Cheapest PAL output DVD player w/o quality sacrifice

[CaZeek]

Well I don't need to play Divx, so if that's the only real setback, not a problem with me. As far as firmware upgrades.. as long as it's doing what I want as far as quality and compatibility now, what would I really need an upgrade for? I guess if some new video codec comes out, firmware would be helpful to make it compatible, but as I said, I'm not really interested in that feature.. the player is primarily for the high quality PAL output.

[lifeisfun]

Well, than you got the right one !

[lets]

Just found some reviews at Cnet and links/info from consumersearch.com for the Pioneer DV-578A-S.. . It's available at Best Buy for 99.99

Who told you that this player (from BestBuy) has PAL output?

[CaZeek]

You're right lets... after all the research/searching I completely forgot to pay attentiong to the fundamental difference between a DVD player that converts and a DVD player that plays both... pretty stupid since that's that what the first 10 posts of this thread are about. Either way, I think I found the best quality player in both formats now, the Sony DVP-NS575E. The Sony DVP-NS575 has American model that is not the "E" which is mutli-regional/region free. There are only two stores that have it in stock in America on pricegrabber.com.. the cheaper is $135. What makes this player unique from the others is that is has digital progressive scanning when playing both formats (PAL and NTSC), not just one. I couldn't find that option on any other players. Also has 12-bit Video DAC, which (according to my limited knowledge), is a key factor in picture quality. The standard modern players have 10-bit, and some of the older ones had 8-bit that I've looked at. Please tell me I'm not making any mistakes with this one

[FulciLives]

Go with JVC if quality is a big concern.

There are modded units you can buy that are region free and even a USA model bought at BEST BUY etc. will do PAL to NTSC on a region free PAL DVD but of course you need to buy it pre-modded if you want REGION FREE.

Check out:

http://www.hkflix.com/

Good information though you may find cheaper JVC prices on other websites.

If you are on a budget then the Philips 642 will do just fine though some find that the image quality is not steller ... though not bad either.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman