Ok Guys, My final verdict is in on Both players after a few hours last night swapping between the two using Componant outputs.
Firstly the Denon 2800mkII,
Picture quality was a little better using the componant outputs, and i like the Denon picture a lot. I did take time to make sure I used Video essentials to get the picture as good as possible. Again it was the little niggles with Lipsynch that annoyed me, drooping out, catching up again etc. I also noticed the problem with pixelation again with grey blobs appearing now and again during dark scenes, and in fast moving scenes as well, very annoying considering just how good this player should be.
Afraid it is a non starter with me.
Next the arcam, and the biggest improvement.
The picture was just brilliant with this machine. Not as detailed as the Denon, but certainly not that far behind. I also managed to get R2 to work (yes craig told me i needed a code). Edges were sharper, detail was more noticable, and flesh tones just looked so natural, what a change. I had fun switching the iscan back and forth between s-video and componant and noting the differences.
Now i also noticed another problem with the arcam, and maybe John can give an explanation. Watching a dts track, the audio kept dropping out now and again, like that of a layer change, but every few minutes through the movie, i tried this again with DD and again the same problem arrrggg. Annoying or what. Just when i thought i was getting some where something else rears its head. Can i not win.
At this stage i will be returning the Players to Sevenoaks, and will not be buying either, at this point. They are both good, but each have their own little issues, and to be honest at this price range i am surprised that these problems exist! I think I will be looking at some more machines over the next few weeks to get a fair idea of what is out there, and there performances against the two i have had the pleasure of demoing at Home. Big thanks to Craig and Neville at 7Oaks Newcastle for their efforts so far, just goes to show how having enthusiasts running a business they are interested in, makes all the difference to positive customer relationships. Many slate dealers, i couldn't live without mine....
Many reading this may think that I have changed my opinion 180` But then thats the beauty of having the machines for a few days, and actually living with them in normal use.(the componant leads did make a difference on the Arcam by some margin though).