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Pred02
 
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Default DVD Player Recommendation: Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, or other?

Hi,

We have been using the Sony DVP S7700 which we bought in 1999 as the
DVD player for our system. This fall we plan on upgrading to a
Panasonic 50' plasma screen. When we bought the S7700, it was one of
the reference players out there - indeed it was very good, much better
compared to the consumer-grade DVD panasonic player we first owned.
However, as S7700 does not have progressive output, and with plasma
HDTV-ready TV, I understanding we need progressive scan to get the
better picture quality. Thus, we are ready to upgrade when we buy the
TV.

Looking a bit on the net, we found a couple of models that would suit
our needs and budget. More specifically, the budget it around 500 USD,
maybe a little more.

In this price range, I first looked at the Sony ES line, more
specifically the follow up reference to what we currently own: Sony
DVP-NS999ES.

In the similar price range I saw the Yamaha DVD-S2500, and the Denon
DVD-2910B. The Denon DVD-2910 also hasa HDMI output, which I am not
sure if it makes any difference over composite video, but it also
claims to offer 720p and 1080i output. I know that the plasma screen
does offer this mode.

Given the price range and the choices, which DVD player would you
recommend? Our main concern is the picture quality, and secondly audio
quality (2-channel). In addition, it would be nice if there was a
modification for these players to play PAL/region free discs as we have
quiet a few DVDs from Europe that we currently play on an cheap
region-free divx/dvd player from philips.

Kind regards,
george

  #2   Report Post  
TB
 
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"Pred02" wrote:

(snip)

In the similar price range I saw the Yamaha DVD-S2500, and the Denon
DVD-2910B. The Denon DVD-2910 also hasa HDMI output, which I am not
sure if it makes any difference over composite video, but it also
claims to offer 720p and 1080i output. I know that the plasma screen
does offer this mode.


I have the Denon 3910 which is the next model up from the 2910. IMO, it's
the best player for the money. You can output both NTSC as well as PAL video
without an external decoder, the picture and audio is reference quality and
the player is easily region-free hackable with a software flash upgrade. It
has a *lot* of features for tweaking and storing several different video
settings for various kinds of dvds.

I have A/B'd the 2910, 3910 and the 5910 and there's a minor but noticeable
difference in the video and audio quality (especially on SACDs) between the
2910 and 3910 but the 2910 is still an excellent player that stands far
above most other players in the same price range. The top of the line 5910
is almost double the price of the 3910 and I honestly didn't see any
difference between it and the 3910.

The only complaint I could say is that the player is slow to load and start
discs, but the reason is so it buffers a bigger then most players amount of
data which means layer changes are far more smooth then just about any other
player I've seen. IMO, the 3910 should be the last dvd player I'll ever buy
until whatever HiDef format has supplanted traditional dvds.

T.B.


  #3   Report Post  
Pred02
 
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I have seen the 3910, and it is a great DVD player, but unfortunantely
it cannot be found for less than 1000. I will also look into the
Pioneer Elite Avi49 player, it can be found for about 700 USD, which
should fit the bill between the 3910 and 3910.

I realized that the Sony just came out with a new flagship player in
the ES line that has DVI and upscaling, but it cannot be found under
1000. No wonder the former champ, NS999ES is only 500-600 USD.

If there are any other player recommendations that are 500-700 that fir
the bill I appreciate it.

  #4   Report Post  
TB
 
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"Pred02" wrote:

I have seen the 3910, and it is a great DVD player, but unfortunantely
it cannot be found for less than 1000. I will also look into the
Pioneer Elite Avi49 player, it can be found for about 700 USD, which
should fit the bill between the 3910 and 3910.


I suggest doing some serious shopping if you are on the fence about that
player due to the price. I bought mine for just over $750.00 about a year
ago and it was brand new, not B stock or any sort of open box or demo.

I realized that the Sony just came out with a new flagship player in
the ES line that has DVI and upscaling, but it cannot be found under
1000. No wonder the former champ, NS999ES is only 500-600 USD.

If there are any other player recommendations that are 500-700 that fir
the bill I appreciate it.


T.B.


  #5   Report Post  
Dan
 
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On 10/12/2005 12:24 AM, TB wrote:
"Pred02" wrote:

I have seen the 3910, and it is a great DVD player, but unfortunantely
it cannot be found for less than 1000. I will also look into the
Pioneer Elite Avi49 player, it can be found for about 700 USD, which
should fit the bill between the 3910 and 3910.


I suggest doing some serious shopping if you are on the fence about that
player due to the price. I bought mine for just over $750.00 about a year
ago and it was brand new, not B stock or any sort of open box or demo.

I realized that the Sony just came out with a new flagship player in
the ES line that has DVI and upscaling, but it cannot be found under
1000. No wonder the former champ, NS999ES is only 500-600 USD.

If there are any other player recommendations that are 500-700 that fir
the bill I appreciate it.


T.B.



Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?


  #6   Report Post  
Biz
 
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Default


"Dan" wrote in message
...
Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?


Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental, or
BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying one
of the many great players available today


  #7   Report Post  
Matthew L. Martin
 
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Biz wrote:
"Dan" wrote in message
...

Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?



Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental, or
BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying one
of the many great players available today


Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
excessively pessemistic.

--
Matthew mlmartin@ .com (fill in the blank with user name)

"All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of
people" -- Alexander Bullock ("My Man Godfrey" 1936)
  #8   Report Post  
TB
 
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"Matthew L. Martin" wrote:

Biz wrote:
"Dan" wrote in message
...

Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?



Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental, or
BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying
one
of the many great players available today


Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
excessively pessemistic.


Well, it's already been over a year since I bought what I figure should be
my last traditional dvd player with no HiDef content or player in sight.

T.B.


  #9   Report Post  
Biz
 
Posts: n/a
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"TB" wrote in message
...
"Matthew L. Martin" wrote:

Biz wrote:
"Dan" wrote in message
...

Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?


Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental,

or
BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying
one
of the many great players available today


Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
excessively pessemistic.


Well, it's already been over a year since I bought what I figure should be
my last traditional dvd player with no HiDef content or player in sight.

T.B.


Exactly, we're already a year or so into this waiting for HD/Blu-Ray right
around the corner BS already. I notice MLM didnt try to put any alternative
time frame in place outside of disagreeing with mine...I think 2-3 years is
just about right, meaning we now have 1-2 years b4 you'll see the tiels at
Blockbuster/Hollywood/etc.. or for sale in any semblence at big retailers...


  #10   Report Post  
Matthew L. Martin
 
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Default

Biz wrote:
"TB" wrote in message
...

"Matthew L. Martin" wrote:


Biz wrote:

"Dan" wrote in message
...


Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?


Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental,


or

BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying
one
of the many great players available today

Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
excessively pessemistic.


Well, it's already been over a year since I bought what I figure should be
my last traditional dvd player with no HiDef content or player in sight.

T.B.



Exactly, we're already a year or so into this waiting for HD/Blu-Ray right
around the corner BS already. I notice MLM didnt try to put any alternative
time frame in place outside of disagreeing with mine...I think 2-3 years is
just about right, meaning we now have 1-2 years b4 you'll see the tiels at
Blockbuster/Hollywood/etc.. or for sale in any semblence at big retailers...


I didn't try to name a time frame as I have no insider information. I do
disagree that "years" is likely. The electronics makers want the next
generation very badly since there is little or no money to be made in
the commodity DVD player market. The studios have also observed that DVD
is their goose, laying golden eggs all over the planet. They want the
next generation because they think they will make even _more_ when they
start releasing everything all over again.

If you insist that I guess: they have all been down this road before
(1995-1997, the original DVD delay) I see no reason that it will take
any longer this time than last. Check back in a year.

--
Matthew mlmartin@ .com (fill in the blank with user name)

"All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of
people" -- Alexander Bullock ("My Man Godfrey" 1936)


  #11   Report Post  
Ritz
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Matthew L. Martin wrote:

I didn't try to name a time frame as I have no insider information. I do
disagree that "years" is likely. The electronics makers want the next
generation very badly since there is little or no money to be made in
the commodity DVD player market. The studios have also observed that DVD
is their goose, laying golden eggs all over the planet. They want the
next generation because they think they will make even _more_ when they
start releasing everything all over again.

If you insist that I guess: they have all been down this road before
(1995-1997, the original DVD delay) I see no reason that it will take
any longer this time than last. Check back in a year.


I think years is definitely an accurate timeframe. Nobody is going to
buy into HD DVD's until the format war is settled. That confusion leads
to consumers having a "wait and see" attitude. With few players in
the marketplace (other than in computers and gaming consoles) the
studios have little incentive to release content. Just look at the
extremely limited catalog of SACD and DVD-A titles available and those
formats have been available in "commodity" players for years. I'd be
pretty shocked if more than a sprinkling of HD titles were available in
a place like Blockbuster before 2008/2009. And even then, the number of
available titles will continue to be dwarfed by the "plain old DVD" for
a long time to come.

That said...

On the cheap end, I like the Samsung HD841/950/971. On the expensive
end, it's tough to beat the Denon 2910/3910/5910.

Cheers,


  #12   Report Post  
Black Locust
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article ,
"Matthew L. Martin" wrote:

Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
excessively pessemistic.


*laughs* He's being optimistic! If you want an idea of how much this
format war could slow down acceptance, consider in part that due to the
Betamax vs. VHS format war, it took VHS over 15 years(!) to achieve the
same penetration rate that DVD did in just 5 years! And then of course
you've got the whole HDTV issue. A good 90% of consumers using DVD right
now will have to purchase an HDTV of some sort before "HD DVD" is even a
viable option.

BTW, it took Blockbuster a little over 3 years to introduce DVDs into
their stores. Best Buy was faster, but even they took some time with it.
Circuit City had that Divx **** all over their stores until it died. And
don't even get me started on Wal-Mart's ULTRA SLOW ASS acceptance of DVD.

So with a looming format war, indeed it will be years before you see any
HD format get even close to where DVD is RIGHT NOW.
--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people,
and neither do we." - George Dumbya Bush
  #13   Report Post  
Ken
 
Posts: n/a
Default DVD Player Recommendation: Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, or other?

Hello.

I just burned a video onto a Memorex DVD+R double layer DVD and
unfortunately it wouldn't load on my Denon 2910. It did work on my
cheap sony.

I am no expert here so I am hoping you might have an answer. Any
thoughts?

Thanks

Ken


TB wrote:
"Pred02" wrote:

(snip)

In the similar price range I saw the Yamaha DVD-S2500, and the Denon
DVD-2910B. The Denon DVD-2910 also hasa HDMI output, which I am not
sure if it makes any difference over composite video, but it also
claims to offer 720p and 1080i output. I know that the plasma screen
does offer this mode.


I have the Denon 3910 which is the next model up from the 2910. IMO, it's
the best player for the money. You can output both NTSC as well as PAL video
without an external decoder, the picture and audio is reference quality and
the player is easily region-free hackable with a software flash upgrade. It
has a *lot* of features for tweaking and storing several different video
settings for various kinds of dvds.

I have A/B'd the 2910, 3910 and the 5910 and there's a minor but noticeable
difference in the video and audio quality (especially on SACDs) between the
2910 and 3910 but the 2910 is still an excellent player that stands far
above most other players in the same price range. The top of the line 5910
is almost double the price of the 3910 and I honestly didn't see any
difference between it and the 3910.

The only complaint I could say is that the player is slow to load and start
discs, but the reason is so it buffers a bigger then most players amount of
data which means layer changes are far more smooth then just about any other
player I've seen. IMO, the 3910 should be the last dvd player I'll ever buy
until whatever HiDef format has supplanted traditional dvds.

T.B.


  #14   Report Post  
Scott Dorsey
 
Posts: n/a
Default DVD Player Recommendation: Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, or other?

Ken wrote:

I just burned a video onto a Memorex DVD+R double layer DVD and
unfortunately it wouldn't load on my Denon 2910. It did work on my
cheap sony.

I am no expert here so I am hoping you might have an answer. Any
thoughts?


If you have no way to measure error rate or eye pattern S/N, just try
different blanks and different speeds until you get the best compatibility
you can. Without instrumentation it is a matter of shooting in the dark.
But, blanks are cheap.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
  #15   Report Post  
Ken
 
Posts: n/a
Default DVD Player Recommendation: Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, or other?

Thanks Scott. Unfortunately at $20 for a 3 pack of double layer disks
I think I'm going to make it the problem of the place I bought this
from.

Thanks

Ken


Scott Dorsey wrote:
Ken wrote:

I just burned a video onto a Memorex DVD+R double layer DVD and
unfortunately it wouldn't load on my Denon 2910. It did work on my
cheap sony.

I am no expert here so I am hoping you might have an answer. Any
thoughts?


If you have no way to measure error rate or eye pattern S/N, just try
different blanks and different speeds until you get the best compatibility
you can. Without instrumentation it is a matter of shooting in the dark.
But, blanks are cheap.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."




  #16   Report Post  
Ritz
 
Posts: n/a
Default DVD Player Recommendation: Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, or other?

Ken wrote:
Thanks Scott. Unfortunately at $20 for a 3 pack of double layer disks
I think I'm going to make it the problem of the place I bought this
from.


According to Denon, it should support that media type. I'm not sure
what program you used to create your DVD, but you might want to try that
disc in another "known good" player and see if it plays there before
howling at your dealer.

Cheers,
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