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DVD Player Buying Guide
Since its introduction in the 1990s, DVD has been the most popular format for Hollywood movies and has become the de facto choice for video gamers, software installation and now music and audio too. Even at its most basic, the DVD player is a technical wonder. The DVD is a high-density optical disk that can hold up to 4.7GB of data and supports multiple and often incompatible technical formats including the ability to play music CDs and is available in a wide-range of shapes, sizes and prices and functionalities, ranging from about $50 to $1,000. Pronto's DVD Buying Guide can help you determine which one's for you (see also Portable DVD Player Buying Guide, DVD Recorder Buying Guide, Combination TV Buying Guide).
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Format, Format, Format
The kind of DVD you are going to play is possibly the most important thing for you to know before you buy. Standard DVDs from your Netflix queue or Blu-ray disks? DVDs of your home movies burned from your computer or HD DVD? Region One? Know your format before you buy your player.
Matching Your TV
You won’t be well served if you buy a top-of-the-line DVD player to go with your 10 year old analog set. Besides the poor picture quality, you’ll lack connectivity options. If you have a new HDTV, make sure it supports HDMI so you can get the most out of your DVD player.
Single Play, Carousel and Multi-Disk Changer
If you don’t regularly host all night movie marathons at your house, or plan to use your DVD player as a CD player, stick with the single play DVD player.
Extras
If price isn’t your primary consideration, you may be getting a DVD player that sports a hard drive, built-in tuner, VHS player, MP3 player and a host of other possibilities. If the proper cables aren’t included, make sure you plan to acquire them.
Music Support
Most DVD players now double as CD players, and most support MP3 and other formats. However, if you are an audiophile who regular spends on Super Audio CDs or has lots of WMA files, you’ll need to read the fine print to make sure they are supported.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
Samsung DVD HD960
We chose the Samsung DVD HD960, retailing for around $180, it is the “step-up” model from its previous incarnation as the DVD HD860. Aside from its simple and sexy look, this model is one of the first available that allows 1080p “upconversion” (which will be crucial for HDTV experience) AND generously comes with the HDMI cable. Users loved its simple setup and its sharp picture.
experts say
CNET - “Performing nearly as well as players costing four times the price, the Oppo DV-981HD DVD Player is an unbeatable bargain for videophiles and enthusiasts.” Source: CNET
Audioholics.com - “The Denon DVD-3930CI Player is simply such a stellar performer it doesn't leave much left to be desired….Whether you are going analogue or digital, audio or video, the Denon isn't going to let you down and it will be very hard, if not impossible, to find anything that competes with this product at or below this price. At $1500 this player isn't for the weak of heart (or light of wallet) - this is an audioholic's and videoholic's transport. Highly recommended is an understatement.” Source: Audioholics.com
Sound and Vision Magazine - “With its future-readiness, superb performance with both HD and SD DVDs, and essentially glitch-free operation, the Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player easily lives up to its promise and price tag.” Source: Sounds and Vision Magazine
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of DVD Players?
Xbox 360 HD DVD Player w/ Bonus Movie
HD DVD and Blue Ray duke it our. According to Blockbuster’s corporate Web site, “it is rolling out an expanded Blu-ray disc inventory for rental to 1,700 corporate-owned BLOCKBUSTER® stores by mid-July 2007. Blockbuster will continue to offer both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles through its online rental service, http://www.blockbuster.com/, and will continue to offer both formats at its initial 250 stores that currently carry both high-definition formats.” Meanwhile, Microsoft Corp. has sided with HD DVD by including it in its Xbox Premium gaming system (it was formerly only available in the Xbox Elite).
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all DVD Players) |
| $ | For $30-$100, you’ll get a player that spins discs and provides a solid performance and picture. Beware of no names though; their software and remotes might not be user-friendly. Good Pick: Sony DVP-NS55P/S |
Buy now at 
$69.95 |
| $$ | The $120-$500 price range offers you name-brand DVD players with a few extras. These will be good mid-line which offer bells like the HDMI plug but no whistles (like audio slots or recording capability). Good Pick: Samsung DVDHD960 |
Buy now at Ayselectronics.com $179.99 |
| $$$ | Top of the line price range is $500-$2000. At this price range you’ll likely encounter the emerging formats like Blu-ray or HDDVD. Until the format war is worked out, look form models that are universal. Good Pick: Marantz DV7001 Universal DVD Player with HDMI | |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface often refers to both the technology and cable that provides the single-point-of-digital connectivity from your DVD device to your display device (likely a television). Aside from providing one single cable, it helps ensure Digital Rights Management for copy-protected disks. Prices vary greatly on the cables, from as little as $10 to over $100.
HDCP
High Definition Content Protection. Modern day copy inhibition. All connected devices must support this protocol or the supporting mechanisms (cables, etc.) can downgrade the picture signal quality. Upscaling / Upconverting: The method by which your DVDs, which are encoded at 480p are upgraded to 720p or 1080i for the benefit of your HD or plasma television. This technology cannot add detail not in the original.
480p, 720p and 1080i
All HDTV signals are broadcast in one of five formats: 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. The number tells you how many lines of resolution the picture has, and the letter tells you how the screen is refreshed. An interlaced picture (“i”) is continually rescanned from bottom to top. This is what causes the scan lines in traditional analog TV.
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