Latest and Greatest?

[blakey]

Hey,

I bought myself a new TV (Samsung LA32S71BX (http://www.samsung.com/au/products/tv/lcdtv/la32s71b.asp)), and looking for a new DVD/Divx player that will be connected through component. The last Divx player I bought was a XMS-888 which was 3-4 years ago (and was pretty buggy at the time), so was wondering what the best is at the moment with the most features (USB etc) for around $250.

Cheers.

[andw]

For that kind of money, you could probably get the LG DVD recorder with DivX playback capabilities.
Haven't tried one myself though.

Other wise for less money (player only) have a look at this thread http://phorums.com.au/showthread.php?t=208063

Or (for that kind of money or less) if you don't mind the fan noise and want network playback as well, have a look at a modded xbox with xbox media centre loaded and component cables.

[blakey]

For that kind of money, you could probably get the LG DVD recorder with DivX playback capabilities.
Haven't tried one myself though.

Other wise for less money (player only) have a look at this thread http://phorums.com.au/showthread.php?t=208063

Or (for that kind of money or less) if you don't mind the fan noise and want network playback as well, have a look at a modded xbox with xbox media centre loaded and component cables.

Would I get anything significantly better for more money? Would like a decent deal (money worth), and would prefer a better named brand. Not really interested in a modded xbox. :)

Thanks

[andw]

xbox, no that's fine, just thought I would chuck it in there as an option.
Hmmm, significantly better for more money.
Well, once you get over about the $150, you start just paying for a badge unless there are more features (e.g. the LG is also a DVD recorder).
Other than that, I think you then have to jump up to around the $500 mark to get a player that can play high definition divx, wmv etc.
Sigma chip based players like the Zensonic Z500, Helios etc.
Although, for common standard def files, the Mediatek based players are still the best for file playback support in my opinion.

[andw]

oh, I should also mention that most (all?) players around that sort of price point only run USB at 1.1 speeds (if that is what you are looking for).
This is fine for music and pictures, and you can usually get away with it on sd avi files as well, except when there is a lot of screen motion, then the bandwidth of usb 1.1 is a bit lacking and you can get choppy playback sometimes.

[blakey]

So what would be your pick for $250-$300 with importance of superior video/audio quality (and most avi files being able to work properly)?

[bac]

So what would be your pick for $250-$300 with importance of superior video/audio quality (and most avi files being able to work properly)?

I'd suggest either the Pioneer DV-696AV (RRP $299) or the Oppo DV970HD (RRP $285 + $30 delivery).

Both have the high spec version of the Mediatek chip (MT1389EE) for the best analogue video ouptut quality and both have upscaling capability over a HDMI digitial video output port. Prioviding your TV has an HDMI connector, upscaled output from the DVD player may provide a superior picture depending on the quality of your TV's internal deinterlacer and scaler. Both these players also have digital noise filtering to help clean up the image from less than perfectly mastered source material.

The Oppo has the extra benefit of a USB port for playback of media from memory cards and portable HDDs.

Cheers,
BAC

[blakey]

Yeah it has one HDMI port, was planning on using the DVD player through component and the undecided Digital HD STB (any recommendations?) through HDMI. I was looking at that Oppo though, but read some negative things (the other model seems to have better video). Is it possible for any DVD player to upscale through component?

Thanks

[bac]

Is it possible for any DVD player to upscale through component?

The particular Oppo model I mentioned has unofficial firmware available to allow upscaling over component.

Most of the video differences between the Oppo 970HD and the older model come down to the Faroudja deinterlacing chip. As with most things, there are plusses and minuses for each model but the overall opinion seems to be they are both very fine players.

Cheers,
BAC

[blakey]

The particular Oppo model I mentioned has unofficial firmware available to allow upscaling over component.

Most of the video differences between the Oppo 970HD and the older model come down to the Faroudja deinterlacing chip. As with most things, there are plusses and minuses for each model but the overall opinion seems to be they are both very fine players.

Cheers,
BAC

Sounds like the one to get. Thanks for the info. Know anything about STB's? :D What would you recommend for a digital HD set top box (around $250 budget).

[bac]

What would you recommend for a digital HD set top box (around $250 budget).

Have a look over at the DTV forums if you haven't already - there's a wealth of info there on HD set top boxes. Most of the action seems to be in the $400+ price range, with Topfield being a perennial favourite.

I have a Legend LHD2 that I'm quite happy with which I picked up for around $220. I know the LHD3 is out now, but I think the LHD2 may still be available as runout stock. It has a DVI output, so would interface to the HDMI port on your TV quite easily with a DVI-HDMI adaptor cable.

Cheers,
BAC