DVD Player Vs HD DVD Player Vs Blue Ray Player

[Levi-501]

Hi Guys, and Happy New Year !

I was intending to pick up a sh/exdem Pioneer DV989 DVD player for around £350, however in a passing conversation with some geezer in the pub (typical) he suggested just buying a Blue Ray player.

I am currently using an oldish Sony DVD player (nothing special) and a Panasonic TH42P5B plasma (S-Video and RGB Componet) therefore I am unable to use HDMI or DVI.

While I like the idea of Blue Ray, would the standard DVD play back of some of the £300-ish (Sony BDP S300, Sharp or Toshiba Blue Ray Players) be as good as something like the DV989 ?

Or perhaps HD DVD ?

Thanks in advance, and I hope this may help others also.

 

[crobo]

Is the plasma a high-def model? (not familiar with this one). If not, there doesn't seem much point in buying a high-def DVD player unless you plan to change in the near future.

If it is high-def, you might consider a Toshiba XE-1 which has very good upscaling on SD DVDs too - as good as serious SD DVD players and this is with component as well as HDMI. Just bear in mind that it is not region -free.

 

[Rasczak]

If not, there doesn't seem much point in buying a high-def DVD player unless you plan to change in the near future.

I don't have any experience with the Plasma Levi-501 is using, but certainly the standard def Panasonic plasmas I've seen (PW6 and PW7) have been extremely good with High Def material - I had my old XA1 connected to one for a short time and you could definetly appreciate the difference.

 

[Rich777]

Should be good to go with any standalone player.

Expect good results

 

[kingfats]

While I like the idea of Blue Ray, would the standard DVD play back of some of the £300-ish (Sony BDP S300, Sharp or Toshiba Blue Ray Players) be as good as something like the DV989 ?

.

Hi Levi-501
I have the Pioneer 989 myself and i find it to be better than the Ps3 (Blu-ray player) for SD dvd playback and on par with the Xe1 (Toshiba HD player) upscaling wise.
Of course..............can't play high definition discs!

 

[rooster-x]

If he doesn't have HDMI on his plasma then he won't be able to take advantage of the upscaling capabilities of the expensive players, better to get a cheap HD DVD player and use the component connection for great PQ on HD DVDs. Better sound quality as well. No image constraint token either on the early 1st & 2nd gen HD DVD players. I would personally go for the HD-E1 if I was you. There is also a hack available to make it SD multi region as well.

Cheers Rooster-X

 

[Levi-501]

Yes, plasma only has RGB component and S video inputs.

So am I right in thinking I should go for sh/exdem 989 as a DVD player, and then go for a HD DVD or Blue Ray in a year or so.

 

[Xstyle]

Hi Levi-501
I have the Pioneer 989 myself and i find it to be better than the Ps3 (Blu-ray player) for SD dvd playback and on par with the Xe1 (Toshiba HD player) upscaling wise.
Of course..............can't play high definition discs!

The same-ish with the previous 868 dvd player...

I done a lil test here:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6119497#post6119497

 

[Dekim]

Yes, plasma only has RGB component and S video inputs.

So am I right in thinking I should go for sh/exdem 989 as a DVD player, and then go for a HD DVD or Blue Ray in a year or so.

I was using the Pio dv-989 until christmas when the sound outputs (coax and optical) and HDMI output decided to pack in *sobs*. I have to say the SD DVD picture was superb. I have had to revert back to an old Philips player and the picture cannot compare on my 42" PHD8 to the Pio.

Am just a bit annoyed that the 989 only lasted a couple of years. I phoned the nearest Pio authorised dealer and they want £30 just for a quote. Ive no idea if I should pay this and then get a stupidly high quote which could be more than just buying a HD DVD player which will prob just look as good

Decisions decisions

mike

 

[kingfats]

I was using the Pio dv-989 until christmas when the sound outputs (coax and optical) and HDMI output decided to pack in *sobs*. I have to say the SD DVD picture was superb. I have had to revert back to an old Philips player and the picture cannot compare on my 42" PHD8 to the Pio.

Am just a bit annoyed that the 989 only lasted a couple of years. I phoned the nearest Pio authorised dealer and they want £30 just for a quote. Ive no idea if I should pay this and then get a stupidly high quote which could be more than just buying a HD DVD player which will prob just look as good

Decisions decisions

mike

Hi Dekim
It's a nice player the 989,shame yours broke!
The 989 is on par with the Xe1 SD dvd PQ wise,but i'm keeping the Pioneer for it's multi-region and ease of use.

 

[Levi-501]

Thanks for your help, I have just agreed the purchase of a 989.

I am not in a position to make full use of a Blue Ray system yet, but may consider it later.

I have a fairly analogue system, with lots of grunt and I kinda like it that way.

Just have to find a decent processor now

Why is there such a big gap from crummy cheapo processors to hughly expensive ones

 

[Rich777]

Thanks for your help, I have just agreed the purchase of a 989.

I am not in a position to make full use of a Blue Ray system yet, but may consider it later.

I have a fairly analogue system, with lots of grunt and I kinda like it that way.

Just have to find a decent processor now

Why is there such a big gap from crummy cheapo processors to hughly expensive ones

shame, your missing out imo

 

[Dekim]

Thanks for your help, I have just agreed the purchase of a 989.

I am not in a position to make full use of a Blue Ray system yet, but may consider it later.

I have a fairly analogue system, with lots of grunt and I kinda like it that way.

Just have to find a decent processor now

Why is there such a big gap from crummy cheapo processors to hughly expensive ones

I think you'll be very happy with the 989. Apart from the fact mine went faulty the quality of both picture and sound is the best I have personally come across.

Deks