DVD Players and Sony Grand Wega

[JKLast]

New to the forum, visiting from Green Bay.

I purchased a Sony GW 50WE655 in January and wanted a DVD player to complement the TV. I had a Sony NS575P (progressive), but wasn't entirely thrilled with DVD PQ on the new TV. (So, the 575P was relegated to the family room with the 32" Sony Trinitron)

I purchased three DVD players to find the eventual replacement:
- Toshiba SD5970 (progressive, upconversion with HDMI)
- Samsung HD841 (progressive, upconversion with DVI)
- Harmon Kardon DVD22 (progessive)

The Toshiba had good PQ. Component was actually a bit better than HDMI. Unfortunately, the player stopped working after about two weeks.

The Samsung PQ was no better than the Sony 575P. DVI output was dark; component was better, but not what I expected.

The Harmon Kardon PQ is excellent. Most movies are amazingly clear (though not all). Concert videos are near HD quality. The only problem I've experienced (very sporatic) is audio-sync issues with a few DVDs; and even that is just an isolated chapter in a DVD. I still am not sure if the audio-sync issue is with the DVD player or my DTS receiver (DVD->receiver digital coax audio connection).

I've settled on the HK DVD22, and will await the winner of the BR-DVD vs HD-DVD battle.

Jeff

[Mark Strube]

I'm surprised that you have been this dissatisfied with that many DVD players. Are you properly configuring your video settings using a home theater configuration disc? (Avia, etc)

[JKLast]

I'm surprised that you have been this dissatisfied with that many DVD players. Are you properly configuring your video settings using a home theater configuration disc? (Avia, etc)

Nothing to do with configuration--I'm thrilled with the PQ. I'm just picky :) and very happy with the HK DVD22. I guess the point of my post was that an "upconversion" DVD player doesn't necessarily give you a better picture than a decent progressive scan player.

Jeff