New DVD Player

[Hal]

Hello. I am in the market for a new DVD player as part of a small home theatre system. I have Sharp 32 inch 720 LCD and two Boston Acoustics VR950 floor speakers. To these I'll add an HD DVD player, an a/v receiver, and a center speaker. If budget allows I may add two rear speakers.

You can see this is not going to be the king of all home theatre systems. The goal is simply to enhance my occassional DVD watching and improve the sound on the television.

So, this thread will concentrate on the DVD player. Another thread addresses the a/v receiver.

I hope to keep the DVD player's price below $150.

What features are must haves? If a DVD player has HDMI output, do I really need to worry about optical digital, coaxal, component, and S Video outputs? Do I need to worry about media ports and USB ports? If it can playback the following formats, is something missing?

DVD, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG

Thanks!

[johnny p]

If you have an HD-DVD player, why do you want a DVD player?

[Hal]

If you have an HD-DVD player, why do you want a DVD player?

I do not have an HD DVD player. I want to acquire one.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Mistake Hal. Save your money for a Blu-ray player. A million people here will tell you the same thing. Unless of course you'll be "acquiring" one for free.

Or, if you just want upconverting of your DVD's: http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/
A great performer for the money.

[Hal]

Will Blue-Ray replace DVD? What exactly is Blue-Ray? Will its prices come down?

Thanks.

[f0rge]

Will Blue-Ray replace DVD? What exactly is Blue-Ray? Will its prices come down?

Thanks.

bluray is currently the most likely disc based medium to reaplce dvd, however that's not to say that it will 100%. digital distribution is on the rise and may take it's place.

you already have that NAD dvd player, stick with that for now.

[N. Abstentia]

Forget the HD-DVD player (dead format) and just get a BluRay player, then there will be no need for a DVD player.

[Hal]

Thanks again. What is digital distribution? Downloading a film from the internet?

[f0rge]

Thanks again. What is digital distribution? Downloading a film from the internet?

sort of, things like apple tv, netflix, and video on demand.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Have you been away Hal? I see you joined in 2003. :confused:

[Hal]

Have you been away Hal? I see you joined in 2003. :confused:

Yes. I moved and lost interest in home theatre. I went back to simple stereo and was rather happy. Now that I have an LCD HD TV I figure I might as well beef it up a little. If you read my posts you'll see that I am not really going all out.

[audio amateur]

bluray is currently the most likely disc based medium to reaplce dvd, however that's not to say that it will 100%. digital distribution is on the rise and may take it's place.

you already have that NAD dvd player, stick with that for now.
Who said he has a NAD dvd player?

[Hal]

Who said he has a NAD dvd player?

On a prior thread, I think, is where I indicated I have a NAD DVD player that is not HD, much less Blue-Ray.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Yes. I moved and lost interest in home theatre. I went back to simple stereo and was rather happy. Now that I have an LCD HD TV I figure I might as well beef it up a little. If you read my posts you'll see that I am not really going all out.
I did read your posts Hal. That's why I suggested the $169 Oppo. Take it FWIW.

[bobsticks]

I'll second Rich's recommendation of the Oppo. I think for someone not concerned with cutting edge technology and mindful of that particular pricepoint it's a great choice.

[Hal]

Thanks, Rich and Bobsticks. I'll check out the Oppo. Now, can anyone check out my other thread on Yamaha and Sony a/v receivers?

[pixelthis]

Thanks, Rich and Bobsticks. I'll check out the Oppo. Now, can anyone check out my other thread on Yamaha and Sony a/v receivers?


Check out the OPPO, I imagine it has a great pic.
But if you get anything but a Blu ray player it will cost you.
An upconverter wont look much better (if any) than your NAD DVD.
A blu player had TRUE hd FOR 379 OR SO.
And it plays DVD.
And has uncompressed sound, opposed to DVD which has DD which is very compressed.
So if you like great sound, this will be key when they finally start releasing concerts and music video discs.
Buying a DVD player now would be like buying a VCR in 1998.
Take a look at a Blu ray, take a listen, watch that great concert disc, the band.
Watch BLADE RUNNER
Then decide :1: