Panasonic DVD-S97S for $239.99 Shipped

[kVaSSaSSiN]

JR.com has the Panasonic DVD-S97S for 239.99 shipped!

Product Info:

720p/1080i Upconversion (via HDMI output only) / Multi-Format Playback (Playable Disc Type) DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, HDCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW

Most people think of their DVD player simply as a movie machine. This DVD player not only plays prerecorded DVDs and DVD-R2/DVD-RAM discs, but also plays CD, CDR and CDRW - including CDR and CDRW with recorded MP3 and WMA files. HDMI offers a new high-performance Digital standard for outstanding Video and sound. It's also more convenient. HDMI carries high-quality digital video and Audio over the same thin cable, allowing you to run one cable from your DVD player to an HDMI-compatible TV or Home Theater receiver.
Dimensions (H x W x D) 2-5/16 x 16-15/16 x 10-1/16 Inches / Weight 5.3 lbs
Color: Silver

 

[imported_Jackyl]

That seems pretty high price for just a DVD player these days. For $250, I can get a Lite-on Recorder with HDD. I have the Panasonic S47S, which I bought for $99. It is an older model, but basically the same as S97S without HDMI. You are paying $100 more just for added connections HDMI and upscaling. Not worth it IMO. Panasonic players also support + discs, even though it is not on the packaging.

 

[Mac]

I would say it is an average price for this model excluding shipping. Sometimes Amazon may have it for $10 or so less and also have free shipping. If you want one, I would say jump on it. You aren't going to find it for much less anytime soon.

I would disregard Jackyl's post. The S97S is excellent player that competes very well with the high end market. In fact, there is nothing in its price range that touches it performance wise and features. To compare a Lite-On recorder and the S97S in the same breath says a lot about the knowledge level of the speaker.

 

[hytek369]

yeah, that is kinda pricey, since it cant play divx either

 

[Odeen]

If you enjoy DIVX, you're in a slightly different group than the target audience for this player. Simply put, this produces one of the nicest quality upscaled pictures you're going to get, better than the Samsung and Sony upscaling players.

If you want to play DiVX on your 27" tube TV, it's not a player for you. If you have a big-screen HDTV, though, (and no, the 1024x768 42" plasma "HDTV" doesn't count) this unit will extract the maximum picture quality from your DVD's. The bigger the screen the more difference you'll notice.

 

[imported_Jackyl]

Originally posted by: Odeen
If you have a big-screen HDTV, though, (and no, the 1024x768 42" plasma "HDTV" doesn't count) this unit will extract the maximum picture quality from your DVD's. The bigger the screen the more difference you'll notice.

There is no way upscaling DVD players can "extract" more quality out of a DVD. DVD's will always be 720x480. What these players do, is first convert the frames to 720p/1080i, then smooth out the jagged edges, which make edges smoother in appearance. They don't magically give the image more "detail". Some may apply a sharpen filter. This is all done in real-time in the hardware. This is a poor man's way to make the picture look better. The detail is just not there to extract. What you need is for the film to be captured in high-def. This is why we got blu-ray/hd-dvd coming. Movie Studios will hopefully go back to the original film stocks and scan them in digitally in 1080i to use for blu-ray/hd-dvd.

 

[totalcommand]

COLD deal. Way too much a dvd player nowadays.

 

[Player1327]

If you guys ever research dvd players, this one is one of the top ones under $300 (along with the $200 Oppo player that plays divx). Upconverting dvd players do just that, upconvert DVD to 720p/1080i. If you are not using a upconverting dvd player to upconvert DVD to your HDTV then you are using your HDTV's processing to upconvert DVD to HD. Either way, it's going to be upconverted (unless you enjoy a 720x480 video window on your 1280x720 or 1920x1080 HDTV). Most HDTV manufacturers skimp out on the scaling/processor they put in the tv set. You can either have a cheap chip in your tv used or the academy award winning Faroudja DCDi processor used by the Panasonic. It's your choice and your money. It's cheaper than the $3500 Denon 5910 dvd player.

In any case, $240 is around the normal price for this player.

 

[Mac]

Even without the upscaling capability (which is over-hyped), this player is still an excellent value for its 480P and interlaced output if you have the equipment to take advantage of it. In addition, the audio output of this player is considered top rate, supporting DVD-A. The only feature lacking to make it a true universal player is that it doesn't support SACD (Sony's pet format....Sony doesn't inlcude DVD-A on their players in return). Although you can buy DVD players for less than $30 and DVD recorders for $100, in this case, you really are getting what you pay for if quality is important. If you want a better player than the S97S, you are going to pay substantially more than the $239 the OP listed.

Regarding the Oppo player mentioned in the previous post, it is a fine alternative if you have a DVI or HDMI (you will need a DVI to HDMI adaptor) input on your HDTV. If you only have component, then the S97S is the better choice.