Player List

These are NOT reviews, simply overviews of the features of each player, divided into cost categories.

BUDGET RANGE

Pioneer 505			This player is now out of production, but you may be able to pick up a second hand one on the aus.dvd newsgroup if you ask around. When they were new the retail was around $999. This unit does NOT have a built in 6 channel decoder for either Dolby Digital or MPEG-2 audio. It is restricted to 2 channel audio output. Video connections are the standard fare of composite RCA out and s-video out. The video signal is switchable between PAL/PAL-60 or PAL/NTSC output, depending upon the source material. This unit was one of the most easily modified release and required a simple solder blob on the right spot, it was then region changeable using the remote control. Bugs : Well, it's pretty tough to find anyone who owns one of these and isn't happy with it. Sure it hasn't got the world greatest setup menu interface and the remote is not going to win any design awards, but look at what you paid for it.. No other player in Australia comes close. The only 'bug' that I could maybe mention, is that this player has been noted a few times with a few 'suspect' discs as having audio sync problems. I don't beleive this is exactly the fault of the player, more a quality control issue on the part of the DVD producers.
Features RRP: AUD$995 (no longer available)
Audio: Dolby Digital (2 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (2 ch decoder, digital out)
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC
Code Free: A VERY simple solder blob onto the circuit board. However, actually changing regions requires entering the player setup menu and changing some codes in there. Not for the faint hearted.

Pioneer 515			This player is the new bottom model from Pioneer and replaces the 505. Retail price remain unchanged at $999, though you will pay more for a region modified player. This unit does NOT have a built in 6 channel decoder for either Dolby Digital or MPEG-2 audio. It is restricted to 2 channel audio output. Video connections are the standard fare of composite RCA out and s-video out. The video signal is switchable between PAL/PAL-60 or PAL/NTSC output, depending upon the source material. One of the major changes in this new model from Pioneer is the provision for the player to output the DTS digital audio bitstream for an external decoder (and Pioneer put their new logo on it too!). Bugs : Two-words : Audio synchronization. Pioneer, apparently, just can't cut it. Every current Pioneer model has audio sync problems. You won't notice most of them, it can be as little as 1 or 2 frames out. But for some reason, some discs show SHOCKING sync problems (The Wedding Singer). 19 out of 20 discs won't exhibit ANY noticable problems.
Features RRP: AUD$1095
Audio: Dolby Digital (2 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (2 ch decoder, digital out) DTS (digital out only)
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC
Code Free: These machines are being supplied to most retailers already modified to automatically detect the region of the inserted disc and switch accordingly. You can still buy unmodified players if you ask nicely (why would you?).

MODERATE RANGE

JVC XV-D2000			This player has been on the Australian market for a while now. It does ship in a "special edition" gold-only model which has a karaoke feature with 2 microphone inputs (if this is your thing). This unit has a built in 6 channel decoder for either Dolby Digital or MPEG-2 audio. It also has the stanadrd 2 channel out for Dolby Pro-Logic or straight stereo systems. Along with these it also has both coax and optical digital outs and a normal and "gain-plus" subwoofer channel. Video connections are the standard composite RCA out and s-video out. The video signal is switchable between PAL or NTSC output. JVC have gone to a lot of trouble to completely isolate the digital and analogue circuitry in this player. Both sections have a separate circuit board and independant power supply. Consquently the audio and video is crystal clear with exceptional dynamic range and frequency respose. Multi-zone modification only requires a simple setting change on the unit's fron panel. Bugs : None that I know of. However an annoying side-effect of the "multi-zone" setting is that some Zone 1 DVD's require specifically setting Zone 1 via the front panel and wont play when the unit is in the generic Zone 0. This procedure only takes about 2 minutes to fix though.
Features RRP: AUD$1699
Audio: Dolby Digital (6 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (6 ch decoder, digital out)
Video: PAL NTSC
Code Free: A simple 2 minute job by changing the unit's internal codes. All done from the front panel and it doesn't void the warranty.

Panasonic A350			For some reason Panasonic have only released one model to the Australian market to date. In the US there are at least 2, but we only get one, and it's the A350. This player is simple in it's features, but what moves it into this category is it's built-in 6 channel Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 decoder. It also carries the Class-AA circuitry signature from Panasonic assuring us of the quality of it's componentry. The European version of this player is IDENTICAL to ours except for one thing - the European version has the SCART connector on the back fitted - this was left of our model. This SCART carries RGB output which is otherwise unavailable on this player. It's got a pretty handy joystick-style remote control with a universal remote for TV's on the top of it. I personally own one of these players and am extremely happy with it's performance. Bugs : None that I know of. An annoying 'feature' which I believe has been fixed in the last revision software is the occasional lockups it exhibits when plays discs. This is rare though.
Features RRP: AUD$1699
Audio: Dolby Digital (6 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (6 ch decoder, digital out)
Video: PAL NTSC
Code Free: Now this player needs to be modified by an after-market addition. You will need to open up your player, solder a few joints on and leave behind a small chip to control the region code. It's all worth it though as you get an easily switchable player at the end of it, and it's not that hard after all. Anyone with some soldering experience will not have any dramas.

Yamaha S-700			This is a Panasonic A-350 - make no mistake about it. For all comments, see Panasonic above. Yamaha have greatly enhanced the audio and video decoding capabilities (it would make sense) by changing out the Technics based decoder for a Yamaha design. This has the effect of increasing the quality of both the video and audio signals you will get out of this machine. The only downside is that this Australian model still does NOT output the DTS bitstream. Bugs : See Panasonic A350.
Features RRP: AUD$1699
Audio: Dolby Digital (6 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (6 ch decoder, digital out)
Video: PAL PAL-60
Code Free:

Sony DVP-S715			I've always found Sony video products to be of excellent quality and this player is no exception. Indeed, I nearly bought this player instead of the Panasonic. What swayed me away from this player is that is is a 'bare-bones' implementation of DVD-video. You get standard stereo output, s-video and composite connections, plus optical and coaxial digital out. You don't get DTS, and at the time I was looking, it was impossible to modify to be region free. (this has changed now). Consequently, I don't believe this player has set any sales records in this country and is pretty much reliying on it's brand name. Bugs : Again, can't really fault this player. The people who have them seem to be very content. I must say, that there have been less complaints about dodgy disc from owners of this player, so it would appear to be more 'tolerant' of sub-quality material.
Features RRP: AUD$Unknown
Audio: Dolby Digital (2 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (2 ch decoder, digital out)
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC (?)
Code Free: This player was not region changeable for a long time after it's release, but now they mod is readily available. A soldering job is required and is recommended only for competent electronics workers.

Toshiba 2108			The surprise of 1998 was the unexpected release of this excellent machine. Indeed, if it had been around when I bought my Panasonic A350 I would have bought one of these. Feature packed with all the latest gizmos this is what is widely regarded as a 3rd generation player. Featuring DTS-out, Dolby Digital, Component video and a few niceties such as picture zoom. Picture quality on this model is well placed in this moderate range. While for the average movie fan who connects this using the composite video connection will probably never really appreciate the fine detail in DVD's, the disconcerning viewer using high-quality, large display devices connected via s-video or component will really appreciate the extra high quality the Toshiba is capable of producing. This is not a budget DVD player. Audio quality is the equal of the video quality. While not the best and finest available, it is more than acceptable for 95% of home users. Besides, you won't come close without spending at least twice the amount of money. Bugs : A few bad reports have been bandied about regarding this machines region 1 sister model. It apparently suffered audio dropouts, however there have been no reports of those problems in Australia. Other more serious problems have been reported lately. It would seem this player owes it's heritage to DVD-ROM drives. Just about every DVD which has come out as incompatible with DVD-ROM drives, is also incompatiable with this player! Buyer beware.
Features RRP: AUD$1499
Audio: Dolby Digital (2 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (2 ch decoder, digital out) DTS (digital out only)
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC
Code Free: Out-of-the box thanks to Toshiba.

HIGH-END PLAYERS

Sony S7700			This flagship from Sony is the envy of all DVD player owners - if only the damn things weren't so expensive. Dual discrete laser pickups, high-speed seek and find mechanism, vibration absorbing base, dual power supplies for audio and video, dual-mono audio circuits, priority sound selection for best choice of multi-channel formats on a disc, digital video noise reduction, superior letterboxing of anamorphic images, component video outputs along with two s-video and 1 composite output. You get some idea from the list of special features that this is no ordinary DVD player. Bugs : Unfortunately, the US model apparently has some intermittent problems with dual-layer disc layer changes causing the machine to skip chapters, lock up and various other skips. This has been on a machine-by-machine basis and Sony have acknowledged a problem and are working on a solution. The models we are getting have not been reported as having any such problem.
Features RRP: AUD$2499
Audio: Dolby Digital (2 ch decoder, digital out) MPEG-2 (2 ch decoder, digital out) DTS (digital out only)
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC
Code Free: Modified by third party. Not cheap and you need some soldering experience to complete this.

Kenwood 9010			Kenwoods big gun. Top on features and on price. This baby is very cute on the deisgn front with a little flip-down panel on the front which hides the disc tray. Like the Panasonc A-350, this has in-built 6 channel Dolby Digital decoding, but unlike the Panasonic, this beast will also pass the DTS-bitstream from DTS-encoded DVD out the digital output. In an unusual decision, this has two s-video connections and no component video out. Strange. All the usual features are here including 96kHz/24-bit audio DVD's, gold plated connectors, a snazzy joystick style remote and a few 'nice' features to make this a quality machine. Video quality on these machines from Kenwood has been reported as 'good' - although I am yet to hear any negative reports about either picture or sound quality. Bugs : Several people have been dissatisfied with these machines seeming 'buggy' behaviour on suspect discs. It's not uncommon to hear of poeple complaining of lock-ups, especially related to region-changes. Although these are not fatal and a simple power-cycle corrects the problem.
Features RRP: AUD$1899
Audio: Dolby Digital MPEG-2 DTS
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC
Code Free: Out of the box, you can set the region code using the front panel keys.

Pioneer DV-717			The 515's big brother. This machine reads the same specs as the DV-515 with the inclusion of component video out and higher quality componentry and a near-THX quality reproduction of audio and video. Bugs : suffering from the same audio problems as it's little brother the 515 (see above).
Features RRP: AUD$1499
Audio: Dolby Digital MPEG-2 DTS
Video: PAL PAL-60 NTSC
Code Free: available from Pioneer as either Region 4 or auto-region selecting. You must ask for the later.

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