dvd for HDTV

[iratepirate]

I hope this has not been asked already....
is there any entry level dvd players that can properly utilize HDTV capability. I am making my Xmas List

Thanx in advance.
:)

[Kool Aid]

The Panasonic RP-91 gets my vote as the best player for the money.

Around $430.00 U.S. if you shop around.

[Stonewolf]

i thought any dvd player that has "progressive scan" utilized the hd television. I bought a jvc for 200 bucks that I am very happy with.

[ny888]

The Panasonic RP-56 has the best de-interlacer chip and is only around $215. I have that connected to my Toshiba 34HF81 HDTV.

Outstanding combination !

[iratepirate]

thanks all for your replies...
sounds like panasonic is leading
anyone else have a preference:)

[zx7rr]

The most your going to get out of a DVD player for now is 480i or 480p.
Most of the players that people are speaking of are progressive scan DVD players (480p)
Depending on what type of HDTV you have might be the deciding factor of what DVD player to get. Do your research. The best bang for the buck right now is probably the Panasonic RP-56 and the JVC SX-60,62,65 player. Sub $200.

[BubbaJ]

get a computer, I get 600p, full frame decoding and it looks DAMN good.. not to mention, my directivo benefits from being deinterlaced to 600P as well..

[timo99]

.

[mitnick]

It's not just a matter of the DVD player's output capability (progressive scan, etc)
It's also about the SOURCE. DVD movies don't have the needed HDTV signal information. It's like a scanned image that was scanned at 300dpi at 640x480 resolution. If my PC is in 1280x1024 mode it doesn't improve the photo, it only makes it smaller. If I blow it up back to it's original size the quality is not any better.

The TV is a lot more simple but a similar circumstance. Even if they made a 1080i player (which is YEARS away) the movies you have now and are currently released wouldn't be any different on that player.
Hopefully the deman will force the industry along, but I doubt it.

The norm is "panasonic for<$200" and "APEX $159 w/480p"
There are WAY better units like a Denon DVM-4800 which has TRUE 2:3 pulldown for it's 480p and you NOTICE the difference instantly. It's so much closer looking to 1080i than any other player in the consumer market besides a select few.
It also features Burr-Brown DACs (ALL THE WAY AROUND & discreet for each channel)

not to mention the AL24 Risc processor reserved for DVD-Audio and HDCD use. (192K 24bit instead of 96K as well)
Actually it's more gung-ho about audio then DVD movies. It features theatre quality components throughout. Also has a 5-CD carousel with the ability to load while playing. MP3 as well

I am not trying to sell the unit but
if you are looking for "the best" it's going to be a minimum of $460 MP3 as well

Truly the most bang for buck if money is a concern, is the Harman Kardon DVD50.
It does EVERYTHING the Denon does, but doesn't have the same 480p components and is standard as far as audio (96k 24~16bit)About $449 on ebay or www.crazyeddie.com <-- best freakin deals on the planet. Got my Sony 65" for about $1200 less than best buy or circuit city.

If you don't want 5 disc, the APEX AD-800 is awesome. PACKED with features. There isn't a disc out there it won't play. MP3 too. $159.00 at Sam's club and Circuit city. The quality is questionable but it's well worth every dime. even has eeprom "dip" switches in one of the menus. (You can free up the region and diable macrovision as well...)

All of the above players will play ANY burned format. DVD-R DVD-RAM DVD-RW CD-R CD-RW, you know the drill....


I have used them all and they are solid.
The thing with the apex is, ok, so it may be junk as far as the construct is concerned, but at $159 it is almost disposable

My 2 cents and a $1.20 tip....

[mitnick]

I forgot to price the DVM-4800.
The cheapest you'll find is $899.99 but that would be hard to find. It's retail is $1,200 and Denon is VERY selective about their dealers. In fact if you don't buy it from one of their authorized dealers they won't honor the warranty. (uh, check "GIFT" off on the warr. card.) They don't advertise that fact in the hopes you are going to be unaware when you check off "bought at cheapstuff.com"

It a high quality piece and worth it.
All of the units above do MP3.
The apex is single disc whereas the HK DVD50 and the DVM-4800 are 5 disc carousel.

Whatever you buy try the above URL. It's pretty much the lowest price you will find.
They are Jersey and I had to really get rough on the phone with them (denied quotes sent to me and promises, etc)
So I suggest you tape any phonecalls in case you need "proof" someone said something to you and then later denies it. If you pin them down, they WILL honor the price. It happened with my Sony HDTV. They quoted me a rediculous price. Best Buy and online shops were at $3,699.99 and they went down to $2,650 AFTER SHIP.

The best thing to do is to go to their site, look at their price and then fill out one of their quote requests. For the price in the form put their price minus 10% and they will counter with a price that is 15% below their website price.

They will REALLY give you a hard time but once you back up your claims with FACT they will honor it. I know you must be thinking, sheesh, who the hell is this guy? Tapes calls??

consider it that I paid myself $1,200 to BS on the phone for an hour or so.
Not a bad day's pay...
If it were over $50 or $100 I wouldn't care but for over 1000 clams, I will do a little "work"