New dvd player: denon 2910 or 2900

jones12

Going to upgrade my dvd player. Looking at the Denon 2900 vs 2910. Both about the same price. My TV is a sammy dlp HLN model, it has only one dvi input. I'm using the dvi input with SA HD-Pvr from Time Warner. The dvd player will most likely be connected via component cables, so I started looking at the 2900. Anyone have any experience with these players connected to a sammy dlp. Picture quality being most important. Thanks for any input.

Frank Z

Why not wait until you can get a HD-DVD player?

nebborjk

You could always get a DVI switcher. I think they come in models from 2x1 to 5x1.

hamzahsh

Originally posted by Frank Z
Why not wait until you can get a HD-DVD player?

Thats' what I'm waiting for too.:D

Toxis

Originally posted by Frank Z
Why not wait until you can get a HD-DVD player?

I know I am...

But I think you should just get a DVI switcher and be happy. In that case, go 2910. They upgraded the video processor, added HDMI and made it cheaper. Last year, the 2900 was $1300, this year the 2910 is $700 (MSRP pricing). Better model, more features, cheaper. Can't go wrong!

Shell

Why not wait until you can get a HD-DVD player?

HD-DVD?? When is this new format player coming out? Will there be HD DVD titles or will you just play your old DVD's?
Thanks

sowen010599

From what I've been hearing in the electronics world, 4th quarter 2005. They will be based on "Blu-ray" technology. The problem is, there is no standard for read-only media yet, only recordable. Sony, Sanyo, Toshiba, are all saying fall of '05. Sony and Matsushita (aka Panasonic) already have blue-ray recorders released in Japan.

Early guesstimates say base model players will start at around $1,000 with projected mid-'06 prices of $500.

Shizelbs

Whats the word then on existing movies and DVDs again being released in HD?

brettw22

Originally posted by Shizelbs
Whats the word then on existing movies and DVDs again being released in HD?

There would have to be a MONUMENTAL difference in the DVD's to warrant me changing everything I have out to the new format.

Shizelbs

Originally posted by brettw22
There would have to be a MONUMENTAL difference in the DVD's to warrant me changing everything I have out to the new format.

Same here, but unfortunatly the difference that HD provides is pretty monumental at times.

sowen010599

Originally posted by Shizelbs
Whats the word then on existing movies and DVDs again being released in HD?

None as of yet, but then there is no standard for the media yet. Beyond that, the idea of hybrid double sided DVD's are still being kicked around. They would allow playback on NTSC and HD players (but they would be 10 layers thick!). It's a big pot right now. All kinds of crap in the mix. I'm thinking it will be a lot like the original DVD migration. New material will support HD, and over time, they will be re-released in HD. A lot depends on how forward thinking they were when they produced the standard DVD. Did they make HD masters and down-convert for NTSC/PAL? If they did, making a HD DVD is no biggy, it's just a matter of having them printed. Then you'll have the cheapo's who just scale the NTSC transfer for HD release. But most will have to make a whole new transfer. That would be a good thing though as a lot of early transfers are crap by any standard. On top of it all, we have the "chicken and the egg" problem. HD DVD's won't sell without a descent customer base of players, and the players will not sell without a base of media.

I think it will be a lot like SACD and DVD-A. Not a big proliferation at first, but whenever the FCC gets of their butts and goes HD across the board, they'll take off like a rocket.

It's gonna be a waiting game for sure.

Frank Z

Originally posted by sowen010599
None as of yet,

Actually there are a few movies available right now. You'll need a properly set up HTPC to view them, but the results are supposed to be very impressive. Check out this site for a few samples:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx

sowen010599

Sure, there's several HD snippets of material on line. Not quite a DVD though, is it? They haven't even decided on a standard for media yet.

I must say though, those M$ clips are sweet. They've been out over a year. I've got an HTPC running. And if any of you are looking for the most amazing DVD player, or CD transport out there, an HTPC is the only way to go. Course, a couple grand will buy a nice player any way you look at it.

Frank Z

Better check the site again, there are complete DVD's available, not just clips. You can download clips, buy the movies online or from your favorite retailer. Yes the selection is limited, but it's a start.

sowen010599

"Several titles featuring high definition playback in Windows Media Format are available commercially. You can play these titles in the DVD drive on your computer. Find out more about these titles: "

These are for PC's only. Not quite what I was talking about.

HBombToo

Originally posted by sowen010599
From what I've been hearing in the electronics world, 4th quarter 2005. They will be based on "Blu-ray" technology.

wireless speekers come to mind:D

that should send the audiophiles into a spasm.;)

I found it humorous our good Doc is responsible for a thread being shut down on avs:D

Love ya Doc!:)

1/4twin

Frank Z

sowen010599,
Understood, my point is simply this, there are in fact HD-DVD's on the market today. Not everyone is waiting for a dedicated HD-DVD/BlueRay player to hit the street.

True, the MS WMV-HD format is currently limited to Home Theater Personal Computers (HTPC's), but it's something that not everyone is aware of. HTF and AVS have quite a few members that are 1 step ahead of most of us with regards to HD-DVD, HTPC users to be exact.

If you (anyone) really want HD quality right now, WMV based discs are an option. Similarly, there are DVD players on the market that can upconvert 480p DVD's to 720p/1080i resolution. The reviews have been mixed, but they are available for those that don't want to wait.

I'm hoping to see a HD-DVD/BlueRay player that can play the new format (either one), that is backwards compatible with the existing format, and can upconvert the discs I already own.

jrausch

If your looking for a player that will get you by until HD DVD's go into mass production, the Denon 2910 is a solid option. Now this will only work using the DVI output, but between the Farouja processor and the 720p-1080i output this combination has made the largest improvement in 480p picture quality that I have seen in any player. I see a 20-25% increase in contrast, color accuracy is improved by 10-12% and sharpness is increased by 15-20%. At our store we have the 3910 hooked up with Z series component video and HDMI and we can switch back and forth to show the improvements. The nice thing is you don’t need a specific DVD to show this, it improves everything and not just some jagged line in a certain scene of a movie. The difference is immediately noticed by every customer. I hooked the player up to a Mitsubishi DLP with HDMI and again the improvements are the best I have seen.

This is not a replacement for true HD, but the difference will put a big smile on your face because you get a worthy improvement and you get to use it on the DVD’s you already own. The 2910’s may be hard to find, but the $679 srp is worth the asking price. The only improvement on the 3910 is the audio section and firewire.
:cool:

Tour2ma

Can't see pumping buckos into a high priced DVDP with this HD just 'round the corner... unless:

- you are also into DVD-A and SACD (your PQ emphasis in your thread starter would indicate you are not...); or
- you're sitting in the dark waiting for your old CDP to magically sprout video capability...

Maybe a Tosh 3960 would tide you over...

Aside: Is there any indication that the first HD DVDP's will be SACD capable?

C J T

Thanks for this thread. i was thinking of upgrading my DVD player soon (Panasonic 85) but will wait. Does a DVD player really make that much difference if I am only using a 32 inch Panasonic TAO? Is mine crap?

Toxis

Does a DVD player really matter? Yes. How much depends on your cables, age/use of the TV, and how much you care. lol

DesertPilot

I purchased a low cost $200 Samsung DVD player to hold me over until HD DVD. It plays DVDs, upconverts them all the way to 1080i, DVD-Audio, and SACD. Also has a DVI output! Although my Sony TV has an HDMI input so I had to buy a cable converter from DVI to HDMI.

From what I'm reading there are two upcoming High Def DVD formats. HD DVD should be out 2005 and Blu-Ray later or maybe 2006. This will be just like DVD-Audio and SACD. But who cares? DVD players should be able to play all the formats anyway.

So that was my decision...go cheap for now until HD DVD is out.

Marcus

okiepolkie

Let us know what you think about it when you get the dvi-hdmi cable hooked up. My father-in-law just got a new HDTV and I've been trying to find the right DVD player to match it. I like the concept of using the dvi-hdmi interconnect, but I don't know anyone that has put it to practical use.

Tour2ma

Originally posted by DesertPilot
From what I'm reading there are two upcoming High Def DVD formats.

Deju Vu all over again... great...

Now where's my BetaMax...