Better video than 963sa? (looking to upgrade)

[robzr]

Hey folks... I have a 963sa, which I run digital-out into a Sunfire Theater Master 3 which I use as a DAC. Analog out quality (of the DVD player) is a non-issue because of this. I run component video cable into a Benq pb6100 svga projector. I have noticed with the 963sa, red colors show obvious compression artifacts. I'm curious if anyone can recommend a good player for video quality, perhaps under the price of $500 US (265 GBP) on the used or new market.

Thanks,

Rob

[Nic Rhodes]

No, not at this price. You won't get better, I would look to the set up however of the 963.

[robzr]

By setup, do you mean with all the settings in the menus? I was thinking bout doing the "black gate" mod, and I just ordered Avia... any other recomendations?

Rob

[Nic Rhodes]

Look to have a stable firmware, 22 or 25 with multiregion enabled (this allows several good tweaks like passing below black info). AVIA etc will allow good tweaking and this player will really show the rewards, for the ultimate, get an SDI modd. Stick with it, it is a greta player and you need to spend a fortune to better it.

[zAndy1]

Where can you get good firmware from for the 963SA? And what exactly is involved in making one multi region and PAL progressive?

Cheers
Andy

[Nic Rhodes]

had a few pms about this, will post web links on monday for people. Oh by the way now £99 at Play!! With the SDI mod (which is what I use) this is the player many bundle with £25k CRT projectors as the best available piccy!

[zAndy1]

Hi Nic, any luck digging out some links to firmware and hack info?

Cheers,
Andy.

[Nic Rhodes]

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/laric/

translate using

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr

at the bottom you will see firmwares for 1080i, RGB / YUV as well as the recommended 25 firmware

also of interest:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...php?s=&threadi d=185126&highlight=963SA


22 is fine as well but offers no advantages over 24 or 25. I think that should cover everything.

Also of interest:

On - 6000 0073 0000 0001 0004 0083
Off - 6000 0073 0000 0001 0004 008e
Eject - 6000 0073 0000 0001 0004 0042

The following apply to European R2 players only...

PAL-progressive - Play 15922202300 Play
Multi-region - (6000 0072 0000 0001 0004 00eb) 222222005255 Play
Pass Below Black - Play 15922202200 Play
Factory P-code - Play 15922201200 Play (resets to default settings)

hope this helps

[Ekko Star]

How much is the SDI mod and where from Nic ?

[zAndy1]

Nic,
What does this mean exactly?

'Also of interest:

On - 6000 0073 0000 0001 0004 0083
Off - 6000 0073 0000 0001 0004 008e
Eject - 6000 0073 0000 0001 0004 0042'

Am I correct in assuming that the PAL progressive hack is done from the normal remote as is the pass below black, but the multi region can't be done from the normal remote? What's the cheapest remote you need to multi region it?
Thanks for the link

Cheers,
Andy.

[Nic Rhodes]

The numbers are direct access codes for stuff not on the remote for 'pronto' owners and similar.

PAL prog from normal remote, other you need a programmer remote, I'm sure someone can help...

SDI board from http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/pro...i/bt656pro.htm

though I would recommend buying from CRTprojectors in the UK. They also do a mod service.

How to do the mod is here:

http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/sup...s_dvd963SA.htm

but be warned different people doing the mods get different results, due to where signals come off boards, PS etc. I would recommend people use Henry at CRT projectors as his mod is excellent and has my seal of approval.

http://www.crtprojectors.co.uk/sdi_dvd.htm

I should have my SDI 'monitoring' kit up and running soon to analyse this stuff and will be able to show people the differences different modders do.

If people want me to email all the firmwares, PM me you email. Full set is big however but I think most people just want 25

[zAndy1]

How do you burn the firmware once you've got it? I've got Nero express and I don't think it has an option to burn this properly. Got mine from Play today, seems to be PAL progressive already (played gladiator PAL disc fine through component with the switch in the progressive position so I presume it's PAL progressive or does it output interlaced for PAL stuff even with the switch in the progressive position normally?). I'll do the remote hack anyway then I'll be certain. Thanks for your help so far.. cracking player, audio is superb! Had fun with the movie mode and music mode though, what's that all about. Got it set on movie mode at the moment as it seems to be the only way I can get bass i.e. subwoofer output when playing multi channel SACD stuff.

Cheers
Andy

[nealgs]

from what i've read on AVSForums, only 2 of the 4 files are required for the burn process this post http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...sa#post5759592

i've just got mine today also, now need to get it MRegioned - anyone now how to find current firmware version??

cheers
Gary

[Ekko Star]

Nic, I notice CRT PJ's do SDI mod the Sony 725. I have a Sony NS900 that I wouldn't mind having a go at on, should be the same insides. The SDI pro card seems very reasonably priced to have ago at it myself. Do you know of any schematics ?

[Nic Rhodes]

you need to ind out what MPEG decoder chip it uses and take it from there. I can't remember Sony but I have a sneaking suspicion that these 'base' models used the same decoder chip as the top dog, 9000. Check.

http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/sup...vp_S9000ES.htm