Samsung DVD-1080P9 1080p Upconverting DVD Player

A progressive scan DVD player that upsamples your DVD content so that it can be properly displayed on your HDTV's. It hooks up to your TV via an HDMI cable and this device has HDMI-CEC which means you can control compatible devices with the same remote. It supports Dolby Digital sound and also has a USB port. It also supports a wide range of formats including DVD-Video, DVD-R/W and DVD+R/W. It also has a CD ripping feature and it will even play DivX and MPEG-4 video files. There are several upscaling DVD players on the market in this price bracket but this Samsung model has more features than most of its rivals.



Customer feedback:

1. My first concern when I buy equipment is how well does it perform what it's supposed to do and a DVD player should be about as simple as an electronic device should be. Connect it, plug it in, turn it on, - play a disc.
This Samsung easily answers all this with a short set-up due to the choice of television options available today. Some may not like the compact size of the remote, but it suits my needs. I'm sure this model can be programmed into most Universal Remotes and since it's a DVD player it doesn't require any unique control. Additionally, it has controls for Samsung TVs on the romote, but I cannot say if it works flawlessly since I don't have that brand TV.
The console has minimal controls on it, Play/Pause, Forward, Reverse, Stop on a round panel an open/close button and the power button so searching menus or any other tasks will have to be by remote. Again, very simple to operate.
Now for my last consideration; Appearance.

2. First a note about up-conversation. This DVD player or any up-converting DVD player does not give you anything close to BluRay quality. HDTVs, particularly inexpensive ones, often do a very bad job of displaying low def content. What up-conversion is all about is resampling the image to a resolution the TV can display naively. If all else was the same you could expect about the same quality of image from a up-converted image on a 1080p TV as you would have seen on a much older 480p TV of the same size with a progressive scan DVD player. That being said, if you have a 1080p TV then you will most likely benefit from up-conversion, just understand that what you will be getting is still DVD quality, nothing more.
Onto specifics about this player. My biggest complaint about this player is that its remote (which is not a universal but can control Samsung TVs) has shared buttons for the TV's volume. If you are watching a movie and try to change the volume without remembering to first push the TV button you will instead get rewind or chapter back. If you do have a Samsung TV then its remote will most likely be able to control this DVD player and that may be a better fit, especially if the TV supports Anynet. Another disappointment was the sound and overall slowness of the eject mechanism which wines and seems to struggle to open and close the tray. There is a slightly longer than expected delay when pressing the eject button or waiting for a disc to load. The DVD tray is very shallow, making it harder to get a disc into the "sweet spot" by feel, but even my kids have not had many problems. All-in-all none of these complaints are horrible, just not what you might expect from one of the most expensive players on the market.

Marantz DV 4001 - DVD player - upscaling

The Marantz heritage of building only the finest CD & DVD players is evident throughout the DV4001. This DivX DVD player is capable to handle not only DVD, but also CD, CD-Rs/RWs with music in MP3, WMA, but also JPEG for a nice slight show of your homemade pictures. The DV4001 is an exceptional DVD player for the ideal home theater system, bringing DVD movies to life with stunning digital video and surround sound capabilities. The strict hand-selection of parts, for example, allows for the amazing sound and image quality. A dedicated remote control compliments the versatility of the DV4001.



Technical Details :
* Plays DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/CD-RW, VCD 2.0,MP-3, WMA, DivX ULTRA and JPEG HD discs.
* HDMI Output with scaling (1080i, 720p and 480p).
* Progressive scan with 3:2 pull-down film detection.
* 192 kHz/24-bit audio D/A converters, 108 MHz/12-bit video D/A converter.
* Low Profile Aluminum Front Panel.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
Video - superb! I have only used it on component video @ 480p, on my 65" Mitsubishi HDTV, but it completely blows away any other DVD player I have used. With good source material, it looks practically high def, and the color and shadow detail are awesome - very faithful to the original material. I am sure that when upconverted over HDMI it is even better, but I have not personally tried that yet.

Audio - superb! Every single 'bit' of digital audio comes through perfectly. I thought all digital-out players should sound identical, but now I am not so sure... IMO, Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks are significantly more "immersive" and dialogue is easier to hear at low volume. Keep in mind, though, this unit does not have optical (toslink) audio out, only digital coax. No big deal, but you should know this.

Build quality is awesome - you will not be disappointed here! The brushed aluminum face is very classy and makes a statement that you are serious about home theatre. Another nice feature - no annoying bright blue light on the front to distract your viewing experience! I hate it when that happens! The "power" light only glows red with the unit is in standby mode.

However, there are few "perfect" things in this world, including this wonderful item. My niggles are:

#1: I wish it would remember where you left off if you remove a disc, like several Sony's I have owned. This is a terrific feature, and I cannot understand why all players don't do this.

#2: For some reason mine has the color and tint controls backwards in the picture setup menu. Marantz did offer to repair it under warranty, but I usually leave the picture settings at default anyway, so I can live with it as-is. It must be a bug in the firmware, but Marantz had never heard of this problem on the DV4001, so don't let this discourage you from purchasing this fine machine.

#3: I'd like to have a choice between optical and coax for digital audio.

Denon DVD 1940CI - DVD player - upscaling

DENON has become a world leader in the manufacture of high quality audio and audio/video equipment and software products for the entertainment and information industries. Its professional-use and consumer-use equipment and software products are recognized internationally for their originality and standards of quality, durability and innovation. DENON is recognized internationally as Japan's leading manufacturer of high-quality audio and audio-visual products, and is the only company in the industry involved in the development and production of both hardware and software.



Technical Details :

* Plays DVD audio and superaudio CD.
* HDMI scalable output to 1080p resolution.
* DiVX Ultra v6.0 playback support.
* DDVC video circuitry for improved performance.
* Separate video D/As for interlaced and progressive mode.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK : High dollar player for low dollar price !!

I spent some time researching upconverting DVD players and found that the Denon DVD 1940CI was favored by other reviewers on several other sites - and they were right. This player's upconverting technology may not match Blue Ray's clarity and rich detail, but it makes an amazing impact on my 1080p LCD. For a hundred dollar DVD player you feel like you stole a production quality unit. This DVD player has a very nice loading tray and pickup head allowing for stable playback and tremendously good error correction. I have a two year old who likes to "help" with the DVDs and the pickup head reads the discs through her finger-prints and scratches. If you're on a budget and not interested in Blue Ray I would recommend this DVD player to you.

Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-ray Player

The future of Blu-ray technology is here with the BDP-S550 and BD-Live. The BDP-S550 comes equipped with a built in Ethernet port and 1GB of memory on board (There is a USB port for additional Memory if needed as well) to allow you to access specially created content on your BD-Live enabled Blu-ray Disc Movie from the comfort of your Home Theater. Whether you are viewing upcoming trailers, playing a game with your friends, or just downloading a new ring-tone to your phone, BD-Live takes the movie experience to a whole new level. You still get the amazing picture performance of Full 1080/24p output and incredible upscaling up to 1080p for your DVD collection via the HDMI connection. Plus, to add to the great Home Theater experience, you get full bitstream output or, if you choose, internal decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution). To further the connectivity to your existing system, the BDP-S550 has a full 7.1 analog output for older receivers. Making all these wonderful features easy to access is the new Xross Media Bar¿ menu system, which is an icon based menu system for simple navigation. BRAVIA sync is also included which allows for easy one-button operation when connected via HDMI to other compatible Sony TV and Audio products. The BDP-S550 brings the world of BD-Live and Blu-ray to life!



Technical Details :
* Bonus View & BD-Live (Profile 2.0) w/1GB flash memory for local storage.
* Full HD 1080/60p & 24p True Cinema Video Output.
* Dolby True HD/DTS-HD decoder built-in with 7.1ch out. Quick start up mode.
* Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD bitstream out over HDMI (V1.3).
* x.v.Colors for AVC-HD.

KEY FEATURES :
- Slim chassis.
- True 1080p Output.
- 7.1 Channel Dolby Sound , Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD (Master Audio and High Resolution Audio).
- 1 Gb of onboard memory and a USB Port Allows More Storage for Access to More Special Features, Like Bonus View.
- Ethernet connection for BD-Live Compatibility and firmware updates.
- Higher Bit Rates mean less video compression.
- Emmy-Award Winning Xross Media Bar Interface.
- Bravia Sync for Easy Connectivity.

PROS:
1) BD-Live functionality works great.
2) Besides regular fast-forward, rewind, and chapter skip buttons, the S550 has advance or reverse buttons take you forward or back in 10-15 second increments.
3) The player will resume where you last stopped.
4) The display button puts on-screen the time elapsed or remaining in a movie.
5) The player allows you to change audio tracks on the fly with every Blu-ray disc.

CONS:
1) The S550 does not have frame-by-frame advance. Only pause and play.
2) No slow-motion.
3) No zoom feature.
4) The S550 does not display what chapter you are viewing.
5) The USB port cannot be used to play music or view pictures off a USB flash drive.
6) Fast-forward and rewind are quite sluggish.

Pioneer BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Player

Elevating the high definition experience in home theaters, Pioneer Electronics presents the BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc player with support of next generation high resolution audio and video formats that fulfill the emotional experience of high end entertainment. Featuring picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform that significantly improves overall performance, this player works in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and A/V receivers to provide film enthusiasts the most true-to-life reproduction of HD feature films.

Technical Details
* The BDP-51FD provides up to 1920 x 1080p resolution for an unrivaled picture quality. And with True24FPS, now see your movies as the director intended.
* Single-Wire Connection: One HDMI 1.3a digital connection is all you need from the BDP-51FD to output both HD audio and video signals.
* HDMI Control: Master your home theater universe. The BDP-51FD supports HDMI Control.
* Wolfson Audio DACs: Each DAC features a signal-to-noise ratio of 117db.
* Independent High-Definition simultaneous video streams. Watch your Blu-ray disc movies while watching the bonus features at the same time.



FEATURES:
- Cinematic Picture Quality.
- Dynamic Audio Enhances Emotional Experience.
- Robust Build Quality.
- Pioneer Home Theater Synergy.
- Consumer Convenience.
- Spectacular 1080p Picture Quality.
- Single-Wire Connection.
- HDMI Control.
- Wolfson Audio DACs.
- Exclusive Jitter Reduction Circuit.
- Frequency Control Circuit.
- Picture Control Suite.

Pros: This one right out of the box shines quality, Only player that seems to upscale to 12 bit deep color, loads fast, responds to menus well, quiet operation, will pass all HD audio bit stream and decodes HD audio, some people complain when there is no backlight on the remote.
Cons: Firmware came as 1.00, it won't let me play The Matrix on Blu-Ray.

Denon DVD-2500BTCI Blu-ray/DVD/CD Player

Go beyond standard processing with the ultimate Blu-Ray/DVD/CD digital transporter for the digital purist. Combining top-of-the line audio/video standards with a rigid, multi¬layered construction, this breakthrough transporter eliminates outside interference to deliver unrivaled playback from a wide range of digital sources. And all this performance is delivered to your HDTV via HDMI. The DVD-2500BTCI is a Blu-ray disc transport that outputs video and digital audio signals via an HDMI port. When connected to a Denon A/V surround amp with an HD-format decoder, such as the AVR-4308CI, the DVD-2500BTCI's transport features can be used on their own to enjoy high-quality video and audio.

Technical Details
* Complete digital-only transport to eliminate interference.
* Single-cable HDMI connection and Digital HD output up to 1080p.
* Fully 10-bit processing for i/p and scaling circuit.
* Blu-ray 1080p/24fps output capability.
* Up to 36 bit Deep Color support via HDMI.



Features
* Separate blocks to suppress interference between circuits.
* Precision Drive Mechanism -- a Denon original.
* 1080p output to bring out the full quality of film.
* HDMI 1.3a output for HD video and audio signal transmission with deep color and high bit-rate audio output.
* High-grade I/P conversion and scaling up to 1080p.
* Supports DivX file playback.
* Includes easy-to-use control unit.

Unit performs well. For regular DVD's picture is about the same as the Denon 3910. Blu-ray disks are comperable to HD television. Uses the same remote codes as the older 3910, so no need need to get Pronto universal remote re-programmed -- a real advantage. Remote is OK, reasonably well laid out.

Few things to keep in mind. The only method of connecting the device is via the HDMI. This is fine for me, but not if you plan to hook this to an older AMP.
Playback will only play DVD-R not +R.

Sony BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray Disc Player

Add more muscle to your home theater with the Sony BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray Disc/DVD player, which not only plays Blu-ray Discs in stunning full 1080p high definition, but also upscales standard DVDs. It features Sony's new 14-bit HD video processor, which improves standard definition and high-definition picture quality with the help of HD Reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies, enabling extraordinarily smooth and detailed picture quality. And with its BD-Live capabilities, you can access BD-Live features and easy firmware updates through the Internet via an Ethernet connection.

Technical Details
* High-end Blu-ray Disc player with Sony's 14-bit HD video processor plus HD reality Enhancer and Super Bit Mapping technologies.
* Full HD 1080p output for Blu-ray Discs and upconversion of standard DVD video to 1080p.
* BD Live capable for accessing bonus content from BD-Live Blu-ray Discs; Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD; 1 GB built-in memory.
* Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 component, 1 S-Video, 1 composite, 1 analog audio (2-channel, 7.1-channel), 1 digital optical audio, 1 digital coaxial audio, 1 Ethernet, 1 RS232.
* Includes remote control and composite AV cable; measures 17 x 14.37 x 4.92 inches (WxDxH).



Key Features
* True 1080p Output.
* HD Reality Enhancer/Super Bit Mapping.
* Isolated Audio Circuit Board and High Quality Parts.
* Rigid Beam Chassis and Dual Shield Construction.
* Dolby TrueHD and dts HD- 7.1 Analog.
* R-Core Transformer: Because of the unique design of this transformer, there is an inherently low radiated hum and noise ratio compared to other types of transformers.
* RS-232C & IR Input for Flexible Custom Installation.
* BD-Live Technology allows you to download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers, movie-based games, and more. And with Bonus View, you can enjoy "picture-in-picture" capability with select Blu-ray titles.
* Backwards Compatible and Upscaling: All existing Blu-ray Disc players will play your standard DVD collection without a problem. And with built-in 1080p video upscaling, they'll look even better.
* Emmy-Award Winning Xross Media Bar Interface: Sony's exclusive xross media bar user interface makes it simple and intuitive to navigate television menus, controls, and user settings.
* x.v.Color output plays AVCHD-format discs with support for the international xvYCC color standard, producing images with nearly twice as many viewable colors as the existing RGB color standard.

PROS:
- Stunning picture.
- Sound is impressive.
- Set up is quick and easy.
CONS:
- Quite expensive.

PHILIPS DVP 5996K/98 DVD player

Enhanced DVD videoAnd Super Audio CD playbackBe impressed with this Philips DVD player with HDMI digital video and audio connection. HDMI 1080p upscaling delivers images that are crystal clear. Movies in standard definition can now be enjoyed in true high definition resolution - ensuring more details and more true-to-life pictures. Progressive Scan (represented by "p" in "1080p') eliminates the line structure prevalent on TV screens, again ensuring relentlessly sharp images. To top it off, HDMI makes a direct digital connection that can carry uncompressed digital HD video as well as digital multichannel audio, without conversions to analog - delivering perfect picture and sound quality, completely free from noise. 5.1 channel audio output for surround sound. Multi-channel SACD for total music immersion Multi-channel SACD prepared. This new generation music format gives you Ultra high quality music reproduction, 5.1 multi-channel surround sound and full backward and forward compatibility with CD. D/A converter 24 bit, 192 kHz Frequency response 30-20000 Hz Signal to noise ratio 90 Distortion and Noise (1kHz) 65 dB Crosstalk (1kHz) 70 dB Dynamic Range (1kHz) 80 dB Sound System Dolby Digital, DTS Playback Media CD, CD-R/CD-RW, Video CD/SVCD, DVD, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DivX, DVD-Video Compression formats MPEG1, MPEG2, DivX 3.11, DivX 4.x, DivX 5.x, DivX 6.0, DivX Ultra. Power supply 110-240V, 50/60 Hz Video disc playback system PAL, NTSC. Included Accessories Audio/Video cable, Quick start guide, World Wide Warranty leaflet, Remote Control, 2 x AAA Batteries, User Manual, Power cord.



Technical Details
- This DVD Player Can Play PAL or NTSC DVDS From Any Country On Any TV. Power supply 110-240V, 50/60 H.
- Playback Media CD, MP3-CD, MP3-DVD, WMA-CD, CD-R/RW, Audio CD.
- HDMI 1080p upscales to high definition. Multi-channel SACD for total music immersion.
- 5.1 channel audio output for surround sound. Playback Media DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD-R/RW, Picture C.
- Playback Media CD, CD-R/CD-RW, Video CD/SVCD, DVD, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DivX, DVD-Video Progre.

PROS:
Format support, good performance
CONS:
Sharpness can improve.

Onkyo DV-SP406B Single Disc DVD Player (Black)

In the fast-paced world of home entertainment, you are faced with a myriad of choices. If you're after a playback component that's going to take care of your core entertainment needs DVD Video, music CDs, and your computer based music and video files then the DV-SP406 DVD/CD/MP3 player makes good sense. It actually goes a lot further by upscaling video sources to 1080p, for a one-cable HDMI digital connection to a high-definition display. Furthermore, its front-panel USB interface allows easy transfer of your digital music files for playback via your entertainment system. You'll also find quality components throughout, such as a 192 kHz/24-bit audio DAC and a 108 MHz/14-bit video DAC to promote overall playback quality; an intuitive Disc Navigator system that simplifies control over disc media, and a remote control that can be used with an integrated system.

Technical Details

* HDMI out with 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p output.
* Plays DVD Video, Video CD, Audio CD, CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW.
* Plays MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG-4, AAC, DivX.
* Optical and Coaxial Digital Out.
* Slow Motion DVD Playback (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, or 1/16).



CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
This is a good choice for an SD DVD player. It will upscale to 1080p and does so pretty well. It's a notch below my Oppo 983H, but considering it costs far less than the Oppo, the performance is well worth the cost.
The build quality is solid, as is typical with Onkyo products. Installation is a snap (basically, just plug in the HDMI cable). The HDMI cable is not included (get one from monoprice at a very reasonable cost). Easy to use menu system, and the disks load quickly.
The only downside is the remote, which is small and has poorly marked buttons. But, it has volume and mute control for Onkyo receivers, so it's a good match should you have that brand.

Sony DVP-FX820 8-Inch Portable DVD Player, Black

Watch movies anytime and anywhere you want with Sony's cool and colorful DVP-FX820 Portable DVD Players. With a 6hr battery life, an 8" high-resolution swivel screen that provides a clear and crisp picture from any angle, 2 headphone jacks for sharing, and a car adapter that ensures your movies outlast even the longest road trip. And when you want more than movies, the FX820 plays your CDs or MP3s, and lets you view your personal photo albums. You can choose your preferred color among Black, Cherry Red, Cool Blue, Bubble Gum Pink and Snow White. Then, sit back and enjoy the crispy and sharp image with this Sony high-resolution LCD display.



Technical Details

* 8" LCD Widescreen Monitor
* High-Resolution (800 x 480 resolution)
* 180 Swivel and Flip monitor
* Up to 6 Hour of Battery Life
* Dual Sensor for Remote Control

Customer feedback:

1. I did a lot of research before choosing the Sony DVP-FX820 and what sold me were all the great reviews. I was leaning toward a player with a larger screen, but I trusted what I read about the picture quality of this unit... and I have to say, I received it today and I am amazed. It's much better than I expected! This little dvd player has a better picture than my HD TV! And although the speaker sound is a little hollow (no real base) the volume more than makes up for it... I've heard other players- or should I say I've tried to hear other players- the volume is wonderful on this one, the sound totally acceptable via the speakers and the sound is incredible when I use my 10 yr old Sony Studio Monitor headset.

2. Have owned the original Sony DVP-FX810 and that was a good player too. I sold that and bought this one. The resolution is about twice as high as the original. Just bought this but I can tell you the screen really shines compared to every other DVD player (portable) that I've seen. I'm sure more players will have the high resolution soon. The volume is also much louder than the original.
The battery is supposed to last 6 hours at lowest brightness. With my old one which is basically this I did manage 5 hours at medium brightness so two movies should work fine before the low battery symbol shows. I wanted the red one but the sonystyle at Metreon had everyone except the red but the blue is nice too. Highly recommended.