Thinking about purchasing another player and would like to get a higher end one this time around. Maybe around the $1000.00 to $2000.00 range. Anyone have some thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I own the Pioneer Elite DV-09 and it's a great unit. It doesn't have Progressive scanning, but is probably one of the best higher end models out right now.

It has a really fancy loading tray and has a copper-shielded chassis. The circutry inside is also designed to enhance performance by separating the video and audio boards by copper-sheilding as well. I'd explain it more technically, but I really suck at that.

The remote does kinda suck though for the price you pay for the unit. But I've had ot for a little over a year now and have had no problems with it. It continually produces a great clear, accurate picture and always ceases to amaze me. The picture really looks like film a lot. It's cool!!!

At this point if anyone spends $1000 to $2000 for a DVD player and doesn't get a progressive scan player they should be ashamed! First off if your spending that kind of money on a DVD player you surely must have a 16x9 HDTV and progressive scan is the only way to go! You may want to look at the Panasonic, Pioneer & Toshiba progressive scan top of the line for some models that are in the price range you quote.

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I agree Frank S!!!

Amen!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by sonic:
I agree Frank S!!!

Amen!

<HR>

I am also in agreement!!!

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"You know Andy...I never thought it would come to this....Mayberry....Gateway to danger."

Barney Fife

Take a look at the new Sony ES DVD player (9000 ES, I think). It is selling for about $1,500, is progressive scan and plays SACDs.

First off, I'll agree with Frank S and say you need progressive scanning. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Secondly, I would recommend the new Sony 9000 even though I haven't even seen it. Here's why:

I have owned four DVD players - 2 mid-range Sony's, the Toshiba 5109 and the "high-end" Panasonic H1000. The sound and picture on all of them have been more than satisfactory. I upgraded from the Sony's to the other players to get progressive scanning (I have HDTV on two of my TVs and it does make a huge difference).

I initially chose the Panasonic for my main system because at the time it was the only progressive scan DVD player that correctly formatted 4:3 pictures for widescreen TVs (it puts black bars on the sides rather than allowing the image to be stretched out). The picture from this DVD player is great but I've had problems with the player (e.g. not reading discs).

I read somewhere that the new Sony uses the same chip that the Panasonic uses for displaying the picture. I don't understand the technical stuff but (based on what I read), the Sony should provide the same picure and formatting benefits that the Panasonic provides.

But where the Sonys kick butt is in the speed and ease of use. The Sony players open faster, load discs faster, and always remember where you stop and save that spot when you turn the player off. I also think the on-screen display is better, their remotes are easier to use, etc. etc.

Another great thing about the Sonys is the feature that defaults to the soundtrack with the most channels (I think that's how that works). For example, if the disc has a dolby surround track and a 5.1 track, it always automatically selects the 5.1 track. Neither the Panasonic nor the Toshiba do that.

FYI - the Toshiba sucks. The picture and sound are good but the mechanics are terrible and it is very non-intuitive. It is supposed to remember the stopping spot on the disc when you turn the power off and it never does. The on-screen display covers the entire picture. It's a two disc player, and the red light indicates the disc that is playing while the green light indicates the disc that is not playing. And so on.

I hope this helps.