We have 2 DVD players: a regular model we bought several years ago, and our XBox. The problem is that both models have a problem with freezes and digital errors. Since the problems seem to be with newer movies, we figured it was just the age of our players that are the problem. So we’re in the market for a newer, better quality player. Do you have any suggestions? I won’t say price is no object, because I’m not spending $1000 on a DVD player, but I’d consider anything under $500, possibly a bit more if the quality and reliability are exceptional.
Two words: progressive scan. Much clearer picture. Do you get a Crutchfield catalog?
I think we’ve gotten one in the past, but not regularly, no. Is it progressive scan that helps eliminate those problems with freezes?
Your problem with skips and freezes is probably caused by dirty discs, not by the player. Make sure the disc is clean before you put it in the player. If it isn’t clean (fingerprints, general smootz), wipe it with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.
That said, you can’t go wrong with a Sony. You only need progressive scan if your TV can accept a progressive signal. Most higher end TVs can do so these days. If your TV is 32" or less, progressive scan won’t do a thing for you (though it is becoming a standard feature on DVD players these days, so don’t skip over a player because it has it).
Be sure to look up any model you’re interested in at dvdrhelp. Lot’s of first hand experiences posted about what a given machine really can or cannot do.
As for Sony’s, there was a group of Sony players put out a few years ago that are infamous for having all sorts of problems. Won’t play most CDRs, die early, etc. I know, I have one of those POSes. Just check the above site first, okay?
Keep in mind that salesmen love selling “progressive scan” players to people who don’t have the equipment to take advantage of it. Be sure to get the undercoating while you’re at it.
If you collect a lot of films, you might want to consider
oops, hit that button too soon, I meant consider a code free dvd, that will paly stuff from anywhere in the world.
Funny you should ask that today…I just went to Fry’s Electronics (a really cool place to go on the West Coast!) and bought a new DVD player for a work related project.
The prices have dropped drastically. I bought a Sony that plays DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW. That may sound like gobbledygook to you, but there seems to be some conflicting formats out there, and at work we need to be able to play all systems.
The price? $89 dollars. Brand new model.
I also strongly agree with cleaning the DVD’s…especially if you rent from your local video store. I see crap like fingerprints from someone who has eaten Cheetos, scratches and godknowswhat on the DVD’s I rent…people are pigs, and it seems they let their five year olds lick the damn things before they return them to the store.
Also, it is common for a DVD to “freeze” for a second half way through the film…especially if you have an older DVD player. The progressive scan models should alleviate that problem.
But I cannot imagine spending over $120 tops for a good DVD player these days!
Um… it makes a radical difference on my 27" TV… I don’t know why you think it has to be 32". What it needs are the correct inputs to do component video.
Thanks for all the advice. Yeah, skips and freezes don’t surprise me on discs that we get from Netflix, but it also happens on brand new discs that have never even been played before. I’m not talking about the layer change either. That I expect. I’m going to check out that link, ftg.
Secrets of Home Theater has a DVD Benchmark for progressive scan DVD players. Some of them are not available any more, but it is still fairly up to date. I would recommend the Denon 910.
I’ve got this baby from Sony. I love it, but there again I have to have somewhere to keep over 300 discs 
Now that’s a DVD player! Wow. Sadly, would be useless to me and my dozen DVD’s, but still… I’m jealous.
Question. Are your DVD players stacked with anything else (cable box, vcrs, etc…)? Doing that can cause a great deal of heat build up, and will cause your DVD to freeze. If so, put the DVD player on top, or seperate it completely from everything else. Or Mod a fan into it.
I don’t have Coldfire and co. to use as a HiFi wafter. Instead, I have this puppy to keep everything neat, tidy and cool. I paid a lot less than that ad though 
I like!
I bought an APEX brand DVD player from best buy a long time ago it was only 80 dollars and the price has gone down and the dvd player has an mp3 decoder and plays vcds…it really is a great little dvd player and it was cheap.
That’s the brand my parents recommend, pool. They like theirs, too. I’m going to have to give that a good look.
Not all component connections are progressive scan. There aren’t many 27" TVs on the market which can do progressive scanning. I have seen progressive video on 27" monitors and it is an improvement, but the real improvement comes on larger monitors where the scan lines and interlacing artifacts are more apparent.
I have noticed that when people buy expensive cables and players they tend to notice radical differences that aren’t really there.
The only thing I can add to this is that I’ve had 2 Sony DVD players in the past few years, both of which died miserably. The first died after about 2.5 years, the second didn’t even last a year.
I like the features the Sonys have, but will not buy another one since I’d rather not buy a new DVD player every year or so.