Hey peeps! I know the CLD-R7G is more or less a DVL-player without DVD and the latest features of ld playback.. the DVL is nice, but it does have a noisy picture compared to higher end models, how does the r7g compare to dvl when it comes to noise?

The R7G has a pretty noisy picture (up there with the D600 series.) That's why it's never really useful to go with the composite over the S-Video on that player as it is unlikely that any comb filter will clean up the picture better than the internal NEC #7 3D comb filter (which is a damn good filter.)

However, I would pick the R7G over all the DVL series, save for one--the Japan only DVL-H9. The H9 has the same NEC #7 filter as the R7G but with a slightly less noisy picture (from what I've read.)

thanks:)

the comb filter isn't a problem though, i use the crystalio ii, it should be the r7g, the h9 probably cost a lot in shipping, the r7g is extremely light. my plan is to get an extra
hld-x9, but in the meanwhile saving up for another one, i'd like to have an extra player, just in case the x9 would get issues

Owning both the R7G and the H9 I agree with elahrairrah completely on that point, the H9 is quite a bit less noisy and overall much more comparable to the X9 - but with the qualifier that is via the s-video. Keep in mind the issue of the recombined composite output with these players, the H9 suffered a considerable drop in sharpness and clarity in my system via the composite output compared to the s-video. The X9 on the other hand did not. I never compared the R7G composite, but the same was true of the S9 and I suspect the R7G would be no different.

On the basis of the weight and shipping/purchase costs I agree it makes a good backup player but I would suspect even with the CII the s-video output would definitely be the way to go (unless you have crappy s-video cables). I too am holding out for a reasonably priced second X9 to try to 'future-proof' myself.