I have been searching all over the place trying to find this DVD player which I know is now discontinued. I have heard it is tby far the best picture quality for the price and I want to get a Region 1 NTSC one if anyone knows where to find one online.

Your right. The RP82 is the best DVD player to buy if picture quality is very important to you. But as you know, this model is discontinued and it's virtually impossible to find now. You're welcome to keep searching, but I doubt you'll find one for a reasonable price. You never know though. Maybe you'll get lucky.

However, another good option is the Panasonic XP30, which can be found online for under $200. It basically performs nearly identical to the RP82. Check out this shootout:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...rch&articles=5

The XP30 is still in production and can be easily found online. If you're in no hurry, you could also wait around to see how Panasonic’s new line of DVD players stack up. The rumor is that they won't be as good as their old line, but we don't know for sure yet. Hope this helps.

Good Luck.

- Dave

Grab an XP30 if you don't need DVD-Audio! See my post here:
XP30 Post

If you really want a RP-82, try checking your local independent A/V stores, there are reports of people finding the odd 82 in stock or on display.

Another alternative is the Panasonic CP-72, which is essentially a five disc changer version of the RP-82.

The XP-30 is an acceptable alternative, just be aware that the LCD front display is a serious pain in the rear. Try and test drive one before you make a decision.

I have an RP 56. How does this differ from the X30 or RP 82?

I have two RP82's, if anybody is interested please e-mail me.

Canada, Canada, Canada........They are still out there!

Where in Canada???

The RP56 uses a different Mpeg decoder which rolls of the high frequencies causing a soft image in highlights and also has a bug where red images tend to flicker. The RP82 and the X30/X50 do not have these problems.

The rolloff of the high frequencies isn't too bad.

All three players have the Sage/Faroudja chip. The 30 and 82 use the better mpeg decoder from the RP-91. The CCS filter is set a little high on the 56, so you might see flickering on some reds. This is nothing, however, compared to the chroma bug (which the 56,30, 82 don't have) and many people don't even notice the flickering.

The 30 and 82 also have a better user interface with better menus, time remaining, position memory for five dvds (the 56 has it for only one) and "quick replay". The 56's remote is easier to use than the 30/82 remotes (tiny buttons all the same size).

The real question is whether or not it's worth it to ditch to ditch the 56 for one of the other players. Are you happy with the 56? Granted the 30 and 82 will have better quality (due to the better mpeg decoder), but the 56 is no slouch in the PQ department. Do you want the extra freatures and how much are they worth to you?

I am not looking to spend money I don't have to. The only thing on the 56 that is noticeable is the layer change. Not that big of a deal but I don't notice it on my 6 year old Proscan.

I have the 56 hooked up to a Panny LT75 projector and it is great. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on something that would greatly enhabce my viewing experience.

Not really, just sit back, relax and think of all the money you just saved that you can now blow on dvds.

I just ordered a Panny RP-62 from www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com. It's also disappearing from shelves and online. I jumped on this when I found it.

Good luck finding the 82!