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HD
DVD Players - Update |
February 2004 (Draft) |
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So What is the HD-DVD
Standard? DVD Players < $1000 (most
under $400) |
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Related Guides Breaking News Watch this for availability
of new players |
For your high definition setup, we only focus on DVD players that can output high definition video over DVI or HDMI digital video connections.
HD Up-converting DVD players
These players play standard definition DVD's but up-convert them to high definition resolutions, providing the best picture quality from your standard definition DVD’s. If you have a pure digital path from your DVD player to your TV using a DVI or HDMI connection, you can get a picture quality that is significantly higher what you would get from even the best progressive scan DVD players.
HD-WM9 DVD players
Microsoft has developed a very highly efficient codec (a compression system) for digital media called Windows Media 9. Using this codec, a 2 hour high definition video can be compressed to less than 10 GB so that it can fit in a regular (red-laser) dual layer DVD with no apparent degradation in picture quality. In our evaluation, picture quality of these DVD’s is as good as high definition broadcasts. HD-WM9 has an advantage over other high definition proposals, it is available now and is much less expensive to adopt. Only a handful of DVD’s in this format are currently available, and more are promised. It is not yet clear whether this will become a serious DVD standard in the marketplace.
Only one HD-WM9 DVD player has been announced so far, Bravo D3 by V. Inc., to be released in mid 2004. This player also plays standard definition DVD's and up-converts them.
So What is the HD-DVD Standard?
The industry players are embroiled in a standards war for
the High Definition DVD. HD-DVD forum has
adopted a standard proposed by NEC and Toshiba. This standard promises to be less expensive
to adopt. The opposing camp is led by
industry heavyweights Sony,
Player Type: All of these players are HD up-converting players – with the exception of Bravo D3 which is an HD-WM9 player as well.
HDCP: If you have a display that accepts DVI but doesn’t accept HDCP, then you must hurry and buy and DVD player that doesn’t enforce – Bravo D1 or Momitsu DV-880. Such players are likely to be available only during this interim period before the standards get enforced, so you shouldn’t wait too long.
DVI vs. HDMI: It doesn’t really matter whether a player outputs DVI or HDMI and whether your display accepts DVI or HDMI. You can get a DVI to HDMI cable to connect between these 2 types of plugs, they are carrying the same video signal. There is no transformation and no loss of quality. HDMI also outputs sound, but most of you will probably use the separate sound output anyway.
DVD Players < $1000 (most under $400)
§ Currently Shipping: There is no player that we can recommend without reservations, but Bravo D1 is the most popular choice because it doesn’t enforce HDCP, and its issues are relatively minor. Momitsu DV-880 is also a good choice but it has to be imported.
§ Upcoming players: The most promising ones are Bravo D3 because of its WM9 support and Samsung HD-941 because of its support for DVD-Audio and SACD. If you are in a hurry, then Bravo D2 and LG DVB-318 are likely to be available very soon.
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DVD Player |
Price |
Availability |
Notes, Pluses and Minuses |
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$199 |
Now |
No
HDCP Enforcement, Finicky loader |
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$249 |
Now |
Colorspace
and 4:3 stretch issues |
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$220 |
Now |
No HDCP Enforcement Upscales over component outputs also DVI-I
output, Imported Item |
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$349 |
Now |
Includes ATSC Tuner |
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Announced |
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$199 |
Spring ‘04 |
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è |
$199 |
1Q 2004 |
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è |
$249 |
Q2 ‘04 |
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$249.99 |
Q3 ‘04 |
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$299 |
Spring ‘04 |
Integrated DVD + VCR |
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$299.95 |
April ‘04 |
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è |
$349 |
Mid-year |
WM9 Support |
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è |
$349.99 |
Q3 ‘04 |
DVD-Audio, SACD |
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$569 |
February ’04 |
SACD |
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$999 |
February ‘04 |
DVD Recorder |
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DVD Players >= $1000
§ Currently Shipping: We recommend Denon 5900. Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi merits attention.
§ Upcoming players: Too early to call.
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DVD Player |
Price |
Availability |
Notes, Pluses and Minuses |
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$2000 |
Now |
DVD-Audio, SACD |
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$1000 |
Now |
DVD-Audio, SACD |
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$1450 |
? |
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? |
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? |
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Announced |
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$2000 |
April ‘04 |
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$2500 |
April ‘04 |
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$4000 |
April ‘04 |
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Prototype |
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Links on Selecting a DVD player |
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AVS: |
NEW DVD Players with DVI or HDMI – CES 2004 The quest for the
perfect DVD player Bravo D1 vs.
Samsung 931 shoot-out Denon 5900 vs.
Bravo D1 via DVI! I have both. Denon 5900 vs.
Bravo D1 screenshots. |
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Reviews: |
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Misc: |
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