expert advice required before purchase!

themadscotsman · 05-12-2004, 12:02

Hey,
I'm looking for a new DVD player but as it's been years since I was last in the market for one.

I'm looking for a reasonably priced one that has a DTS output for my surround sound setup and preferably multi region. Basically I just need some suggestions for getting the price vs quality balance right from people who know their players!

Any suggestions ?

gdmm · 05-12-2004, 13:05

Generally considered one of the best for sub £150 is the Pioneer 575 look here for user opinions everybody seems very happy with it.

All depends what you want to do and how to connect tough.

rich_jtg · 05-12-2004, 16:52

...and depending on your budget, and whether you want to be able to play SACD or DVD-Audio discs, then the Pioneer 470 is fundamentally the same, but a bit cheaper.

themadscotsman · 06-12-2004, 00:55

thanks! I'll have a look at both of them

wicket · 06-12-2004, 14:49

One of the cheaper Toshiba models is supposed to be the best one under the £150 price bracket. Have a look at the What Hifi Sound and Vision mag for the model number. I think it retails under £100 and was supposed to knock the socks off dearer models. When I get a minute I will get the model number for you.

themadscotsman · 06-12-2004, 15:34

thanks, do you mean the SD340E ? I think it won product of the year in a couple of mags

crowncd · 06-12-2004, 15:35

Wicket is spot on about the Toshiba. I haven't got access to the model at the moment - I think it is something like '340SE' and retails at around £80 - but it is superb.

They do a cheaper model '240SE' or the like which is again reputed to be very good. I think both models are reviewed in a current magazine.

gerbilly · 06-12-2004, 16:15

The Pioneer 575 is selling at 120 from Richer Sounds and is a far better player than the Tosh, which I admit is the best of all the others.

rich_jtg · 06-12-2004, 19:57

It would also depend on what types of media you want to play on it. I've just been looking for a new player for a couple of months now, and was tempted by the Toshiba 340 after reading reviews in What Hi-Fi.

The only thing that put me off personally was reports of mixed playback on VCDs (something about it only playing 650Mb discs) and DivX formats.

I've just received a Pioneer 470 (the cut-down 575) today and will set it up tomorrow most probably so can let you know how it performs.

If you're after quality and features, and can justify the £120, the 575 is probably the best player you're going to get under £150.

Myself, I saved £30 and got the 470 as I have DVDaudio playback on my E85 (albeit only stereo) and would never listen to/own SACDs.

wicket · 07-12-2004, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by themadscotsman

thanks, do you mean the SD340E ? I think it won product of the year in a couple of mags

Yep, that's the one, won Product of the Year for DVD Players in the What Hifi Sound and Vision 2004 awards.

themadscotsman · 08-12-2004, 18:22

thanks! I'll have a look at them all! It also depends on how much I can scrape from the bank.....hmmmmm

05-12-2004, 12:02	#1
themadscotsman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lothian, SE Scotland Posts: 226	expert advice required before purchase! Hey, I'm looking for a new DVD player but as it's been years since I was last in the market for one. I'm looking for a reasonably priced one that has a DTS output for my surround sound setup and preferably multi region. Basically I just need some suggestions for getting the price vs quality balance right from people who know their players! Any suggestions ?

05-12-2004, 13:05	#2
gdmm Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WA5, Winter Hill Posts: 53	Generally considered one of the best for sub £150 is the Pioneer 575 look here for user opinions everybody seems very happy with it. All depends what you want to do and how to connect tough.

05-12-2004, 16:52	#3
rich_jtg Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK Posts: 762	...and depending on your budget, and whether you want to be able to play SACD or DVD-Audio discs, then the Pioneer 470 is fundamentally the same, but a bit cheaper.

06-12-2004, 00:55	#4
themadscotsman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lothian, SE Scotland Posts: 226	thanks! I'll have a look at both of them

06-12-2004, 14:49	#5
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	One of the cheaper Toshiba models is supposed to be the best one under the £150 price bracket. Have a look at the What Hifi Sound and Vision mag for the model number. I think it retails under £100 and was supposed to knock the socks off dearer models. When I get a minute I will get the model number for you.

06-12-2004, 15:34	#6
themadscotsman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lothian, SE Scotland Posts: 226	thanks, do you mean the SD340E ? I think it won product of the year in a couple of mags

06-12-2004, 15:35	#7
crowncd Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cannock Posts: 370	Wicket is spot on about the Toshiba. I haven't got access to the model at the moment - I think it is something like '340SE' and retails at around £80 - but it is superb. They do a cheaper model '240SE' or the like which is again reputed to be very good. I think both models are reviewed in a current magazine.

06-12-2004, 16:15	#8
gerbilly Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 842	The Pioneer 575 is selling at 120 from Richer Sounds and is a far better player than the Tosh, which I admit is the best of all the others.

06-12-2004, 19:57	#9
rich_jtg Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK Posts: 762	It would also depend on what types of media you want to play on it. I've just been looking for a new player for a couple of months now, and was tempted by the Toshiba 340 after reading reviews in What Hi-Fi. The only thing that put me off personally was reports of mixed playback on VCDs (something about it only playing 650Mb discs) and DivX formats. I've just received a Pioneer 470 (the cut-down 575) today and will set it up tomorrow most probably so can let you know how it performs. If you're after quality and features, and can justify the £120, the 575 is probably the best player you're going to get under £150. Myself, I saved £30 and got the 470 as I have DVDaudio playback on my E85 (albeit only stereo) and would never listen to/own SACDs.

07-12-2004, 17:09	#10
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Quote: Originally Posted by themadscotsman thanks, do you mean the SD340E ? I think it won product of the year in a couple of mags Yep, that's the one, won Product of the Year for DVD Players in the What Hifi Sound and Vision 2004 awards.

08-12-2004, 18:22	#11
themadscotsman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lothian, SE Scotland Posts: 226	thanks! I'll have a look at them all! It also depends on how much I can scrape from the bank.....hmmmmm

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expert advice required before purchase!