Best DVD player for the money?

Greetings,
I agree with Dmenagh. I use a pioneer DV-59avi with a sanyo plv-z2 lcd projector. Outstanding in picture and audio. I had read a review recently on a stand off between the pioneer, ayre and a couple others. The pioneer was the cheapest out off the bunch and performed on par with the 8000.00 Ayre, which i believe is based on a pioneer transport. The ayre is regarded as probably the best player on the planet.

As I have a serviceable DVD player now (just a mass-fi Sony), I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off waiting for HD functionality to come out in force?

Waiting for the next best thing is always something to do, but if you have a need now you should make the decision. Having visited all the trade shows this year (CES, CEDIA, etc.) I don't see HD DVD happening for 1-2+ years for the hardware, and then there is the whole issue of software HD DVD's and availability -- I doubt these will be available in force for 2-4 years. FYI -- the Hollywood studios are making the most money they've ever made with current standard definition DVD's so why would they change to HD DVD's?

I just bought a Denon DVD 1600 used on Videogon, and the video quality is stunning. It has gotten the second highest rating on the Home Theater DVD shootout.
The audio is also exceptionally good, but being a DVD Audio player, it doesn't have a digital out for sound. You have to use six separate ICs to your Pre Pro.
Sonny

"Kitchener":

You still sort of left us in the dark as to what exactly you are looking for when it comes to what you want in a DVD Player.

Like for example, what kind of system will this player be used with???? I ask this very question because I don't want to make a recommendation and then it turns out to be the wrong one after the fact. I don't want to recommend a cheap mass market player when in fact you're going to be putting together an all assault expensive system. On the other hand, I don't want you to overspend on a DVD Player when you are in fact going to put together a budget system either.

For example, if you are going to do a budget system, then a $90.00-to-$300.00 player makes better sense. On the other hand, if you are going to put together an expensive system, then you should probably spend a considerable amount of money on the DVD Player (I'm going to say $1,000.00 and up), especially if you are going to be using a HDTV display like a plasma TV or a DLP or LCoS display to take advantage of the capabililties that a $1,000.00+ player tends to offers.

My picks would be the following:

For a budget player ($90.00-to-$300.00):

(01). Toshiba SD-4900
(02). Toshiba SD-4960
(03). Denon DVD-1910
(04). Samsung DVD-HD931

AND

For an expensive player ($1,000.00 and up)

(01). Denon DVD-5900
(02). Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi
(03). Any Arcam Model (DV78, DV79, FMJ-DV27 (or its replacement..... the FMJ-DV29))
(04). Meridian 800 Reference (and THIS baby will run you about $16K)

Hope I helped you a little bit........

--Charles--