Help me find the right DVD player.

[ToKeN]

Pioneer dvd-v7400 very good player.

[samsonlonghair]

Once again, thanks for the many replies.

Its $200 for a Bluray player though. Which is still high, but I know thats a beast of a machine, and I believe it is also an amp.

I don't need a Blu-ray player, but a new pre-amp would be cool. After researching the Piooneer BDP-09FD, I am very impressed. Eight different analog audio outputs make it super easy to hookup a surround system. Too cool.

Anamorphic

I appreciate your expertise on the matter. Can I just say that I have never minded black bars? Also, I never intend to own a TV larger than thirty-six inches. My current box is twenty inches, and it suits me well enough.

I did research the Panasonic DVD-RP56 you recommended me. It has a lot of features I like. If it offered more audio outputs on the back, this would be perfect. Your recommendation also has the distinction of being the cheapest DVD player mentioned on this thread.

Long term wise maybe BluRay might take over, more likely it would die with DVD replaced by online streaming such as NetFlix.

Certainly. This is another reason I have not invested in Blu-ray.

You want anamorphic for widescreen movies.

I know I'm in the minority here, but anamorphic really is not a big concern for me.

With regard to the question in general though, personally, I'd just look at Blu-ray players. Not that a lot of them will hit all the marks, but at this stage, DVD only players are going to be bargain basement. Blu-ray players are at least going to be mid/high end gear.

Yes, it does seem like we're heading in that direction. It's a shame no one makes a quality DVD player anymore.

Pioneer dvd-v7400 very good player.

I researched this one. Wow, what a beast. This DVD player was clearly built for the professional market. It has a lot of cool features, but no LCD display on the front.

[Jagosaurus]

Pretty good topic on VHS/VCR combo units, link below. In the discussion there is a lot about DVD player specs (anamorphic, 16:9 & 4:3, component, stereo, optical, etc).

I've recently started picking up VHS tapes for under a dollar each @ Goodwill so if that interest check out the VCR talk as well.

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=42861