DVD PLAYERS
Denon DVD-5910
Well, folks, here we enter into the world of the true videophile, where nothing but the absolute best will do. And this DVD player, pricey as it is, is the absolute best. It's all about performance, construction, and quality albeit in quite subtle gradations. Construction and quality first. Pick up the typical sub-$100 DVD player, and then try to heft this puppy. The DVD-5910 is not only physically bigger than a cheapie player, it's also noticeably heavier. (Forty-two pounds, if you're counting.) Put another way, the DVD-5910 feels like a higher-quality unit. And, believe it or not, weight is a reliable determinant of quality in the world of audio/video components; the better stuff almost always weighs more. It has to do with the quality of the parts used, and the quality of the construction. Trust me on this one. Aside from sheer heft, the DVD-5910 packs a lot more of the latest technology inside the box than what you're probably used to. First of all, the player employs a Dual Discrete Video Circuit that uses separate and discrete video paths (for lower-noise signals). There's also a digital scaler with 10-bit processing, dual 14-bit, 216MHz video digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and 24-bit, 192kHz audio DACs. The drive mechanism uses vibration-resistant chassis construction to suppress outside vibrations and signal interference which contributes to the unit's heft. Outputs include optical and coaxial digital audio, component video, DVI, and HDMI. Even better, the DVD-5910 upconverts normal DVD video to high-definition video; you have your choice of 480p, 720p, and 1080i outputs. While DVD video isn't truly high-definition, upconverting to 720p or 1080i makes a noticeable difference in picture quality when played on an HDTV set. Oh, one last thing. The DVD-5910 isn't just a DVD player. It also plays audio CDs, of course, as well as discs encoded in either the SACD or DVD-Audio formats. This makes the DVD-5910 a true universal player, and one with performance that's second-to-none.
Denon DVD-2910If you want a better-than-average DVD player but think that spending $3,500 is just a little too extravagant, consider the DVD-5910's little brother, Denon's DVD-2910. This player offers many of the same features as its high-end sibling, but at less than a quarter of the price. So you get 720p/1080i upconversion, SACD and DVD-Audio playback, and a host of custom audio and video adjustments, as well as good solid (i.e., not plasticky) construction, at a price that won't break the bank too much. It's my recommended compromise between quality and price in this category.
Sony DVP-CX985V MegachangerIf you have a fairly large movie collection, considering storing all your discs in a DVD jukebox, like Sony's DVD-CX985V. This megachanger will hold 400 DVD or CD discs; the onscreen display lets you quickly and relatively easily find and play the disc you want. And, of course, it offers progressive scan playback, as well as playback of SACD discs.
Toshiba SD-3960If you just want a basic no-frills DVD player, you can't go wrong with the Toshiba SD-3960. It offers a fair number of features, including progressive scan playback, component video output, playback of MP3 and WMA discs, and a built-in JPEG viewer. And, best of all, it doesn't weigh 42 pounds or cost $3,500.
Panasonic PV-D4745Now here's an interesting twist. Panasonic's PV-D4745 is a DVD player and a VHS tape player, all in one unit. The DVD player half offers progressive scan output; the tape player half is a 4-head VHS HI-Fi Stereo machine. Put together, this single unit is lower priced (and takes up less room on the shelf) than buying two separate units.
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EAN: 2147483647
Pages: 126