Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Ideal DVD player for M861 & 5200's

One month since installing my Meridian 861 and 5 x 5200's and remarkably impressed with the quality, detial and sound density the system brings to my room. I am predominantly a home theater use but since putting the system in my room, I have resurrected my CD collection.

Now need to consider a complimentary DVD player. I am currently using Denon's flagship DVD-9000 player (three years old). I am now considering replacing the player with a DVD player that will push the envolope of my system. I would say that I am using 75% for HT and the remaining time with my CD collection.

What would everyone recommend as a complimentary DVD player?

Insights always appreciated,

John

Well, I would definately go with a Meridian player (duh!). I currently use the 800v4 with my 861, but honestly, I don't hear that much of an improvement over my previous G98 - and you can get G98s cheaply these days.

IMO, upgrading to the 861 makes more of a difference than upgraqding to the 800.

Simon

John,

You may want to hold off making a purchase until you see what the new HD formats have to offer. I currently own a Toshiba A1 and am very impressed with the sound and picture quality of both HD DVD's as well as SD DVD's. My personal opinion is that you may be paying too high a premium for technology that, while it is very good, is not cutting edge. From what I have experienced and remember, and I'll qualify by saying that I do not own the G series DVD players, that the Toshiba will outperform any of the G series players and the Bluray players may outperform the HD DVD players. I'd suggest waiting and evaluating these players and enjoy your very good Denon player. These, of course, are just my opinions, worth about as much as I have received for them.

Rudy

I agree with both Simon and Rudy. Is there anything about your Denon player that bothers you? My guess is it is a terrific player. As we are on the edge of something new, although I have posted that I doubt these new formats will go anywhere, it doesn't make a lot of sense right now to sink a lot of money into the DVD format in the off chance that I am wrong In your spot I think the only reason to make the change is your Denon does something that really bothers you and you want a change NOW and then maybe it makes sense to look at the Meridian players.

best regards,
Jerry

Fair point! While the Toshiba might, and I stress might, better the G98 as a DVD player, it certainly does not as a CD player. So, if you have rediscovered your CD collection .....

Simon

Simon, it's not just the CD quality, I think. The Toshiba may do better on video but the G98 will do better as an audio player, irrespective of format.

I haven't followed second hand prices and don't know how prices of 598 and G98 compare but 598 and 861 would go very well, too.

Steve

Simon, it's not just the CD quality, I think. The Toshiba may do better on video but the G98 will do better as an audio player, irrespective of format.

I haven't followed second hand prices and don't know how prices of 598 and G98 compare but 598 and 861 would go very well, too.

Steve

the toshiba sucks to be honest, so shouldn't be considered at all. For a preview of HD-DVD, yes, but for the rest, no. it makes a PC look fast

Joern,

I am assuming that you are referring to the reaction times and loading times of the player and not the video performance. If you are referring to the performance, then you are amongst a very small minority that shares that opinion. It is my understanding that the slow loading times are not entirely the manufacturer's fault, but rather lies in the protection codes that are required for licensing.

Anyway, who says that a movie needs to load in five seconds for a player to be acceptable? When I decide to watch a movie, I usually set aside two to two and a half hours to enjoy, the minute and a half that it takes to read the disc is a non-issue.

Rudy

that's one thing. support for new DD and DTS soundtracks is not good. if you wish to change your videooutput from lats say 720p to 1080i or change from HDMI to component. What happends? the movie automaticly start all over again. if you switch HDMI thru a receiver and switch over to another source to have a quick view.. it Freezes up and read HDMI-error on the screen. basically this player sucks, no matter how nice the pictures looks (when you go from DVD to HD it will look good allways). lets put it this way, the format got potensial, and it's possible to have a very good moment witch this player, but there are definatly room for improvements

Just listening to peoples comments on the response times of the toshiba's regardless of their underlying cause, makes me worry about Ms eventual player - given that a sd player takes 5-6 times longer to load than a standard tosh DVD player does that mean an M HD DVD player could take over 30secs or dare I say it a whole minute to load - that would be difficult to stomach.

sorry, 5-6 times might be a slight exageration but it makes my point!!