Advice needed: Which DVD Player?

[the thing wnn]

Hi all,

hope some of you out there can help me out on this one. I currently own a nice Sony 725D Player which I am going to be selling for a new player soon. I have got my choice of players down to the following four players.

1) Denon DVD-3800
2) Toshiba SD900e
3) Pioneer DV-747A
4) Phillips DVD-962SA

Basically, which of these fine machines do you all think is the best to buy? All between £500-800. All do progreesive scan (2 apparently do PAL progressive, but not sure if true pure PAL progressive due to reading around) Some do DVD-A, some do SACD, some both.
I am first and foremost looking for best picture and sound quality (including the progressive scan PQ)
I have heard lots about this chroma bug, not still 100% sure how this affects PQ, but obviously need to take it into account.
I have a Denon 3802 Amp, so was thinking the Denon would match this perfectly, but have heard various gripes on here about these models. Lots of you rate the Phillips, and I love the look of the Tosh (may be getting the Strata 36" Nicam Tosh TV which has the component inputs)
So what do you all think?
Looks don't bother me, just performance.
What would you get?

 

[infomatique]

The 747 got good reviews but if you require PAL Progressive it will cost you more than £1000. However according to some SACD is a bit of a compromise.

Many people really like the Toshiba 900 and it is available on special offer from a number of dealers but I suspect that the 3800 (forgetting the many gripes) may be a better performer.

I would be inclined to delay your decision for a few months.

 

[karkus30]

962SA from HiVizone, true PAL progressive and NTSC progressive, multi region, no SCART 550 uk pounds all in.

Cant say for the rest, all good machines. But the cheapeast with PAL prog is the Philips........love mine....and I dont use the SACD either.

 

[JSW]

Pioneer 656 £400 DVD DVD-A and SACD

 

[codlord]

karkus30,

Are you sure the Philips from hivizone is £550 all in, is it not £550 plus vat (nearly £100) plus import duty (don't know how much this is on dvd player off hand)?

 

[karkus30]

No, I should dig out all the receipts and check, but its around that price, some people of no moral standing have declared a reduced sum of money for the purchase of said player, hence reducing the cost further. I will dig out the exact costs if you require further clarification.

 

Mine was about £550 all in (incl shipping, VAT duties etc). Believe me for the money it's a bloody bargain!

Andy

 

[the thing wnn]

how true is this worldwide guarentee?
Is this for real?
Or to make you feel better about buying from abroad.
Anyone spoken to Phillips about this?
Is it covered as it has been modded?

TOO MANY QUESTIONS THING! SHUT UP!!

 

[karkus30]

Originally posted by the thing wnn
how true is this worldwide guarentee?
Is this for real?
Or to make you feel better about buying from abroad.
Anyone spoken to Phillips about this?
Is it covered as it has been modded?

TOO MANY QUESTIONS THING! SHUT UP!!

Its in the Philips Warranty that comes with the player, this is only void if the player has been physically modified, which does not appear to be the case.

 

[codlord]

I was not able to find how much import duty was on DVD's but at todays hivizone price and currency conversion rates it would be:
Player = $590 = £377.11
Delivery = $100.5 = £64.24
sub total = £441.35
VAT on player = £65.99
= £507.34 plus whatever import duty on £441.35 is.

So yeah, I guess £550 all in sounds about right - that would make import duty about 10%

Just done some digging here and on the US AVS forums and it looks like this could be the player for me - very favourable reviews.

Anyone had any problems with this player yet or anything bad to say about it, I am assuming once it is set up it will play any region PAL and NTSC prog scan with no changes of menu options or anything like that?
I'll be plugging it into the Toshiba 42" plasma (panny clone) via component cables.

Cheers for any advice.

 

[the thing wnn]

Hi all,

Phillips is now sold out

but the new ES Sony looks sweet, plus possible PAL progressive (which would be nice as I'm considering Tosh Plasma!)

So any more ideas?
Denon 3800 sounds like delays on chroma fix and mR.

 

[sharper]

Any more info on this ES Sony DVD? Looking for a new player this winter must Pal Prog scan and NTSC