DVD Player Recommendation: Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, or other?

Hi,

We have been using the Sony DVP S7700 which we bought in 1999 as the
DVD player for our system. This fall we plan on upgrading to a
Panasonic 50' plasma screen. When we bought the S7700, it was one of
the reference players out there - indeed it was very good, much better
compared to the consumer-grade DVD panasonic player we first owned.
However, as S7700 does not have progressive output, and with plasma
HDTV-ready TV, I understanding we need progressive scan to get the
better picture quality. Thus, we are ready to upgrade when we buy the
TV.

Looking a bit on the net, we found a couple of models that would suit
our needs and budget. More specifically, the budget it around 500 USD,
maybe a little more.

In this price range, I first looked at the Sony ES line, more
specifically the follow up reference to what we currently own: Sony
DVP-NS999ES.

In the similar price range I saw the Yamaha DVD-S2500, and the Denon
DVD-2910B. The Denon DVD-2910 also hasa HDMI output, which I am not
sure if it makes any difference over composite video, but it also
claims to offer 720p and 1080i output. I know that the plasma screen
does offer this mode.

Given the price range and the choices, which DVD player would you
recommend? Our main concern is the picture quality, and secondly audio
quality (2-channel). In addition, it would be nice if there was a
modification for these players to play PAL/region free discs as we have
quiet a few DVDs from Europe that we currently play on an cheap
region-free divx/dvd player from philips.

Kind regards,
george

Pred02

"Pred02" wrote:

(snip)
>
> In the similar price range I saw the Yamaha DVD-S2500, and the Denon
> DVD-2910B. The Denon DVD-2910 also hasa HDMI output, which I am not
> sure if it makes any difference over composite video, but it also
> claims to offer 720p and 1080i output. I know that the plasma screen
> does offer this mode.

I have the Denon 3910 which is the next model up from the 2910. IMO, it's
the best player for the money. You can output both NTSC as well as PAL video
without an external decoder, the picture and audio is reference quality and
the player is easily region-free hackable with a software flash upgrade. It
has a *lot* of features for tweaking and storing several different video
settings for various kinds of dvds.

I have A/B'd the 2910, 3910 and the 5910 and there's a minor but noticeable
difference in the video and audio quality (especially on SACDs) between the
2910 and 3910 but the 2910 is still an excellent player that stands far
above most other players in the same price range. The top of the line 5910
is almost double the price of the 3910 and I honestly didn't see any
difference between it and the 3910.

The only complaint I could say is that the player is slow to load and start
discs, but the reason is so it buffers a bigger then most players amount of
data which means layer changes are far more smooth then just about any other
player I've seen. IMO, the 3910 should be the last dvd player I'll ever buy
until whatever HiDef format has supplanted traditional dvds.

T.B.

TB

I have seen the 3910, and it is a great DVD player, but unfortunantely
it cannot be found for less than 1000. I will also look into the
Pioneer Elite Avi49 player, it can be found for about 700 USD, which
should fit the bill between the 3910 and 3910.

I realized that the Sony just came out with a new flagship player in
the ES line that has DVI and upscaling, but it cannot be found under
1000. No wonder the former champ, NS999ES is only 500-600 USD.

If there are any other player recommendations that are 500-700 that fir
the bill I appreciate it.

Pred02

"Pred02" wrote:

>I have seen the 3910, and it is a great DVD player, but unfortunantely
> it cannot be found for less than 1000. I will also look into the
> Pioneer Elite Avi49 player, it can be found for about 700 USD, which
> should fit the bill between the 3910 and 3910.

I suggest doing some serious shopping if you are on the fence about that
player due to the price. I bought mine for just over $750.00 about a year
ago and it was brand new, not B stock or any sort of open box or demo.

> I realized that the Sony just came out with a new flagship player in
> the ES line that has DVI and upscaling, but it cannot be found under
> 1000. No wonder the former champ, NS999ES is only 500-600 USD.
>
> If there are any other player recommendations that are 500-700 that fir
> the bill I appreciate it.

T.B.

TB

On 10/12/2005 12:24 AM, TB wrote:
> "Pred02" wrote:
>
>> I have seen the 3910, and it is a great DVD player, but unfortunantely
>> it cannot be found for less than 1000. I will also look into the
>> Pioneer Elite Avi49 player, it can be found for about 700 USD, which
>> should fit the bill between the 3910 and 3910.
>
> I suggest doing some serious shopping if you are on the fence about that
> player due to the price. I bought mine for just over $750.00 about a year
> ago and it was brand new, not B stock or any sort of open box or demo.
>
>> I realized that the Sony just came out with a new flagship player in
>> the ES line that has DVI and upscaling, but it cannot be found under
>> 1000. No wonder the former champ, NS999ES is only 500-600 USD.
>>
>> If there are any other player recommendations that are 500-700 that fir
>> the bill I appreciate it.
>
> T.B.
>
>

Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?

Dan

"Dan" <> wrote in message
news:BK13f.71$...
> Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?

Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental, or
BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying one
of the many great players available today

Biz

Biz wrote:
> "Dan" <> wrote in message
> news:BK13f.71$...
>
>>Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?
>
>
> Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
> several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental, or
> BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying one
> of the many great players available today

Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
excessively pessemistic.

--
Matthew <mlmartin@ .com> (fill in the blank with user name)

"All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of
people" -- Alexander Bullock ("My Man Godfrey" 1936)

Matthew L. Martin

"Matthew L. Martin" wrote:

> Biz wrote:
>> "Dan" <> wrote in message
>> news:BK13f.71$...
>>
>>>Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?
>>
>>
>> Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
>> several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental, or
>> BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying
>> one
>> of the many great players available today
>
> Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
> excessively pessemistic.

Well, it's already been over a year since I bought what I figure should be
my last traditional dvd player with no HiDef content or player in sight.

T.B.

TB

"TB" <> wrote in message
news:ASd3f.685$...
> "Matthew L. Martin" wrote:
>
> > Biz wrote:
> >> "Dan" <> wrote in message
> >> news:BK13f.71$...
> >>
> >>>Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?
> >>
> >>
> >> Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
> >> several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental,
or
> >> BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying
> >> one
> >> of the many great players available today
> >
> > Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
> > excessively pessemistic.
>
> Well, it's already been over a year since I bought what I figure should be
> my last traditional dvd player with no HiDef content or player in sight.
>
> T.B.
>
>
Exactly, we're already a year or so into this waiting for HD/Blu-Ray right
around the corner BS already. I notice MLM didnt try to put any alternative
time frame in place outside of disagreeing with mine...I think 2-3 years is
just about right, meaning we now have 1-2 years b4 you'll see the tiels at
Blockbuster/Hollywood/etc.. or for sale in any semblence at big retailers...

Biz

Biz wrote:
> "TB" <> wrote in message
> news:ASd3f.685$...
>
>>"Matthew L. Martin" wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Biz wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Dan" <> wrote in message
>>>>news:BK13f.71$...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Why pay a lot when HDVD and Blue Ray are around the corner?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Around teh corner is a pretty loose term. It in all likelihood will be
>>>>several years b4 you can walk into a Blockbuster for a Hi-Def rental,
>
> or
>
>>>>BB/CC to buy one. Thats a long time to wait when you could be enjoying
>>>>one
>>>>of the many great players available today
>>>
>>>Years? As bad as this two format situation is, I think years is
>>>excessively pessemistic.
>>
>>Well, it's already been over a year since I bought what I figure should be
>>my last traditional dvd player with no HiDef content or player in sight.
>>
>>T.B.
>>
>>
>
> Exactly, we're already a year or so into this waiting for HD/Blu-Ray right
> around the corner BS already. I notice MLM didnt try to put any alternative
> time frame in place outside of disagreeing with mine...I think 2-3 years is
> just about right, meaning we now have 1-2 years b4 you'll see the tiels at
> Blockbuster/Hollywood/etc.. or for sale in any semblence at big retailers...
>

I didn't try to name a time frame as I have no insider information. I do
disagree that "years" is likely. The electronics makers want the next
generation very badly since there is little or no money to be made in
the commodity DVD player market. The studios have also observed that DVD
is their goose, laying golden eggs all over the planet. They want the
next generation because they think they will make even _more_ when they
start releasing everything all over again.

If you insist that I guess: they have all been down this road before
(1995-1997, the original DVD delay) I see no reason that it will take
any longer this time than last. Check back in a year.

--
Matthew <mlmartin@ .com> (fill in the blank with user name)

"All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of
people" -- Alexander Bullock ("My Man Godfrey" 1936)

Matthew L. Martin