Basically what it says in the title. What's different between the two and is the DVL-919 worth having over a DVL-909? I know there's some kind of difference but I don't know what it is, beyond the fact that the DVL-919 was seemingly produced much longer than the DVL-909.

The 919’s DVD section supports DTS. There may be other upgrades but I recall that being the big one.

As zeta has said the DVD bit was upgraded though it even back when it was issued the DVD quality was not rated highly at all.

A bit from the LASERDISCARCHIVE site....

Compared with the older DVL-909, the new DVL-919 sports some welcome enhancements. For a start, it delivers DTS audio and has higher-tech DACs, which improves both S/N ratio and colour noise.

Yet the chroma crosstalk - a measurement of colour bleed from chrominance to luminance channels - is no better. And although good, the resolution is not significantly superior either.

In summary, there's little point of upgrading from a 909 to a 919 unless you specifically have need to play DTS DVDs. Upgrading from LD, though, is another matter entirely. If you have an old machine that's creaking at the edges, this Pioneer is clearly for you. It grants an upgrade to DVD whilst also allowing replay of your existing LDs.

From: Master list for DAC chips used in LD players

DVL-909 - 1 x PD2029AM
DVL-919 - 1 x PE8001A described as Pioneer re-badging of Burr-Brown PCM1716 (24-bit/96KHz, mid-range)

Julien

If anyone besides me actually uses LD DACs then that’s a bigger upgrade than DTS on the DVD side. (I’m assuming this player isn’t going to actually see DVD use).

The 909 had the 703/704 NR circuits, but they weren't controllable unless you applied the DVL-91's flash programming, and the 919 didn't.

Oh yeah, I have no need to use a DVL as a DVD player when I own like 30 different things that play DVDs.

So there is no NR on the 919? Or is it set to 703/704 defaults?

These two models seem to be quite popular here in New Zealand for some reason,
Well coming up regularly on auction sites here anyway.
Just checking and those are the only 3 LD players available on New Zealands main auction site.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 2973144421
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 2977406973
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 2977679530

Asking but they aint selling.
Remember these are in NZD$

Dvl-919 (at least the JP model) does have NR (on/off) but usually there is no need to use it.

I ended up getting a JP DVL-919, tested and fully working, off Yahoo Japan Auctions for about $200USD, can't wait until I can actually afford to ship it here.