DVD player recs

[mightyh]

We're finally in the market for a DVD player and I've read all the reviews on amazon and epinions, etc. but still can't decide what's right for us.

Do you have a DVD player that you love? Or any features that you absolutely wouldn't be without?

We are pretty low maintenance movie watchers, though I think we'll enjoy the extra footage included on DVDs (right now we play ours on our computer). One more thing that might be important--our TV is on the fritz and we'll probably replace it within the calendar year. So right now I don't think we have great video or sound capability, but that might be something to consider down the line.

Any suggestions?

[aggie94]

No suggestions on DVDs per se, but if you have an older TV, make sure the DVD and TV are compatible. We got a DVD player for our wedding and couldn't use it with our TV because of the outputs, or something like that (it was an older TV - bought in mid-90s). So we ended up having to buy a new TV.

Anyway, someone with more knowledge about electronics can probably explain it better, but that's something to keep in mind.

[mightyh]

Hmmm. That's something I hadn't thought of... our TV was probably purchased in the mid 90s, too. Will check into that.

[beckms]

We have a Sony that we really like. It's a 5-disc changer, and you can use it to play CDs, too.

[SallyC]

We have Panasonic Surround Sound DVD/Cd player and we love it. I have an old TV but you can buy a box at Radio Shack (its inexpensive) and then the dvd works with your TV. We have 5 speakers and it is so much fun to watch the movies. We got our DVD at a big warehouse (BJ's) which is like Sam's Club. The most difficult part is setting it up...but ...just ask a teenager...they know how to do all that stuff!! I do love the additional parts on the DVD. WE are in a movie club and the extra information is always neat.

[aggie94]

Originally posted by SallyC
I have an old TV but you can buy a box at Radio Shack (its inexpensive) and then the dvd works with your TV.

mightyh, double check on your compatibility just in case. I'm pretty sure we checked into this option and it didn't work for us either, either because of the TV or the DVD (or maybe combination of the two). But it did work for my parents.

[Svadhisthana]

What a perfect post for me to reply to! Our T.V. is old, really really old. DH received it as a grad. gift for jr. high! We have a JVC DVD player and are quite pleased with it. It is compatable with the T.V. with the aid of one of those radio shack boxes mentioned in other posts. In fact all of our other equipment in JVC and it's all compatable and well made. When our T.V. dies (it's been taunting us )we will replace it with a JVC.

[SueK]

Originally posted by beckms
We have a Sony that we really like. It's a 5-disc changer, and you can use it to play CDs, too.

Glad to hear this. I just bought DH one of these for his bday. We went to hook it up to our TV in our family room, but the TV died! So, we're getting a new TV this week too. Probably a good thing, because based what Eva wrote, it probably would not have been compatible.

[ShanaG]

Resurrecting an old thread here. I want to buy SO a DVD player for his birthday, so have began researching brands, features, etc.

I am curious about the progressive scan feature. I found some technical information about it, but would love some practical input from all of you about pros/cons benefits, etc. of the progressive scan capability.

Also, other than the potential to play music cd�s would you strongly recommend a multi-disc DVD player over the single-disc player? We will have the DVD player in an area where we only watch movies, rarely listen to music.

Thanks in advance

[sneezles]

I believe the progressive scan faeture has to do with HD televisions (which all tvs will be by 2004). We have a 5 disk that is nice when the boys are doing a marathon but not something that is realy necessary. Ours just came with the new surround sound system. We have a couple of single ones that are just great. All the other tvs in the house except the new HD we bought for Christmas were bought either late 80's or early 90's and never had to buy an adapter or box for the dvd player.

[luv2cook]

funny to see this thread. We just bought our second DVD player this weekend. The first one we took back because it didn't work right. We ended up with a Panasonic. Since we don't have a HD TV, we didn't get the progressive scan, I don't think. My one stipulation was that it be able to READ digital camera CD's. It has to have digital video on the box according to a Best Buy customer.

I haven't tried my dad's CD yet but I'll let you know. So far we've been very happy with it, but you need a Ph.D. to read the owner's manual...at least that was true w/the first one, which, coincidentally was a Panasonic also. I bought it as a return to shelf item and guaranteed to work but it really didn't so we got a 1 disk instead of the 5. That worked out really well because where we HAD to put it, we couldn't see what was in the changer, so this way what goes in must come out...

[HejazSunKat]

I don't know if this is an issue for anybody but thought I'd throw it out here just in case. They code DVD's for different regions of the world (I don't know the reason why this is necessary but I'd be interested in finding out if anybody knows) so if you're going to be playing DVD's from more than one region you'd need a multi-zone DVD player. Some DVD's that I've borrowed from friends will only play in B&W on my machine and my DVD's from the States (Region 1) don't work on theirs at all.

[funnybone]

We have a Toshiba that we are very happy with. My kids also use the Playstation on their TV for movies as well. The Toshiba can play all formats of DVD's and CD's - including the ones you would burn yourself. I think most of the ones on the market today do that though. We have it hooked up to our stereo system buat we don't have surround sound. We plan on getting that once we move.

As for the TV compatability, you shouldn't have a problem if your TV has the red, white, and yellow prongs or "S Video" output at the back of your TV. However, if your TV is not a stereo TV or it is not hooked up to a sound system, you won't get the full effects of the DVD sound capability (or so I think).

[funnybone]

Originally posted by HejazSunKat
I don't know if this is an issue for anybody but thought I'd throw it out here just in case. They code DVD's for different regions of the world (I don't know the reason why this is necessary but I'd be interested in finding out if anybody knows) so if you're going to be playing DVD's from more than one region you'd need a multi-zone DVD player. Some DVD's that I've borrowed from friends will only play in B&W on my machine and my DVD's from the States (Region 1) don't work on theirs at all.

This is also true for VCR's - the ones in Europe and the US were not compatable. I guess it's like the electricity as well. We (or they) just have to differ.

[little_bopeep]

You also want to be sure that the DVD player you buy already has a decoder in it. If it doesn't, you'll have to buy one if you want to use your stereo system with it. So don't be seduced by a "really good deal" on a unit until you check it out completely.