Looking for a new DVD Player
 

I bought a Sony about 7 years ago, to pass the time tell I could afford a really nice one, well this thing is like a Timex, it keeps on ticking, but I know I am not getting the full potential of my TV.

I have a budget of $1200, any recommendations?

Michael

Make sure it plays *all* the media formats in a manner you like. I had a cheap Apex, it would play VCD/SVCD/DVD fine (DVD-R and +R too), and MP3s burned on CD-R and music cd. However, it would not shuffle MP3 cds, just plays tehm in alpha order based on filename. Music cds would do random fine. Wrote a quick random rename script for burning cds for that machine, but I would've rather not had to. Replaced it with a VHS/DVD combo, DVD can record to -R or -RW discs, but they won't play in any other machine, it doesn't play mp3 cds, music cds, or VCD/SVCD. Of course, total cost for both machines was about $250...

My humblest opinion:

Save the money. The diminishing returns have an exponential cost. A good Sony ES with progressive scan will make a big difference compared to your current 7 year old player. The ES DVP-NC555ES is about $600 and will be 99.9% as good as a $1200 'esoteric' player from Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, etc.

Use the rest of the money for something that matters more, like speakers, or even good wiring.

I have a two year old Sony ES and a Mitsubishi 65" Diamond HDTV and Monstercable Z-series component video cable and digital fiber optic audio cable, and the picture/sound is incredible.

E

There's merit to what E says, but, personally, I wind up spending the money anyway. When I almost bought a state-of-the-art DVD player 6 months ago, I did a boatload of research and settled on Denon. When time comes, that's what I'll buy. Best bang for buck, and you can upgrade it later if you're going to use it as an audio source as well as strictly DVD.

I know I sound like a broken record on this topic, but if your budget is $1200 and you do not yet have professional cables, spend $800 on the unit and $400 on cables. Cables never wear out, and they're the most important part of the system, IMHO.

JP

Overpaid,

Which Denon were you lookig at?

I am covered on the cables at this point.

Michael

Michael -

I was looking at the 3910, but Denon just changed all of its model/designations in the last few months, so I don't know what its current equivalent is.

Nice thing about the Denons is that Underwood Hi Fi will gut it and use all professional-quality gear to upgrade the outputs, the clock, the power supply, etc. for not a boat load of money, so you can buy a $1000 player, use it for a while and then put $1000 into it in a year or so and get back a better player! Most of the upgrades really go to audio signal path, so if you're using the digital audio outs you might not get as much out of it, though the upgraded power supply and clock will help (if you're a geek like me you'll tell yourself you notice a difference, anyway).
Check Audiogon; I think there's a NIB 3910 for $1100 right now, and if you poke around under Denon DVD you'll come across Underwood.

Good luck.

JP

Save your money, go look for a 'decent' (~$200) progresive scan at Walmart or so, the DVD will be obsolete a week after you buy it.