Advice on which DVD player to buy???

[ashworthington]

Hi. Lotsa questions...
I'm looking to buy a DVD player to add to my (limited) home theatre - currently running a VCR only. I have a Marantz SR-92 Dolby Pro Logic amp that I bought about 6 years ago. I now know that I need a DVD player with on board decoders (I think the SR-92 has 5.1 inputs - I'm oversees at present and can't check!). Shopping online I've been recommended a few: Panasonic DV61, Loewe Xemix, JVC XVD723GD, Toshiba 5200. The Panasonic is probably the cheapest and runs 192/24 and 10/54 DACs (the others are 96/24 and 10/27 DACs) and has DD, DTS decoders and is DVD-A compatable. Seems to be too good for $799??.
Questions: ANy general advice on DVD to connect to Pro Logic amp (do I need Dolby Digital AND DTS?)
What's the differnce between Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS? Is one more prevalent than the other?
Is DVD-A a consideration ie is it a passing format or here to stay?
Am I better to spend the extra coupla hundred and go with a "known" brand, or pick up a SAST/XMS/OMNI unit with decoder for 400 ish?
Thanks - any help would be great.

[euryalos]

You're right, the Marantz SR-92 does have 6 RCA jacks, used with the "6-CH DIRECT INPUT" option. This means that you can use it for either Dolby Digital or DTS sound IF the DVD player has onboard decoders for these formats. If you do not choose a player with an onboard decoder, you will need to upgrade your amp to do it (possibly a cheaper option).

If you want an on-board decoder, I minimally recommend Dolby Digital as it is the prevalent format, but DTS would be ideal too. DTS is less common, but generally offers better audio.

There are only about 20 DVD-A titles available in Australia, and it is difficult to tell if it will catch on. It is definitely a bonus, but I would forget it if it means the JVC model. I do not recommend it. The safest option is probably Toshiba, though I am not familiar with the model you mention. The Loewe is a solid player but it has been around for a while now. Don't know the Panasonic model you mention.

I would avoid the likes of SAST/XMS/OMNI: many will disagree, but I think you would regret it. In this case, price broadly reflects quality.

[ashworthington]

Thanks Euryalos for the advice - I'm glad you could confirm the SR-92 has the inputs ... think I will still go with the Panasonic as it has both the AC-3 and DTS decoders and DVD-A (so does the Toshiba, but Panasonic is a couple hundred cheaper)

Thanks again

[mytrini]

Hi

I had a Panasonic A360A, that had DD and DTS on board and it was excellent!! I sold it to a friend, when I went overseas. I got back a few months ago (things didn't work out) and found myself DVD playerless. I did a bit of research and ended up buying the Sony DVP-S735D. It's as good as I remember my Panasonic to be (has the decoders for both as well) and the Digital Video Enhancement, makes the clearest picture even better! The only thing that I don't like about the Sony, is having to hold down the FWD/RWD button, when scanning a disk.

I'd say the Panasonic is probably excellent but check out the Sony as well.

[ashworthington]

Tks for the reply. I've had a look at the Sony 735 on their website and it looks pretty good. Think I'll go the Panasonic option tho cos I'm really interested in checking out DVD-Audio (for whatever it turns out to be). Does the sony play MP3? Unfortunately I'm doing all my shopping/research via the web as I am currently overseas and can't actually go in to listen/see any of these. The Panasonic specs up well ...

[mytrini]

I just checked the user manual and there is no mention of MP3 playback on the 735. Not a format that I'm into anyways but you are asking, so you probably are. To aid in your research, the main reasons I went for the Sony were: DTS and DD onboard decoders, Digital Video Enhancement, 5.1 analogue RCA outputs (to connect to my amp) DTS and DD optical output (to connect to my wireless headphones), and the mod that was done, includes disabling RCE. I had a couple of DVDs that have RCE.

This is off the topic a bit, but since you seem to be into sound. Don't know where you are overseas but if you have time to look around, see if you can track down the Sony DP-IF5100 wireless headphones. They simulate DD5.1 and DTS output (via optical input). Really good for listening to action movies, when everyone is asleep. They don't sell them in Australia (don't think there is the market, I was told) but I would argue that point. I was sold when I tried a pair in Singapore. And I am watching Die Hard using them, as I type...

[ashworthington]

No, MP-3 is not a "must-have", but more of a "good-if-it-can" deal. Tell the truth, I'm more interested in seeing what comes of DVD-Audio!
I'm in Dili, East Timor at present, so good chance there's less of a market for the headphones here, than back in Oz ... but they sound like a good idea. Are they universally compatible, or proprietory based? If so, I expect Panasonic would have a similar product? What are they worth??
Ash

[mytrini]

I agree, you won't get to see much in the way of shopping in Dilli. If you can get to Singapore, that would be the best place to look.

The headphones are not proprietary. You can use them with any device that has optical output. But you need optical out on both DD and DTS, to get the benefit of both. You can even connect to the base unit via RCA connectors (for your VCR or for listening to CDs), and get simulated Dolby Pro-Logic Surround. Have a look at http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/651-sony-mdr-ds5100-dolby-headphone.html for some info on the setup. The prices they quote are way more expensive than what I paid $550AUD. I also got rechargeable batteries and a charger with mine.

As far as DVD-A goes, you should go with the Panasonic. The Sony specifically states that it has DTS decoder onboard for DVD movies only. I don't see the difference between audio and movies (probably the way it is encoded), but there you go.