Sony DVP-S9000ES vs DVP-NS999ES

the 9000ES has component outs. Attack of the clones is probably one of the better transfers lately, since it was originally recorded on digital videotape, not film. I think overall it looks slightly soft and a bit too "fake". If you think 480p is better than film, then you haven't seen good film. (e.g. Quality 35mm or better yet, 70mm projection). As to 999 vs. 9000 - I think 999 is probably better on video, but 9000 has better build quality and probably better sound. For best of both worlds, get 999 for video and SACD XA777ES for audio.

-Ed

I own the Pioneer 47ai primarily for its video performance and its ability to play both sacd and dvd-a. I was unable to compare it with other players but am happy with its audio and video capabilities. I've read that the Sony has better audio qualities but for me the 47ai was a safe bet. I think on paper the 999 is supposed to have greater video capabilities(14/108) than the 47ai(12/108). If you don't care for dvd-a, I would imagine the Sony's are a good choice.

Linkster

the S video is good enough for me and the Pioneer had less artifacts - in the brief time I had it, a really smooth picture. My friend who sells this stuff (and I think has both feet on the ground and solid advice) thinks the Pioneer has a better picture than the Sony, that the Sony 9000 has older technology.

BTW I did not realize you were not asking about the sound and I really do not especially care for digital sound so I do not throw a lot of money at it, someday I will and for now this is OK, the Pioneer was a little too smooth, their trademark sound from my little exposure to their products.

Ed --

Please note that I did not say that "480p looks better than film" . . . I said that "Attack of the Clones" looked better to me on DVD than it did in the theater -- not at all the same thing. I DO know what good film looks like -- "Attack of the Clones" wasn't it, theatrically, which is why the DVD looks better.

Could it have been the theater I saw it in? Sure, it could have -- it was one of the myriad nameless Carmike cinemas dotting the landscape outside DC. But that's where I saw it, and my 9000ES/KP51HW40 combo looked better, which is what I was saying to begin with. Check out the latest issues of SGTHT to hear some reviewers who ALSO felt that some recent movies looked better on DVD than in the theater . . . .

I just bought the 47ai. It does have a killer picture. I don't do dvd-a or sacd and maybe never will. I do have a great projector. The large size of the screen stresses the video quality. I actually bought this because of the 2 year warranty.