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In Reply to: Panasonic RP-56 vs. RP-62? posted by Ted in NJ on October 01, 2002 at 10:36:00:

The Pannies are good units and should work well should you decide later to build a system around one. I have the RP-91 myself and it is exceptional in almost every way (the disk tray is slow to open/close/load, about my only complaint).
If your TV has only an RF input (F jack), you'll need an RF modulator from an electronics store such as Radio Shack. Cost: about thirty bucks. Converts the DVD's signal into radio frequencies (RF) that the older TVs need to display pictures. Some are switchable so you can run your VCR through it as well.
Otherwise, run your composite or S-video output from the DVD player into the same input on your TV.
As for TVs, eight bills should buy you a very nice 36" direct view in two years, and if you're going 32", Sony WEGAs have been coming down into that price range ($899 at last glance).
For $100 or less, you could find a nice used integrated amp, such as a NAD, to run your DVD audio through its analog outputs to power the speaker set, which would almost certainly be a HUGE improvement over the distortion-laden, cheap 10 or 15-watter built into the TV. If you go with a better amp and have an S-video input, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, if not shocked, by the far better quality of both sound & picture over VCR, cable & OTA.

Follow Ups:

I wouldn't count on using a DVD player for 2 years .... - Aroc 12:12:11 10/01/02 (3)
seems like once you wait two years to get a new TV set, you'll want a new DVD player by then anyways. I'd just be tempted to get a Panasonic DVD-RV32K in your case. you can find them in yahoo shopping for like $100+shipping. Also I believe Circuit City has them for $120+tax, or something like that now. (normal price is $150). You could probably spend a little more to get a progressive scan model, but that feature won't be of use until you get a different TV. I don't see how that is worth an extra $100 right now (or whatever the difference is). I personally wouldn't have enough confidence that the unit would physically last that long (most low price mass market stuff tend last last that long, especially if moving parts are involved).
I have a Toshiba 36AF61 (SDTV only, but I like it). The panasonic player I mentioned is on my shortlist.
My $0.02
- Re: I wouldn't count on using a DVD player for 2 years .... - KevinC 00:46:38 10/02/02 (1)
  Be careful.My friend bought the Panny RV32 and he's experiencing a lot of problems with it. It freezes up quite a bit and it's driving him crazy. He took the first one back and the store replaced it with another one. Guess what? Same problems.Just a little FYI.
  - thanks for the heads up. I wonder if that explains the recent price cut? -NT - Aroc 12:30:06 10/02/02 (0)
    NT
- That's what I was thinking... - Ted in NJ 12:56:59 10/01/02 (0)
  although our current VCR is over 15 years old (not even stereo). We don't use it very often. We rent about 20 movies per year, so the player will likely last a while. However, you're probably right that we shouldn't get progressive scan until we can actually use it. When we get a new TV, we would probably move the current one to the basement, and a cheap DVD player could go with it. We can get a new one with the TV.
  Thanks,
  Ted
But which is better? - Ted in NJ 12:11:12 10/01/02 (3)
Thanks for the info. I actually have several amps, one of which I used to run the TV through, but my wife didn't like the hassle of turning on more than one piece of equipment, and I don't like the sound from the little speakers in the cabinet. I have since moved all of my stereos to other rooms. It would be nice if I could find an amplifier that would boost the TV audio signal, while still using the TV volume control.
So anyway, which of the two DVD players is better? I remember earlier this summer, when the 62 was coming out, that several people thought it was not as substantial as the 56 it was replacing. Has that proven to be the case, and should I grab a 56 while they are still available?
Ted
- Haven't seen the RP62 but... - Harmonia 10:53:45 10/02/02 (1)
  I have the RP56 and I'm currently using it interlaced. The PQ is excellent. I got a static display model for $110.
  If you are a net bargain hunter you can find a 32" HDTV for under $800. In stores, the Samsung 32" was available for $850.00 at BB.
  - Re: Haven't seen the RP62 but... - kyzyltuva 07:36:25 10/24/02 (0)
    I've never seen a Samsung 32" HDTV for less than 1,000-
    are you talking about the TXM3297HF? Its usually about
    1,099 at places like SEARS and OneCall.
    What's a good place to find $800 32" HDTVs?
    thanks!
- Re: But which is better? - cfraser 15:08:00 10/01/02 (0)
  Just my opinion: get the RP56. I had the RP62 at home, at the same time when I owned the RP56. The RP56 had slightly technically better video, but that was with progressive. The RP56 is slightly more substantially built, but neither are noteworthy. The motor in the RP62 (and 82) is noisier than the 56. The RP62 is slimmer, and is available in silver, if that's more to your taste. IMO the lifetime of these players is only 2-3 years, so buy it for NOW, not the future.
  FWIW, have you noticed the price of the RP56 has gone UP in many places since the 62/82 came out? Used to be not hard to find for $100-120. Must mean something.
  Whichever you get, I doubt you'll be disappointed, they both have great video.

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