fresnelly

So our DVD/home theatre player crapped out and isn't reading discs.

It's a few years old and probably not worth getting repaired, so we're likely going to buy a new one.

I'm not looking for specific advice as to manufacturer and make, but more generally about quality. Perusing the shelves at my local Big box retailer, I was suprised that there were only three models below $400m but there were plenty at $1000 and up.

What's the difference between these $1000+ models and the budget minded ones? I'm inclined towards the latter, because I just can't justify spending that king of dough to watch movies. I'm no audiophile, but I don't want the new one to crap out after a few years either. Do you really get what you pay for?

__________________
Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

Craven Morehead

I'm interested in this also, because digital is digital, correct? Low-end digital and high-end digital still output the same signals, or am I wrong?

MageB420666

Were you looking at the standard definition players or the new High def ones?

Also, a lot of the new model dvd players are also dvd burners.

I know the HD-DVD player by toshiba is at least $500, with the new blu-ray players starting at $1000 when they are released.

Oh, low-end digital is not the same as high-end digital. Many dvd-players also have the ability now to upconvert a standard definition signal(470i) to hi-def(720p and up)

__________________
Apathy: The best outlook this side of I don't give a damn.

MexicanOnABike

buy a game console. PS2 is about 100$ now. it plays DVDs and you can play some games. yay!

or wait till xmas and get a blueray or HDdvd player. ps3 or xbox360?

__________________

- Movie Reviews - Ratings-

MontanaXVI

might I make a suggestion of looking at crutchfield.com

they have a very wide selection of all different price levels, they are very informative, letting you make side by side comparisons, you can call anytime their 1-800 number and actually just talk to a live person and ask questions about the product in general with no sales pressure, as long as you state up front that you just want info, they offer free/reduced shipping many times as well on various items.

I bought a Sony 5 disc DVD player from them about 2-4 years ago and found it online with free shipping about $100 cheaper than the local Best Buy.

__________________
Spank you very much

BCD

Just went through this myself. Bought a Pioneer Elite Pro-1140 HD 50" plasma and needed a quality DVD to go with it, but didn't want to waste money. Check out the DVD players by Oppo Digital. They received highest rating by several high-end videophile magazines and it is only priced at $200. Nobody's heard of this thing (except video snobs), but you'll get great quality DVD.

Charlatan

It depends on what type of television you have. If you have a hign end TV that will accept more than just RCA or coaxil cable (i.e. component video or digital whatnot) then you should be looking at the more expensive models.

Otherwise, buy the $50 one from Best Buy. It may die sooner because of cheap manufacture but so what, it was only $50.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

snowultra

which ever type of t.v. you have the best buy route would be the best route unless your interested in blu-ray

fresnelly

For those of you dying to know, I ended up buying a mid-range Sony plus home theatre receiver package. It "upscales" to HD, so when I eventually get a new TV, we should be all set. So far it looks great, and I don't think I got hosed.

Now to figure out the minimum amount of remotes I can get away with.

__________________
Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life