ELK007 Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 (edited) Hi Guys I'm a complete nube when it comes to HD DVD. I bought a Blu Ray player and have quite an extensive Blu Ray collection. However, due to the crappy decision-making of some guys in suits, my BR player is region locked for SD. So I am looking at my options for buying a DVD player that has good upscaling ability. After doing quite a bit of looking around I've found the Oppo probably the best around. However, I read somewhere that the XE-1 is very good as well. Hence the reason why I've strayed from the Blu-ray forum over to here. Could someone give me some idea of the upscaling abilities of the different HD DVD players available. The XE-1 seems as hard to find as the Oppo's. Are there any others that are just as good or close? It would be cool to get a HD DVD player instead of the Oppo as I can pick up some cheap HD DVD's as a bonus! Thanks. PS: My price range is around the $250 mark. So obviously it rules out the Oppo 983, but perhaps looking at the Oppo 981 instead. Edited October 9, 2008 by Elijahk
raziel Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 your budget will rule you out of the hd-xe1 as well - i paid $500 for mine from here (and worth every cent) but i think you may be correct , the oppo seems to have a very good reputation for upscaling and may be your best option my 2c worth - do what i did , save some more money and keep an eye out for an xe-1 at the right price good luck
blairy Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 You're only to get the xe1 second hand. Even then it seems to be selling for about $650. Link to Merlin Audio for Oppo gear Merlin Audio or get your hifi shop to get it in for you. I ahve the oppo 980 and it does a very good job of upscaling DVD's. BTW, wht bd player are using and does it upscale?
50mxe20 Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 I think your budget precludes from just about anything 'good' unless you can find something like the Panasonic S-97 which I would think is pretty rare.
ELK007 Posted October 9, 2008 Author Posted October 9, 2008 You're only to get the xe1 second hand. Even then it seems to be selling for about $650.Link to Merlin Audio for Oppo gear Merlin Audio or get your hifi shop to get it in for you. I ahve the oppo 980 and it does a very good job of upscaling DVD's. BTW, wht bd player are using and does it upscale? Thanks for that. Currently have a Samsung P1400 (which does upscale okay and is SD Region free after hack) - but have ordered Song S550 which I believe is not hackable for SD.
mfedley Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Unless I was mistaken, wasnt Toshiba releasing a DVD player that had up-converting the same (or almost) as the XE-1?? I may be incorrect. There was a link in the normal DVD forum a couple of months ago on this from memory
Volunteer Kazz Posted October 9, 2008 Volunteer Posted October 9, 2008 Unless I was mistaken, wasnt Toshiba releasing a DVD player that had up-converting the same (or almost) as the XE-1??I may be incorrect. There was a link in the normal DVD forum a couple of months ago on this from memory This is the thread http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=69926 If you can stretch the budget though, the Oppo 983 leaves the rest for dead, I have an XE1 (well 2 actually) and I still bought an Oppo 983 for it's superior upscaling ability.
mfedley Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Thanks Kazz, you make our lives easy!! This is the thread http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=69926If you can stretch the budget though, the Oppo 983 leaves the rest for dead, I have an XE1 (well 2 actually) and I still bought an Oppo 983 for it's superior upscaling ability.
Volunteer Kazz Posted October 9, 2008 Volunteer Posted October 9, 2008 Thanks Kazz, you make our lives easy!! I aim to please..................... :lol:
ELK007 Posted October 9, 2008 Author Posted October 9, 2008 This is the thread http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=69926If you can stretch the budget though, the Oppo 983 leaves the rest for dead, I have an XE1 (well 2 actually) and I still bought an Oppo 983 for it's superior upscaling ability. If the AUD wasn't in freefall I probably would have had a very close look at the 983, but alas its well and truely out of my price range now!
Volunteer Kazz Posted October 9, 2008 Volunteer Posted October 9, 2008 If the AUD wasn't in freefall I probably would have had a very close look at the 983, but alas its well and truely out of my price range now! Yes true, when I bought mine the dollar was over .90 .
kazper Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 wasnt Toshiba releasing a DVD player that had up-converting the same (or almost) as the XE-1?? Yeah, the XDE500. If I was in the market for an upscaler I would give it a whirl. It was supposed to be out this week with a RRP of $199 but I don't know what shops are stocking it.
ELK007 Posted October 9, 2008 Author Posted October 9, 2008 Yeah, the XDE500. If I was in the market for an upscaler I would give it a whirl.It was supposed to be out this week with a RRP of $199 but I don't know what shops are stocking it. Just read this review: http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-...7-33224998.html Doesn't seem to have gotten a good wrap!!
Struggo Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 I think your budget precludes from just about anything 'good' unless you can find something like the Panasonic S-97 which I would think is pretty rare. I've had all three (E1, EP-10 & XE1). Whilst the XE-1 is the best, the E1 & EP10 are fine upscalers better than my Pana S-97 IMHO. So if you are looking for a good upscaler and would like to get some cheap HD DVDs, grab a E1 or EP10. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/REFURBISHED-TOSHIBA...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Toshiba-XE-1-XE1-HD...1QQcmdZViewItem Cheers Struggo
blairy Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 Thanks for that.Currently have a Samsung P1400 (which does upscale okay and is SD Region free after hack) - but have ordered Song S550 which I believe is not hackable for SD. What's a Song S550?
Anden Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 A song should be what all HD Players and Recorders cost from now till eternity .
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