Good DVD player recommendations up to $500?

[boe]

Hello,

I'm looking for a good (but not outrageously good) dvd player to hold me over until the HD/Blue laser issue is resolved. I'm willing to pay up to $500. I have an older model that glitches even on straight out of the wrapper DVD's. My other DVD player doesn't have this issue.

First priority is good decoding.

Second priority - best player for DVD's with very good surround such as LOTR. Not sure if there are and DTS-NEO or DPLII DVD players. - your input would be helpful.

Third priority - single player. I don't like multiplayers.

I would leave the other priorities to people who know more about this stuff than I do - your advice on DAC and other items I should be looking for up to you. I don't really care about HDMI or anything else since my current unit doesn't support it and I would imagine it won't be an issue till I upgrade to a blue ray or HDDVD player.

Thank you for your advice!

[gotapex]

4th priority good deinterlacing, or will you be sending interlaced signal to your TV?

[boe]

I couldn't say for sure I have the Mits 65813 - and currently send 480p.

I'm currently very close to getting the Denon 2910 - any thoughts - $575 out the door.

[Jim]

I've seen the Denon 2200 at Good Guys for just under $500 now. Others have reported seeing 2900s at that price. It doesn't do upconverting, but it's an excellent 480p player. No visible layer change. It doesn't have the macroblocking problem that some are seeing with the Faroudja-based players such as the 2910.

[DVD Polizei]

Toshiba SD-5970. Half the price, has HDMI already to go.

[boe]

Thanks - I hadn't heard about the issue with the macrovision - can you post any links? I'd hate to spend a big wad of cash on something that has issues.

[Sonicflood]

Thanks - I hadn't heard about the issue with the macrovision - can you post any links? I'd hate to spend a big wad of cash on something that has issues.

Macroblocking not Macrovision.

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/avtechbeta/images/utena1.png

If you look at the blue floor you can see lots and lots of macroblocking. This is mostly caused when a frame doesn't have enough bits to encode an area so it has to do more rigorous averaging. This averaging can sometimes round differently from block to block, causing this effect.

Info gleaned from Here (http://www.animemusicvideos.org/guides/avtechbeta/avspostqual.html)

[boe]

Thanks for the info - I just did a search on the topic. There is a rumor there is a firmware update to take care of it but I'm going to make sure from Denon before I make my decision - it was good to find this out from you.

[broadwayblue]

what are your other components (tv, receiver?) you can get great performing dvd players for half your $500 limit.

[boe]

Mits WS-65813 - about to get the Anthem D1 preamp. Parasound amps.

[boe]

The rep I spoke to at CES lied through his teeth. He claimed Denon released a macroblocking fix for the 2910. The latest firmware release for the 2910 is still November's version 5. The 2910 is a great unit but still suffers the macroblocking issue.