pudge's Journal: I Need a DVD Player

My current DVD player is dying. I need a new one, but I am a bit ignorant about DVD players. I'd prefer to get one now rather than later, though I could wait if something new is around the corner. Some considerations:

• Progressive scan. I want this, as I want to be able to use the player with a digital TV eventually, but can I use a progressive scan player with an analog TV, too?
• Video DAC. Should I care about the specs of video digital-to-audio conversion, '10-bit 54mHz Video D/A Conversion with Super Anti-Alias Filter' and whatnot? Anything else related to video (number of scan lines, etc.) I should care about?
• CD-R, DVD-R, etc. This site lists player compatibility with various writable media, which is helpful; I want it to play all the major media types (MP3 not really necessary, as I have a networked laptop hooked up to the same stereo that has access to my entire MP3 collection).
• Coaxial digital out. My amp has two digital ins, one for optical (which is already in use by the DirecTiVo) and one for coaxial.
• Multidisc. It would be nice, but is not necessary. Hm, what about one of them 100 disc units?
• Lasers. Should I care about the number of lasers? Is this related to whether a multilayer disc will have a pause or not?

Thanks for any input you may have. :)

Now Playing: The Last DJ - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (The Last DJ)

How much are you willing to spend?

[Real World Stuff]

Interestingly enough, High end DVD/Karaoke Players provide plenty of enhancements, and do not balk at country codes. Just a bit of insight.

Re:How much are you willing to spend?

[pudge]

I don't want to spend a lot of money (the cheaper the better :-). Right now I am more interested in learning more so I can make an informed choice, though all suggestions about DVD players are welcome, and I'll keep this in mind. Thanks.

PowerBook :)

[Louis_Wu]

I just use my PowerBook. 'Course, I live alone and I don't entertain much. And my TV is smaller than my desktop monitor.

Re:PowerBook :)

[pudge]

:p

a few sites to review

[JDizzy]

I asked a A/V person here at work [ca.com], and he suggested you look at audioreview.com [audioreview.com], and the avsforum.com [avsforum.com]. I simply use my Xbox with the high definition kit on my home system, and I also have my computer with media files located next to the stereo system with mod_mp3 [tangent.org], xmms, and other tools.