[Andy.T]

After seeing a damn fine progressive scan DVD player (Philips 962SA imported from HiViZone) I am E-Baying my old Sony DVP-S7700 and looking for a replacement.

I am seriously tempted to get the Philips as it is PAL/NTSC progressive, does SACD as well and is pretty cheap (around £450 including shipping). The quality of the progressive output absolutely blew me away, the only thing putting me off is the lack of RGB scart.

I am getting a Panny AE100 soon and will watch the majority of films on that but I can forsee times when I don't want the hassle of the pj and just want to output to my telly. I really want to avoid using S-Video for the telly.

Are there any other DVD players I should look at? I know there are the Denon's but I think they can only be made PAL progressive via a software upgrade and are considerably more money.

Anyone got any ideas?

Andy Trump

I've just bought a Lecson 1000 from Debenhams. This player has RGB Scart, multi-region hackable (they give you the instructions in store) 5.1 output, optical and coax output, progressive scan, pal and ntsc. All for £199

Oh yeah, and it plays DVD, VCD, SVCD, MP3 and JPG
It got a five star rating in a recent What hifi too, so can't be too bad

[nigel_williams]

Lecson is apparently very poor at progressive, lip-sync problems IIRC. Do a search for other Panasonic AE100 users as they have tried it.

UK models are really just the Arcams: DV88P £1,299 or DV27 FMJ £1,599. Both do PAL/NTSC progressive but I'm not sure if that is output via the RGB scart as the progressive board has separate terminals. It might just be on the component output....

Why not keep the Sony for TV viewing?

[Andy.T]

Thanks for the replies.

The Lecson certainly has an impressive spec list for the price but I have a little more money to spend and am looking for something with a really great picture.

I know that I won't get Prog Scan from the Scart but there is still a world of difference between RGB and S-Video, at least on my telly.

Keeping the Sony would be a smart thing to do but I think the current high bidder at E-Bay would be a little peeved, hehe.

Why do I always rush my AV purchases!?

Andy Trump

[Grubert]

If you can wait until September, it has been said that we'll get the Philips 963SA, with PAL prog and RGB SCART.

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

The Arcams will output RGB through their scarts. This is an interlaced signal as you require. The progressive output is through different sockets.

If you want to read a review from a magazine that actually have a clue about picture quality then try and get hold of this months Perfect Vision from USA. They have a look at FMJ27 and basically drool over its performance...Certainly worth seeking out a retailer who can let you see one....

Gordon

[jont]

Seen the synopsis from this article ??

63 / Arcam FMJ DV27 DVD Player
Shane Buettner tells you why this new DVD/SACD player is the hot ticket for both audiophiles and videophiles. True reference quality for less than you might expect.

Sounds good but what are the yanks doing getting SACD in their DV27??

link at www.theperfectvision.com or http://www.avguide.com/tpv/current.html

(available for a $10 download )

Jon

[MartinCo]

Originally posted by Andy Trump
I am getting a Panny AE100 soon and will watch the majority of films on that but I can forsee times when I don't want the hassle of the pj and just want to output to my telly. I really want to avoid using S-Video for the telly.

obvious question but whats the problem with using svideo to your TV?

you could get an svideo+audio to scart cable which would be virtually the same as a standard scart to scart.

failing that just use an svideo to scart if you still want to route sound through your amp?

just wondered.

[Andy.T]

Thanks for the further replies guys.

Martin, there is a noticeable drop in picture quality using S-Video to my telly instead of RGB SCART. It is a Sony 41" RPTV so maybe it is the size of the image that makes it more apparent.

As I see it I can either...

a) Import the Philips for £450 quid. It's a great player that I know has an outstanding prog scan image with both NTSC and PAL but no RGB SCART. Putting up with a crappier picture on the odd occassion I output to the telly.

b) Spend £750 or so on a Denon 2800 Mk II and hope the firmware is released soon to make it Pal Prog Scan. The question is, "is an RGB signal for the odd time I output to my telly worth 300 quid?". And will it look as good as the Philips?

c) Hold off until September and look at the Philips 963SA.

d) Look at the Arcams but I think they are soundly out of my price bracket.

I guess I will give it some thought, the problem is I have only seen that Japanese Philips, so the others are a bit of an unkown quantity. Maybe some demos are in order.

Andy Trump

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

As an aside the review of the FMJ in the American mag doesn't include hte dvd-audio update board. They just mention it will be available soon.

Gordon

[MartinCo]

Originally posted by Andy Trump
Thanks for the further replies guys.
Martin, there is a noticeable drop in picture quality using S-Video to my telly instead of RGB SCART. It is a Sony 41" RPTV so maybe it is the size of the image that makes it more apparent.

okay. fair point... it can be close on some TVs.
as you say though £250-300 for the convenience of RGB scart is a lot to pay.

As I see it I can either...
b) Spend £750 or so on a Denon 2800 Mk II and hope the firmware is released soon to make it Pal Prog Scan. The question is, "is an RGB signal for the odd time I output to my telly worth 300 quid?". And will it look as good as the Philips?

avland are quoting £699 currently and appear to be in stock for the mkII.
the pal progressive firmware is due very soon - all the web pages
now say "soon" or "in the next 1-2 weeks".

the multi-region firmware is already out according to our NZ spies.
whether this is pal prog scan firmware or not.. unconfirmed yet.

[Andy.T]

Thanks for the info Martin, I hadn't realised the Denon Region Hack was a firmware thing as well, so at least that's not something you need to pay for. £699 is sounding a lot more tempting, I might be patient and see how the PAL Prog Scan Firmware pans out.

Cheers,

Andy Trump

[MartinCo]

it will probably get posted here on a thread when
the firmware is out.. but you can check

http://www.tsn-cd.de/dvdplayer/2800firmware.htm
and
http://www.geocities.com/denondvd

both appear to be from similar sources.