[helipilot]

I have a budget of around £200 for a DVD player to replace my ageing Toshiba 210.

I have not looked at the DVD market for a considerable length of time due to using a HTPC and Theatertek. However ......

I have a Lumagen HDQ scaler and would like to upgrade the DVD player rather than continue to use HTPC for SD DVD playback.

As I see things, I have narrowed it down to four choices. On the video side I want to get the best picture possible. I suspect I should be sending a 480i or 576i signal to the scaler and letting it perform the scaling and deinterlacing. The scaler can accept SDI, component and hdmi via dvi input.

Option 1 Buy a second hand high end dvd player like an Arcam DV 88 and connect via component.

Option 2 Buy a second hand mid range dvd player with sdi output.

Option 3 Buy a highly regarded value for money player like the Oppo OPDV971H and connect via dvi

Option 4 Buy a cheap hdmi capable player like a Toshiba 360.

Which option will give the best picture quality ?

[helipilot]

Any opinions ?

I think SDI might produce the best results.

However I have heard very good things about the Arcam.


I did search before posting but could not find a definitive answer.

[CooperUK]

I got my Denon 1920 from Richer Sounds for £200.

Normal price £250 but haggle!

[Nic Rhodes]

You NEED to have an interlaced feed to the HDQ. I would get an old Arcam and conect via component. Then later you 'may' be able to an SDI mod done. The is No point in getting a player with progressive outputs. SDI is the best way forward but don't underestimate quality component signals.

[helipilot]

Cooper and Nic,

Thanks for the information guys

There is currently a Denon 1910 on ebay with sdi mod. (quite unusual to see sdi players). This would be interesting to play with as I could directly compare component dvi and sdi. I am not sure if the Denon can be persuaded to output interlaced via component or dvi.

Arcam 88's appear fairly regularly on ebay and I noticed Audio T are selling an ex demo 78 for £419

I'll keep an eye on these.


I suppose the question now is which would be best

Arcam via component or Denon via sdi ?

I am assuming Arcam sdi would be better that Denon sdi.

Or are we so far up the chain that they would be about the same ?


thanks again for your responses.

[Nic Rhodes]

Denon based SDI players are not the best around. What is best depends on your priorities like audio quality, video quality etc. Re the former the Arcam is in a different league. Arcam SDI are lovely but not perfect but they keep me happy.

Originally Posted by Nic Rhodes

Denon based SDI players are not the best around.

Can u give your reasons for such a remark? I'm no expert, but what does SDI mean?

I am rather impressed with the Denon 1720 through component with Progressive enabled.

Regards
ExperimentalGuy.

[helipilot]

Nic,

By a strange twist of fate the Denon 1910 sdi on ebay got away from me. I tried to bid but my internet connection dropped ! Is somebody trying to tell me something?

To be honest I'm amazed how good the picture is even from my old Toshiba 210. The combination of the HDQ and a G90 produces exceptional results.

I am not an advocate of hdmi must be better because of the all digital pathway. In fact hdcp is a bit of a pain.

I have a friend who has a DV79 it would be interesting to compare the hdmi output to the component feeding both 480i/576i to the HDQ. I suspect it could be very difficult to tell the difference.

I might stick an Arcam wanted thread in the classifieds.

[Nic Rhodes]

Originally Posted by ExperimentalGuy

Can u give your reasons for such a remark? I'm no expert, but what does SDI mean?

I am rather impressed with the Denon 1720 through component with Progressive enabled.

Regards
ExperimentalGuy.

SDI is a professional Serial Digital Interface. It is what the broadcasters use and it allows signals to be sent down a simple (and cheap) coax cablefor 100s of meters without loss. It has NO copy protection.

The heart of any DVD player is a top flight MPEG decoder, this is what the SDI interface gets it's signal from. MPEG decoders vary in quality and the ones or their ability to drive a SDI card have never been 'top flight'. This is why many love the Oppo as it has one of the best MPEG decoders around. Think of the MPEG decoder as the engine of a car and you get the picture.

It can get MUCH better than the 1720, good as it may be.

[Nic Rhodes]

210 into a G90. Cool . The 210 was a great little player but if you now have an HDQ you can treat yourself to something much better now. I would still go with an Arcam unless you can get a good SDI player. Gems to look out for in your budget are Philips 963 SDI or an Arcam. You might also find some old Panasonic players (56, 62, 82 and 91s). They have great picture quality but audio isn't too hot.