Question:
Im after a cheap multiregion (preferably auto selection instead of mucking about with remote hacks) player for the parents, and it must have at least dd5.1 built in, preferably dts as well. It will be used on a 28" sony trinitron 4:3 tv at least for now so must be able to handle playing widescreen discs on a 4:3 tv.
any reccomendations?
Any DVD player will play widescreen DVDs on a 4:3 TV . You will get black bars top and bottom though.
I'm assuming you want a DD/DTS decoder built in (just about every player can send the digital output for DD/DTS - that needs to be decoded by a suitable AV amplifier)
You won't get a cheap DVD player with a DTS decoder built in as there isn't any cheap players with this facility.
So ,cheap with dolby digital decoder:
Dansai 951 (£99 at Tesco with 3 DVDs)
Acoustic Solutions 451 at Richer sounds (its either £89 or £99)
These both have multiregion hacks that you only need to do once (set it to multiregion then it plays all regions without intervention).
sorry to barge in simes...
but how would u rate the alba 108 against those u mentioned above?
cant find a review of em anywhere!!
Mind you i am saving for a TOSH 220 or pioneer 350.
Depends what your priorities are..
If saving money go for the cheaper Alba 108. Or alternatively the Dansai 1010 for the same money (it has a firmware available that plays VCD,SVCD without fussy key presses like the Alba needs)
Personally with the bargains available from the big names, i would not spend £99 on one of these cheap brands.You would really NEED a built in decoder to justify buying one.
Remember you can get the multiregion Tosh 120 from amazon for £99 (you still get the 3 free DVDs) if you can't stretch to the 220 or Pioneer 350.
To be honest i would not read too much into the reviews of the supermarket cheapies anyway (though reviews are very seldom done). The reviewers always get a good example , even though ones you buy in the shop may not be so good (build quality is patchy on all these budget imports). The Alba 103 got great reviews in the magazines , but it was very poor .Most owners ended up returning them due to poor picture quality and problems.
Ok....
Check Here: http://www.afterhours.co.uk/cgi-bin/SHPLoader.cgi?/Shop/2255.htm
And you will find a player called the Arian ET2255 or something. I am looking to purchase this, as it has built in DD5.1 AND DTS (!) Decoders & Progressive Scan!! It's out of the Box multi-region AND bypasses RCE. All for aroun £97 inc. Delivery!!
I have not been able to find a review other than the customer reviews, which are good. It's a non-profit company based in Kent.
When I get some money (poor student here:() I think I will be buying that!!
Let Me know if you choose to get it as I'd be interested what your review would be!
hmmm that player certainly looks extremely good for the price! and the reviews SEEM to be good but they dont strike me as people that would know a great deal about these things in terms of picture or sound quality, and very little was mentioned about that.
Definite possibility but im not quite completely convinced yet, seems a little to good to be true, which always means it is.
and the reason for wanting dts decoder built in is purely for future if we decide to get a speaker system for it, it then saves having to buy a dts decoder, but if this player is any good it doesnt look like itll matter anyway.
and the reason for wanting dts decoder built in is purely for future if we decide to get a speaker system for it, it then saves having to buy a dts decoder,
Um.. you can't just plug the speakers straight into the player.. You'll still need to buy an amp with a 5.1 input and a set of six phonos to connect it up with. When the time comes it would be cheaper to just to buy an AV amp that does all the decoding & a single digital lead.
So, forget the built in decoder idea and get a cheap Tosh or Pioneer..
Originally posted by Bapapapa
and the reason for wanting dts decoder built in is purely for future if we decide to get a speaker system for it, it then saves having to buy a dts decoder,
Um.. you can't just plug the speakers straight into the player.. You'll still need to buy an amp with a 5.1 input and a set of six phonos to connect it up with. When the time comes it would be cheaper to just to buy an AV amp that does all the decoding & a single digital lead.
So, forget the built in decoder idea and get a cheap Tosh or Pioneer..
This always takes loads of explaining to people I find :( They think because it has a decoder that you can just plug speakers in to it. Amps are required people!
I would go withs Baps idea of getting a low end Tosh or Pioneer.
So if you buy that Arian DVD player with built in dts decoding, buying the Videologic ZXR-500 5.1 set (also on the site) doesn't matter cause you'd still need an amp? Or would the ZXr-500 set have it on it?
Cause it looks like the phono's can go into the Analog 5.1 channel pre outs FL, FR, RL, RR, SUB, Center which are on the back of the player.
Oh btw, I saw this player being sold on ebay for £110.
Originally posted by JamesWJ
So if you buy that Arian DVD player with built in dts decoding, buying the Videologic ZXR-500 5.1 set (also on the site) doesn't matter cause you'd still need an amp? Or would the ZXr-500 set have it on it?
Cause it looks like the phono's can go into the Analog 5.1 channel pre outs FL, FR, RL, RR, SUB, Center which are on the back of the player.
Oh btw, I saw this player being sold on ebay for £110.
These would do the job (not sure how well but thats another matter). These are amped speakers wth 5.1 inputs to the am secition (effectively the Sub). They are really just designed as computer speakers though, but it all depends on your budget.
Originally posted by Kryten
This always takes loads of explaining to people I find :( They think because it has a decoder that you can just plug speakers in to it. Amps are required people!
I would go withs Baps idea of getting a low end Tosh or Pioneer.
Well in that case, can you explain to me how I get any sound out of the player what so ever without having a decoder? because as I clearly stated there WONT be any speakers or amp attached to it (other than the speakers on the tv), so again as stated in the original post, i will need a dd 5.1 decoder as a minimum, unless it can decode and/or downmix to dd2.0 without any dd decoder in it.
So like I said I NEED at least a dd5.1 decoder built in, the dts one isnt that important. So basically whats the best multiregion player you can get with a dd5.1 decoder built in for lets say under £150
All DVD players downmix the Dolby digital 5:1 signal into a stereo feed that is outputted through the stereo phonos and the scart lead .
So you get the stereo sound (and pro-logic if the TV has it) from any DVD player via the scart lead to your TV. Your TV obviously has an amplifier in it for the sound it emits from its speaker/speakers .
Originally posted by Simes
All DVD players downmix the Dolby digital 5:1 signal into a stereo feed that is outputted through the stereo phonos and the scart lead .
So you get the stereo sound (and pro-logic if the TV has it) from any DVD player via the scart lead to your TV. Your TV obviously has an amplifier in it for the sound it emits from its speaker/speakers .
What he said! However not many players downmix DTS to DPL (stereo). But seing as you will only be using 2 speakers then downmixing DTS is not much use as almost all DTS discs include a DD or DPL trackas well.
Kryten: However not many players downmix DTS to DPL (stereo).
I think it's none, actually.. :nuts:
Ewok: So like I said I NEED at least a dd5.1 decoder built in, the dts one isnt that important.
You don't need a built in decoder.. as Simes said the player will downmix the DD track (if necessary) and output it via the stereo phonos or SCART to the TV..
Originally posted by Simes
You won't get a cheap DVD player with a DTS decoder built in as there isn't any cheap players with this facility
Wrong! You can still get the Wharfedale M5 (http://www.laservision.co.uk/wharfedale_dvd_m5.htm) for £135 including postage. Luvverly DD and DTS decoders onboard. A cracking budget player. :D
Originally posted by Bapapapa
Kryten: However not many players downmix DTS to DPL (stereo).
I think it's none, actually.. :nuts:
I was going to put none but figured that someone would find one that did and post here! So I can't win can I? :p
Originally posted by Kryten
I was going to put none but figured that someone would find one that did and post here! So I can't win can I? :p
Like they have done to me whan i said " there are no cheap players with inbuilt DTS decoders" . Which is what i thought (the wharfie M5 was the cheapest but i didn't know any one still stocked it)
jamesWJ came up with the Arian that does indeed have an inbuilt DD and DTS decoder for £97. :shocker:
Its nice to be proved wrong when it brings up a bargain ;) :nuts:
So whaddya think? should i go for the prog. scan Arian player? Or is there any alternative offered by the kind people here?
looks like its between the pioneer 454 for something like £130 and this aria player for £97. any suggestions? gotta assume the pioneer will be significantly better overall? especially due to the higher price and no dts.
Even though they have no built in decoder, get the Pioneer or a Tosh..
www.amazon.co.uk are doing deals on both, iirc..
any reccomendations?
Answers:
Any DVD player will play widescreen DVDs on a 4:3 TV . You will get black bars top and bottom though.
I'm assuming you want a DD/DTS decoder built in (just about every player can send the digital output for DD/DTS - that needs to be decoded by a suitable AV amplifier)
You won't get a cheap DVD player with a DTS decoder built in as there isn't any cheap players with this facility.
So ,cheap with dolby digital decoder:
Dansai 951 (£99 at Tesco with 3 DVDs)
Acoustic Solutions 451 at Richer sounds (its either £89 or £99)
These both have multiregion hacks that you only need to do once (set it to multiregion then it plays all regions without intervention).
Answers:
sorry to barge in simes...
but how would u rate the alba 108 against those u mentioned above?
cant find a review of em anywhere!!
Mind you i am saving for a TOSH 220 or pioneer 350.
Answers:
Depends what your priorities are..
If saving money go for the cheaper Alba 108. Or alternatively the Dansai 1010 for the same money (it has a firmware available that plays VCD,SVCD without fussy key presses like the Alba needs)
Personally with the bargains available from the big names, i would not spend £99 on one of these cheap brands.You would really NEED a built in decoder to justify buying one.
Remember you can get the multiregion Tosh 120 from amazon for £99 (you still get the 3 free DVDs) if you can't stretch to the 220 or Pioneer 350.
To be honest i would not read too much into the reviews of the supermarket cheapies anyway (though reviews are very seldom done). The reviewers always get a good example , even though ones you buy in the shop may not be so good (build quality is patchy on all these budget imports). The Alba 103 got great reviews in the magazines , but it was very poor .Most owners ended up returning them due to poor picture quality and problems.
Answers:
Ok....
Check Here: http://www.afterhours.co.uk/cgi-bin/SHPLoader.cgi?/Shop/2255.htm
And you will find a player called the Arian ET2255 or something. I am looking to purchase this, as it has built in DD5.1 AND DTS (!) Decoders & Progressive Scan!! It's out of the Box multi-region AND bypasses RCE. All for aroun £97 inc. Delivery!!
I have not been able to find a review other than the customer reviews, which are good. It's a non-profit company based in Kent.
When I get some money (poor student here:() I think I will be buying that!!
Let Me know if you choose to get it as I'd be interested what your review would be!
Answers:
hmmm that player certainly looks extremely good for the price! and the reviews SEEM to be good but they dont strike me as people that would know a great deal about these things in terms of picture or sound quality, and very little was mentioned about that.
Definite possibility but im not quite completely convinced yet, seems a little to good to be true, which always means it is.
and the reason for wanting dts decoder built in is purely for future if we decide to get a speaker system for it, it then saves having to buy a dts decoder, but if this player is any good it doesnt look like itll matter anyway.
Answers:
and the reason for wanting dts decoder built in is purely for future if we decide to get a speaker system for it, it then saves having to buy a dts decoder,
Um.. you can't just plug the speakers straight into the player.. You'll still need to buy an amp with a 5.1 input and a set of six phonos to connect it up with. When the time comes it would be cheaper to just to buy an AV amp that does all the decoding & a single digital lead.
So, forget the built in decoder idea and get a cheap Tosh or Pioneer..
Answers:
Originally posted by Bapapapa
and the reason for wanting dts decoder built in is purely for future if we decide to get a speaker system for it, it then saves having to buy a dts decoder,
Um.. you can't just plug the speakers straight into the player.. You'll still need to buy an amp with a 5.1 input and a set of six phonos to connect it up with. When the time comes it would be cheaper to just to buy an AV amp that does all the decoding & a single digital lead.
So, forget the built in decoder idea and get a cheap Tosh or Pioneer..
This always takes loads of explaining to people I find :( They think because it has a decoder that you can just plug speakers in to it. Amps are required people!
I would go withs Baps idea of getting a low end Tosh or Pioneer.
Answers:
So if you buy that Arian DVD player with built in dts decoding, buying the Videologic ZXR-500 5.1 set (also on the site) doesn't matter cause you'd still need an amp? Or would the ZXr-500 set have it on it?
Cause it looks like the phono's can go into the Analog 5.1 channel pre outs FL, FR, RL, RR, SUB, Center which are on the back of the player.
Oh btw, I saw this player being sold on ebay for £110.
Answers:
Originally posted by JamesWJ
So if you buy that Arian DVD player with built in dts decoding, buying the Videologic ZXR-500 5.1 set (also on the site) doesn't matter cause you'd still need an amp? Or would the ZXr-500 set have it on it?
Cause it looks like the phono's can go into the Analog 5.1 channel pre outs FL, FR, RL, RR, SUB, Center which are on the back of the player.
Oh btw, I saw this player being sold on ebay for £110.
These would do the job (not sure how well but thats another matter). These are amped speakers wth 5.1 inputs to the am secition (effectively the Sub). They are really just designed as computer speakers though, but it all depends on your budget.
Answers:
Originally posted by Kryten
This always takes loads of explaining to people I find :( They think because it has a decoder that you can just plug speakers in to it. Amps are required people!
I would go withs Baps idea of getting a low end Tosh or Pioneer.
Well in that case, can you explain to me how I get any sound out of the player what so ever without having a decoder? because as I clearly stated there WONT be any speakers or amp attached to it (other than the speakers on the tv), so again as stated in the original post, i will need a dd 5.1 decoder as a minimum, unless it can decode and/or downmix to dd2.0 without any dd decoder in it.
So like I said I NEED at least a dd5.1 decoder built in, the dts one isnt that important. So basically whats the best multiregion player you can get with a dd5.1 decoder built in for lets say under £150
Answers:
All DVD players downmix the Dolby digital 5:1 signal into a stereo feed that is outputted through the stereo phonos and the scart lead .
So you get the stereo sound (and pro-logic if the TV has it) from any DVD player via the scart lead to your TV. Your TV obviously has an amplifier in it for the sound it emits from its speaker/speakers .
Answers:
Originally posted by Simes
All DVD players downmix the Dolby digital 5:1 signal into a stereo feed that is outputted through the stereo phonos and the scart lead .
So you get the stereo sound (and pro-logic if the TV has it) from any DVD player via the scart lead to your TV. Your TV obviously has an amplifier in it for the sound it emits from its speaker/speakers .
What he said! However not many players downmix DTS to DPL (stereo). But seing as you will only be using 2 speakers then downmixing DTS is not much use as almost all DTS discs include a DD or DPL trackas well.
Answers:
Kryten: However not many players downmix DTS to DPL (stereo).
I think it's none, actually.. :nuts:
Ewok: So like I said I NEED at least a dd5.1 decoder built in, the dts one isnt that important.
You don't need a built in decoder.. as Simes said the player will downmix the DD track (if necessary) and output it via the stereo phonos or SCART to the TV..
Answers:
Originally posted by Simes
You won't get a cheap DVD player with a DTS decoder built in as there isn't any cheap players with this facility
Wrong! You can still get the Wharfedale M5 (http://www.laservision.co.uk/wharfedale_dvd_m5.htm) for £135 including postage. Luvverly DD and DTS decoders onboard. A cracking budget player. :D
Answers:
Originally posted by Bapapapa
Kryten: However not many players downmix DTS to DPL (stereo).
I think it's none, actually.. :nuts:
I was going to put none but figured that someone would find one that did and post here! So I can't win can I? :p
Answers:
Originally posted by Kryten
I was going to put none but figured that someone would find one that did and post here! So I can't win can I? :p
Like they have done to me whan i said " there are no cheap players with inbuilt DTS decoders" . Which is what i thought (the wharfie M5 was the cheapest but i didn't know any one still stocked it)
jamesWJ came up with the Arian that does indeed have an inbuilt DD and DTS decoder for £97. :shocker:
Its nice to be proved wrong when it brings up a bargain ;) :nuts:
Answers:
So whaddya think? should i go for the prog. scan Arian player? Or is there any alternative offered by the kind people here?
Answers:
looks like its between the pioneer 454 for something like £130 and this aria player for £97. any suggestions? gotta assume the pioneer will be significantly better overall? especially due to the higher price and no dts.
Answers:
Even though they have no built in decoder, get the Pioneer or a Tosh..
www.amazon.co.uk are doing deals on both, iirc..
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