Bought this at eCost with different rebate deal 2 weeks ago. Dang, should have waited. Overall great little all region progressive player, definitely saw a good improvement in picture quality. Allows you to choose which region to for your dvds. Onebit on it though, I think it loads kinda slow but hey, you get what you pay for.
Overall I think it works great.
speedy1961
03-27-05, 08:14 PM
Thanks for the response. Anybody else care to chime in?
I'm finding it hard to believe only 2 DVDTalkers have this player.
RocShemp
03-27-05, 11:26 PM
Colour me curious, as well. Anywhere know where I might find an in depth review of this player? I tried searching the web but all I found was various retailers selling it but no actual reviews.
speedy1961
03-28-05, 08:51 AM
Colour me curious, as well. Anywhere know where I might find an in depth review of this player? I tried searching the web but all I found was various retailers selling it but no actual reviews.
I encountered the same thing and that's why I thought I'd troll for info here but only 2 brief replies so far.
siegfried
03-28-05, 12:35 PM
I have the Yamakawa model 218 and am very pleased with it.
I have used it to play NTSC and PAL and have had no problems.
There is no display on it, but I've gotten used to it.
That blue light is very bright.
I believe this is a German DVD player,
bought it in the US for about $40
fourizonly
03-28-05, 01:36 PM
Here is a thread about Yamakawa players. DVD-275 is a stereo dvd player (no 5.1). http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=418684&highlight=yamakawa (It's a long thread)!
RocShemp
03-28-05, 02:17 PM
I saw that, fourizonly. But I just came across this: http://yamakawadirect.com/275_detail.shtml
According to the official site, the DVD-275 does DTS. So who's right?
fourizonly
03-28-05, 03:13 PM
RocShemp..just got confirmation from Yamakawa, the DVD-275 is 2 channel stereo only. The 238 has DD 5.1 output.
BuddhaWake
03-28-05, 03:41 PM
that sucks. I just ordered this. how could have this escapped me. I can't believe it. i feel robbed. i might just give it to my grandma.
RocShemp
03-28-05, 03:56 PM
RocShemp..just got confirmation from Yamakawa, the DVD-275 is 2 channel stereo only. The 238 has DD 5.1 output.
Thanks for the confirmation. I guess I wont be getting the 275. BTW, does the 238 also do DTS 5.1?
Trigger
03-28-05, 04:08 PM
I saw that, fourizonly. But I just came across this: http://yamakawadirect.com/275_detail.shtml
According to the official site, the DVD-275 does DTS. So who's right?
the picture has optical and digital outputs... why only stereo if they include these outputs? Who were the ad wizards that came up with this one?
RocShemp
03-28-05, 04:46 PM
That's why I was confused, Trigger. It's pointless to have those outputs if you're not going to take full advantage of them. That's like having component outputs but only offering B&W video.
Anyhoo, I wrote to them regarding the 238 model since it seems the 800 number doesn't work from Puerto Rico.
RocShemp
03-28-05, 05:09 PM
I just got a reply from them and they say the following:
It will play a Pal region coded 2 disc on a NTSC TV with minimal
distortion. (Most people would not notice it)
It does provide Progressive scan in both Pal and NTSC mode.
DTS, Yes.
Now if I can only find someone who can answer my other questions:
2. Is this player capable of reproducing bellow black (0 IRE) levels?
3. Is this player free of black crush?
4. Is this player capable of reproducing above white (just over 100 IRE) levels?
5. Is this player free of white crush?
Jah-Wren Ryel
03-28-05, 08:39 PM
the picture has optical and digital outputs... why only stereo if they include these outputs?
Almost certainly by "stereo" they meant that only does stereo decoding. If you want to just pass the digital signal through to an outboard decoder (like your receiver) then it should work just fine.
Note that I haven't even clicked on the link, so it may just be that I wrong on this, I sincerely doubt it because it is the decoder that costs extra, simple pass-thru requires less circuitry.
Buy: