Im not talking top of the line. What Player gave the most bang for the buck. I have a dvd ld combo I am thinking about switching out because I am not happy with the picture. I have a 62 inch hdtv which could have something to do with it. Regardless, what is the best player, say under 200 dollars you can get and have the best bang for your buck. Thanks

If you don't need AC-3 then the CLD-D703, if you want AC-3 then sometimes you can find a CLD-D704 for $200 or less.

I will look, thanks.

What DVD/LD combo have you? I find that mine (dvl 909, 919) all have superb pictures on both the 64" Pioneer CRT rear projector and Sharp Aquos LCD.

But for a really good price, I'd have to go with either the Panasonic LX-1000u prism, or the next generation series best Panasonic, LX-900u. The 1000u is just about the sturdiest player ever made and absolutely one of the quietest, and Panny made a really nicely designed and simple laser track for side changing, a U-turn, and no flip turning. Really bulletproof machine and usually under $100, but you've got to make sure the packing is good due to the weight.

At one time I had LX-1000u's hooked to every TV set with a spare leftover, after experimenting with them, Pioneers and Sonys but when I got the DVLs, the Panny's went into "semi-retirement". The downside is no AC3 output, so I got the DVLs for that purpose. I still think the LX-1000u picture is just as great, if the player is in top shape.

I will toss a hat of support as well for the DVL 919 dvd/ld combo player.
Bought mine new a couple of years ago and have been very pleased with the picture and sound.
If I could only get over to Japan and go shopping for a few days...............................

I have a 909 and am just not happy with the pic. It could be me, or it could just be the player.

I suspect the player. Even my DVL 700s always looked great. My suggestion is to get a 919, and see how you like it and sell the 909. Also pick up a LX-1000u if you've never had one.

Lol, i might actually own the Lx model. I have a few panasonics.

I had a DVL-919E for a long time, thinking it was the best ...
I have a HLD-X9 for almost a year now, and it's really not comparable. It's really worth it to enjoy LD's in 2011.

Display is a 50" Panasonic Plasma from 2008.

Yes, it's true and well known that the x9 will beat any routine LD player by miles.

The thing is that, while we all would be happy to own such, many must make do with what we can actually purchase. So looking for the best picture on limited budgets is the catch.

The alternative is to stop collecting LDs and go with the rest of the nation as led by the Sony electronics oligarchy, and trade in everything for BR discs, until they tell us to change again.

I found that I get the best picture on a limited budget with the DVL 919, and using a DVDO HD+, it looks really good on the Pioneer CRT 64" rear projector at 1080i, and when I can afford it, I'll switch up to a Pioneer Kuro plasma set (used of course).

The DVL series LD section is based on the CLD-D604 LD players. The DVL units have a decent picture but until you see the CLD-D704, CLD-97, CLD-99 working as they should you will not understand that others are better.

I've had all of those, and the 701, 702, 703, 750 also, and all of the DVLs I've had looked better. I'm sure they were properly working, but cannot confirm that now as they are all in others' hands. I know the 704 has a reputation as do the elites, but I personally found both the Panasonic LX-1000u and LX-900u better in picture quality. In fact I gave up my elite models to switch to the 1000u, and I wasn't regretful.

I'm sure that what you say is right regarding these being base on 604 platform , circuits, and other things, as you'd be the person to know. But in my own personal viewing experience I found the DVL series best for the price. I would certainly expect some improvements on the laser pick-up and some other areas of the player even being based in some ways on an earlier model.

As an example, out of the LD realm, the RCA CED player 400 series is considered the top of the line, and has two models, SJT & SKT. Most don't know the difference, but the SKT is a later production with improvements in curcuitry that give it better audio and video reproduction than the SJT. The difference is minute but can be seen and heard.

I will have to check out my panasonic and see how it compares.

I found the LX-900U a little quieter for lumance noise but the 703/704 better on chroma noise. But the Video AGC in the LX-900U was the killer for me. For some reason Panasonic added AGC to the video and if you watch dark scenes you will fine that the 900U raises the black level up and you do not get the dark scene the movie was meant to have. It does not have the full video range due to the AGC operation. MSB corrected this circuit in their version of the 900U and MSB modified the Runco to correct for this.

The LX-900U was the best Panasonic I've seen but no parts support for years and harder to work on. I do prefer my CLD-97.

Kurtis

Last year, I picked up a Runco LJR II for a steal (which I've since sold for a tidy profit.) In the off chance I was going to keep the player, I sent an email to MSB (since they designed the player) to see if they could repair the player if need be. They said yes as they have parts for the player (in several boxes in storage) and would provide service for the player as well.

So there's a chance you might be able to get parts for an LX-900u from them if you really needed them!

The DVL units are equivalent to the CLD-D604. You need to go to the CLD-D703 w/o AC-3 RF or the CLD-D704 with AC-3 RF for a better picture and best bang for the buck.

Thanks for the info guys...
Very helpful thread here...
Looking for a upgrade for futre reference and grateful for the data....
Cheers !

I might have to go back and check out what I have and investigate them individually. I picked up an industrial unit the other day, was used in a school but havent checked it out yet. I will have to look at it this weekend and see what it looks like.