Hi all! My first post goes as follows; I'm about to buy a new DVD player. I currently own a Pioneer 717 being connected to my Sanyo PLV-Z1 projector.

Now I'm keen on upgrading to a progressive scan compatible player, and my two hottest candidates are the Philips 963 and the Pioneer 656. I will primarily use it for movies, so the fact that the Philips doesn't have DVD Audio doesn't bother me that much. (Of course it bothers me, but not to the extent that I wouldn't buy it :-) I've got some issues though that will have an impact on the choice I'll make;

1. As I've understood from other posts, the Philips is the only one having real PAL progressive signal output?

2. What about the 656 - does it also have the Faroudja DCDi chip? If not, is the progressive signal much less in quality compared to the 963?

3. Is there anyone out there with a Z1 and either of these two players? Issues? Recommendations?

-stealth-

If you want to get the 656, the 240V isn't progressive- you'll have to get the 110V import version (which is progressive)

IMHO I wouldn't touch the Philips.

OK! Would you please elaborate about not touching the Philips? I've read quite a lot of good reviews about it by now. I've understood that some people (not everyone) have had lipsync issues with their players - is that what you're referring to?

[Costas]

You have a 717 and a projector.. In my opinion you should be looking for something like the 757 to get the performance deserved... It cost a bit more but its features and quality are excellent value for money paid..

[Gary Lightfoot]

Progressive on the 963 has colour banding down one side, and I had posterisation in skin tones on faces with mine (looked like contour lines), so I'm sending mine back.

Would like progressive, but as it seems to be only a minmal improvement over interlaced on my pj, I think I'll get a good interlaced only player with no known problems.

Gary.