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I currently run a Toshiba 5109 progessive scan DVD player into a Mitsubishi 50805 HD-ready RPTV. The picture is better than anything I have ever owned in the past, but nowhere near the quality I see in high-end retailer's setups. (I have used the AVIA disc to tweak the system.) I eventually plan to replace the TV with either a flat panel or front projector, both to get wide screen and to get the big TV cabinet away from my stereo speakers. But I plan to wait until the competing technologies settle down and become more affordable. I will also upgrade the DVD player, perhaps to the Arcam FMJ DV-27.My question is whether I would notice any improvement if I were to purchase a new DVD player now, before I replace the TV? If so, what kind of material would be affected (film, video?) and what improvements might I notice?
It is rather a hassle to make this change to my present equipment, so it would be good to have some estimate of whether it is likely to help before I make the investment.
Follow Ups:
On most discs, I wouldn't know which one was playing. Beware the hype.
I just got my Arcam Diva 27 and it is incredible. I owned a Toshiba SD9200 prior and the 27 is much better in every aspect. The cd playback of the 27 also is much better than standalone cd players that cost as much as the 27. If you have the money get the 27
What are you using for your video display?
I'm using a Sony VPL VW10HT front projector. I also have a RCA F38310 I've hooked it up to just to check it out and it looks terrific on both displays. Good Luck
I agree that the RPTV may be the limiting factor in seeing a noticeable improvement.That said, I owned a Toshiba SD-9100 Player (1999 vintage), considered a better performer than the 5109 (see reviews on www.hometheaterhifi.com), and replaced it with a current generation Philips Q50. Display is a Sony XBR with progressive in. The Philips performs light years ahead of the Toshiba in just about any way you want to gauge. Any way you can borrow a player to try out?
John K.
I think that my dealer will lend hardware for a couple of weeks. The pain in the butt may be rewiring, but that could be an excuse to upgrade some power cords!
As a further note, I went with the Q50 because video performance at a reasonable price was my main criterion. I have a separate 2-channel audio system so things like SACD, CD-RW, etc. were not very important to me. I auditioned the Q50, Sony NP700, and Denon 2800, and the Q50 edged the others out in terms of sharpness, clarity, color saturation, and freedom from artifacts. The Q50 can be a bargain if you don't mind going through a bit of a hassle to upgrade the firmware--covered extensively at avsforum.com, which also has plenty of recommendations on players!
I have read about the firmware problem. I would imagine that Philips would have fixed this by now. Any idea how I can tell if a new unit would be free of the glitches?
Supposedly Q50s sold in the US after a certain date should have the correct firmware. My Q50 had a build date of October 2001, and had firmware version 4.15f, while the minimum that seems necessary to address glitches is 4.15i; versions n and o are also available, but it's not clear to me that they offer benefits for US players.Now, with 4.15f my player was free of glitches, but for others this has not been the case. I upgraded to 4.15i just to make certain it was the most current.
The only way to tell what version the firmware is is through the menu system. This is described at avsforum, but I can't find where just at the moment.
John K.
To me your limiting factor is the projection TV.I went from a Pioneer DV-434 to a Panasonic RP91 connected to a Panasonic CT-32HX40 direct view tube and noticed a consdierable improvement.
Personally I don't think plasma is ready for prime time yet. There has been considerable improvement over the past year but I'd give it one more year.
If you are going to keep the RPTV I don't think a new DVD player is going to make that much difference.
"Personally I don't think plasma is ready for prime time yet."If we are talking picture quality, I'd strenuously disagree.
I back up my opinion with the following blather - be warned. Like our friend Petew, I'm "in love":
I'd kept my eye on the various forms of video displays over the years, wondering when I'd see something that compelled me to upgrade from my lil' old 27" Panasonic Tau TV (which has a wonderful picture).
Seeing the Panasonic 42" plasma last year finally did it. Yes the thin form factor was cool, but it was the picture - WOW!
But the price - OUCH! So, I started a year long search to check out the competing video display devices...hoping to find something cheaper (and better). Checked out every type of display device out there, as I'm one picky bastard. Result: the Panasonic plasma easily won out, and it's now in my home.Yes plasma isn't perfect, but what is? Rear Projection screens look soft in comparison, less vivid, and I haven't yet sat in front of a RPTV that didn't exhibit distracting, uneven light dispersion (let alone the feeling that I'm looking at projector shining annoying light at my eyes).
Projectors? Very nice - seen many of them. Very cinematic. Some *can* have a nice sharp image. But most still have a somewhat washed out look (compared to plasma/CRT).
LCDs? Looking better, but still has motion retention problems/low contrast/limited viewing angles (yes I've seen the latest Sharp LCDs). Truly not ready for prime time.
CRTs? Pretty much seen em' all (often using my own reference material). The Perfect Vision is currently touting the Loewe Aconda CRT, Loewe being consistantly rated among the top performing CRTs. I've seen almost every Loewe model many times over (we have several at my work). I've seen the Aconda side by side with the Fujitsu 5002 plasma playing the same HD feed. The Loewe looked like a good TV; the Fujitsu looked like a friggin' window on the event!
I'm simply in awe of the picture my Panasonic Plasma puts out on DVDs. It absolutely blows away any CRT or *comparably sized* screen of any other technology. I'm virtually never in awe when I see DVDs on other types of screens. This plasma is doing something flat out different! There are many times in each DVD that I have the feeling I could reach into the picture and touch the objects - they are so vivid and three-dimensional. That has never been the case with any other display technology in my experience.
Look in AV stores that have some good plasma set-ups (especially Fujitsu/Pioneer/Runco/Panasonic). You'll see people standing entranced by the picture quality, with silly grins. You'll hear "looks 3-D!" "Like looking through a window."
You won't find crowds around a big CRT; I've never heard anyone react to a CRT TV the way they do to the latest plasmas.So.... as far as PQ, I certainly do feel plasmas are "ready for prime time." It's just up to the individual to figure out if he feels they are worth his hard earned bucks. For me it's a huge YES. And every single person I have talked to who took the plunge is absolutely giddy over the picture they are getting.
- end of blathering -
Rich.
PS. EdM - I do agree that plasmas will be even better performers, and more affordable one year from now. But the Panasonic I have now already has CRT blacks, while kicking the CRTs butt in every other area. Therefore, there isn't any performance aspect that is lacking that would cause me to wish I'd waited.
I recently spoke with someone at Hewlett Packard, which has a development team working on new display technologies. He indicated that plasma TV costs could come down due to economies of scale in manufacturing, but that will not happen until the format goes mainstream. This is a Catch-22, of course. Despite the current high prices, the manufacturers are actually losing money (i.e. not covering average costs) so as to keep their product moving at least a little bit.He did not expect prices to get much lower any time in the next year. Perhaps technological breakthroughs, and not just economies of scale, can pave the way for lower prices.
Is there any other display technology coming down the pike? He mentioned one, but I've already forgotten what he said. I am not getting any younger, and sooner or later I want to jump to the next generation of technology. But what is that technology, and when will all of this be settled?
My guess is your HP guy was talking about OLED, Organic Light Emitting Diodes. This tech is supposed to solve some of the problems with LCDs.
Though I doubt they'll be competing with Plasma TV's for a while yet.
I agree the Panasonic is the one I would buy if I was going to get one. The problem is according to Panasonic's own engineers there are significant improvements coming along with lower prices. (Better manufacturing techniques).There is also a problem regarding life expectancy and altitude. I don't live in the mountains but we were specing a system for someone who does and Panasonic (nor any other plasma mfg) would comment on the plasma gas at altitude.
Don't get me wrong though. You got the best one on the market. Notice has the contrast has improved this past year?
I envy you actually.
Ed,I hear you, and it appears you have experience with this stuff too.
Forgive my cheerleading, but I've only just received my Panny and I'm all giddy.As much as I enjoy seeing other plasmas, it's really the Panasonic black levels that sold me on buying one. If I couldn't find a panel with blacks this satisfying I probably would have waited. The big Fuji has nice blacks too, and the newer Pioneers are pretty good (though not as good as the Panny). I've read that the Panny responds well to ISF calibration, as it becomes very smooth and linear throughout the color/gray scales, so I’ll be doing this too.
As far as better/cheaper plasmas coming down the pipe, this kind of thing could have gone on forever with me...waiting...waiting...biding time. But some recent experiences have emphasized to me the old adage "life is not a dress rehearsal,” so I went for it. I get to enjoy seeing movies on a plasma now, not in the future. And, if prices drop significantly and quality goes up, that's wonderful - it means I'll be able to replace my current model more cheaply down the line too.
The contrast, sharpness and color on this Panny are superb. I'm a life-long fan of Ray Harryhausen's movies - the Sinbads, Jason And The Argonauts et all - and I can't believe how the Panny brings these movies to vivid life. Makes me feel like a kid at the movies again. Amazingly enough, some images from these older films are so clear that it's like watching an HD feed. Sorry, I've gone on again, but I couldn't be happier.
Later,
Rich.
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