$200 DVD Player - pls. help me pick one (1 Viewer)

[Denis K]

Hi All,

My wife and kids are buying me a DVD player for Father's Day. I've been informed that unless I give them a specific model, they’re going to hit BB or CC and pick one out for me (yikes!). I'd been looking into players a little bit, but hadn't done any serious homework. But in the < $200 price range that I'm looking for, I think the choice should be pretty simple.

I don't need progressive scan as my current TV, a 32" Hitachi Ultravision, won't benefit from it. (My understanding is that progressive scan does nothing for non-HDTV/HDTV-ready TVs, correct?) Also, I don’t need on-board decoding as that will be handled by the receiver. Priorities are picture quality and CD sound quality. Unless you all steer me in a different direction, the top contenders seem to be:

- Panasonic DVD-RV32
- Panasonic DVD-RP56 (clearance sale puts it within budget)
- Pioneer DV-353
- Sony DVPNS315
- Sony DVPNS415 (looks same as 315 but with "video pass through", whatever that is.)
- Toshiba SD2800

Both Panasonic models are on close out so I imagine they're about to be replaced. Anyone have early scoop on the new Panny models? I’ve heard the picture on the Sonys are a bit "soft", is that true? Also, the Sonys use 96Khz DACs for audio vs. 192Khz DACs on some of the others. In a mid-fi setup, would I hear a difference? Is the infamous chroma bug still crawling around or are all new players free of this now? I've heard lower end Pioneers should be avoided, true? If I jumped up in price $100 and went with a Denon, Marantz, Onkyo player, would I see/hear a difference? Any of your thoughts and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much in advance!

 

[Jack Briggs]

I have the Tosh 2800 in my bedroom setup. Cute little machine, fine vid quality. The drive motor is a tad audible, but not intrusive once the soundtrack kicks in. Decent handset, though a bit cluttered compared with Tosh's usually well-designed remotes.

Picture looks marvelous through both component-video and S-video inputs.

The 2800 can be had for around $140 street. Got mine at Buy.com.

And, no, a prog-scan machine would be of no use to you--unless you're planning for the future and when you might get a prog scan-capable display. If so, consider the Sony 715--a superb prog-scan machine that MSRPs for $299 (and streets for considerably less).

 

[David Judah]

The new Panasonic player is the RP62. It has progressive scan, as does the RP56, which you said you don't need, but the MSRP is only $30 more($180)than the new interlaced Sony 315, so you might consider it.

Don't worry about the DAC specs. For the kind of material I assume you will be using through it(DVD-V & CD), the DACs in any of the units you choose will be fine(it doesn't matter if it has 24/96 or 24/192).

Have you considered spending a little more and getting a combo player with DVD-A or SACD? The prices are really coming down on alot of the new models.

Good luck,
DJ

 

[Denis K]

Thanks, guys for the helpful info. (Other comments are still welcome.) Also I had thought the DVD-A or SACD combo players were still quite a bit more expensive. I'll do a little more research. Thanks again, David.

Regards,
Denis

 

[Jim Prillaman]

The Panasonic DVD-RA60 (which is not listed on Panasonic's site, but last I checked was still available on Best Buy's site) retails for at or under $200 -- it supports DVD-Audio, and is not progressive scan. I've been very pleased with mine.

 

[Joe.Kuta]

for SACD, there is the Sony DVP-NS500V.
It has the chroma bug, yet it took a long time for anyone to even discover it (ie, i do not believe it is that noticible).
I am still debating this purchase, vs. a panny rp62.

 

[jeff cr]

i also got the Toshiba 2800 a few weeks ago for my birthday. i love it. watched about 30 movies on it already with no problems. video and sound quality are excellent. it was $139 at best buy

 

[Chuck C]

Panasonic anything