What is The Best DVD player for VIDEO?

If you have DVI the Bravo D1 (for $199) gives an incredible picture that many reviewers see as equalling or bettering almost anything else out there (check reviews in Widescreen Review, projectorcentral.com, or go to avsforum.com for much discussion).

Two caveats: the component output is poor, and there have been reliability problems (tho' mine has not given me problems).

Good luck,

David

I also used the Sony 7700 with my 36" Wega. Now i use the Arcam DV-89. It's a bit better picture-wise but day/night better audio-wise.

Drobin07, your caveats are well taken. My D1 did look great with my Sammy DLP, but would frequently have problems loading and finally gave up the ghost after about 7 months. Bravo has issued a RMA and maybe they will be stand-up about it, but it has been annoying. I have gone back to using a Sony DVP9000ES. The difference in picture quality is small, and everything else is superior. They are on Audiogon at regular intervals at about $500 and are a bargain at that price, considering the excellent build quality and audio performance. Denon is equally high quality and have just announced a new line of universal players, most of which have DVI and fit in your price range.

I have both a Sony (DVP-NS999ES) and an Arcam (DV-87). From a purely video-centric point of view, they both have advantages and disadvantages.

Sony Advantages

- provides best picture I've seen for videotape-sourced DVDs
- all kinds of options to tailor video output, probably more than anyone needs
- does not exhibit chroma bug (this only matters if you're sensitive to it)
- front panel display can be turned off
- has more bells and whistles than most people will ever use

Sony Disadvantages
- US model will not play anything but Region 1 NTSC discs
- picture not quite as "filmlike" with film-sourced DVDs
- has more bells and whistles than most people will ever use

Arcam Advantages
- provides the best picture I've seen for film-based DVDs, very cinematic
- plays PAL discs, even on an NTSC-only television
- can change regions or make region-free from the remote, no hacks or hardware changes necessary
- very simple menu structure

Arcam Disadvantages
- the remote control is very poorly laid out
- exhibits chroma bug; however, the effect is very mild and is less noticeable than most other players with the bug
- front panel display is bright and cannot be turned off
- very simple menu structure means not much fine-tuning control (although I don't think the player needs it)

From a sonics standpoint, the Sony plays SACDs and the Arcam doesn't. This may or may not matter to you. The Sony decodes DD and DTS, and can output decoded DVD-Vs through its 5.1 analog outs (with bass and speaker management). So, for someone with a pre/pro or receiver that doesn't decode DD or DTS but can accept a 5.1 analog output, this is the player. The Arcam decodes DD and DTS, but does not have 5.1 analog outs. The Arcam sounds substantially better than the Sony via two-channel analog outs. Arcam sounds marginally better on DVD-Vs through the coax digital out than the Sony. Arcam is substantially better on CDs, both via analog and digital outs. Arcam decodes HDCD.

Note - this is the cheapest Arcam DVD player. The more expensive ones are even better.

Here's an outstanding comprehensive resource for DVD player info. I've not run across anything better.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_3/dvd-benchmark-introduction-9-2000.html