatible with 480/720/1080 formats (I have a Radeon 8500)? Also, is there a good soundcard with a DTS decoder? Any info on this setup would be appreciated...

[vance43211]

i never have heard about that dvi problem, so i don't know

i would get soundblaster card with optical out for your dts

[ebenton]

There's a new DVD player from JVC coming out on approx. 9/8/2003. The model number is XV-NA70BK / XV-NA77SL (the first one is black and the second one silver).
According to the specs, it will play virtually anything, have built-in DTS/AC-3 decoder and progressive scan, all for $179.99.

See this link to Crutchfield:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-0866J5b2C4R/Prodview.asp?c=6&g=54400&I=257XVNA70B&s=0&cc=01

[Jimmykicker]

ebenton Posted: Aug 14, 2003 12:21

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There's a new DVD player from JVC coming out on approx. 9/8/2003. The model number is XV-NA70BK / XV-NA77SL (the first one is black and the second one silver).
According to the specs, it will play virtually anything, have built-in DTS/AC-3 decoder and progressive scan, all for $179.99.

No DVI on that player and looks alot the same as the Pioneer 563A, which I think I would rather have than a JVC...