Is the Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player REALLY worth the extra money?

Ken C

Is the Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player REALLY worth the extra $200 over an upconverting player when being used with a 42 inch plasma (Samsung native 790p)?

Is the quailty visually better when comparing two identical DVD's on the same TV?

I can return my Samsung 1080P DVD until today ($90) if I want to but I'm not sure if the extra money is well spend after I've already droped $1,100.00 on the TV, $80.00 on the HDMI cable, and $90.00 on the clean power strip.

Thanks guys!

Answer
I think it's worth it. A true HD DVD movie is really nice, and the HD-A2 is a good upscaler as well. Plus you get a next generation player with all the benefits you're looking for now. Amazon had teh HD-A2 for under $240 recently, so if you look around, you can usually find a decent deal on the Toshibas (also try costco)

Reviews for DVD player?

themontefa

I'm looking into purchasing a dvd player for an upcoming trip. I don't have tons of money, but I want a decent player. I want the dual monitors. I have found one at walmart.com and I wanted ot know if anyone has the player or if they have every used it. The player is a Venturer PVS-6271. If you have used it, please send me a review. I want to make sure I am making a good choice. Thanks!

Answer
Get a philips dvd player. http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/tree/HOME_AUDIO_VIDEO_GR_US_CONSUMER/DVD_PLAYERS_RECORDERS_CA_US_CONSUMER/product/DVP642_37_US_CONSUMER/catalog.jsp?language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=H0BBKBXK1DUJRJ0RMRESHQNHKFSEKI5P
it is good because it can play all regions if unlocked. (get the code at www.videohelp.com) it reads all types of media. descent price. Works all the time. Strongly recommend it.

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what is the best hd and dvd player for the money?

monstacio

I just bought a 32 in hdtv and i cant get my mom to get hd satilite tv so I need a hd player and I need a dvd player for all my dvds
I have about 50 dolars I need a hd player thats under 250 and I wont be able to buy it for a couple of months
also is blueray better if so wich one to buy instead of the hd player keep in mind it has to have a dvd player in it also
thanks

Answer
Yup, the PS3's Blue Ray player is a really nice one. Right now, you cant get an HD-DVD player or Blue ray player under $500. So waiting a little bit could be worth a lot it you wait and buy the PS3. When you get it though, Make sure you buy the upgraded cable (HDMI) or it wont be worth it. Good Luck.

Are portable DVD players worth the money?

gcash81

For anybody who owns one are they worth the money? work good? look good? sound good? are you happy with it? etc...thanks

Answer
Before wanting to have a DVD portable if you plan to buy. Ask your self what is your main purpose of having a portable DVD. Well if your a traveler i would say that buying and owning a portable DVD is really worth the money because it would be very usefull on your part. Portable DVD is very convinient and depend on the brand you want if your looking for the quality of sound and the looks as well. If your purpose is just owning one because your freind got one too, well Portable DVD is not worth the money for you.

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What resolution should i set my upconverting dvd player to?

best dvd player for the money image

Matty A

I just bought a Philips DVP5990 upconverting dvd player, and i have a sharp 32" 720p hdtv. The player is hooked to the tv via hdmi. What resolution should i set it to? The obvious answer seems to be 720p, but the 480p looks better. Is it something i've done wrong or what? I know its a bit of an awkward question but i could take any help i can get.

Answer
You may have answered your own question.

In theory, as you note, 720p should be best, but there is really no way to predict ... you have to try different settings.

The problem is that there are various video manipulations involved and some scaller/video processor chips do a better job than others.

For example, if you set the DVD player to 480p output, your HDTV upconverts the progressive signal to fit the native resolution of your HDTV (i.e. 720p). If you set the DVD player to 720p or 1080i (for example), the HDTV processes this accordingly. 1080i is converted to 720p and the 720p signal is used direct.

So, depending on the relative quality of the DVD or HDTV scalers/video processors you get better or worse results.

That said, you don't say what connection type you are using and that can matter. Ideally upconverting DVD players should be connected via HDMI since on some models component is only outputting 480p, not 720p or higher, despite menu settings. And you can't get anything higher than 480 from composite or S-video.

If you are connected via HDMI, and 480p output works best in means the processor in the TV is better than that in the DVD player (and essentially you wasted your money .... not uncommon since budget upconverters rarely work well). On the other hand, if you are connected via component, composite or S-video try HDMI (you don't need to spend more than $10-$15 for a cable ... expensive HDMI cables are a rip-off).

Hope that helps.

How long does it take for Geek Squad to repair a Home Theater DVD Player?

Mitch

I sent in my DVD player to my home theater system today on August 16, 2012. I was wondering about how long it takes for Geek Squad to fix things like that, and a possible estimate of how much money they will charge.

Answer
geek squad can't help you find your way out of a we paper bag. they are truly useless there like a warranty they just make you feel more secure about a product you spend a lot of money for that you don't really understand. you know like a emergency exit on a airplane....

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Is it worth it to buy an HD DVD player or will all store convert to Blu-Ray movies?

best dvd player for the money image

answerman

I would like to get an HD DVD player until I have the money for a PS3, but I'm afraid stores will stop selling HD movies (like many stores already have) and I will be stuck with a player and no movies to buy. Also, I hardly see any place that sells HD DVDs. Do you know where a good place is to buy them?

Answer
HD's are going away no more movies will be put out for that system.... go with the blu ray

Should I return my recently purchased HD DVD player and buy a much cheaper DVD upconverter instead?

Nick K

Is it worth the money to keep the HD DVD player? Doesn't it do the same function as an upconverter? Please correct me if I am wrong and tell me why it is so much better to have the HD DVD player.

Answer
Depends what you paid for it (and assumes you CAN return it) and what matters to you.

First, consider whether you can really benefit from HD DVD (or Blu-ray which gives identical audio and video quality). Basically you need a moderate to large HDTV .. say 40" or so and preferably 1080p. You also need to watch from a suitable distance (say, 1.5 - 3X screen size. lower number if a 1080p and higher if 720p). You also need an HDMI connection.

As an aside, I have an HD DVD player and don't find a sufficient improvement from HD disks to justify buying them, but I have kept the player for reasons that may become evident as you read on.

There are relatively few HD DVD disks (under 400, and Blu-ray is about the same), and many movies are not available on HD DVD. Disks are more expensive than DVD and previewed disks (i.e. cheap) are not (yet) available. So -- unless you shoot yourself in the foot and refuse to watch a movie unless it is in HD -- you will be watching lots of DVDs even if you have an HD disk player (either or both formats).

An HDTV will deinterlace (if required) and upscale an incoming 480i or 480p DVD video signal. However, some HDTVs don't do a very good job. Enter upscaling DVD players ... which may do a better job. But, only a good upconverting DVD player is worthwhile. Cheap models (certainly anything under at least $100-$125) just won't beat the video processing in most HDTVs (See the article at the link for a discussion).

HD DVD players (and Blu-ray) make good upconverting DVD players, and depending on what you paid it may be the most cost-effective way to improve the picture on all those DVDs you will still be watching for some time to come (years).

You can test this by comparing a DVD on your HD DVD player and on your present DVD player. Is the picture sufficiently improved on the HD DVD player to perceive a benefit?

If you can benefit from an upconverting DVD player, and the HD DVD player you have is about (or maybe slightly higher than) the price of a good upconverting (non-HD) DVD player (e.g. Oppo 981, $229) consider keeping it. It may help to consider the HD DVD player not as an HD DVD player per se, but as an upconverting DVD player that also plays HD DVDs.

So ... there are some factors to consider. Hope they help.

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Should I return my recently purchased HD DVD player and buy a much cheaper DVD upconverter instead?

best dvd player for the money image

Nick K

Is it worth the money to keep the HD DVD player? Doesn't it do the same function as an upconverter? Please correct me if I am wrong and tell me why it is so much better to have the HD DVD player.

Answer
Depends what you paid for it (and assumes you CAN return it) and what matters to you.

First, consider whether you can really benefit from HD DVD (or Blu-ray which gives identical audio and video quality). Basically you need a moderate to large HDTV .. say 40" or so and preferably 1080p. You also need to watch from a suitable distance (say, 1.5 - 3X screen size. lower number if a 1080p and higher if 720p). You also need an HDMI connection.

As an aside, I have an HD DVD player and don't find a sufficient improvement from HD disks to justify buying them, but I have kept the player for reasons that may become evident as you read on.

There are relatively few HD DVD disks (under 400, and Blu-ray is about the same), and many movies are not available on HD DVD. Disks are more expensive than DVD and previewed disks (i.e. cheap) are not (yet) available. So -- unless you shoot yourself in the foot and refuse to watch a movie unless it is in HD -- you will be watching lots of DVDs even if you have an HD disk player (either or both formats).

An HDTV will deinterlace (if required) and upscale an incoming 480i or 480p DVD video signal. However, some HDTVs don't do a very good job. Enter upscaling DVD players ... which may do a better job. But, only a good upconverting DVD player is worthwhile. Cheap models (certainly anything under at least $100-$125) just won't beat the video processing in most HDTVs (See the article at the link for a discussion).

HD DVD players (and Blu-ray) make good upconverting DVD players, and depending on what you paid it may be the most cost-effective way to improve the picture on all those DVDs you will still be watching for some time to come (years).

You can test this by comparing a DVD on your HD DVD player and on your present DVD player. Is the picture sufficiently improved on the HD DVD player to perceive a benefit?

If you can benefit from an upconverting DVD player, and the HD DVD player you have is about (or maybe slightly higher than) the price of a good upconverting (non-HD) DVD player (e.g. Oppo 981, $229) consider keeping it. It may help to consider the HD DVD player not as an HD DVD player per se, but as an upconverting DVD player that also plays HD DVDs.

So ... there are some factors to consider. Hope they help.

What is the best portable DVD player to buy?

khaileebab

I am going to buy a portable DVD player here before July, but I need some help decided which are the best. I don't care about the cost. I want the best for my money.

Answer
Well if you are looking for a portable DVD player the best recommendation I can give you is to look at a few review sites.

http://dadsandgrads.about.com/od/gadgets/tp/topportabledvds.htm

http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6531_7-6509124.html

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/electronics/portable-dvd-players/index.html

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What resolution should i set my upconverting dvd player to?

best dvd player for the money image

Matty A

I just bought a Philips DVP5990 upconverting dvd player, and i have a sharp 32" 720p hdtv. The player is hooked to the tv via hdmi. What resolution should i set it to? The obvious answer seems to be 720p, but the 480p looks better. Is it something i've done wrong or what? I know its a bit of an awkward question but i could take any help i can get.

Answer
You may have answered your own question.

In theory, as you note, 720p should be best, but there is really no way to predict ... you have to try different settings.

The problem is that there are various video manipulations involved and some scaller/video processor chips do a better job than others.

For example, if you set the DVD player to 480p output, your HDTV upconverts the progressive signal to fit the native resolution of your HDTV (i.e. 720p). If you set the DVD player to 720p or 1080i (for example), the HDTV processes this accordingly. 1080i is converted to 720p and the 720p signal is used direct.

So, depending on the relative quality of the DVD or HDTV scalers/video processors you get better or worse results.

That said, you don't say what connection type you are using and that can matter. Ideally upconverting DVD players should be connected via HDMI since on some models component is only outputting 480p, not 720p or higher, despite menu settings. And you can't get anything higher than 480 from composite or S-video.

If you are connected via HDMI, and 480p output works best in means the processor in the TV is better than that in the DVD player (and essentially you wasted your money .... not uncommon since budget upconverters rarely work well). On the other hand, if you are connected via component, composite or S-video try HDMI (you don't need to spend more than $10-$15 for a cable ... expensive HDMI cables are a rip-off).

Hope that helps.

How long does it take for Geek Squad to repair a Home Theater DVD Player?

Mitch

I sent in my DVD player to my home theater system today on August 16, 2012. I was wondering about how long it takes for Geek Squad to fix things like that, and a possible estimate of how much money they will charge.

Answer
geek squad can't help you find your way out of a we paper bag. they are truly useless there like a warranty they just make you feel more secure about a product you spend a lot of money for that you don't really understand. you know like a emergency exit on a airplane....

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How to modify my vcd player to be a dvd player ?

best dvd player for the money image

Q. I have old vcd player and i do not have money to buy dvd player
So how to modify it ?

Answer
You can't. At least not without spending a great deal more money than it would cost to actually buy a DVD player. DVD players can be bought at yard sales for about $5.00, or at second-hand shops such as Goodwill for about $10.00. You can get new ones at Walmart for less than $50.00.

The optics for a VCD player are identical to a CD. DVD uses something different, so you would need to change these. The transport mechanism is also different, as is the CODEC. The computer would be controlling different mechanisms, and is a dedicated controller, so that would need to be changed.

About the only things you would be able to keep are the tray on which the disk is placed, the buttons in the front, the case for the player and the jacks to connect to your TV. Really, you would be building a DVD player from scratch.

Buy a DVD player, it's cheaper.

Is it worth it to buy an HD DVD player or will all store convert to Blu-Ray movies?

answerman

I would like to get an HD DVD player until I have the money for a PS3, but I'm afraid stores will stop selling HD movies (like many stores already have) and I will be stuck with a player and no movies to buy. Also, I hardly see any place that sells HD DVDs. Do you know where a good place is to buy them?

Answer
HD's are going away no more movies will be put out for that system.... go with the blu ray

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What resolution should i set my upconverting dvd player to?

best dvd player for the money image

Matty A

I just bought a Philips DVP5990 upconverting dvd player, and i have a sharp 32" 720p hdtv. The player is hooked to the tv via hdmi. What resolution should i set it to? The obvious answer seems to be 720p, but the 480p looks better. Is it something i've done wrong or what? I know its a bit of an awkward question but i could take any help i can get.

Answer
You may have answered your own question.

In theory, as you note, 720p should be best, but there is really no way to predict ... you have to try different settings.

The problem is that there are various video manipulations involved and some scaller/video processor chips do a better job than others.

For example, if you set the DVD player to 480p output, your HDTV upconverts the progressive signal to fit the native resolution of your HDTV (i.e. 720p). If you set the DVD player to 720p or 1080i (for example), the HDTV processes this accordingly. 1080i is converted to 720p and the 720p signal is used direct.

So, depending on the relative quality of the DVD or HDTV scalers/video processors you get better or worse results.

That said, you don't say what connection type you are using and that can matter. Ideally upconverting DVD players should be connected via HDMI since on some models component is only outputting 480p, not 720p or higher, despite menu settings. And you can't get anything higher than 480 from composite or S-video.

If you are connected via HDMI, and 480p output works best in means the processor in the TV is better than that in the DVD player (and essentially you wasted your money .... not uncommon since budget upconverters rarely work well). On the other hand, if you are connected via component, composite or S-video try HDMI (you don't need to spend more than $10-$15 for a cable ... expensive HDMI cables are a rip-off).

Hope that helps.

How long does it take for Geek Squad to repair a Home Theater DVD Player?

Mitch

I sent in my DVD player to my home theater system today on August 16, 2012. I was wondering about how long it takes for Geek Squad to fix things like that, and a possible estimate of how much money they will charge.

Answer
geek squad can't help you find your way out of a we paper bag. they are truly useless there like a warranty they just make you feel more secure about a product you spend a lot of money for that you don't really understand. you know like a emergency exit on a airplane....

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