Universal DVD Player


Hi all!

I am looking for a new universal DVD player. I want to buy a DVD player that can handle SACD and DVD Audio. I also want the best quality picture and I have heard of 1080p but not sure what that means.

If I buy a DVD player that can handle the 1080p picture quality, do I need to have a TV that has 1080p capability as well? I believe my TV has the 1080p and it also has HDMI connection.

What some reasonable price universal DVD players out there that can do what I want?

Thanks for any advice!!!
mantaraydesign
You can get the DENON 5910ci now for $999. Thats new with a warreanty! It is an awesome player. Great video, excellent analog audio as well.
Also, after a month's experience, have to rave about the Oppo BDP-83. Yes, there are certainly units that outperform it individually, but NOTHING combines in one unit all the features, especially for $500! * Blu-ray Disc - The high definition Blu-ray Disc™ format provides pristine video and audio quality for your home entertainment. * BonusVIEW - BD "Profile 1.1" enables "picture-in-picture" and secondary audio features for viewing director or actor commentary while the main movie is playing. * BD-Live™ - The BDP-83 support BD "Profile 2.0" and contains all necessary hardware - audio/video decoder, Ethernet port, and 1GB of internal storage - for BD-Live.
* DVD Up-Conversion - The BDP-83 uses the same VRS™ by Anchor Bay (DVDO) de-interlacing and scaling technology as in our award-winning DV-983H DVD player. The up-converted picture quality bridges the visual gap from your current DVD library to Blu-ray discs.
* DVD-Audio - The BDP-83 plays DVD-Audio and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to play the DVD-Audio or the DVD-Video portion of the disc.
* SACD - The BDP-83 plays Super Audio CD (SACD) and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to output the DSD (Direct Stream Digital) signal in its native format or convert it into PCM.
* Additional Media Formats - Additional disc and file formats, such as audio CD, Kodak Picture CD, AVCHD, MKV, and other audio/video/picture files on recorded discs or USB drives can be played back on the BDP-83. * Dolby® TrueHD - Dolby TrueHD delivers lossless studio master quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment. The BDP-83 supports bit-stream output of Dolby TrueHD via its HDMI 1.3 output. It can also internally decode Dolby TrueHD into LPCM and output via HDMI or the 7.1ch analog audio output terminals. Other varieties of Dolby Digital audio formats are also supported.
* DTS®-HD - DTS-HD delivers up to 7.1 channels of surround sound and audio that is indistinguishable from (DTS-HD High Resolution) or identical to (DTS-HD Master Audio) the original studio master. The BDP-83 supports bit-stream output and internal decoding of DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio. Other varieties of DTS audio formats are also supported.
* 7.1-Channel Analog Output - Individual analog 7.1-channel surround outputs are ideal to connect to a 7.1-channel or 5.1-channel surround sound system. The BDP-83 delivers an incredible sound stage and an immersive surround experience.
* Dedicated Stereo Output - The BDP-83 features a dedicated 2-channel analog output with specially optimized Digital-to-Analog Converters and output driving stage.
* Digital Optical and Coaxial Outputs - For simple and easy connection to more traditional A/V receivers, the BDP-83 features both optical and coaxial outputs for digital audio. And, they are constantly upgrading the firmware so the propensity of issues in interconnecting various hardwares can be resolved. In high end video as well as audio, there are always issues.
Mantaraydesign, I have a Samsung 56" dlp tv. It is only 720p. I also have the oppo bdp-83 and the picture is absolutely awesome. It is better than with the oppo 980 that it replaced.
Mantaraydesign, I have a 60" LCD that is not 1080p and the Oppo Blu Ray picture looks fantastic.
Also, Regular DVD's upscaled on the Oppo look very close to Blu Ray quality.
I too recommend the Oppo BDP-83. Amazing PQ. But, the AQ isn't up to critical listening standards for 2-channel music; it is kinda 2-dimensional and lacking weight. It's fine for movie playback. Modwright is currently working on a mod for it however. BTW, I own one. And yes, you can play SD DVD's on it, but you obviously won't get the hi-rez codecs.
Here is a stupid question. Can you play a regular DVD movie on a Blu Ray player? If yes, can you still get the DTS and Dolby Digital sounds on the regular DVD discs?

I understand that the Blu Ray disc has Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. I am sure if it will detect the regular DVD discs for DTS and Dolby Digital.
Would a Blu Ray player picture quality look good on a DLP projection TV. I have a Samsung 50 inch DLP projection TV. It has HDMI connection but it does not do 1080p. It will do 1080i and I am not sure if I need to buy a player now with 1080p since my TV can only handle 1080i.

Anyone out there have a blu ray player and use it on a DLP projection TV? If yes, does it even look good? Or should I stick with a regular universal DVD player for now and upgrade to a Plasma TV later with blu ray player that has 1080p?
Yes, too take advantage of 1080p, your tv needs to be 1080p capable. I also recommend the Oppo BDP-83.
Denon starts at 369.00 new for a 1940ci all the way up to 3800.oo for a 5910ci which I own and love. If you want blu-ray they have a unit to be released later this year for 4500.00. But the 1080p that the 5910ci produces has kept me happy enough to not invest in blu-ray yet. Also look at Marantz.
My Denon 5900 plays DVD's SACD, and DVD-A's very well but not Blu Ray. Its up for sale now on Audiogon.