Best Progressive Scan DVD Player under $400

Steve F M · 05-22-2004, 07:00 PM

I'm looking for something to match with my new Panasonic PT-AE500 Front Projector. I'm not concerned about DVD-A or SACD. I want the best Picture Quality using Component Cables with my Projector. Any rec's? I'm currently using a Denon DVD-2200 that I really don't care for with the projector. I will be selling my Denon for a little over $400 and will be using that to try something else.

Don_Berg · 05-22-2004, 09:18 PM

I'd recommend the top-rated Faroudja-based Panasonic XP30 for under $300.

Neil Joseph · 05-22-2004, 10:33 PM

How well does the XP30 scale?

Nicholas R · 05-23-2004, 05:57 AM

Quote:

How well does the XP30 scale?

It doesn't and it has been discontinued for ages. Unless you're an Ebay addict it's best to look at the newer and better players out there.

Kevin. W · 05-23-2004, 08:24 AM

Right now if your spending that kind of money I would go with a LG7832 or Zenith equivalent for their 1080i capabiities.

Kevin

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Steve F M · 05-23-2004, 10:03 AM

I'm looking at the zenith anyone have experience with them and also with a Front Projector?

Nicholas R · 05-23-2004, 10:05 AM

Quote:

I'm looking at the zenith anyone have experience with them and also with a Front Projector?

I used the LG version for a couple months. Fabulous PQ. Much better than the XP30. You can't go wrong at all with the Zenith.

Neil Joseph · 05-23-2004, 02:15 PM

Does anyone have any opinions on the Yamaha line of dvd players? Much appreciated.

Don_Berg · 05-23-2004, 02:21 PM

If the Zenith was so great, why did Nicholas get rid of it already? The XP30 is still the best available, just check out the ratings on the Secrets tests. I still use my XP30 since it has top-rated quality and allows your widescreen HDTV to correctly format all title types including 4:3, the zenith doesn't support proper 4:3 title formatting and most HDTVs lock in FULL mode for 1080i output stretching 4:3 titles horribly. The XP30 is still a great buy. I also saw Good Guys has the Faroudja-based Philips Q50 model on sale for $199 this week.

DaveGTP · 05-23-2004, 02:54 PM

Since Mr. NicholasR joined here a few weeks ago, every dvd player thread thus far, every thread has descended into his protestations that the XP30s weren't as great as they have been reviewed, because his eyes say a lot of stuff is better (particularly the Zenith 318). Let's not let this thread descend into this argument again.

Us objectivist folks like to hit up hometheaterhifi's secrets reviews. You can find them here.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...deInt=0&mpeg=0

About the secrets reviews' scientific testing methodology:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...on-9-2000.html

The XP30 is pretty high on the list, but you can normally only find it on ebay now. I had a Panny CP72 (similiar to the XP30) until it died. Thus, I'm in the DVD player search.

What didn't you like about the Denon 2200? It uses the Silicon Image deinterlacing, which is suggested to be perhaps a tad better on film sources. Faroudja is supposed to be better for proper handling of video sources. Is it just the overall build quality/menus/etc?
Because I have a Denon dvd-910 inhouse, and the menus/interface/lcd etc does look cheap. I've got to return the 910 due to a flickering image problem that the Denon faroudja players produce with a couple of rare displays (apparently my Infocus X1 included).

I've got a Zenith 318 on hold for me (when it comes in stock), because I can't find a reasonably priced Faroudja player, that's not this year's Denon, without going to ebay for a Panny XP30. Personally I'm not big on buying things on Ebay that can break - video games, etc are OK, but I don't like to do electronics/big purchases.

The Zenith is Faroudja based, and user reports are good. The one professional review was good (its LG clone):
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/exper...32_review.html

It's got issues outputting via DVI, 480p/720p over component, but the 1080i component output is supposed to be problem-free. And it does have a lot of features, zoom, etc. The secrets guys haven't done their excessive testing on it yet, but it's Faroudja based, so there's a certain minimum level of quality there.