Total NOOB needs advice for DVD player (1 Viewer)

[Scott Rogers]

Well, there comes a time in every man's life when they put away the toys (Playstation 2) and get the real toys.

I am slowly building towards a HT but first need to get a good DVD player. I can't believe I went all of these years without one.

What should I look for? Both video and audio-wise? Which one is the most reliable? Single disc or multi disc? Recordable or regular? Multi-region or Region 1? Which one has the best controller? Which one will allow me to stay somewhat current when I upgrade to a HT system in the "near" (2 years) future?

Really guys, I need help. I'm starting out at ground zero here.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SethH]

This is a fairly difficult question to answer. Do you have a specific price range in mind? DVD players can currently be had for as little as about $35, but the ultra high-end DVD players go for $1500+. There are players at every price-point in between there. The player I recently bought cost me about $80 and has served my needs well.



That's pretty tough. There is currently a "war" going on with regard to the next DVD format (Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD). Hopefully that will be settled within the next two years, but no matter what player you buy right now it will likely not be compatible.

One thing you can do, however, is make sure you get a DVD player with the most connections possible (toslink AND coax for audio; HDMI and component for video). This will allow you more flexibility with your setup in the future.

 

[Jeff Gatie]

This is good advice. May I also add that getting a player that "upconverts" to HD resolution would not be a bad idea. They can be had for little or no more money over a progressive player (I've seen them on sale for $99) and will allow you to have upconverted resolution when you inevitably get that shiny new HDTV.

 

[Brian Osborne]

I'd save your money and start with speakers. If you are starting from zero, that and an amp would be the first logical step.
Speakers are the one component of an Audio/Video system that will least likely be noticeably better in 2 or 3 years. If you don't have an amp, either save until you can get a nice one or buy a cheap one to get you by. You can always use that amp somewhere else at a latter date.
You sound like a gamer to me, I'd go ahead and use your PS2 as your DVD player until it dies. Upgrade to the PS3 when it is released and wait on the DVD player. The price of DVD/PVR/Media Centers will be coming down as everyone starts to make their own. Your PS3 will work as a High Def DVD until others come on the market and more media is available for them.
If you are going to do the Amp, look at HDMI switching at the very least. HDMI conversion and Ethernet would be a plus.

As for a DVD player, if this is to be your first step, look at what you really will want out of your HomeTheater in 2 years. Will you want something that has DVR capabilies? Up-converting? Ethernet/Home networking? DVD-Audio or SACD? Be prepared to spend what you must to get something that wont be completely out of date when you upgrade the rest of your components.
Check out a few sites
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...00000000005702
http://www.samsung.com/products/dvdplayer/index.asp
http://www.us.onkyo.com/prod_class.cfm?class=DVD
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...s&Dept=tvvideo
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/...ndChangers.asp
Are just a few. Top of the line PVR/DVDs will run you close to $800, while you can look at items like Denon or Marantz high end models and easily spend $3K.
I just got the Toshiba XS54. I'm liking the features that is has, but this will be one heck of an undertaking to master.

 

[Jack Briggs]

Since specific models are being mentioned, this post has been moved to where DVD players are covered, the A/V Sources section. Please use the Basics section strictly for general discussion of home theater at the beginner level. Thanks.

 

[Jongyoon Lee]

I can't agree more. Good loud speakers can last decades. HT components these days don't even last one or two years. It's just that all those new technologies coming out. Who would have expected component video -> DVI -> HDMI transition could have come this quick? How about video up conversion / up scaling in mainstream DVD players? And the number of channels? 5.1? 6.1?? 7.1???

Don't get me wrong. You _can_ stay happy with the high end previous generation HT gear for years. But if you are like most of us, you'll get plagued by the dreaded "upgrade bug" every now and then, and you'll just have to get the latest technology available.

My advise, get the best speakers you can afford. Then depending on your priorities, you can opt for bigger screen, better receiver, larger subwoofer, or better remote (if you are scratching your head, wait until you see Philips RC9800i!).