Best Component equipped DVD player for less than £100

Soundwave · 05-02-2006, 12:33 PM

Guys,

My new JVC HV32P37S arrived yesterday & now I'm thinking about a change in DVD player to one that outputs component signal, my current Toshiba SD2109 is only RGB scart & I'd like to move that to be my bedroom player & have a nice shiny new one in the longue

I'm actually pretty curious just to see what Component is like & to use as a stop gap till HD & Blu-Ray finally make it out.

Now from what I've read I'm thinking the Toshiba SD350E is the best bet, but I'm not sure what other players to look at so any ideas?

Oh only other thing is it must be multi region (Or easy enough to hack myself when it arrives

)

Thanks for any advice.

Neil

Yakboy · 05-02-2006, 1:39 PM

I think your Toshiba idea is sound. I've got an SD220E and have only ever had a chance to use it on component once but I was blown away by the quality.

Been a long time since I looked into DVD players but when I originally purchased my SD220 the Tosh's were the best in that proice band.

Heck for £100 does it really matter?

THe only thing you might want to do is consider a projector that can upscale... for the next step and all.

neilmcl · 05-02-2006, 4:41 PM

If you can get hold of a Pioneer 575 for under £100 then this will definately be the one to go for.

**broona** · 05-02-2006, 9:32 PM

I got a MR Pioneer DV-380 for £70, and it's stunning through component, not sure how well it compares to the 575 though?

ash · 05-02-2006, 9:48 PM

Pioneer 575.

This can be got in black or silver.

Soundwave · 05-02-2006, 10:19 PM

Thanks for the replies guys

I've had a quick look & cant find anywhere online that still sells the Pioneer 575

Had a quick look at the DV380 & I can pick that up for just uner £80 multi region where as the Tosh will cost a bit more than that, however I have found the Pioneer 585 for £100 delivered & I'm assuming this would be the replacement for the 575???
Do you reckon this would be the best one to get? HCC certainly think its a good un.

Thanks again for the help.

Neil

BOOGY · 05-02-2006, 10:32 PM

u can get DV380 for £ 60 off Amazon + free shipping......

I ve got one of these, for bedroom...........

its very good, as long as u use a max 32" tv or so

on a 6 foot projected image, it is way inferior ,in EVERY aspect, to my NS92

dont forget, a lot of the reviews, comments made, are from people using TV sets..............most players look good on 30-36" tv

but go bigger, and u will soon see the flaws very easily

Kalos Geros · 05-02-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOGY

u can get DV380 for £ 60 off Amazon + free shipping......

I ve got one of these, for bedroom...........

its very good, as long as u use a max 32" tv or so

on a 6 foot projected image, it is way inferior ,in EVERY aspect, to my NS92

dont forget, a lot of the reviews, comments made, are from people using TV sets..............most players look good on 30-36" tv

but go bigger, and u will soon see the flaws very easily

You are probably running the NS92 upscaled via HDMI...can you compare the two players via component on 576p?

neilmcl · 06-02-2006, 1:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundwave

Thanks for the replies guys

I've had a quick look & cant find anywhere online that still sells the Pioneer 575

Had a quick look at the DV380 & I can pick that up for just uner £80 multi region where as the Tosh will cost a bit more than that, however I have found the Pioneer 585 for £100 delivered & I'm assuming this would be the replacement for the 575???
Do you reckon this would be the best one to get? HCC certainly think its a good un.

Thanks again for the help.

Neil

Richer Sounds still seem to have a few 575s left for £99 but be quick before they run out.

BOOGY · 06-02-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalos Geros

You are probably running the NS92 upscaled via HDMI...can you compare the two players via component on 576p?

No, I was comparing both, on component 576p.

the reason is, HDMI is NOT as good as component, on the Sony player...........

on hdmi, the image becomes a bit sharper, but also looks flatter, and has noise patterns that are visible.........component is better, as is, its excellent quality image...........

Pioneer is merely average, on the large screen, you can tell immediately, the image is weak, lack of details, shimmering, lack of body to colours, I would rate it as 4 out of 10 for image on BIG screen

Sony would be 9/10 component..................and 7/10 on hdmi

balders · 06-02-2006, 12:02 PM

This is a similar question to one I'm considering at the moment. I'm looking for a DVD player for around the £100 mark, which will give me the best PQ on my 36" Tosh.

Judging by all the reviews and comments, the Pioneer 575/585 is the one to go for, with the Tosh 350 as a good (and cheaper) alternative.

However, although I will be connecting through component, my TV does not support progressive input. Most of the reviews/ comments seem to rave about how good these players are when connected the a progressive component connection, but don't give much consideration to non-progressive.

So, my slight variation on the original poster's question is, which DVD player should I go for in order to get the best picture quality on a non-progressive component connection?

Oh, and I'm unlikely to replacing the TV anytime soon, so that isn't a consideration.

Cheers,

Balders.

BOOGY · 06-02-2006, 12:47 PM

I would get the 575 if I was you.

as it doesnt matter, whether the output is PROG or not, as your display will convert it to prog., if that what it uses to display an image

basically, PROG is just a non interlaced image, a PJ only displays PROG image, so if it recieves non-prog images, it converts them to prog.

it doesnt affect the quality of the image from the dvd player, thats down to the video circuits, and not the non-interlacer ( prog output )

ive tried using prog and non prog outputs, and I couldnt tell any difference in quality, on a really big screen, so for any tv, its a non issue...........

bonzobanana · 06-02-2006, 4:00 PM

I've read a few threads where the Pioneer 575 was not highly rated for its Pal Progressive image in fact it was quite poor compared to some others and had flicker I think on CRT sets. I'm just curious if the interlace component output doesn't have these problems? I've no experience of the 575 myself. I did have a Toshiba 330 though in the past and the component output of that was rubbish. On highish bitrate dvds it was ok but on lowish bit rate (single layer type commercial dvds) the picture was awful via component and my projector. Other cheaper dvd players with component did a much better job.

I currently use a zoran based Limit DVD9000SE and find the quality of output from that miles better than the Toshiba 330. I was going to recommend it but don't think play have these for £50 anymore.

Barzo · 06-02-2006, 4:58 PM

Personally, I'd avoid the Pioneer 575 with a JVC DIST CRT. I had this combo, and ended up buying the Panasonic (S97) instead. Image quality is good on the Pioneer, but not the best. Tosh was better, but had problems with white balance (image washed out and too bright on some DVDs). You may be able to get the Panny S49 for less than £100 if you shop around. I'd recommend, or maybe a Samsung or Tosh - something with a Zoran rather than Mediatek chipset.

BOOGY · 06-02-2006, 5:04 PM

[QUOTE=bonzobanana]I've read a few threads where the Pioneer 575 was not highly rated for its Pal Progressive image in fact it was quite poor compared to some others and had flicker I think on CRT sets.
QUOTE]

CRTs , can NOT display Progressive images...........they can not accept prog. scan inputs......

so for a fact, the dvd player would have been on non-prog mode........

crts are still the best quality displays..........so good, you dont need all the cack prog or digital outs, to try and achieve a good image on poor displays, like plasmas, or lcd tvs !!!

oooohh controversial stuff !

SeanT · 06-02-2006, 7:27 PM

The HK ones can be had pretty cheap now secondhand and new, looks fine to me and quite funky design.
CRTs are the best quality displays - pmsl!!!

Supersonic · 06-02-2006, 7:47 PM

My 575 looks fine on my 32" CRT over RGB scart and also fine using PAL progressive scan over component into my Z3 projector.

It also plays DVD-Audio and SACD discs into the bargain.

Barzo · 06-02-2006, 7:56 PM

[QUOTE=BOOGY][QUOTE=bonzobanana]

CRTs , can NOT display Progressive images...........they can not accept prog. scan inputs......so for a fact, the dvd player would have been on non-prog mode........
[?QUOTE]

Errm, some CRTs can. JVC DIST sets are one of these breeds - prog scan capable component inputs. I know this for a fact, as I owned one! Also, Tosh Picture Frame II CRTs sets (at least the 36" version can), as my brother owns one. Therefore, prog scan is perfectly possible with prog scan DVD. JVC will even downscale 1080i signals, if you can find a DVD that outputs 1080i through the components (but should work with an X-box 360, I suspect).

Best way to check what DVD player is best with your own set is to get home demos of a few - Richer Sounds will usually allow this, through their 14day exchange policy (or by asking them).

Anim · 06-02-2006, 10:19 PM

The Pioneer 575a on my TX200 projector looks rubbish with progressive scan on, lots of jaggies for some reason. Interlaced its much better as the de-interlacer on the projector must be doing a better job.

Overall tho it supports all audio formats, DivX and remembers upto 5 dvd's stop position which i like.

Anim

bonzobanana · 07-02-2006, 8:12 AM

[QUOTE=BOOGY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonzobanana

I've read a few threads where the Pioneer 575 was not highly rated for its Pal Progressive image in fact it was quite poor compared to some others and had flicker I think on CRT sets.
QUOTE]

CRTs , can NOT display Progressive images...........they can not accept prog. scan inputs......

so for a fact, the dvd player would have been on non-prog mode........

crts are still the best quality displays..........so good, you dont need all the cack prog or digital outs, to try and achieve a good image on poor displays, like plasmas, or lcd tvs !!!

oooohh controversial stuff !

I'm looking at a progressive CRT display now which is my PC monitor. I have absolutely no idea why you are saying CRTs can not produce a progressive display. Lots of top end models like Pixelplus CRT sets are progressive. I happen to agree though that a good basic interlace CRT display is often the best quality display for vivid and realistic colour and general smooth animation. The fact is though that CRT displays can easily produce progressive displays without problems and there are tens of millions of progressive CRT sets around the world admittedly mainly PC monitors but also high end CRT televisions.

balders · 07-02-2006, 9:36 AM

Thanks for all your comments. I think I'm going to stick with what I've got for now, which is ... a Limit DVDA900SE (Yes, bonzobanana, we've discussed it before!). I was thinking that maybe there's something better around now as the Limit is getting on a bit now. Sounds like that's not the case though as the Limit was pretty well put together in the first place.

Thanks,

Balders.

BOOGY · 07-02-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanT

CRTs are the best quality displays - pmsl!!!

" pmsl " ----possibly the worst and most unrealistic of internet jargon.... '******* myself laughing'

I HAD TO LOOK THIS UP !! as I first time I was aware of it !! so thank you for that...............(!)

YES, CRT DO produce the best display..........you only have to look at them to see...............

whats gonna be better ? an image created by dots, that is black, and only the areas that need light get lit ? and image movement is at the speed of light...............

OR

an image created by a fixed grid of SQUARES, where the whold plane is LIT constantly, and then the squares try ( unsuccesfully ! CR ratio for LCD / Plasma comapared to CRT ! ) to prevent light coming through, when they need to 'display' dark or black areas ? image movement handled by slow latency of lcd tech.

nuff said.

Go to any video processing company, and they dont use LCD monitors, they use CRT monitors............same for any graphic design house, or anyone where image quality and purity is of paramount importance.

There was a feature on TV recently, about LUCAS FILMS, and they showed the insides of their image processing dept ( special FX etc ).............guess what, they used MITSUBISHI CRT Monitors..............guess they couldnt afford the more expensive (cough) LCD monitors !!!!

furthermore, if you read any AV mag, they will always state, that CRTs produce the best images..............

so with respect, yes, I did PMSL when I read your post !!!!

good to see, the media are convincing the great unwashed, about how great the new LCD and PLASMA tvs are !!!!

funny that, coz everyone Ive ever seen, looks cack, compared to a CRT............

HOLD ON, maybe they werent SETUP properly ???!!!

bonzobanana · 07-02-2006, 4:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balders

Thanks for all your comments. I think I'm going to stick with what I've got for now, which is ... a Limit DVDA900SE (Yes, bonzobanana, we've discussed it before!). I was thinking that maybe there's something better around now as the Limit is getting on a bit now. Sounds like that's not the case though as the Limit was pretty well put together in the first place.

Thanks,

Balders.

I think there's better if you want more picture detail but on my setup the Limit produces a wonderful natural image and beautiful smooth animation with no issues at all. Maybe I'm too picky a person but I tend to spot things with mediatek based players that annoy me. Personally I think Mediatek are the bottom end choice with a few rough edges. I realise I'm in disagreement with a lot of the professional reviews of Mediatek based players like the Toshiba's and Pioneers. I tend to favour Samsung's and Panasonic models instead over those. As far as I know Samsung tend to be Zoran based and Panasonic used to design their own chipsets in house. I realise that how the firmware is programmed also has a big impact on performance. So realise the sub £20 supermarket mediatek based players are different in performance to the Pioneers and Toshibas that use the same chipsets. However build quality of the bottom end Pioneers and Toshiba's seems little better. The Toshiba 330 I had was fitted with the lowest quality crappiest dvd drive I've ever encountered. My 330 was truly abysmal on so many levels.

The thing that is good about the Limit is the signal levels are spot on and it has a conventional PSU. Add to that a super stylish metal case that provides excellent shielding means you don't have to suffer minor amounts of grain or moire patterns or other minor interference. The old style transformer PSU copes better with varying power demands so no brightness variations or other issues. It just seems a really solid bit of kit even if its relatively old technology now.