My parent's are looking for a player that plays VCD. I like the features on this unit and would like to upgrade to one with progressive and MP3. Can someone verify whether this can play VCD as well? If not, what recommendations do you suggest that has these features + VCD?

Yes this can play VCD discs as well. I've done it lots of times. It also plays DVD-Audio which is a major bonus. =D

Regards,
RaS

Thanks, been hoping it does as this would make a nice B-Day present for my mom.

It would be be cool to get your mom that but do you think she will utilize all the functions that come with the XV-SA70/75? There are a lot of models out there that supports VCD. If all your mom wants to do is watch some dvd and vcd, with no home theater system, you should probably buy the Panasonic RV31k. It's an entry level dvd player. I don't know how much your mom will be using the other functions on the JVC. I'm not saying to be cheap(she's you mom) but it would be a waste if she never used any of the other stuff provided by the JVC(progressive-scan, dvd-audio). I'm assuming parents aren't into home theaters of course. If I'm wrong, my apologies.

Regards,
RaS

Oh! Did I not mention I would like to use it too!

I have the 70bk model and it plays both burned VCDs and SVCDs fine.

I am thinking about replacing my Pioneer player with this one. It will give me dvd audio as well as dts. Do you recommend the change?

Nightliner, depends what other equipment you have. If you have or will be purchasing a tv that supports progressive mode, and if your Pioneer doesn't support progressive mode, go for the switch. Depends also if you will be using the dvd-audio. Also if you like watching things in full screen this player might not be the best for you, since I've heard that it zooms way too much and you lose out of a lot of picture. I have yet to use to zoom function.

Regards,
RaS

A progressive scan tv is in my future...someday. I do expect to be using the dvd audio, I all readu have a couple discs, and I never watch things in full screen. If its not widescreen, I don't watch it.

I guess my main concern is the picture quality using the s-video input. I read a comment at audioreview that the picture quality was just "fair".

You might get a better picture of the quality of the unit at either in www.hometheaterforum.com or www.hometheaterspot.com.

Thank you for the assistance and the links. Unfortunately, they created more questions than answers.

I thought I knew about this stuff, but the interlacing concerns me. t might be sometime before I can afford a progressive tv. The comments I found at the other sites still seem to indicate the picture quality is still only fair on a standard tv. I like the Pioneer (DV-525) and I don't want to give up any picture quality. I like the idea of the dvd audio and dts, though.

Just call me confused. Enlighten me please on this interlacing question.

Here's a link that deal with progressive/interlacing mode. Kind of long.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...e-10-2000.html

That was a good, but long explanation(as you said) on interlacing. Thank you. I've pretty much made up my mind to buy it, now I just need to decide where. I'm hopeful of getting the bonus dvd audio discs packed inside the box, rather than sending in a coupon and waiting for them.

Here's a little tip. Buy it from www.onecall.com for $251 shipped with an American Express card. Goto www.pricegrabber.com. Find the lowest price available. Call up AMEX and have it price matched. Even if AMEX pricematch does not go through price is still pretty reasonable as there is no coupons available that I know of.

Onecall is out of stock on the black ones, they do have a couple of the gold models. Vanns.com also has it for around $250.00, including free shipping.

You can always try crutchfield.com or 800.com. Not exactly the hottest prices around but as L. Gowren suggested, if you have an AMEX card, you should take advantage of it's Best Value Guarantee.

Regards,
RaS