DVD Players...

[BCYL]

Is there a big difference in the quality of the video between different brands of DVD players? If so, how big a differenece? Is it like very noticable (ie. fuzzy playback, etc) or minimal?

I am considering buying a DVD player, since watching movies on the computer all the time is not that much fun... I am trying to decide if I should spend the money and get a brand new one...

 

[damac]

After personal experience I would definately say stay away from computer based dvd players because their are too many dumb variables. Get a stand alone dvd player since that is what they are made for. Don't get a cheapo but something in the $200 range will be fine. You should also probably atleast hook it up via svideo if not component to get some of that extra video quality. For average joes we don't need the surround sound, progressive scan, extra playback features, etc.

I personally have a toshiba sd1200 that I got for less than $200 months ago and its all good thus far. If you are a home theatre buff then obviously their are allot of things to way and extra stuff costs lots of extra $$$

I also say some of the low end dvd stand alone players right now stink just because they obviously skimp somewhere when it comes to quality components and you might be able to pickup on some of these things. So look for some name brand models, then find places like 800.com and amazon and read customer reviews and home theatre sites that do reviws. You simply don't need to spend allot of $$$ these days to get a great picture. If you don't record to vhs dvd is definately a must for watching movies if your adding to your collection or renting(I use netflix and save money over local rental prices) Its better image quality, no degredation, no tracking and some cool little features like fast forward with no lines, pause, scene by scene advance, zoom, etc.

 

[konichiwa]

Sony, Toshiba, Pioneer...all three of those companies make outstanding DVD players for great prices. Check 800.com and buy.com

 

[AndrewR]

Find some models in your price range (check out 800.com, vanns.com, circuitcity.com, any other sites you can find) then head to Audio Review to read what other people say about the products. It's hard to pinpoint manufacturers since some models vary from others in quality (some drastically, it seems).

I settled on the Panasonic DVD-RV30 since it hit my price point perfectly with the Mercata discount combined with the MSN passport deal (check Hot Deals). Your results may differ, and your requirements may differ. Don't buy more DVD than you need with your current or near future setup (connections -- do you need optical out, component out, progressive scan, etc?) depending on your TV, speaker setup, and receiver.

Be warned -- once you start, you can't stop. I am dropping about $600 on my home theater (heavily discounted speakers fortunately, from Infinity!), and now I'm eyeing the TV for replacement!

 

[Dedpuhl]

I have had nothing but good experiences with ALL sony products I have ever purchased. Playstation, tv's, DVD player's, etc...

Sony is great...

 

[8ball]

Does PlayStation 2 have digital decoding?

 

[BCYL]

Hey AndrewR, great site for reviews!

Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions too... my search for a DVD player continues...

 

[sweetrobin]

Hey we just bought a Sampo DVD for about 145$ that is really awesome ... we chose it over some of the more expensive brands because it can mp3s ... so far we have been extremely pleased with it .. the quality is great and Sampo has this kewl thing that if you have any problems with it in the first year instead of waiting for them to fix it ... they will just give you a brand new one to replace it ... I think thats pretty kewl.

 

[Total Refected Power]

I have a stand alone DVD player but the best thing I bought was a PORTABLE DVD player with a color, 7 in screen built in! The battery lasts over 4 hours too!

This was the best toy I ever bought!!

 

[Shudder]

I got a Toshiba low-end last year, damn almost 2 years ago, for 300. Love it. Toshiba 2109. Now the low-end is about 220 and has optical outs too (only main difference I think).

Quality stuff.

Different prices usually include functionality like zoom, stop, frame advance, resume after stopping, quicker access, better layer changes, better remotes, ability to play CDRs or not, internal decoding for Dolby-Digital READY systems, and things such as that.

The basic good-name model will be just fine.

 

[Optimus]

8ball - no, the PS2 has Digital and DTS out, but not decoding. You need a seperate decoder/reciever for Digital Sound from the PS2.


BTW, I have found that my PS2 is a fantastic DVD player - top-notch picture...

Also, if you are setting pu a system from scratch, it is better to have all decoding done in your reciever, as they do a better job. I'd only recommend getting a DVD player with built in decoding to someone with a good reciever that had 6 speaker inputs (often called "Dolby Digital Ready&quot.

Otherwise let the DVD player do video and the reciever do audio decoding. I picked up the Technics Dolby Digital AND DTS decoding home theater reciever for $279 U.S. (it was $399 canadian). It, 5 speakers, an active subwoofer, and my PS2 are a complete home theater digital setup for about $1000 US ($1400 can).

 

[fdiskboy]

AndrewR,

Got that same DVD player and love it for the price. Now, to find a new receiver to go with my new TV, new satellite system....

Translation: It truly never stops.

 

[AndrewR]

TRF: We're not all rich bastards like you. Wish I could afford $800 for one of those portables -- they are awesome.

I agree with Optimus on the decoding thing -- spend a little more money on a good receiver since that seems to make all the difference in quality (based on what I've read from other people).

fdiskboy: Check out Pioneer. I found the 409S (or something like that) at Costco for $199 which was apparently a misprice (normally $279), but it's an excellent receiver. The only downside is that the remote is crappy with teeny tiny little buttons that are all the same size. It's very versatile, but it's nearly impossible to use effectively in the dark.

I'm still trying to figure out how the DVD digital audio works -- I have an optical cable hooked up, which works for the CD player, but the digital is not responding for DVD. I have an idea as to why though I haven't tested it yet.